Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-04-29
Loves Sacrifice

IL was my last act OF my mission as
detective before leaving New Orleans for
San Francisco in the Spring of l849; and
/ may add that it is the saddest memory
connected with my career as a detective.
In one of the fashionable millinery estab-
lishments of that city was a young girl
named Mary Elliston. She was very
young, but with a character formed by the
sad experience which is sure TO be met with
in the life of an orphan. She had clear,
beautiful gray eyes, cheeks soft and deli
cate as the leaf of the roses; brown curly
hair shaded low, broad forehead, instinct
with intellect and intelligence. She was
small in figure, but the petite form was
faultless in its exquisite delicacy of outline
and contour. 1t was impossible not to
love her. if to such physical beauty is
added the generous and kind heart she
really possessed. 1t is not surprising that
such girl had many admirers. 1t would
be strange if she had not. But there were
two, who, from their devotion and her
treatment, acquired a prominence over the
rest Indeed the sphere they moved in
was far above that of the little milliner
She believed they loved her and, not
withstanding the great difference in their
social position, believed they meant kindly.
That tney loved is certain. They were
Jealous; and more than once hostile
meeting was imminent between them.
Her way home from the store led by Jack
son square 1t was not as beautiful then
as now, but Its rich foliage and elegant
bowers, even at that day, excited admira-
ton. One evening as she passed along the
river side of the square she was met by
Luisand Lacour, the richest and most per-
severing of her admirers, but the one whom
she favored least. Indeed, it was said she
disliked him, and on one occasion had re-
sented bitterly an insult he had offered her.
4 passer-by heard her voice raise Indig
nantly as she passed him that evening il
front of the iron gate. Standing there a
moment she entered the square, from
which half hour afterward she was seen
to hurry away with every sign of distress
and intense excitement. 1t was but a few
minutes after this that young Lacour was
found murdered lying on the iron bench
with a short Spanish dagger through his
heart. The girl bad been known to pos
sess such a weapon-the gift of one she
never named. This was all.
OF course almost every one believed her
to be the assassin. | could not. | had
seen too much of criminal life TO mistake its
characteristics. That girl was innocent
knew. When arrested she protested her
innocence in language frantic and wild.
Terror had made her forgetful, seemingly
OF look and action, and she gave way to the
most excessive paroxysns of grief and dis
tress. After she was taken TO the station
Mr.. L. and myself visited her, to see if we
could learn anything of the case. We felt
more like friends than detectives. The sad
orphanage of the young girl enlisted our
deepest sympathy and touched our hearts
they would have been fiinty, indeed, had
they not softened at her distress. | never
saw such anguish before. The pale, beau
tiful face was almost wild with terror.
She was frantic one moment, and sobbing,
walking and terror stricken the next. AS
we entered the cell she threw herself at my
feet, and, lifting her face, SO pale and
beautiful, walled OUT
81 am innocent, SIR am innocent.
81 believe you are, Mary; and it was to
help you that we came here.
81 could not do such deed, sir; in
deed could not "
Il know that; but, Mary, do you know
who did2"
She lifted her face quickly, and wild,
frightened expression crossed it, and then
it grew like marble in an instant. She did
not reply, but | rever saw one in whom
hope seemed so suddenly and utterly to
have fled as that girl then. l repeated my
question:
DO you know who did, Mary 2"
She shook her head and remained silent.
told her that we were satisfied that she
was innocent, but to establish this it was
necessary to bring the real criminal to JUS
tice. She could help us IN this. But she
still shook her head.
Mary, Paul Willie is the man.! "
She sprang to her feet and screamed out
rather than spoke her denial:
"No, no, no, not him; it was /, 1t was
|. l did it, I'll acknowledge it now
punish me if you will, but do not accuse
him-do not let him be arrested
1t was plain to me now. My first i'm
preston was correct. Young Willie had
come upon his rival talking with Mary in
the square, and under first impulse of re-
sentiment had slain him. Her confession
of the fact was only lacking to secure her
acquittal, but she would not confess; and
from that hour acknowledged her guilt.
A few days after young Willie left the
country, and in time his family furnished
evidence that released the girl. She, too,
went away, but it was not long before she
died. The fright and horror Of the terrible
crime laid to her charge finally killed her.
| shall never forget the scene l witnessed
in her cell. The desolate woman strug
Cling with her anguish and terror haunts
my memory still.