Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-20
Betrayal and Suicide.

vite Jewess, and Nihilist, and one of Tho
most beautiful women on the Paris stage
was buried Sunday from the Russian church
and Dnke- Charles DvMvIuy went IuLu &C.
clusion in the house of his mother, the
Duchess De Sesto. On Sunday morning LAS
the young actress, in her tweuty-second wear
shot herself in the dukes hotel in the Rue
de Marginan. To the Commissary of Police
whom the duke, clad in his dressing-gown
summoned from the street, she explained
that she had no complaint 10 make against
any one. She only wanted to die. AT dsy.
light, in great agony, she expired. In spite
of the adverse criticism that she elected
Mile. de Ferghine was one of the most prom
isiug artists on the French stage. She en-
joyed the rarest gifts of person and intellect
and her unfortunate ldiso1s with miserable
and heartless little fool alone iuterfered with
her success. Solitary and friendless in her
struggles, like Sarah Bernhardt, she had I'M
fortunately an abnormal sense of gratitude
Duped by DeMorny, and finding him about
to marry a daughter of financial baron,
she broke down and made an end of herself
The Governess's Suicfde-The story OF
Her Lie
NEW YORK, September 19.-Owing to the
fact that the family of the late Josephine
Psrsnt, who committed suicide in hotel
Wednesday night, is very highly regarded in
Quebec, her late home, those who were thor
oughly acquainted with her rel q ions toward
Edward Sheridan, of the Metropolitan Ho-
tel, were Yesterday disinclined TO speak of the
matter. 1t was learned, however, that there
was something more than friendship between
the beautiful and accomplished teacher and
the hotel superintendent of carriages. The
letters to tina laitar,- ,zhich--iha- hes
seen, breathe the most ardent love for and
devotion to the man. Sheridan still keeps
himself secluded from all callers Late last
night Mr.. Arthur Parsnt, Josephine's
brother, was expected here from Berlin Falls.
n. H., TO convey the remains to ST. Germ ain.
Quebec. The Inquest will be held in a day
or two.
The reporter had an interview with LADY
with whom Josephine lived as a governess.
This lady (Mrs. Titcomb, of LAFAYETTE
avenue, Brooklyu) had returned from Lake
George on "wednesday, and it was with the
greatest grief she said, that she read in the
Herald OF yesterday the suicide of girl for
whom che had very tender regard. To the
reporter Mrs. Titcomb unfolded the event
ful, not TO say romantic, life of Mis- Parani
She told 1t in a woman's way-patheticaily
and with the determination TO defend The
memory OF a woman she bad known.
81 wish" said Mrs. 1ilcomb $50 dissipate
any evil impression of Josephine that NAV
have been caused by the testimony of Mr..
about the fall of 1880, when she came to me
highly recommended by Prof. Brave, in
whose family she had lived. From the first
took great fancy 10 the girl, not so much
on account OF her beauty as of her goodness
and the fascination of her manner. Here is
her portrait, which, however, does not do
her Justice"
The reporter was shown photograph of
the young lady. The features were unmis-
Ia k1h ~ md Of
cast; the whole face bore winning express
sion, though there seemed 10 be a sadness in
the eyes and about the mouth.
u soon gained her confidence, for she was
artless and never concealed anything from
me. She was born in Versailles, France,
and was educated in Paris. 1t was after the
Franco-German war that her parents emf
grated to Canada. In connection with this
she told me a romantic story which, | think.
accounts for much of the melancholy that
hung round what was naturally a vivacious
Just before that war she was
betrothed TO young gentleman of education
ADD position, and she loved him dearly, But
he went, with thousands of his couatrymep,
10 fight for France, and, like thousands Of
others, persisted for her. Josephine was very
young, not more than eighteen, and this ca
lamity affected her deeply. She determined
10 give up the world, and retired TO a con-
vent. She remained in this seclusion for
about five years, when, owing TO the perse-
cution or something OF that kind, you know.
of the authorities, her convent was broken
up and she was thrown once more
upon the world. When she came to NV
house she was visited from the beginning by
Mr.. Sheridan and another person Tname
both OF whom paid her great at
tentioo. permitted this, for / knew it was
we'll that every young woman should have
g. l.
have any other friends here; but encour-
aged specially the address of the second one
for he was very gentlemauly man, of good
standing, and, l thought, well suited to jose
phine. But she seemed to prefer the other.
whom / did not care for. Sheridan was
what might be termed a handsome man, but
in no way suited 10 her. He was much her
inferior, Notwithstanding his address was
good. Josephine, who spoke English imper-
ectly, could net detect the very bad English
,f Mr.. Sheridan"
Here, referring to Sheridan's testimony be-
lore Coroner Knox, Mr.. Titcomb indig-
nantly denied bis assertion that he did not
Know what Josephine's means of subsistence
we're. "He well knew" continued the LADY.
with flashing eyes, shat she was most saving
IN everything. True, she dressed elegantly |
but her own hands put together |
her Undertaking. Besides, he knows per
ectIy well sue never ifVtu IN smith street. |
Brooklyn. She left me last fall because nv
children had progressed so far in French |
hat they needed her no logger. She called |
10 me several times after, and when in July |
was going to Lake George asked me TO let |
Ter take care of my house. But, unfor- |
unately, had it shut up, and did not care |
o reopen. How deeply regret that now!
Mrs Ttcomb said further that Josephine |
always conducted herself with the utmost /
She was Catholic, and devout :
me, very attentive to hsrdutits. The party. /
whose name is withheld, asked her to go 10 /
,ouey Island with him, and she would not |
consent till she had asked Mrs. Titcomb's |
dFise- She was always home before 10 /
o'clock. Mrs. Titconlb secuted the idea that |
sheridan was simply an sgent for the trans-
mission of Miss Parant's mail, and her wo-
mans wit saw readily that ii was infatuation
IN the girls side, at least, whatever il might |
AVE been on the other. Sheridan and the
ther sutton knew each other, though they
ad never met in the house. Mics Psrant
sd written her letter not long ago asking |
she might return to live with her, for she
owed the family dearly, and that love was
She was not aware that Sheri-
an had ever made a proposal OF marriage |
D Josephine, though he was the most con-
liant visitor OF hers. The reporter asked
there was anything in the girls conduct
} warrant the theory OF mental derange-
TENT, and the reply was there was nothing.
rom her last letter to her Mrs. Titcomb was
d to believe that she was unhappy, but
by she knew not, nor yet the direct cause
the suicide. Seemingly Sheridan alone
,uld explain that.