The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-03
MRS. POSTS INSANE CALLER
CHASING HER AND THE CHILDREN OUT
or DOORS WITH 4 hNIFF.

A Stranger Enters - brooklyn Womnn's Par
Ior, CIatma Acquaintance, sips her Wine,
and then Tries to Murder he's Little son.
Mrs. Caroline Post, n young wife, was re-
cciving calls on New Years day aud evening
in her homo at iG1 Dufllcld street. Brooklyn.
At 81 F. NJ. Just as she had dismissed three Of
her guests. the door bell was rung. and being
near the front door. she opened it herself.
thinking the visitor was friend. Ashort man.
dressed in n common suit OF dark clothes. and
wearing Derby hat stood on tho threshold.
He was n stranger. and had n demure look. He
said to Mrs. Post Il wish you q happy now
year" She said that she didn't recognize him,
but when he said that he knew her. and that
friend Of hers. naming person she know. scnt
him thither. she admitted him into the parlor
He said that he had becn making n number OF
calls. and that no had Just ono moro to make.
Mrs Post questioned him as to whore this call
was to be. lie aroused her curiosity by pleas
ant replies. and finally said. with some evident
satisfaction. that his last call was to be made Mt
home She said that that was doubtless tho
best place for some callers. and he smiled grim
ly. Then he surprised her by saying again that
he knew her. and that she had not seen him for
fifteen years. and did not remember him. sho
searched her memory In vain TO find some for
gotten likeness there Of such n man. and was
forced ~ tell the visitor that she had never seen
him before lie said that he WINS ~ years III
age and that no had been for fifteen years in
II called to see my own sister to-day" said
he, and she didn't know me."
Then" said Mrs. Post. you can't expect
mo TO know YOU"
The visitor was silent Tor minute. and then
he said. gravcly:
may loo your uncle"
On. may you 2" laughed the hostess. You
are forty-two years Of age, and am not much
more than half that"
Then Mrs. Posts nine year- old son. Zehulon.
entered the room. and the strange man called
him ~ his side and began to- talk to him. Mrs.
Post grew nervous and calling her maid ser
want who was tho only other adult person in
the house. asked her TO remain in the room and
watch the man. The girl says that as soon as
Mrs. Posts back was turned the man began to-
make the most horrible faces at her. He slipped
some wine. and took "a bite OF cake, and then
returned 10 his soat continuing to distort his
features at the girl when Mrs. Post was not
look ing. The hostess tried every, rusc she
could think Of TO get her caller on his feet, so
that she could conduct him out. and Mt last
when he did get up she opened the pqrlor, door.
| He called the boy Zehulon TO him. and told him
TO put out his foot and his hand. and then. sur
| Veying the lad. he said
|What fine actor he would make"
| While the boys hand was yet extended tho
visitor hastily drew from the inside OF MS coat
exposed It. He struck at the boy. but the little
| fellow Jumped back. Mrs. Post screamed. and
the servant and the children fled into the street
| through the front door. Mr.. Posts youngest
| child was sleeping on the bed H. the back par
| Tor. ana. tearing ncr VISITOR would alarK tho
| infant she stood in the doorway ready 10 dart
either way. Two men passing along the street
! stopped 10 inquire what the matter was, aud, on
| being told that there was crazy or drunken
| man inside. with n pistol or revolver. they ran
away ~ fast as they could. The visitor followed
| out upon the doorstep with tho knife in his
! hand and a fierce look in his face. Mrs Post
He'd before him screaming. He threw the
weapon into the courtyard. in the snow. Three
| men then came along, and he walked away
| Mrs. Post and her family hurried back into ~,
| house and locked and bolted every door. Pres.
| entity the stranger returned. and slowly paced
| the length Of the courtyard number OF times
and looked over the iron railing as though seek.
ing his knife Mrs. Post. annoyed 10y his pros
| encc, opened the parlor door and said:
| You thieil II you don't leave here at once
! / will scream murder and have you arrested
Then he ran away as fast rs he could. Tha
| was the last seen OF him.
| The police found the knife In tho snow. II ID
| an old -fas hioncd carving knife with u silver
| mounted handle. Tho blade has been uneyenlJ
| ground down to resemble n dagger.
| Mr.. Post was absent. making New Year
| call, when his wife received her insane caller.