The evening times., 1896-03-09

The timely Intervention OF Special Watch
man Frank Smith and two citizens pre-
vented Myrtle Berger. a beautiful, but sor-
| row-strickeryoungw woman from ending her
life by plunging into the icy waters of the
Potomac last night.
IL was O'Clock and the sunset gun on the
heights at Fort Myer had just doomed omin-
ously across the waters. The north wind
was blowing fierceiy over the wharf build
ings and making wlIite-caps on the muddy
surface of the Potomac.
Waterman Smith was standing at the en-
trance to the first wharf, talking to Capt.
Alfred Hooe, of the Maryland Produce Ex-
Grange, and u member of the crew OF one
of the river boats. Their discussion about
the probable output of the shad and herring
fisheries down the river was suddenly in
terrupted by the appea rance of q pretty
young woman, clad in stylish garments.
There was a look OF sorrow and distress on
her face as she approached the group ofmen
and beckoned to Smith. He stepped for
ward to meet her, and she timidly asked:
How far is the river from here, sir?"
THE WAY TO THE RIVER.
"0nly a few yards" replied the watch
man. You are on Water street now. and
can see the river yonder." he said, pointing
through the entrance to the fish wharf.
The young woman then threw a nervous
glance in the direction indicated. and saw
the cleaning water just beyond a forest OF
masts extending upward from the fleet OF
river craft moored to the wharf. After ask
ing a few questions about the wharves fur
ther along Water street. she passed quickly
down that thorouGhfarc. going westward.
what did the girl want. Smith, asked
Capt. Hooe. after the watchman had re-
Joined the group.
'.She's looking for the river
Maybe she is going to commit suicide"
rejoined the captain.
This suggestion though spoken jcstingly,
startled Smith. He had noticed a strange
look in the girls eyes. and something about
her manner excited his suspicious. He
glanced along Water street, but the woman
had disappeared.
You, gentlemen, wal. here for a few mo-
ments.'' he said, and then hurried up the
street i'm the direction the young woman
had gone.
Upon reaching the entrance to the adja-
Nfht Ssiiiu Whit stlltb
toward the river. In the deepening twi-
light he disccrned a dim figure standing
on the brink OF the wharf. The watchman
increased his gait, and was soon by the
woman's side.
She had removed her hat and coat. and
appeared to be muttering 4 prayer. Smith
laid his hand upon her arm. She uttered
a little scream.
ed.
The watchman told her of his suspicious.
At first she was inclined to he indignant,
but finally admitted, with reluctance, that
she had come TO the river brink to end a
life that had been wrecked by man.
Tears streamed down the woman's checks,
aGd she begged the watchman to leave her.
THREATENED TO ARREST HER.
Mo- said Smith, maintaining his grasp
on her arm. "and IL you persist will be
forced to place you under arrest and send
you TO the station house for safe keeping
The watchman pointed To Policeman
Banagan, who was standing near the patrol
box at Eleventh and Water streets and
threatened to call him. The woman pleaded
not to be arrested and agreed 10 leave the
river front. Being asked where she lived
the young woman said in Baltimore. She
had n return trip ticket and was willing to
return home. she added. The watchman
talked kindly to her and she finally ad-
mitted that she came here TO find u young
man who had deceived her.
He told her he was clerk in the Post
office Department and under promise OF
marriage brought her to the sad plight in
which Mr.. Smith found her
She declined to tell either Watchman
Smith or Policeman Rlnagan her name or
address in Baltimore, but stated that the
young man who had caused her all the
trouble was not an employe of either the
PostofIice Department or city postoffice.
She had been to both pla ces md the officials
did not know him by either name or de-
scription. The name which he had given
her, which she believes to be fictitious. was
Bernard F.. Hill. No such name appears
in either the city directory or blue book.
After thanking Waterman Smith and
promising to return to her family the young
woman boarded Seventh street car and
started for the Baltimore and Potomac
depot.
Had II not been for you," she said TO
Mr.. Smith, Just before the car arrived. Il
fully intended 10 spring into the river
and thus ED all. without bringing disgrace
to my dear family
The young woman was described 10 The
Times by Waterman Smith and Capt. Hooe
as a blonde, about twenty-three years OF
age, slender build. round face and large,
fearful. blue eyes. She was dressed in n
costly and stylish costume and evidently
came from n good family. This is the sec
ond attempt at suicide by women on the
river front since last Christmas that has
been thwarted by the timely arrival of res
cuers.
Policeman Greer of the South Washing
ton precinct learned today that the young
is Miss Myrtle Berger. She is type
writer and stenographer and lives near Tow
sontown on the suburbs OF Baltimore. Her
brother was here looking for her this
forenoon. When informed OF her attempt |
1t suicide he became greatly agitated. |
He at once returned to Baltimore to find his |
sister.
BAD AND DRUNKEN YOUTH.