Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-06
tCorfinued from Saturday, Jaly 81
NEEDHAM'S FAILURE
By JOSEPH HATToN.
Asehor Of "7he Queen Of Bohemia" "11s
Three Recruits" Etc.


the following history Of the adventure OF
Kate and her husband In a letter to Law
yer Wood, the contents of which are to be
discreetly communicated to Mrs Dorothy
Norbury. 1t seems to the historian that
this remarkable letter brings to a sufi-
cie1tly complete climax the story of John
Needham and his most unfortunate double.
From Richard WoodriIe to Horace WI
kins Wood. Esq, Wyedale, England.
QUEEN HOTEL. TORONTO Canada
my DEAR Mr. WooD: You will be good
enough to break this ne VS. to Aunt Dorothy.
My dear wife, who has behaved with sin
guar heroism, Il quite calm under the blow
which Fate has dealt us. i knew it from
the first she says, and while shall never
be happy woman again / shall bear my
sorrow with Christian resignation, and do
nv daty to you'-msaning me am be-
ginning in rambling fashion. but you
must bear with me. Wnel you have
broken the intelligence conveyed in this
letter to Mrs. Dorothy Norbury you will
please take such legal and proper steps as
are Necessary for the removal Of the re-
mains of Joseph Nor bury from the grave
at Kensal Green, where his muir iered body
was interrei in the nams of Needham.
The inclosed dispositions and other papers
our LAWYERS here consider, as do, sufficient
for you to obtain the necessary faculty for
the removal Of the body to Wyedale, where
it Is to be inferred in the family vault by
the side OF the remains of the late Mrs
Joseph Norbury. All this you will please
attend to with dispatch so that every thing
may be prepared for our return, our dear
Kate being anxious that the proper inter-
ment Of the dear fellow shall be our first
melancholy duty on our return home.
II am so borne down by the events that
have occurred during the past few day
that could not proceed to relate them to
you without letting you understan at once
that my dear wife's views. confided to you
at our departure for New York, have been
proved to be only too true an interpreted
ton oil the dreadful facts. When we ar
3ived in New York we found that Joe had
left; Messrs. Hall, Bond & Fiske, the law
yers had written to Kate in orming her
that he had hurt his thumb and could not
at that moment write himself. Mrs Dor
othy Norbury will have opened this letter
and shown it to you. no doubt, "a it was
understood she wou have the benefit OF
your advice, and had authority to open all
letters. Well, it seemed all perfectly nat
ural, for thee were me .sages in it to you
and to Ware; but Kate was not satisfied
tried to distract her thou hts from their
allabsorbing fear We went to the theatre,
drove about the city, accepted an invitation
to dinner. Thus three days won't by, and
we then asked the lawyers if Mr.. Norbury
had communicated with themf Yes, that
day by telegraph, his letter to be sent to
the Parker House hotel Bc,;ol | would
have telegraphed our arrival to him, but
Kate preferred that we sIould go straight
to Boston
Shall you write to himT she asked Mr..
Hall.
Yes, be said, I'VE shall inform him that
we have had the pleasure of nan ing to his
sister copy of the letter we had for warded
to England.
Might ask you, as favor, not to dc
sof said Kate
"'If you have any special rea son for max
ing the reque we snall gladly act upon it,
apart from the fact that the request is made
by lady, said the lawyer.
:" i would like to surprise him. she said.
You have written to me upon the question
of my marriage, and we, my husband and
/, would ourselves like to he the bearers OF
the news OF our union. If you Will humor
rs, especially me, to this extent, We shall
start by the first train for the Parker house,
Boston
"'Why, certainly, Mrs. Woodville-l
shall consider your request a com nand
there are no letters for your BROTHER and
we have no Information to send MIN except
the news o your arrival l hope you like
New York
% yes, very much said Kate.
I know the Parker house people, and
shall be happy to give you a inc to The
n1arly 10 hot bax
tentiol.'
Thank you very much l said, for
your kindness and for obliging my wife
mo thanks required; you are welcome
to the best we can do he said.
he next morning we wers in Boston.
We trave. ed ali night Mr.. Norbury had
lefG Boston or Chicago. His letters were
to be held for him until he comnunic ated
his next address to the hotel clerk. We
called upon the chief of police. This was
kates wish Not that We toil him any
thing beyond our desire to overtak Joseph
Norbury. Could tGey assist us. The y
would do anything to oblIge U.s. but if we
had no charge to make against the gentle
man they did not see their way. We put it
as a matter Of family importance and the
anxiety OF sister to fad her brother:
Offered to pay any expenses Thew detailed
n detective to our service gave him pri-
Avately a heavy lee. AT night be brought
Jus news. Nj. Norbury had not bon III q
ticket for Chicago; he had gone to Toronto,
ACanada. Kate ciutched my arm for sup
Vport. The detective noticed her emotion
Don't you think YOU hal better tell
me what the trouble Isl the detective said.
II guess you can Jru'e me.
"We told him all At least [ did He
went and mad long talk with the hote
CLERK. X lite was tire i. S .e went to bed
on the understanding thaG there was nc
tram leaving for Canada until the morn
ing
Did he always shave, this we're Mr.
Nor burvf the detective asked Inc af ter his
conference.
always. said
HE IS growing beard now, shaves the
upper hip, has gotten about four weeks
on his cha. aud a s5relk OF side whskers.
He askei for English he wspap,rs AMI read
them diligently, male a great show Of
going to Chicago; bus nave a friend at the
depot who mas an eve Tor faces-El giist
faces ia particular. Bet your wife is rig hit
wom,n are very cute, sir, very
"'N hat is TO he donef'
"Gu S.; have done i'll We teleCraphai
to have him stopped, and his bagga se held
awaiting our arrival
The next night we arrived at Tor onto
There was no such name as Joseph Norbury
ON the hotel looks. The police had moi
discovered HIM. No baggage had been
found with his name or initials upon it.
81.