The Portland daily press., 1880-12-29
The Tragedy of q Night.
A Story Related by sarah Bernhardt tC
Vsracious Correspondant.

Monsieur Gardie was the son of French
nobleman, the Kings receiver general at La
Rochelle, and possessor of great wealth. The
young man was idle and dissipated, ana his
father, hoping that employment would correct
his bad habits, sent him to st. Domingo as an
agent in some commercial business. There
he saw and formed an intimacy with fascin-
ating woman, the mother of male infant,
who, as an actress, enchanted the public when
on the stage, and in private life was the charm
er Of all who knew her. This woman had
lived as wife with performer named Mauri-
son, who was the father of the infant, and
from whom she had separated, because he was
no longer worthy of her affections. NJ. Mauri-
son went to France, and being man of ability
and carrying with him property, he was
elected one of the municipality of Lyons after
the revolution, and shared the fate of thous-
ands, the fate of blood and death during the
reign of terror.
When M. Gardie went back to France he
was accompanied by this actress. She con-
tinued to exercise her professional abilities,
but was not received into the family of the
Gardies. The revolution had deprived the
father of his title, but had not taken from him
his wealth or his pride One evening when
this beautiful actress was on the stage she was
called on to sing la Marseillaise." She re-
fused, but for what reason is unknown. The
audience were enraged; she was forced not
only to quit the theatre but to fly from France.
Young Gardie left country and family to ac-
company the mistress of his destiny Togeth-
er they returned to Cape Francoise On the
sv,S,, 49, Al
America, where they lived as man and wife,
he principally supported by her salary as a
dancer snd pantomimo actress, for her skill as
comedian was nugatory, inasmuch as no one
could understand her language. When the
manager OF the John street theatre in New
York decided on coming to Boston, NJ Gardie
was engaged as leader of the orchestra, while
his wife was regular member of the troupe
But the ballet and pantomime were soon
Topped OIL the programme, and Mons. and
Nine. Gardie, hoping to better their condition,
returned to New York to die. In debt, help
less and friendless, his wife importuned NJ
Gardie to write to his father, seek forgiveness
and return to France. He resolved to do so,
and begged her to return with him, bat she
could not overcome her repugnanoe to the
family which had rejected her, and the people
who had driven her from the stage and tha
country. She refused to return, and on the
evening before her death had consulted with
her to return to st. Domingo.
THE TRAGEDY OF NIGHT.
On the fatal and horrible night, NJ Gardie
occupied small bed in the third story of a
house in Broadway-in the same room where
slept his wife and her boy, now years of age.
The boy was walked in the night by his sup
posed father removing him from his mothers
bed to his own. The boy soon fell asleep
again, but soon starting at the sound OF a groar
the lad in great alarm cried out, "What is the
matter. papa? What is the matter with my
mammal? Hush, was the reply, your
turb her" Presently noise OF falling, strug-
Cling and groans third time awoke the boy.
bis calls were unanswered all was dark and
silent. His terror increased as he called aloud
and in vain for his mamma. He left his bod
and cropping his way, his little hands enconn-
tered the Yet warm corpse Of his father on the
floor. He felt the blood as 1t flowed from the
wounds, and ne pressed his tiny fingers into
the gaping gashes. Wild now with terror, the
child reached the door, and it being unfast-
ened he found his way to the mistress Of the
boarding house, who was awakened by his
cries. But his incoherent screams were misun-
derstood and he was sternly ordered to 90 to bed.
Thus repulsed and not daring to return TO the
dreadful room, he sought the bed of negro
servant and crept trembling to his side. At
break OF day the house dogs found their way
to the scene of blood, and with the most pite-
Gus howls gave vent to their feelings. Sever
al times they ran up and down stairs before
the family were alarmed On entering the
room the landlady and her servants found MI.
Gardie lying in the middle of the floor welter-
ing in his own blood, his right hand still grasp
ing the knife, his face and hands horribly dis
torted, for he had been forced to infict several
wounds on himself before he fell His wife
had been killed by one blow, aud lay as II
asleep.