National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-21
ALICE DAWSON.


room of the depot the members Of tho COM
rany clustered together for final parting.
Some of them were going onst that day !;
others had obtained engagements in the city for
tho remainder Of the season, whlc still others
knew not where TO go. Two members of the
company-my friend, Edwin Wells and my
self-had secured, as temporary residence,
an untenanted house in the suburbs of the
city. Mr.. Dawson, tho manager of tho combi-
nation and the owner of tho house, had offered
us this place Of abode provided we would care
for the scenery and stage equipage ho intended
to store there. lIo would also send us tho
few articles of furniture necessary to make
the house habitable
After tho city was astir we purchased q
small stock of provisions and started for onr
rural retreat Upon arrival at the premises
we wero somewhat surprised to find a modern
stone structure, with turreted corners, man
sard roof, and high gothic windows. 10 stood
apart from the other buildings on tho boue-
ward, was quite castlo.like in appearance,
and surrounded by grand park with grav-
elod walks and arbored avenues. An i'm
mense brick stable stood far in the rear of
the building, and in this tho scenery was to
be stored
We entered tho structure and found tho in
terror in perfect keeping with its outside
appearance. High decorated ceilings, massive
carved doors wide Railways, and immense
stair cases. Aftor examining the house from
top to bottom, wo finally selected n second
floor front room as our quarters, Its sizo and
easy access being more suitable for our use.
A little later our things arrived, and we sot
up our bed and stove, kindled Gre, and In a
short time the sight Of glowing Goals and the
odor of boiling coffee made tho room seem
quite comfortable
My companion had naturally an inquiring
mind, and he had several times this morning
said, quite abstractedly, "But why does not
Mr.. Dawson reside here?" / endeavored to find
q reasonable answer to tho question, but all
my solutions of tho problem were rejected by
him as improbable, aud the matter was at
last dismissed for the time by his remark,
1--WE shall soon know
Edwin Wells and myself had entered the
dramatic profession together years before,
and had been separated but ono season
since, on which occasion he had secured
an engagement as business manager for
for q travelling nnesmerist. He pos
sessed the secret of mesmerism, and
had often witnessed his operations and won
dered at his skill and Judgment in the treat
ment of his Subjects" He was q remark
able man in many respects. He entertained
strange notions on social and political mat
ters; was extremely fond of solving problems
OF every kind; was reader, reasoner, and
an excellent talker
After breakfast my companion said that he
had some business matters to attend to in
the city-that he would start at once and
return as soon as possible. remained to re-
ceivo our trunks when they should arrive. 1t
WAS quito late in the afternoon when my
friend returned and / had closed the shutters
lighted candle, and was repairing some of
my wardrobe.
WELL" said he, after removing his hat and
coat and seating himself on the bed, II know
now why Mr.. Dawson does not live in this
house."
And / suppose there is not much romance
about it, either, is there?"
you may judge of that. But first let me
take q cup of coffee and o roll, for I'm rs hum
cry as tho sea-"
How many acts are there in the tragedy
you are about to relate?" l asked.
Fear not, young man it may not freeze
thy young blood Seriously, now, will tell
you what have ascertained about this house."
II shall not lose word" L said.
attThen, to begin at the beginning, l will
tell you that Mr.. Dawson, the owner OF this
house, is very wealthy man. He manages
combinations more for occupation aud amuse-
ment than for gain. His father left him an
immense property, and his Investments have
returned well. For nearly half century the
old homestead of the Dawsons stood upon the
site where this house now stands. About
twenty years ago old Mr.. Dawson died and
the son shortly after married wealthy and
handsome lady. The old homestead was
pulled down and this beautiful structure
reared in its place. One child is all they ever
had-a bright, beautiful boy. About six or
eight years ago this boy met with an
accident or fright lin just what
manner have not yet learned, which I'M
seated his reason and left him what might be
termed half-witted periodically: Medical
experts have only succeeded in giving partial
relief, and l understand permanent cure is
despared Of by the parents. Mr. Dawson
was often absent from his home for short
seasons on the road, and his wife had urged
him to adopt a child to comfort and relieve
the long hours of solitude during his alb
sence. At last in despair of restoring his
sons lost reason, ho adopted female child
from founding home-a beautiful, intelli-
gent child, whose parents wero entirely un-
known. Years passed. the girl was educated,
refined, accomplished. Her every wish was
gratihed; money expended without word
she had been sent abroad to complete her
training in music aud art. The most costly
apparel and jewels had been given or. Her
foster parents had humored her in her desire
to adopt the stage as q profession. She was
an apt scholar, and tho timo approached
when she was to make her debut. She
y
them-now about Is years of age ami beau
tiful, intelligent, accomplished woman.
"In the meantime Alfred Dawson, tho half
witted son, had grown to manhood. lie wa,
q fine-looking fellow, with great broad
shoulders, tremendous hands and arms--ir
fact, physical giant, but alas mental
plgmy He spent the greater portion of hi
time with his horses and his dogs
zone evening about this time Mr.. and Mrs
Dawson and Alfred attended the opera, leav.
ing Alice at home alone with the servants
She did not wish to go, and she begged hei
mother to permit her to remain at home that
she might spend the evening in writing
Reluctantly they permitted her to do as she
wished. Returning from the opera, Mrs
Dawson knocked at her chamber door and
received no response. Alarm was given, and
the door was forced in, but Alice Dawson wat
nowhere 10 be found. The gas was burning
bSghtly, and an incomplete letter to
friend-tho ink scarcely dry-lay upon the
secretaire. The door was locked on the
inside, and the key was yet in the door
There was no other egress from the room
except by the windows. The house wal
searched from top to bottom; also the grounds
The servants We're questioned, but nothing
was ELECTED. Miss Dawson had not been out
of her room, at least to the knowledge of any
of them. Everything in the room was in it:
proper place, and there was no evidences OF O
struggle. This 10 tho very room from which
Alice Dawson disappeared and from that
time to this-nearly three years-sho hal
never been seen,"
W"This is q strange story truly" l said
"But were detectives employed in the caseY
eyes; tho very best that could be had
$1,000 were offered as reward for the recov