The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-17
THE LOVESICK BETTLNI.
why He Attempted to Kill Himself
at Miss Ayers Doorstep.
Despair Photographed in Three Phases
On the Failure of His Wooing He At
temps to take His Life.
New York Herald.

was still Lying in an extremely critical con-
dition last evening in st. Luke's Hospital.
Bettini is a good-looking young fellow of
twenty-five years, with a pleasant address
and gentlemanly manner He soon ingra-
tiated himself into society at the fortress and
became quite favorite with the ladies, both
resident and visiting Among the families
sojourning there was that of Mrs. Josephine
NJ Aver, who was accom- panied by her
daughter, Miss Leslie NJ. Aver. Bettini was
introduced to these ladies soon after his ar
rival, and, as the sequel proved, immediate
ly fell desperately in love with the daughter.
The Aver family returned to their residence
In this city in the latter part of April, and
Bettini, following them, took up his quarters
at the Windsor Hotel.
Bettinis stay at the Windsor was charac-
terized by his becoming known to everybody
in the house, and it is said he was what is
called popular" He was, when not in one
of his moods" considered very good COM
pany, though his Partially for jewelry and
extraordinary utterances brought him occa-
sionally into ridicule. To the guests of the
house he had said that he intended to kill
himself; that he had come to America with
certain amount of money, and when that
was gone he proposed to go too. At first
these sanguinary threats were regarded with
horror by his hearers, but as day after day
went by, and Bettini turned up regularly
with good appetite for his meals, they came
to look upon his sayings as those of harm
less eccentric. His devotion to Miss Aver, it
seems, had not abated, and he called at the
house twice to see her, without, it is said
making proposal of marriage to the young
lady. About week ago he called for the
third time and was received BY Miss Aver in
IA faXu nto ba
the conversation to suicides, and made the
remark that were he seriously thwarted in
any desire he had at heart he would consider
suicide proper remedy. He had talked in
this strain before at the hotel, but the idea
was a new one to Miss Aver and she was
rather inclined tolaugh at it.
Bettini, however, not relishing this,
showed his pistol with the remark:
with this pistol l shall some day take my
life" Naturally Miss Aver was much
alarmed and attempted to turn the CONVEX
sation into other channels Bettini, how
ever, produced three photographs and hand
ed them, one by one to the young lady.
The first showed him seated at desk, or
table, with his left hand supporting his
head, his body stretched out at full length,
and the right hand hanging over the arm of
the chair, grasping a pistol This was de-
signed to show the meditation Of despair.
The second showed him sitting bolt up
right the left hand pressed to his heart, the
right hand raised and bent inward with the
pistol pointed toward the right side of the
body. This was designed to show the de-
cision of despair.
The third showed him standing up with
the muzzle OF the pistol pressed against the
right temple and the finger pressing the trig-
ger. The eyes were upturned and the face
showed calm anticipation of the inevita-
BILE. This was designed to show the moment
of action.
Thasa Ytcturas ard tho J;so1o,, nc +l,o u;z
toll to Miss Aver were doubtless intended to
impress on that young lady's mind the fact
that suicide was quite simple affair to an
expert, Bettini then took his leave, leaving
Miss Aver in fright.
Among the gusts at the Windsor who &C.
cuped seat at the same table with Bettini
was Mr.. f. E. Trowbridge, a friend of the
Ayers, who called at the house of the family
frequently. Mr.. Trowbridge was spoken to
by the family concerning Bettini's strange
conduct, but that gentleman, being used to
Bettini's threats of suicide, did not think that
he meant any harm to any one, though Mr..
Trowbridge then and there determined to
keep an eye on him.
AN EXTRAORDINARY wooING.
On Sunday evening at dinner Bettini was
observed to be more than usually solemn,
and talked good deal about the sad side of
life Mr.. Trowbridge asked him casually
where he intended to spend the evening.
When Bettini replied at Mrs. Ayers house
Mr.. Trowbridge determined to be there, too.
About 1880 o'clock Bettini went to the
Ayers house and was admitted to the parlor.
where he net Miss Aver The doors were
open between the two rooms. Bettinis man
ner was that of man laboring under great
excitement. He appeared, too, to be under
the influence of some stimuant. After a
few moments of conversation Miss Aver
noticed that Bettini while he talked kept his
right hand on the little pocket where he
kept his pistol. This was not the pocket
usually used for this purpose, but one made
especially in front Of the watch fob. Be-
coming alarmed, Miss Aver excused herself
q moment and going into the other room
requested that Mr.. Trowbridge should re-
main in the house until Bettin had gone.
When she returned Bettini asked her if Mr..
Trowbrdge had yet gone. She replied that
he had not, whereat her visitor seemed
somewhat disappointed. About $50 Mr..
Trowbridge came into the parlor and said
Are you going down to the hotel, Mr..
Bettini2''
'No, am not" Bettini replied, sharply
Left again alone with Miss Aver, Bettini
applied himself vigorously to pressing his
suit. The young lady's fright had reached a
painful point, when Bettini suddenly leaned
forward with his hand on the butt OF his
pistol, and said:
twill you be my wife?'
Miss Aver says that for moment her fear
almost overcame her The repeated threats
of suicide and the generally sanguinary con-
versation of Bettin had almost convinced
her that he was out of his mind. Her only
thought then was to temporlze. She was
literally in too much fear to do anything
else, so she said:
II have not known you very long, Mr..
Bettini hardly long enough to answer so
serious question. You must give me
time"
answer me, yes or no, now"
Miss Aver replied that she could not then