Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-07-24
ADROITLY FoHRb.

tspaniard, died suddenly at mis- home in
st. Thomas. his young and beautiful
wife acted as though demented when
she learned that her husband had passed
away, and her intense grief and pro
]onged hysteria gave rise to th4 belief
that the unfortunate woman world her
self soon follow the husband whose loss
che seemed to feel such poignant grief
for. When Senior La Barriers will was
orobated it was found that he had be-
queathed his entire fortune to his wife,
and as no one disputed the testament,
the young wife decided to turn the for
tune left her into ready cash and leave
st. Thomas.
Shortly after senora's departure, the
servant who had been employed in the
family of Senior La Barrier informed
| the chief of police that he had occasion
to believe that his late master had been
poisoned, and that no less parsonage
than La Barriers wife had committed
the crime. He handed the chief vial
of prussic acid, which he said he SOW
drop from senoras pocket wrapped il
handkerchief, a couple Of nights be-
fore his masters death, and though q
doctors certificate declared that death
was occasioned by peritonitis, he was
morally certain that the man had been
poisoned. The body of La Barrier was
subsequently exumed, and a post-mor-
tenn revealed the fact that death was
occasioned by prussic acid
Suspicion pointed to the wife as the
murderess, and steps were at once ia
stituted by the murdered mans sister
!. in-law to discover the whereabouts OF
Sonora La Barrier.
"Black Pedro" the detective, was at
the time we speak Of probably better
known to the criminal class OF Cuba
and Mexico than any other man living.
To him was intrusted the finding of
Sonora La Barrier, and it was under
peculiar difficulties that the officer start
ed out to find the woman. His ability
in snch cases was never doubted and
his daring and bravery were bywords
with every one.
:"Black Pedro" had reached Vera
Cruz in his search for the missing
woman, and one day he impaired the
object OF his visit to fellow officer.
After explaining all the circumstances
which had come to his knowledge con-
corning the young and beautiful widow,
he SAID that there was no doubt in his
4 ,,,l n, 1>,,t %hoL e1,o 1,o1
dered her husband and fed to place
Of safety with all his wealth. The
friend became silent for few moments,
and then frightening up said he
thought he could put his friend on the
track Of the party he was in search
of. That evening the two visited the
theatre, and seated In a box: resplen-
dent in jewels and silks, sat woman
whom "Black Pedro" recognized by the
description and portraits given him, as
the party he was in search Of. When
"Black Pedro" and his friend parted
that night, the latter said:
"Be careful, Pedro, or that hand
some creature will trick you and make
her escape"
On the following morning Pedro
stood in an ante-room adjoining the ele-
CANT apartments of Senorita Lapuerta,
awaiting that lady's presence. AS she
appeared in answer to his card the de-
tective quietly said:
"Senora, 1t is my duty to arrest you'll"
E'You dare mott"
The woman's lips were white with
passion, rather than fear, and she stood
before the detective like O. Eoness at
bay.
He himself could not help but note
the striking beauty of the woman. Tall
and slender. eyes black and flashing,
almost lurid at the time, the spectacle
she presented standing there in the mid
die OF the room was more the appear
ance of queen than hunted crimi-
nal.
II must" replied "Black Pedro" II
do not doubt your innocence. Looking
in your face, it is strange that any one
could couple it with guilt. But I am
constrained to do my duty enora, how
ever unpleasant it may be to my feel
ings."
"Will YOU allow me to change my
dress?" she said in D tone almost pleas
ant. The hard lines around the mouth
had relaxed and the passionate glow on
the face gave way to a. pleasant smile.
"Certainly. I will wait for you
here"
II also wish to send messenger for
a friend. Will you permit hun to pass"
"Certainly."
As the woman left the room "Black
Pedro" stepped to the window and said
to his mate, who was waiting at the
street door:
"Senora desires to send messenger
for a friend: permit him to pass"
Almost the same instant the door OF
the apartment that sonora had entered,
opened, and youth-apparently a
mulatto boy--came out and passed hur-
riedly through the room into the hall,
and from thence into the street. It was
no doubt the messenger, Pedro thought
and he picked up book and began
reading. ... :m..-
Nearly an hour passed. and still seno-
ra did not make her appearance, nor
did the boy return. The friend she had
sent for must have lived at some dis
lance "Black Pedro" thought, or Sc
nora was unusually careful about her
toilet, and so another hour went by.
At last the detective: grew impatient,
and Knocked at the door.
r Sonora can wait no longer"
There was no reply. He knocked re-
peatedly, and at last determined to eff
t feet an entrance. Strange fear harassed
him; he began to suspect he knew not
what. It took but a moment to drive
in the door, and, once in the apartment,
the mystery was revealed. Senora's
robes lay upon the floor, and scattered
over the room were suits of boys wear
ing apparel, similar to the one worn