Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-01-13
SHEPHERDSTOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA. SATURDAY, JAN

approaches of his servants utterly failed
to elicit anything. At one house on
Main street he entered, spoke to every
lady present (and there were tiye,) and
called them by name, saying something
to each which satisfied them he knew
their antecedents; and so selfpossessed
vas he that when strangers came in he
advanced and received them, asking
names and Introducing them. Before
the ladies could quite recover from
their astopishment he bowed himself
out and was gone. He never paid two
visits in the same neighborhood consec-
utiyely, although it is certain that in
many instances he returned at later
period of the day to neighborhoods pre-
viously visited. AT one residence he
visited French gentleman, there mere
ly announcing himself as countryman.
and after making himself very agreea-
BILE he performed upon the piano, the
guitar and violin with wonderful skill
and displayed rich, highly cultivated
tenor voice. He withdrew, speaking
French, as the gentleman assures, per-
fectly, saying he would be at his hotel
several weeks and begging Mons.-
to call upon him. AS he bade adieu to
Madame---he placed in her hands
small box OF what he said were bon
bons to keep up the French custom OF
New Years tokens After he was gone,
upon opening the box, 10! it contains
lovely enameled lockct, quite costly,
with a diamond "a" upon the face.
Inquiry at his hotel failed to elicit any
information as to his whereabouts, and
the proprietor denies that any such per-
son was present. Our great unknown
certainly was not spirit, for he receiy
ed most feshly fall about 4:30 o'clock
as he came down the steps, of house
on Main and Fourth streets, which came
near placing him where any curious re-
porter could interview him. In this
: place the ladies insist he showed signs
of intoxcation, although his manner
was most deferential. The old practice
( OF addressing each lady as an acquain-
tance was there kept up, but he con-
fused names and became somewhat en-
barrassed and finally sat down on his
/ hat. Finally he visited the residence OF
a lovely young lady on-street who
was receiving with another. There he
! gave no name. Naturally they were
| perplexed, and, curious to know who
he was, and no other visitors being
present, became very importUnate in
/ good hnmored way Pretending to
yield to the entreaties of the younger
and tarer, he induced her TO retire to
the rear parlor, ahd there upon the sofa
he promised to let her into the whole
mystery. Upon taking their seats he
began a most sentimental rigamarole as
the lady insists, in maudlin strain, and
after DEPRESSING in every drew from
his finger a sapphire ring,telling her she
might read his name on the inside. She
took the ring, bent forward towards the
light to read the inscription, and as she
did so felt his arm encircle herand herself
drawn towards him; she screamed loud
~. Her companion, older and more
discreet than herself, had already be-
come alarmed at the strange conduct of
the man, and had sought the gentleman
Of the house. They were returning
| through the hall as they heard the
scream, and entered the parlor in time
to see the ruffian imprint one or two
kisses upon the forehead of the strug-
Cling girl. The father darted upon him
ike thunderboli, but as he came up
the man dealt him one blow, which fel-
led him to the floor, leaped over his
! body, and, spriuging into his carriage,
was off in a trice, and no one else saw
him in the city save barkeeper at the
fredericksburg depot, who describes
perfectly the conveyance in which he
travelled as having passed that way AID
over the Free bridge.
The authorities have telegraphed to
Petersburg for the apprehension of the
party ithe goes that way, for the injuries
of Mr.-are very serious, he being an
elderly man and the blow very power
full one. The ring, which is real
valuable jewel, remains in the custody
of Miss. 1t simply contains the Ca
/ balislic "a" She is over her fright,
and says it is not SO bad after all to be
kissed aud have her papa knocked down
fer such a price. 1t is impossible it
could have been friend or relative, for
she has none who would have ventured
on such a liberty, and besides the iDju-
ry to the gentleman is too serious to
justify such presumption. Miss-says
! that in her conversation she observed
under the left lapel OF the mans coat a
cross or badge or token Of some rt,and
that his clothing, his jewelry, his man
ner and conversation, and everything
about him indicated person of rank
and culture Singular enough, after he
left the place where he fell upon the
steps a short note was found, postmark-
ed Seville, aud address to Louis,
signed, however, "Annie,' and written
in French. 1t only tells him Of her de-
sire to see him and such stuff. Names
are suppressed, but the occurrence is on
the lips of every one, and is the great
event Of the New Years Day in Rich
mond. The only theory upon which
We can account for the affair is, that it
is some rich attache of some of the En-
oacsies in Washington, who is on
grand escaPade
Since the above was written the fol-
lowing telegram from Petersburg PROM
ises a solution of the mystery: