The times., 1897-07-06
NEARLY A FATAL DRAUGHT
Pining for Her Absent Husband,
Mrs. Goodman Took Poison.
FEARED SHE WAS F0RSAKEN
He Returned a Few Minutes Later
aud Was Horror -Stric ken to learn
of the Wife's Rash Attempt-A
Cup of Strong Black Coffee Had
a Good Effect.

r 3. Coleman, a druggist, living at
No. 615 New Jersey avenue northwest,
returned yesterday after TWO months alb
scnce, only TO find that his young and
pretty bride of eight months, despondent
because OF his long continued silence, had
half an hour before made an attempt 10
end her life by drinking cents worth
of laudanum.
Mr. and Mrs Goodman We're married
last November and since then have been
residing with the wife's mother, at No.
615 New Jersey avenue. Soon after their
marriage Mr. Goodman was thrown out
of employment, and, after yainly see king
a position in this city, about two months
ago decided to go to Philadelphia to see
If he Gould not find work there.
For a time he wrote TO his wife regularly,
but about a fortnight ago his letters sud
denly ceased, and his wife imagining that
something had happened to him or that he
was unfaithful to her, became respondent
As day after day passed with no news Of
her husband, She became more and more
despairing and frequently threatened TO
take poison and end her existence.
Her relatives, however, paid no atten-
ton to these threats, deemng them mere
expressions of sorrow, until this morning
when she was found, pale and trembling,
lying upon the stairs leading to her rooIn
A few moments before she had been
chat ting and laughing with her sister and
mo.ber
When asked what was the matter Mrs.
Goodman replied that she was slightly Ill,
but would be better in minute or two.
Her mother, however, leaning over her, de-
tected the iaudanum upon her breath and
accused her OF an attempt to end her life.
This sne stoutly denied until Mrs. James,
running over to Easterday's drug store,
corner of G street and New Jersey avenue,
found out .hat her daughter had purchased
some Of the drug this morning.
Then the daughter confessed, saying that
she wished to die, as she feared either that
something had happened to her husband
or that he had desc rted her.
hurry.up call was then sent in to the
Emergency Hospi' al, but before the wagon
arrived the husband, who had stepped off
the Philadelphia train half an hour before,
walked In He asked what the matter
was, and was horror stricken when in
cause BE began to accuse himself, and
called upon her in endearing terms that
he had returned but the drug was al
ready acting upon her, and had rendered
her almost too drowsy to recognize him,
and all he could do was to hold her in his
! arms until the ambulance cane.
Mrs. Goodman was taken to the Emer-
gency She is a prepossessing-l g-looking
young woman, rosy checked and blue
eyed. but il was with the greatest diff
Guilty that she could prevent them from
closing. She was placed In one OF the
temporary wards, and In short while
her husband arrived he is a stylishIy
dressed man about twenty-five years old.
Mr.. Goodman was much excited. and OK
tremely solicitous as to his wife's cun-
dit ion. He went at once to her
side and endeavored to assist
the surgeons in keeping her AWAKE
TO Times reporter Mr. Goodman enid
IL am q druggist by profession and fur
a number OF years have been living mere
IN Washington. During that period .