The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-09-30

a,nv napers, and notwithstanding *he
i,ct that the coroner stamps them all
.s Suicides / begin to doubt his
sudsment. The evening papers an
,ounce that another person has been
Found Drowned"
asuicides, ch? Oh, yes, they're
ulepty; or, if not all suicides, perhaps
.one,hing else," answered.
wroo true" he returned; "but would
!, not be well to trace the mystery of
these floating bodies. SO as to know
,be truth, rather than to allow a pig
bealed coroner to class them all as self
sl,inq also notice that many of the
,icsims arc branded unknown indi-
ca.ipp them to be strangers in the city
strangers who come here to drown
themselves, eh?" and he laughed.
ayo, Heron. The fact probably is
,ast oue-half of these unknown dead
are thrown into the river, even If the
other half do jump in"
~ think you are right" l replied.
The result of that interview was
that received u special commission to
ferret ont, if possible, the source of
sources whence came these unknown
dead The task set before me was Il
difficult one.
Two days later the papers announced
another mysterious death. The article
was headed:
s.WAs IT SUICIDE OR MURDER?"
! It ran as follows:
srhis morning the dead body Of Brace Cloyd,
veil known gambler, who occupied room No.
Sin the c. hotel, North street, was found
dead in his bed on the third floor OF the house.
He had retired late in pretty sober condition
and APPARENTLY In excellent health. His win
COW was secured, and his door was not only
licked but bolted. When he was searched by
The coroner no trace was found upon him, In
hsbed, or in his clothing, of roll of bank notes
,ha. he was known to have had the day before,
mtit Is naturally supposed that he had lost 1t
IN run OF bad luck at some gaming table be-
fore going 10 his room"
Something in the article prompted
me to visit the locality, which was in
an Questionable and rather tough
part Of the city.
Accordingly, at o'clock that night,
Invent to the suspected house, disguised
asa boyish-looking person, with silky
black curls falling over my neck, and
ny face was so artistically painted that
The ravages of disease could be plainly
traced
"What shall it be, my friends?" said
Las stepped up to the bar connected
with the hotel. "Life's too short not
tomake it merry when we can, and as
I'm thrown into your company for to-
night, and just to show your goodwill
toward a stranger, order your drinks. !"
The heart Of the crowd was touched,
and | was taken into general confidence
when they saw what generous
bumper l tossed off on the heels of a
distressing cough which followed my
speech.
MY friends" said I, after a pause,
I've been wild sort of fellow in
my time, but I've weakened, and have
set out to undo the wrong I've done to
aeertain party, and have got together
what coin can raise, and am trailing
MN up to give back the money. OF
COURSE it amt the half of what took,
out had streak of luck at cards over
asquire's that swelled the sum con.
slacrably.'
Lets have a little game, then, Just
@help you on your way" suggested
me Of the men.
ofcorse was willing.
From the time | entered the room
ind now, as l sat down at the gaming
ao'e, that racking cough-which fiat
sfmyself | initiated very cleverly-
aaa run its distressing accompaniment
sna made it noticeable that when