The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-03-24
THE PRISONER.

IL was Dauly 1rl8uteneu anu very
nervous woman that was ushered into
detectives presence early one morning
in June, 1866.
Her name was Mrs. Schwinke; her oc-
cupation that of boarding house keeper.
Her complaint was of very serious ma
ture. being an accusation of contem-
plated poisoning on the part of one of
her favorite boarders, q gentleman by
the name of Frederick Sellers.
The story she told the detective in a
tremulous voice may be briefly summed
up as follows:
Sellers was dry-goods clerk, and had
for a roommate young man named
Abel Luther, q druggists clerk. Both
were American-born, but of German de-
scent, the same as Mrs. Schwinke.
Sellers had been an inmate of her
household upward of q year, and was
general favorite with them all; Mrs.
Schwinke especially regarded him as in
deed one of the family. But ca change
came over the spirit of her dream" On
the previous night while doing some re-
pairing to some bed-linen in room ad-
joining that of Sellers, she overheard q
conversation between him and Luther in
which her name was mentioned. The
fact excited her curiosity, and applying
her ear to the wall which divided thetwo
apartments, she distinctly heard Sellers
say that he would give her some poison.
"Are you quite sure that you heard
Alright ?" asked the gentleman.
"Oh, I'm sure he said those words,
Mr.. varnoe," responded she, with great
earnestness. II can swear to it,"
"Did his companion make any re-
marks?"
Eyes, sir, he did. He said he would
like to do the same thing, only he could
not afford it"
Meaning, 1 presume, he would not
hazard the attempt" suggested Varnoe.
II guess he was afraid" was the sim
pie rejoinder.
"Well, what would you have me do?"
said the detective. "Since you are posi-
tive that he means to poison you in the
near future, it appears to me that your
wisest course would be to lay your COM
plant before a magistrate and have him
arrested"
"Oh, no. Mr.. Varnoe, I would not
like that" pleaded she. 81 have
thought so much of Mr.. Sellers that 1
could not bear to have him arrested.
What l would like is for you to come to
nv house as O boarder and watch him
and Mr.. Luther, and try and find out
how he intends to poison me, and for
what-for I'm sure have always treated
both of them very kindly, especially Mr..
Sellers"
Here the young widow put her apron
to her face and wept softly for minute
or two. She was not over twenty-five,
of a good figure, and very pretty IN
features, and the detective shrewdly
guessed that she had taken q strong lik-
ing to her "favorite boarder, and his
contemplated crime against her wounded
her vanity as much as it shocked her
moral sensibilities.
but. madam" remarked Varnoe,
smiling. "that would amount to nothing
whatever if he really meditates such
thing as You suspect. While would be
seeking to discover the means he intends
to employ, he might accomplish the
deed. What them"
my God! then l know not what l
shall do" said she, in evident distress.
Can't YOU find out some better way, Mr..
Varnoe?" asked she, beseechingly.
VIGIL, OCAWAAnOs SssA>s S-A~
tective, taking compassion on her, III
come to your house as o boarder for
few days, and try and find out all about
it,"
Twill you now? Oh, I am so glad!'
cried the delighted woman. "You shall
have the best of the table while You are
a boarder, and I'll not charge you cent.
And if you can make it out that l am
mistaken, and Mr.. Sellers does not mean
to poison me after all, why, I shall give
YOU twenty dollars-there, now"
"That is all right, responded Varnoe,
scarcely able to conceal smile at her
eagerness; then he remarked: "Then
YOU do not wish to think he really medi-
tates taking your life?"
"Oh, no, sir; don't"
And after all, you do not appear to
be certain that you we're correct in your
Interpretation OF the words you over
heard" persued the gentleman quiz
zingly.
.sWell, 1 thought I overheard him say
So" responded she, "but after all, l
may be mistaken"
livery likely" remarked Varnoe,
obviously. However, I'll be around
in the morning as gentleman named
Mr.. James Powers.
II thank you, shall expect You re-
Joined Mrs. Schwinke, and she left the
detectives presence with light heart
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