Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-08-26
NJ. SASSON'S VALET.

In 1865 Monieur Paul Sassonresid-
ed on the Boulevard de Neuilly, Paris.
He was aspeculator and financier, and
about fifty years of age. He was mar
ried, and had daughter Corinne, and
son Charles. He kept up a splendid
establishment, and was reputed rich.
Early in the year named be became re-
served and morose, and wasconstant-
ly talking to the family about their
extravaganza and the necessity OF re-
ducing expenses. At length he grew
almost violent in his conduct toward
his family, and the greatest forbear-
ance had to be exercised by them.
On October 21st Mons. Sasson went
to the city early. About noon he re-
turned to the van, and set several men
to work removing the pictures from
the parlors. lie was very stern, and
took no notice of his family, who did
not expostulate Thenext morning at
breakfast, he informed his family that
he was about to curtaiI his establish
ment, and to that end he had resolved
to move into a smaller and less pre-
tentious dwelling
"Haye you suffered such heavy
losses as to render this necessary"
his wife asked. at is very in ppor-
tune Just at this junction, when Cor
inne expects soon to receive propos-
al of marriage"
"Iet her marry whom she pleases, y
he replied, roughly; she viii soon bring
him to poverty with her extrava-
gance."
"She Is sought by q worthy gentle
man." the son said, "and the connec-
ton is in every way desirable.
at is proper for you not to inter
fere i'm such matters" the father said;
"you will have enough to do to attend
to your own cares in life. You have
already failed in two examinations at
college, and have shown yourself in
competent for anything"
al am competent" the son replied
with warmth, ''to protect my mother
and sister"
1nsolentl" exclaimed his father;
and. rushing toward him, he clenched
his fist as though to strike him.
Mime. Sasson interposed her person
between the irate man and his son.
Mons. Sasson ground his teeth with
rage, and then struck his wife a vio-
lent blow over the side of the head.
The son was ready to grapple with his
father, but his mother entreated him
to forbear Soon afterward Mons.
Sasson quilted the house.
After brief consultation Nine. Sas-
son resolved to seek refuge with her
sister, and her children agreed to ac-
company her. Trunks were hastily
packed and preparations made for
Immediate departure. While her chill
dren were engaged IN this work Mime.
Sasson went to n bureau where her
husband kept a revolver.
"If he should return and see me pre-
pairing tor departure he might do some
thing Desperate" she said to herself.
She took the pistol from the drawer;
and, holding it among the folds OF her
dress, went to her apartments. As
she quilted the library she found Mons.
SEASONS valet at the door. He turn
ed aside and made no remark, and she
passed on in silence. On reaching the
apartments occupied by herself and
husband she found her children busy
packing. She placed the revolver be-
hind vase Oh the manteipiece with
out being observed.
When Mons. Sasson returned home
in the evening he found the house de-
serted. The valet told him that his
wife and children had departed togeth-
er, having first packed several trunks,
which they had taken with them.
81 saw madame go to your bureau
in the library" the valet said at the
conclusion of his story.
Mons Sasson went to the library
and examined the bureau.
my revolver has been removed, he
said.
81 saw madame quit the library"
the valet said, holding by her side
something which was concealed by the
drapery."
In the evening Nine Sasson discov-
cred that she had left large sum of
money in her boudoir. Shehad imme-
date need OF this sum and how to get
it was the subject of much thought.
She determined to say nothing of it to
her children for fear Charles should i'll
SYST upon going to their former resi-
dence for it, and thus perhaps be
brought into collision with his father.
Finally she devised a scheme. She
had the keys of the side entrance to
the garden and of a private entrance
from the garden to the house. She
thought that in the darkness she couid
easily find admission to the dwelling
house, reach unperceived the bou-
DOR, procure the money and return
without any ones being the wiser for
her adventure. To get her children
out of the way she suggested that they
should visit her brother, who resided
a mile away, and communicated to him
the step she had taken. As soon as
they were gone she quilted her sisters
house unknown to any one but
her maid, whom she had taken
with her, and procuring a cab, went
to within hundred yards of her
former residence i'll the Boulevard de
Neuilly. Directing the driver to wait
for her return she went toward the
dwelling, opening the gate into tine
garden with caution; she left it ajar
and crossed the lawn-to a side door.
This she also left ajar, being afraid
that the closing of it might rouse the
inmates. Without difficulty or mo-
lestation she assembled the stairs and
succeeded in getting possession OF the
money. She quilted the house, still
leaving the side door aiar, but on
passing out of the garden she closed
the gate and hastily walked towards
the cab. She reached her sisters
house before her children returned
and without her absence having been
noticed.
The next morning Mons. Sasson
failed to call for his valet as usual.
After waiting for some time, according
to the Wallets statement, he went to
his masters apartment and found
him lying in bed with bullet-hole in
his. head. On the coverlet lay his
revolver. His watch and purse were
missing. His wardrobe had been ran
sacked and his escritoire broken open.
There was no doubt that the assassin
had been at work.
The Judge of instruction and his
officers investigated the case and
arrived at the conclusion that murder
and robbery had been done.
The valet told what he knew about
the family troubleS and tho fact pF