Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-10-19
TRANSPORTED.

Jean Rhodie first violin at tho Ambigu-
Comique, was one OF those obscure indisid-
uals, regular as n clock in their habits,
who lead reserved kind Of existence and
whose ambition is limited to maintaining
themselves in the position which brings
them in their daily bread.
He occupied modest apartment in the
Rue Nollet, Balignolles, which was Kept
in order by Marianne, a worthy girl, who
from long service had become as method
ical in her ways as her master. She know
exactly at what hour the latter would re-
turn from the thoater, and his supper was
always ready to the minute.
One night, however, his customary chop
was missing. So was Marianne. The next
day passed, and the next, and still Mari
anne failed to put in IN appearance. What
had become of hor7 He could not even
conjecture His yexation gave place to I'M
easiness, and his uneasiness 60 alarm.
On tho second day he resolved TO ques-
ton the concierge. The amiahlo Cerebus
gruflly replied that he was not her keeper,
that he had not seen the girl, and, for that
matter, did not want TO.
jean Rhode was by degrees getting ac-
customed TO the disagreeable necessity Of
having to take his meals in q restaurant
when an incident occurred that furnished
fresh subject of discussion TO the gossips
of the street, who wore beginning to forgot
all about Marianne's mysterious disap-
pearance.
One morning the concierge read the fol-
lowing paragraph in one of the daily pa
pers:
"The body Of fair haired and some.
what stout young woman, evidently
servant, was taken out of the Seine at
Courbevoie yesterday. 1t was attlred in a
servants white frilled cap, black bodice,
pink flchu, green skirt and thick laced
shoes. In tho pocket purse containing
francs 40 confines was found There being
nothing by which the body could il9 iden-
titled, it was sent TO the morRae."
Seized with n dark presontiment, the
concierge clanlbered on to an omnibus and
went to tho morsre There upon ono Of
the slabs no recognized, or thought he
recognized, the servant OF Jean lthcdic.
Although the features were slec3lBpoaed
~ the long sojourn Of the kOdy N tho
water, the concierge, with tho refspleaeity
habitual in those who exercise his raoies-
sion, had no doubt about tho matter A
suspicion which he had long entertained
was thus suddenly onflimcd--Rhodie had
murdered his servant. Tho thing was now
to get the murderer to confess.
Before setting the formidable machinery
of justice in motion the concierge hrasquo-
ly stopped his lodger MS tho lntscr entered
the house and thrust tho parag aiih under
his nose. The effect expected Uas OBJ
tained--thc violinist inoontinehfly col
lapsed with q snlotherod groan.
The next day Rhodie was taken Sjefore
the examining magistrate, whsn All incl
dent frequent enough ia criniif,al 3roce-
dure occurred The accused was so tron-
blcd that be did nothing but contradict
himself and was utterly unable 10 account
for his time on tho day Of the girls siisap-
pcarance
Two months later be was brlaght up
for trial before the assize court There
was no material proof, but tbs ssircum-
stantial evidence against himsws4 over
! whelming.
The attorney general insingated that
the oallous Notwithstanding sie accused
| could have but ono reason Err Wishing
to get rid of tho young soryal who had
! lived with him for certain aumber Of
years. He was no doubt intimnSe with tie
girl, said this man Of law, and went on 10
expatiate at length TO the jury upon the
probable consequences Of the said intimacy
amply sufficient In itself, for that NATTER
to account for the crime.
This argument produced aprofound i'm
preston upon the minds Of the i2 good
men and true Of the jury, who had been
previously greatly moved at tho sight Of
the clothing OF tho victim, spread out on
the table of the court as pieces a conyic-
ton.
The president of the court, who was
somewhat Of novice, fioundercd through
the Interrogation, mystifying with himself
the prisoner to such an extent that the
latter began TO ask himself ut last whether
he was not really guilty OF the crime with
| which he was charged. A little moro and
he would have confessed - H.
The counsel for the defense was little
better than tho president Of the court. lie
did more harm than good to his client.
The consequence WAS that, although long
string Of witnesses testified nd nauscam 10
the qualities Of heart and mind Of the
prisoner, the jury, presided over by pork
butcher, brought IN verdict OF guilty mp
On the chief count Of tho indictment. As
regards the questions Of circumstances, at
tenuating or otherwise, etc, they were So
muddled that they ended by finding the
prisoner at once guilty and not guilty.
The president naturally requested the
jury to retire and agree upon verdict
more compatible with common sense, and
when the jury, vexed and terrified at thu
same time, returned into court they ~.
piled in the affirmative to ali the questions
put to them and remained mute as regard
ed alternating circumstances.
The president OF the court, rather sur
prised at this unlocked for snccess--for, n.
every body knows, the carrying Of death
sentence against prisoner docs more fOi
judge than ali the recommendations in
the world-condeinEc jean Rhode Il
death
The prisoner sank back in the arms d
the gendarmes and was carried out O
court, while the jury, Mortified at son
, tenec which they had never expected. tool
counsel with the prisoners advocate, i'm
mediately signed an appeal for mercy an'
returned home with the blissful sstisfac
ton born Of the consciousness that the!
had dons their duty.
The president Of the republic, on th
strength Of the appeal from the jury, com
muted the sentence 10 penal servitude fo
: life. and Rhode WAS conveyed 10 the II
de Re pending the departure Of the hra
convict ship for New Caledonia. At firs
he was dazed, but he gradually recoyere'
4 his senses. The verdict he regarded a
I rnonstrous, but little-by little be becani
reconciled 70 the fait aecompli, and II
sentiment Of bitterness remained In hi
e heart it waz against the concierge, prlmar
cause Of all his misfortune.
II ever he came aeross hin, be told him
self as he eIinehed bis fists, what a =,
venge be would takei How could ma
condemned to penal seryitnde for life bop
ever 70 be able to take revenge upon hl
enemy 1t matters not. Hope spring
eternal in the human breast.
Jean Rhode passed his spare time
prison In composing grand opera In iis