The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-06
DRIVEN TO DESPAIR.

A NorHER URGED BY Distribution TO FOLSOM
HER CHILD AND END HER OWN LIFE.
Destituton mas Of late been the fruitful cause OF
suicide, but seldom, even In these days, does drive
Its victims 10 such extremties as IL did Catharips
Wilde. She Is an English woman, nity years Of age,
whose husband, carpenter In ST John, n. b.. has
neglected her. or perhaps. been unable render hen
assistance. With her little GIRL Caroline, CHILD nine
years old, tho woman ly ed In u poor abode at No
Whites alley, struggling 10 exc bare subsist
ence, but day by day her wants became more urgent
aud Tho prospect OF relief less BY hor needle she
strove at first to earn the maintenance OF
herself and her child She WAS Dress
maker and. 1t is said. skilled one too,
but no offered, and her applications Tor employ
mcnt were but series OF bitter uisappointmenls
Yesterday in u moment OF despair, when she saw
that only starvation or the cold refuge OF
pubic institution seemed the portion Of hei
child and self sho determined 70 leave
time remove from us rough contact the only being
she regretted 10 part from. With the iew pennies
she able TO gather she went away about noon and
returned soon with couple Of vals one containing
white, the other red liquid. For while she sat IN
sl.ence' nea'asng WIN .ran.,,on sna ,nsn ne
called to the little girl Caroline. Fondiing her
first with mothers tenderness. though at the sans
time STRIVING to control the strong emotions
that made themselves visible even to the chiidt
eye she spoke to her OF the coIdness OF tho world OF
the dark future that before them ana said that
II better far to end tho existence that was tor
ment TO them AMI look for better thinys IN tue mere
after Oi the little could III divine what
her mothers words portcnded, but some IN.
stiDct sno herself knew not what, prompted
her look with sort Of dread upon her parent ana
feel that she had some purpose OF doing harm. Ac-
cordipgly when the woman poured out some OF tue
coiorcd Lou and gave Il 10 tho child TO drink little
Caroline swallowed but porlion OF II ana spat he
rest out The bitter taste OF the potion caused her,
too moment after, 10 rinse her mouth, aud this
happy chance, tho result proved. saved her life.
THE DEATH SCENE.
What remained in tho bottle the woman swallowed,
and then going 10 bed stretched herself upon
1t anu called Caroline TO her.
"Come, chid, 50 TO sleep with me-" she said,
and then 10 ding her arms about the littlc girl
she lay there breathing heavily. A hall
an hour passed, and then tho child, aroused
by the cold coutsct Of her mothers hands, rose IN tho
bed 10 nnd she was corpse. Hsr cries brought Ia
tho neghbors, and The discovery Vi the dead
woman, winch occupied their mAnls AZ nrst, gave
place fears Tor the chids safety. The puplis
OF her eyes became dilate:. her stomach
was unsettled aud She began evlncc symptoms
Of poisoning Such emctics Us were at hana were id
tcrco, reporter last night visited tho
desolate abode oil the Wides', l!ttte Caroline was
thought 10 DO out OF danger In the old tenement In
Whites acy tho CHILD found In the charge oi IN
old Sne Is bright, intelligent little girl. aud
told, with accuracy and power lar beyond nor
yearR the tragic story OF her mOthcr's death.