The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-03
A Strange Story.

One of the most atrocious and diaboli-
cally-ingenious acts in the history of
crime was committed some months since
in the interior OF this State. Although
the shocking story has been privately
told more than once, the details have been
generally Withheld, along with the names
of the sufferers from an outrage we'll
nigh unprecedented in enormity, in this
country, at least.
Omitting names from considerations of
delicacy, the particulars of the crime are
as follows: A newly-married woman-a
native and resident of Boston-possessed
of many attractions of person, mind and
manners, had been on visit to some
friends in one of the central counties of
this State. Her visit finished, she started
home by the New York Central Railway,
expecting to reach Albany at night, where
her husband had agreed to meet her.
Toward evening she changed cars at
Rome, and noticed that two men who got
on the train with her seated themselves
near her and by their glances and GEES
lures seemed to have her under discussion.
This made her uneasy, but as she was in
a drawing-room car, and could appeal to
the conductor if need be, she felt safe,
and the knowledge that her husband
would be waiting her at Albany, gave
her sense of additional security. There
was nothing unprepossessing or suspi-
cioUs in the appearance of the men.
They were middle aged, neatly and sober
ly dressed, and had an air of sober re-
spectability. She would not have been
no f--n rl,
IDENTIFY directed their looks and attention
to her. Very soon the conductor of the
drawing-room car came through, and she
was on the point Of paying him the extra
price she had secured her through ticket.
when one of the two men said quietly.
Don't take that lady's fare; she's in our
charge We. pay for her She turned
in surprise and indignation, not uumixed
with lear, and said, Il do not know these
men; they must not pay my fare; they
are nothing to me; | have never seen
them before One Of them whispered
10 the railway official. who inquired of
the lady, what is your name, please7'
Mrs. --,' was the answer. Sand
where do you livet I'm Boston," she
replied Il told you SO, ." remarked the
elder O.; the couple, who appeared to be
spokesman. You will find what have
told you strictly true. We have no wish
to annoy the lady. We are acting under
the direction of her friends"
The conductor then took the money
from the speaker and to the protest Of
the lady remarked, You must pardon
me, madam, but these gentlemen tell me
you are insane, and that they have been
engaged to take you to the State Asylum
at Uuca. They had given me your name
and place of residence before you had
mentioned them Il insaneW II 90 TO
the state Asylum: Oh, heavens. What
dreadful mystery is this! What horrid
plan have they formed against met" and
she pressed her hands against her head:
her eyes, and, indeed, her whole face.
b.azed with an intensity of feeling, and
she evinced degree of dread and agony
that went far toward corroborating the
charge Of arrangement. You perceive"
said one of her assumed custodians in a
loud tone, 1.-THE condition of the poor
lady. She is ordinarily gentle and
tractable enough; but when her disorder
Is referred to she becomes wild as you see
her now" Great God :" exclaimed she,
lean any one believe this fearful storyl
l am as sane as anybody; but fear |
shall be mad unless am delivered from
these dreadful men. What do they want;
what do they intend. They want to alb
duct me to rob me. assure you Ito the
CONDUCTOR | call heaven to witness that
| am not insane. do not know, | have
never laid eyes on these men"
"But they are acquainted with your
name and residence, madam. They must
be what they assume. Pray do not be
alarmed. I'm sure they are your friends
They will do you no harm
80, do not leave me alone with them
They are not my friends. do not know
them. can't imagine how they learned
my name. l appeal to you, to any ger
tleman for protection
The conductor was somewhat moved.
Her youth. her beauty, her anguish, APP
pealed to him strongly, and yet she GER