The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-23


lined Upon a Gravestone-It Again
Appears in House Built on the site
of the Cemetery.
From the Boston Herald.
Many years ago, in what is now the
city of Bridgeport, Conn, there dwelt a
family of three persons-a man and his
wife, and little girl who was said to be
an orphan.
But little was known by the townspeo-
pie of the domestic life of the family, as
its members lived apart from their
neighbors and always Stunned them
whenever an opportunity presented itself
where an acquaintanceship was possible.
No one was ever known to call on them
| socially, and there was no record of their
ever having visited house in the whole
township.
OF course, in community where little
transpired to excite attention, this mys-
FERROUS family after while came to be
looked upon as persons to be avoided. AS
| the days and weeks rolled on, and there
appeared to be no inclination on their part
! to change their methods of secluslon. it
began to be rumored about that at some
time in their history they had committed
some terrible crime and were fearful that
the secret might become known if they
| formed any extended associations.
The little girl who was in their charge
was bright, beautiful child, with large
blue eyes and a mass of ripping
golden hair that fell about her
shoulders like cloud of amber
The only glimpse the neigh ors
ever obtained of her was when she came
to the door in answer to the marketman
or the grocer.
After awhile, however, the family
gradually drifted out of the attention of
the neighbors and were rarely referred
to, as the gossips had given up all hope of
ever penetrating the secret, If it had one
But an incident transpired later on that
brought the strange people prominently
into notice and sent thrill of horror
through the entire settlement.
The facts, as gathered from an old res
dent of Bridgeport, show that while vii
lager was returning from friends house
at late hour one night he was startled
by an unearthly scream that issued from
an upper room of the mysterious house.
The man was brought to a sudden stand
still, and he felt a chill creeping over him
as his imagination pictured scene of
cold blooded life-taking.
That cry,'' he said to himself. twas
made in the face of death, " and as soon
as he recovered his sei4ses he hurried
away to where the town watch made its
headquarters.
Two men were Immediately dispatched
to the house, which, upon being APP
preached, was found to be as still as a
churchyard Ascending the four wooden
steps which led up to the front door, one
of the officers struck it heavily with his
club, and impa tiently awaited a response :
but not a sound from within was heard.
Again and again was the door belabored,
and still no evidence of life was made
manifest.
Then the officers held a consultation,
and concluded to enter the house by force.
Going TO one of the windows, the lower
part of which was on a level with the
flooring of the piazza, an effort was made
to raise the sash, but the fastenings held
it firmly and detied the strength of both
officers to move it an inch. Being
thwarted in this direction, they went
around TO the rear of the house, and,
somewhat to their surprise, found the
door leading to the kitchen standing WIDE
open.
They hastily entered and, lighting a
match, discovered half-consumed candle
on the shelf over the stove Lighting it
they looked about them and found every
thing in the room in a state of chaotic dis
order. Chairs and tableswere overturned,
crockery and tinware were scattered
about the floor, table linen and old clothes
were piled in one corner, and the whole
scene suggested the work of party of
raving maniacs.
With the candle the officers proceeded
to extend their Investigations. To the
left of the kitchen entrance a door stood
half open, and beyond they discerned a
fight of stairs leading to the upper apart
ments. With no little trepidation they
assembled the stairs. Their night sticks
were drawn to be ready for use in case of
an attack; but not sound was heard,
save the creaking of the boards under
their weight.
Upon reaching the landing they pushed
their way along to door at the end of
the narrow corridor which readily
opened when the latch was raised
Here was presented another scene of
confusion. A bed stood in the center of
the room, and in walking around the
foot of it one of the officers stumbled
against something lying upon the floor,
and which at first appeared to be a bun
die of rags.
AS he lowered the candle to make a
more thorough inspection of the obstruc-
ton his heart stood still as his eyes fell
upon the cold, white face of the golden
haired little orphan, who was known to
have lived with the mysterious couple.
The other officer was quickly at the side
of his companion, and together they ten
derby lifted the dead child to the bed
1t was some moments before either
spoke
Go quickly for the DOCTOR finally
said the one who had first discovered the
remains. II will remain until you re-
turn; you must also notify the chief of
the watch
AS the officer sat in the silence of death
he heard rustling in the hallway, as if
some one was hurriedly leaving the
premises.
He sprang to the door, and in doing so
overturned the candle upon pile of bed
clothes, which Immediately became ig-
nited
1t required but moment for him to de-
eide in what direction his duty lay, and
he turned from the fleeing figure, a dim
outline of which he caught in moment
airy glimpse, and extinguished the flames.
Shortly afterward he heard the rattle
of a carriage that was driving rapidly
past the house.
THAT was one Of the murderers of this
child" thought the officer, as he sat in
the darkness awaiting the coming of the
doctor, land but for the unfortunate
overturning of that candle l would have
made after him"
Fifteen minutes later the Doctors car
rage drove up TO the front door, and the
oficer descended TO show him in. He had
brought his lantern, and to find his way
to the chamber Of death was an easy mat
ter.