The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

The house we approached was indeed of sombre. almost manacing appear | ance. few rotting steps led from the sidewalk to a small portico. which had | fallen in at one end. The banisters | were in some places broken and in
 others absent. The old tenement was five stories high. It faced Lacy Street, an a1ly-way about twelve feet wide separating 1t from a deserted ware house on the east: to, the west, not another structure arose on the block, the corner of Sixteenth Street being about 200 feet away. The appearance of the old house affected me deeply. Fit place. 1t was in my youthful mind for some foul deed of depraved humanity. light was burning in a front room on the hrst floor. On the portico stood q man unshaven and uncouth. Besides him. was frowsy haired woman, clad Tn night gown. over which she had drawn ragged overcoat, the property, no doubt. of her husband, the uncouth individual had first noticed. From the room in which was the light came the sound of baby crying; in the door, way, In night attire, stood a boy of or 6. whose chalky face was lighted by two big blue eyes that gazed upon us with wonder.
 By Keen and rapid questioning, Ser geant Sprinkler soon learned the facts. man and his wife occupied the rear room on the third floor next the old warehouse; they had been there only two days; Jantsen and his wife. the two before us, had been awakened by the loud imprecations of the man and the pleadtngs of the woman. They had not heard pistol fired, but in the cries Of the couple. they had heard a pistol mentioned. To gain the third story. two doors. must be forced one at the top of each of the stairways to be as- cenoeo. only two rooms in the house were occupied-that of the Jantsens and that of the quarreling couple.
 We descended the ,rickety steps and entered the alleyway. A light was vis- ible in the rear room of the third floor.
 we soon stood beneath the window. The wind had died down and the rain temporarily ceased. Few whole names were left in the window at which we gazed and although it was impossible to see, we heard loud words in tbe apartment, the angry threats of a man and woman's voice in supplica- tion.
 There are some ladders in that old Warehouse, said Sprinkler to the nat rolmen. Hurry and get them. and if necessary. force the rear door, or break a window"
 The sergeant and I stood listening 10 dialogue. each syllable of which to me was like an injection of ice wa ter to my veins.
 You reject my love. and you must die. came in guttural accents from | above. -oi'
 Mercy. Hugo." pleaded the woman;
 my rove IS not mine to give, nor is my life, which bestowed with my af- fections. Remember our childhood to- sether, those happy days. when we were as brother and sister in our youthful innocence. That Ralph stole into my heart and now occupies if solely, l cannot help. Be merciful. I pray"
 Instead of soothing him her words seemed to arouse his worst nature.
 Merciful" he replied in a voice of thunder. blending rage, malice, teal- ousy: T give such mercy as you give me; you die-to die would be merciful to me-"
 There were sounds of struggle. Release the pistol" cried the man. A chair was overturned in the life and death grapple. We even heard the hard breathing of the couple in tho | room above. and now and again the woman uttered cry of fear or en- | treaty.
 "oo oAi FOr Gods sake. Sergeant" pleaded. yell. shoot your pistol; startle them somehow" Sprinkler shook his head. Tt would frighten her. and she would relax her grasp" he replied. If she'll just swing onto that gun minute well | save her. Here comes Fuller and Greg | ory."
 In the room above the sound of the struggle ceased.
 T tell you. Mary" said the man of the third floor in ordinary tones, If we'd had that down that fine before we left little old New York, the show wouldn't a busted. We'll put 1t on again next year. l always was against tryin' anything without proper re- hearsin'. Let's go to sleep" The two policemen approached with the ladder. Take it back where you got 1t from" said Sprinkler shortly. The policemen made off. We stood in silence below the win dow. The light in the third story rear was extinguished. Soon Gregory and Fuller returned.
 Do you know" said Sergeant