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1 & 5 6.
(Successor to A. R. orton.)
Published by M. A. MILLIETTE,
BALTIMORE, PHILADELPHIA, NEW YORK AND BUFFAL0.
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ELLEN IRWING,
THE
FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
SIXTEEN PERSONS IN COOL BLOOD,
FOR REVENGE ON HER FIRST LOVE, WILLIAM SHANNON, WHO HAD
BETRAYED HER. ALSO, AN ACCOUNT OF
HER ASSOCIATION WITH CHARLES DORAN, AN ITALIAN MURDERER.
COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME,
ED IT ED BY
R. E.V. R O B E R T B. R U S S E L.
PUBLISHED BY
A R T H U R R. O. R T ON,
BALTIMORE, PHILADELPHIA, NEW YORK, AND BUFFAL0.
1 & 5 6.



º - |
*
T H E F E M A L E W I C T IMIZE R.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by
A. R. O. R T 0 N,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.







ELLEN IRWING:
THE FEMALE VICTIMIZE.R.
CHAPTER I.
The Clergyman's Story—The Arrest—The Trial—The Pardon.
READER, my father was once arrested on the charge of murder-
ing a man. I will give the story here, as related to me by the
minister who attended him while in prison. I give it in his own
words. -
“About thirty years ago, I was chaplain of the New York
state's prison. I had held that honorable station for fifteen years,
and discharged it, I trust, with satisfaction to my God and my
employers. During the fifteen years I was the witness of many
a fearful scene. I have seen men, and even women, alive one day,
and the next struggling on the gallows. I have witnessed the
parting between husbands and their wives, between parents and
their children, between brothers and sisters, between relatives and
between friends. I have witnessed many a fearful scene that
even now I cannot think of without a shudder.
“It is now my intention to present to you a short, affecting
tale, about one of the principal characters—one of the many that
have fallen under my notice. His name was -
*CHARLEs IRVING,
“He was a tall, powerful-looking young man, about twenty-five
years of age. He had a handsome face and figure. The crime
for which he was about to suffer death was murder; yet, under
such peculiar circumstances, that all his friends, and they were
many, were under the opinion that his sentence would not be a
heavy one; at least, they thought that he would not have to suffer
death. On his trial the following facts were elicited. It seems
that Charles Irving had been married five years; his business,
(retailing dry goods) was prosperous; and he was perfectly happy.
Recently, however, he had met with a severe loss; his dwelling-
(21)

22 ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
nouse had been fired and burnt to the ground, together with aſ:
his furniture and a large sum in money. Unfortunately there
was no insurance on the building, so it proved a total loss. Poor
Irving by this blow was made almost penniless. What made the
matter worse, was, that he had bought the house but a few short
weeks before, and had paid for it the sum of ten thousand dollars.
But he was a man of strong mind. Instead of repining over his
loss he set to work to retrieve the disaster. As he was known to
be prompt in his payments, his signature was almost as good as
ready money, Several of his friends offered to lend him money
enough to build him another house; but this he would not consent
to, for he was adverse to running in debt. In early life his father
had impressed the motto upon his mind. ‘That he who is in debt is
a slave.’ Hence the reason he gave in refusing his friends' offer.
There was also another reason: he knew that it would be cheaper
for him and his wife to board out than to keep house, and he de-
termined to do so. Another motto of his was: “A penny saved
is two-pence earned. We must now relate the deed which confined
him to a prison.
“About a month after the destruction of his house by fire,
Irving, on turning over his books, found that he was indebted to
his landlord and several other persons, various sums amounting in
all to twelve hundred dollars. Unfortunately, all this was to be
paid the first of the month, just one week from that day. There
were several debts owing him, which, if paid, would increase the
sum he had by him to five hundred dollars. Should he pay the
landlord first or the others ? If he paid the landlord, the other
notes would be protested, and that, of course would greatly injure
his business. He would pay the others first and let the landlord
wait. But might not the landlord feel angry at not receiving his
money when due : Might he not seize his goods and turn him out
of doors : . But pshaw I said he to himself, ‘the landlord is a
kind-hearted man; he is well off and one of the trustees of B
church. However, I'll ask Mary, (his wife,) and whatever she
thinks it best for me to do, I'll do it.”
“He did ask his wife. Her reply was, “Pay your creditors,
my dear Charles; I know Mr. Hollman,' (the landlord) well. I
am certain that he will wait a few months for his rent tº
* Charles did so ; he paid his creditors. But I must confess
that his heart beat with unusual quickness when he saw Mr. Holl-
man enter the store. He was a short, thick-set man, and very fat.
“‘How do you do, my dear Mr. Irving º' he said, as he grasped
Irving's hand, and shook it warmly. “How's business to-day,
ch?’
“I feel very well, replied Irving. ‘Business is pretty brisk
at present; but it always is at this season of the year.
* - Glad to hear it—very glad to hear it,' said Hollman, placing
his spectacles on his nose, and drawing forth a pocket-book.

ELLEN IRWING; THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER. 23
*By-the-by, how was it that I did not see you at church last Sun-
day? Mrs. Irving was there, but you were not.
“I did not feeſ well enough to attend, was the reply:
“You should have been there, nevertheless, said Hollman.
‘We had glorious preaching. Brother Dawson preached; his text
was, Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you. Ah,
it did my heart good to hear him.'
* “I should like to have heard him,” said Irving.
“He is to preach again next Sunday. By-the-by, Mr. Irving,
I have a bill against you for rent; the sum is five hundred dollars.
Here it is.” -
“I am sorry to say, sir, said Irving, after a moment's hesita-
tion, “that I am unable to pay it at present; but if you will wait
till—" -
“‘Can't pay it, eh?” interrupted Hollman, his countenance
darkening; and pray, sir, what is the reason you can't pay it?
Come, answer me'! but no matter. I must have the money, and
that too before four o'clock to-day !
“But, sir,’ said Irving, “I am unable—
“I don't care for that,’ interrupted Hollman, “the money I
must have. If you are not at my office by four o'clock—mind ye.
punctual to the moment, with the money—why we'll see what the
law can do, that's all, and thus concluding his speech Hollman
turned away, and, without waiting for a reply, left the store.
“‘Good heavens!' cried Irving, pressing his hand against his
brow and falling back into a chair; ‘what can I do? How can I
raise the money? Five hundred dollars' and that within three
hours!" he added, as he glanced at the clock, ‘What! only three
hours! Ah, I have it! I'll try and borrow it.”
“In two hours he returned to the store with but one hundred
and fifty dollars; which was all his friends could lend him.
“‘Curses on him " said Irving, grinding his teeth. “If he
should keep his word and put me out of the store, I am undone—
ruined. Where in the city can I find a better stand than this?
and where in the devil's name can I raise the money? Ha! my
watch I'll see what old Levi will lend me on it; and seizing
his hat, he left the store,
“‘Well, mister, vat you wants on this, eh?” and the Jew turned
the watch over and over in his hand, after testing it with acid to
make sure it was gold.
“The watch cost me two hundred and eighty dollars, said
Irving; but, of course, I do not expect you to pay me the full
value. Will you lend me two hundred dollars on it?
“So help me father Abraham, I can give no more than one
huntred tollars on it; and the Jew laid the watch on the counter.
“What! only one hundred dollars!' cried Irving, in a tone of
disappointment.
“Only, repeated the Jew; that's too much.'

24 ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
“‘Lend me one hundred and fifty dollars on it,' said Irving,
beseechingly. ‘Come, I only want it three months; I will pay
you good interest on it.'
“‘Can't give no more than one huntred.’
“Then I be hanged if you get it !' cried Irving, passionately;
and, seizing the watch, he left the store.
“‘Half-past three o'clock, and only one hundred and fifty dol-
lars,' said Irving despondingly. ‘Great heaven, what shall I do?
I’ve tried all—no, there's Wilson; I have not been to him. Per-
haps he can lend me what I want. At any rate, I can try.”
“In a few minutes he stood in his friend's store.
“‘Wilson, he said, ‘will you lend me three hundred and fifty
dollars º'
“‘Couldn't do it, Charles, to save my life.’
“‘Can you lend me one hundred dollars—anything, no matter
how small the sum is Come, be quick.’ -
“‘Why, Charles, what is the matter º' asked Wilson.
“Irving informed him.
“But Hollman is a member of the church,” said Wilson, and
surely so pious— -
“‘Pious indeed,” said Irving; “he is pious so long as his
pockets are not concerned. But, Wilson, what can I do? Think
of some plan and save me from ruin. I care not so much for my-
self as I do for Mary.”
* “Go to Levi, and—
“I have been to him,' said Irving, wringing his hands; and he
would do nothing. My poor wife, what will become of her! D–n
that Hollman If it were not for Mary, I'd blow his or my
brains out. But, Wilson, what shall I do?”
“‘Would to heaven I could aid you, Charles. I know of nothing
that can be done—yet stay; I will go with you to Hollman, and
pledge myself as security for the money. Do you think he would
accept me?’
“‘He may, and he may not,’ said Irving, ‘You may come
with me if you wish—or stay, you had better remain here. If I
want you I will send for you.'
“‘Adieu then,' said Wilson. ‘If I can raise any money I will
bring it to Hollman's office." -
“In a few minutes Irving entered Hollman's office.
“On hearing the door open, Hollman, who was seated at a
desk writing, turned his head, and on seeing Irving, said in a harsh
WO1Ce
* "Have you brought me the money?
“I have not,’ replied Irving; “but—
“Enough, I wish to hear no excuses,’ interrupted Hollman;
and, rising from his chair, he gave three taps on the floor.
This appeared to be a signal, for the door of the back room opened,
and a constable stood in the doorway.

ELLEN IRWING, THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER. 25
* Officer,’ said Hollman, “get out a warrant against this young
tman for debt.”
“Stop!' thundered Irving, his features turning pale as death.
Mr. Hollman, be careful of what you are doing. Remember, ºr,
that I have friends who will not see me arrested for such a trifling
debt as this no, nor for ten times the amount."
* : Constable, do as I have told you,' said Hollman, calmly.
** Hear me,’ said Irving. Hollman turned away. . . Nay, you
shall hear me! Consider, sir, what you are doing! You are
ruining not only my hopes, but those of my young wife; you are
casting us from plenty to poverty. I have friends who can and
will protect me. Now, will you dare–
“Hollman smiled. Irving was in such a rage that he hardly
knew what he said.
“Mr. Hollman man –devil –fiend! I dare you to arrest
me. The law may permit you to thrust me in jail, but my friends-
“Are unable to help you at this moment,' said Hollman.
“A sudden change came over Irving. Before he was full of
rage; now he appeared to be calm. Ay, it is when the ocean is
calm that the sailors look out for a storm.
“‘Mr. Hollman, he said, folding his arms across his breast,
and speaking in a calm voice, fearful from its very calmness, “if
that man returns with a warrant, I'll murder you.'
“‘Officer, did you hear that º' cried Hollman, looking towards
the door. There was no one there; for the constable had gone
after the warrant.
“‘Did you hear what I said just now?" said Irving, in the same
calm voice; but the heaving of his bosom showed the passion that
was raging therein.
“I did, replied Hollman; but I am not to be frightened by
mere words, young man."
“‘Take that, then,' said Irving, seizing a small iron weight and
hurling it at Hollman with all his strength. It struck him on the
temple, and felled him a bleeding corpse to the floor.
“On seeing what he had done, Irving stood for a moment
speechless with horror; then staggering to the body he fell on his
knees beside it.
“‘Get up," said he “I did not mean to do it."
* : Do what?" said a voice beside him. Irving looked up and
beheld the features of the constable, who, at the moment, had his
eyes fixed upon the body.
“‘Ha!' he exclaimed, ‘what's this?’ and he laid his hand on the
face of the corpse. “Dead, as I live! Young man, in the name
ºf the law, I arrest you on the charge of murdering William
Hollman.”
“At this moment the door opened, and Wilson rushed into the
room. In his hand he carried a roll of bills.
“‘Give me joy, Irving" he cried; I have raised the money.
Here it is.”

26 ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
“Charles heard no more. A film passed over his eyes, and he
fell back insensible.
“When he awoke, he found himself lying upon the floor of a
small room. One glance around him, showed that he was in a
cell. Feeling a sort of heaviness, he strove to lift his hands; it
was impossible: they were manacled. He groaned, and then
burst into tears.
“In a few minutes he staggered to his feet. He was so weak
that he was obliged to lean against the wall for support. With
the exception of a small bed and a chair, the room was destitute
of furniture. By the side of the bed stood a pitcher of water, and
a small loaf of bread. Tottering to the chair he sank down in it,
and leaned with his face against the back. For half an hour he
remained thus; what his thoughts were, heaven only knows. At
length a loud groan escaped him, and he murmured in a choking
voice—“My poor wife.' Again his eyes filled with tears. Sud-
denly he heard the door open, and on turning round he saw three
persons standing before him. One was his friend Wilson, the
second his wife, and the third the constable who had arrested him.
“With a loud wail of anguish, the wife sprang towards him, and
threw her arms around his neck. ‘Oh, God, my husband' she
exclaimed, as she laid one hand on his high and beautiful forehead,
and with the other drew his pale face towards her own. Can it
be possible that you are a mur She could not finish the
sentence, but sank almost fainting into a chair.
“‘Wilson,’ said the kind-hearted constable, ‘I can't stand this;"
and he left the cell. He was quickly followed by Wilson.
“Reader, suffer me to draw a veil over the unhappy husband
and wife. What passed between them in that cell, is known to
God alone.
“Time passed on. Irving was tried, found guilty, and, to the
astonishment of every body, sentenced to be hung. On returning
to the prison, he sent for me.
“. . Mr. ,' said he, “I have not long to live. Prepare me to
meet my God.”
“‘No, no, he shall not die!' groaned Mary. I glanced at
Irving; his features were very pale, and his eyes gleamed with a
strange, unnatural light; his cheek-bones nearly protruded through
the skin. His whole appearance indicated a person whose mind
was ill at ease.
“‘Take this book,' said I, handing him a Bible. “It will show
you the path to heaven! -
“Mary groaned deeply, and covered her face with her hands.
“‘Leave me, Mary,” said Irving, “I have but a short time to
live, and I am unprepared to die. What little time I have must
be devoted to God alone!"
“And I too must prepare, said Mary, “One grave shall hold
us both."

ELLEN IRWING; THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER. 27
& Then we shall meet above,' said Irving. ‘But leave me,
Mary.”
“One embrace and they parted.
“Days passed on. A short week more, and the fatal day would
come, Mary had become so weak that she was unable to visit the
ºlS00. -
P". Two days more passed away; nothing had been done to ºvert
Irving's impending fate. I determined to visit the governor. With
a petition in my hand, signed by all the respectable men in the
city, I set out. It was sixty miles from where I lived to the
governor's mansion, and I had to perform the whole journey ºn
horseback. After twenty-four hours' hard riding—I missed the
road and lost my way several times—I reached the governor's
house. To my great mortification and regret, I learned that he
had started for Washington three days before, and was not ex-
pected home for several weeks. What could I do? Nothing.
With a sad heart I turned away, of course leaving the petition
behind me, and set out for the prison. I knew that the last hope
of Irving and his wife rested upon me, and I had to meet them
and say, ‘I am unsuccessful."
“It was near evening when I reached the city. A large crowd
was standing near the prison, engaged in conversing about the
coming execution. On seeing me riding up the street, several
persons made a rush towards me. ‘Have you got it have you
got it º' they cried, meaning the pardon. I shook my head sorrow-
fully. A loud groan followed this mute reply.
“Poor Irving and his wife, their last hope is gone,' said a
stout, brawny fellow, a blacksmith by trade. “But why did you
not get it º' he asked, as he seized my horse by the bridle. I in-
formed him. The honest fellow passed the back of his hand over
his eyes. The crowd opened, and I entered the prison-gate.
Giving my horse to one of the keepers, I ascended the stairs, and
with a trembling heart approached the cell in which Irving was
confined. On reaching the door I hesitated a moment, but the
thought that every moment of my stay was an agony of suspense
to him, came over my mind, and I opened the door and entered.
“‘He's come 1 cried a voice; and Irving sprang to my side.
‘The pardon the pardon' he gasped.
“So overcome with emotion was I, that I could not speak.
** * Mr. can it be possible that you have not the pardon |
asked Irving. I bowed my head, ‘Oh, God! then thou hast in-
deed deserted me; and, covering his face with his hands, he sank
back into a chair.
-k sk sk * * º: * -k
“The day on which Charles Irving was to be executed came at
last. The night before, I was constantly by his side. He ap-
peared calm and resigned to his fate, and spent the night in
prayer. When morning broke he seized my hand.
“‘Mr. , he said, ‘you have been a true friend to me.

28 ELLEN IRVING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
Take care of Mary; she will not long survive me. Bury her by
my side l'
“‘Are you prepared to die?’ I asked.
“‘ I am, he replied; but oh, it is hard to die in the merry
sunshine of youth—to be snatched away from all I love, and by
such fearful means. When my parents died I was sorry, but now
my feelings are changed. I am glad that they are gone, that
they did not live to see their son a murderer.”
“At this moment a single stroke of the bell was heard. The
sound had not died away when the door opened, and the sheriff
entered.
“‘ I am ready, said Irving, in a firm voice. ‘Mr. will
you go with me to the gallows º' I bowed my head. “When I am
dead, he added, ‘cut off a lock of my hair, and give it to Wilson."
“I could not speak, so I simply bowed my head.
“‘We are ready," said the sheriff; and he walked towards the
door. Before he could reach it, it was flung open, and a tall,
gentlemanly-looking man sprang into the cell. At the same
moment a loud shout was heard.
“‘Who are you?' asked the sheriff.
“The governor' was the reply. Irving started back. For a
few moments the governor gazed at him in silence.
“‘Young man,’ said he, “the laws of our country have sentenced
you to be hung, have they not º' Irving bowed his head. ‘A few
days ago,' continued the governor, ‘a gentleman called at my
house with this paper. I was then on my way to Washington.
Fortunately, I was taken ill on the road, and I returned home. On
reaching my house the servant handed me this petition. I read it;
my daughter also read it. ‘Father, she said, ‘God made you re-
turn home in order that you might save this young man. Do not
disobey Him; go and save Mr. Irving.' I determined to obey
both God and my daughter. I am here, and you are free. Here
is the pardon "
“And with a smile the governor handed him the pardon.
Irving bowed his head, and strove to murmur a few words of
thanks. It was in vain. His lips moved, he half raised his hand
to his forehead, and then fell senseless to the floor. -
“It was a long time before we could bring him to, but at length
we succeeded. His joy was too great for utterance. Mary was
soon made acquainted with the joyful tidings, and she blessed and
thanked the governor a hundred times. That evening all the
houses in the city were illuminated, and general joy pervaded the
whole place. He was soon started in a more flourishing business
than before, for the people flocked from all quarters to purchase
his goods. Five years afterward he purchased a firm in the
country. Not succeeding so well as he expected, he lemoved to
New Hampshire, near the White Mountains, and there I visited
him every year.”
Thus ended the minister's story. Let me now begin my own.


30 ELLEN IRWING; THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
CHAPTER II.
My Mother's Death—The Two Teachers—Marco and Dorian–The Two Lovers—The
Question and the Reply–The Struggle—The Murderer.
I WAS born in the year 1832. The next year my mother pre-
sented my father with a son. Five years after, she fell into a
consumption, and on my reaching my tenth year, she died. M
father was thus left without a wife, and I-I was left without a
mother.
Mother what an irreparable loss. What is there on God's
footstool which grieves us so much as a mother's loss? What love
is there, equal to a mother's love? A brother, a sister, even a
father's loss we can bear, but the loss of a mother—never. Ah,
we think of the time, when we lay sick upon the couch, how
with gentle words she soothed us; how with a gentle hand she
bathed our aching brow; and when we rose, who tried to amuse
us? Who led us forth into the streets : Who wept at our
griefs, and smiled at our pleasantries? Our mother. Oh, mother,
mother, when I think of you, I feel a soft, gentle feeling stealing
over me, and methinks I hearthy soft voice, low as the murmur
of the gentle breeze, and as soft as the singing of a bird. Some-
times when lying on my bed my spirit takes a flight upward, and
methinks I see you seated upon a cloud, surrounded by hosts of
bright angels, each one pointing towards a place more bright,
more lovely than this earth. And when my eyes open, I weep to
think that I am not with her; to think that by my crimes, I have
closed the doors of heaven forever against me. Ah, when night
comes, I hail it with delight; when day approaches I weep.
Immediately after my mother's death, my father sent me to a
boarding-school, kept by Signor Morto and his wife. The Signor
had all the looks of a true Spaniard about him: dark eyes, black
hair, and a dark complexion; his voice was an unusually rich one,
and when he spoke, every one listened to hear what he said. He
was an accomplished man too, for he could speak several languages,
knew all the old authors by heart, and was well versed in the
classics. His wife was beautiful, so beautiful that, -
“She needed not the aid of foreign ornament,
For she was beauty’s self.”
There were two other teachers at the school. One owned
Greece as his country; his name was Marco Sawern. The other
was a native of Italy; his name was Dorian. Both were young,
and both had that form and feature,
* Which woman loves to dwell upon.”
Dorian was my favorite. Often when seated on some flowery
bank, he would speak to me of his own dear native land; and

ELLEN IRVING; THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER. 31
sometimes when he spoke of what he once was, his eyes would water,
and then he would walk away. Then Marco would take his place.
Ah, many a tale did he tell of his sunny Greece. He told me of
Marco Bozarrus, and said his father was with him when he fell;
he spoke to me of Lord Byron, and said that he was near him
when he died. I loved both of the young men, but I felt for
Dorian a love more pure than I felt for Marco, Ah, they are
both dead now. May they rest in peace.
At the age of twelve my father took me from the school, and I
remained at home two years. Then I attended the school again.
Both Marco and Dorian were delighted to see me, and, of course,
I was delighted to see them. My looking-glass showed me that
I was beautiful, and the unusual respect shown me, everywhere I
went, told me the same. -
When sixteen years of age, I perceived an unusual coldness be-
tween Marco and Dorian. They seldom spoke, and that only
when forced to do so by the duties of the school. One day the
thought that both were in love with me, swept like lightning over
my mind. A few days, observation convinced me that it was a
fact. Before this, the young men had behaved like brothers
toward each other. Now how all was changed; hate had taken
the place of love, and yet neither of them showed the feeling out-
wardly. To restrain their anger, I sometimes showed a preference
for the one, and then for the other. But this could not last long.
Occasionally when walking in the garden, Sawern would stop as if
about to tell some dread secret, and then, finding my eye fixed
upon him, he would seize my arm and walk hurriedly on. When-
ever Dorian met him with me, he would suddenly turn pale, stop,
and then rush from the spot with lightning speed. Of course all
this was very strange to me, and with that curiosity which always
dwells in a woman's breast, I was eager to find out the reason
of such strange conduct. I repeatedly asked Marco to tell me,
but the young man always refused.
One evening, ah, I shall never forget it, I was seated near
the fire, reading, when the door opened and Dorian entered.
Being alone, and as his conversation was always interesting, if not
amusing, I was glad to see him. We had conversed together for
about fifteen minutes, when the door again opened and Marco en-
tered. On seeing Marco he started, and was about to leave the
room when I beckoned to him to remain. My object was to recon-
cile the young men. Dorian was seated on the right hand side
of the fire, and Marco on the left; I was seated between them.
Hoping that the two men would speak to each other, I remained
silent. Not a word was spoken; both were seated with their arms
folded over their breasts and gazing at each other. The silence
became irksome, and wishing to break it, I spoke:
* Marco,” said I, “why are you so silent to-night?”
The young man made no reply. I turned to Dorian.
And you, why do you not speak?"

32 ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
“I prefer to listen,” was the reply.
“Marco and Dorian,” said I, “within the past month I have
marked a coldness between you; why is it? Come, you must
answer me.”
“Permit me to answer the question,” said Marco. “Ellen
Irving, I love you, -love you so much that were I to lose you, I
would at once destroy myself; I love you with all the fervor of a
young and youthful heart. Will you be mine?” and he fixed his
dark eyes on mine.
“I can never be yours,” was my faint reply.
Marco sprang back as though struck by a thunderbolt. I gazed
at Dorian; his eyes were fixed upon his rival's face with a look of
joy, and yet his face was very pale.
“What not mine !” ejaculated Marco.
“I have said.”
“Do you love any one?”
“I do.”
Dorian sprang to my side.
“Ellen,” said he, in a voice so low, that it seemed to come from
the opposite side of the room. “Ellen, I love you. The expres-
sion of your features tells me that my love is returned; yet I
would rather hear it from your lips. Speak.”
“You are right,” I replied. “I love you.”
“What! love him ſº ejaculated Marco. “No, that can never
be . The lion cannot make love to the gazelle, neither can a mur-
derer make love to ->
Dorian sprang to his feet. His face was of an ashy paleness,
and his lips quivered fearfully. In a low, hissing voice, he asked,
“Has Marco Sawern forgotten his oath º'
“Fool!” exclaimed Marco; “what care I for an oath where
the best wishes of my heart are concerned. Leave the house–
leave this place, or the world shall know -- -
“Nothing " exclaimed Dorian, drawing a dirk and springing
upon Marco. In an instant the dirk was thrown out of the window,
and in two minutes more the young Italian lay upon the floor,
bound hand and foot.
“What is the meaning of all this?” I asked, as soon as I had
somewhat recovered from my surprise.
“You shall hear,” was the reply. “That man is a murderer.”
“How know you that 7” I asked.
“Because he told me so,” was the reply.
“Yes, for I took you to be my friend,” said Dorian.
“You should have known better than to trust such a fearful
secret as that, even to a friend,” said Marco.
“Sir, an acquaintance may betray your secrets, but a friend
never.” -
A few words passed between them, and then Marco told me a
fearful tale, which even now as I write makes my blood run cold.

ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZE.R. 33
At that time my curiosity to hear it was great, and thinking that
the reader's curiosity may be as great as mine was, I here relate
it; giving it in a dress that will, perhaps, be more acceptable to
the reader.
–-
CHAPTER III.
Emily Harper—The Ball–The Lover—The Marriage—The Murder—The Arrest-
The Suicide.
“It was a cold, dreary evening in Deeember, year 18–. In
the drawing-room of a large and splendid mansion situated in the
upper part of New York city, was seated a young lady. Her fea-
tures were beautiful and of that peculiar paleness which belongs
only to the aristocracy. Her eyes were large and of a deep black,
her face was regular; but what somewhat spoiled the expression
of her features, was her mouth, which had a haughty curl like one
born to command, not to obey. Her figure was faultless, and she
wore a white dress which set it off to great advantage.
“The room in which she was seated was magnificently furnished.
The chairs, carpets, mirrors, &c., were of the most costly descrip-
tion. Richly bound volumes lay upon the table; the binding of
one of them, Milton's Paradise Lost, was worth more than the sum
received by the author for the whole work. In one corner of the
room was a harp; in another corner a piano-forte and a guitar;
these showed that the young lady had a taste for music.
“Emily Harper-the name of the young lady-was the daugh-
ter of one of the richest merchants of the great Empire City.
Like many others, he left his father's farm when a mere boy, and
came to New York to seek his fortune. He began life as an errand
boy; soon he rose to be clerk; in twelve years he was the junior
partner of the firm; in five years he was the head; seven years
more and he was a millionaire.
“It was then he thought of marriage. Business took him to
Virginia; there he became acquainted with Helen Morris, the
daughter of the governor. He courted, proposed, obtained her
father's consent, and the two were married. A year afterwards,
and he was a father; a month passed and his wife died.
“I shall never marry again,’ said Mr. Harper to his friends;
and he kept his word. -
“The best teachers the country afforded were sent for, and at
the age of sixteen Emily Harper had finished her education.
“At the time we are now speaking of Emily Harper had reached
her eighteenth year. Beautiful and an heiress, the young men
thronged around her in flocks. But Emily was hard-hearted, she
was more, a coquette. What cared she for their sighs and tears :
Many offers were made her, but she refused them all.
“But one evening a party was given by Mrs. S-, one of

34 ELLEN IRVING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
the “upper ten." Emily was invited, and, in hopes of breaking a
few more hearts, she accepted the invitation. Mrs. S. introduced
her to a young man, a foreigner. He was poor, yet handsome and
accomplished. Emily was struck with his appearance, so much so,
that she determined to entrap him. But it was no easy task, for
the young man seemed to have no heart. Often did Emily sigh,
* Would that he were mine.”
“And so it ever is with coquettes. If you admire them, they
care nothing about you. But if you slight them, Cupid sends his
darts through their hearts. Though strange, 'tis true. Let any
young man who is slighted by his “ladye love,’ slight her in return,
and he will soon find her at his feet.
“Dorian (the name of the young foreigner) visited Emily; in-
deed he could not help do so. At first she admired him ; now she
loved him, and she was not long in letting him discover the fact.
He asked and was accepted.
“The hall bell rang, and a few minutes afterward the door
opened, and a servant entered.
“‘Mr. Dorian, he cried, and left the room.
“‘My dear Emily,” said the young man, as he took her hand
and seated himself by her side; ‘I heard this morning, that you
were ill, and I have come to see you.’
“‘Indeed, Dorian,’ said Emily, in a languishing tone, ‘I was ill,
but I am better now.’
“‘Three days more,' said Dorian, “and you are mine.'
“The door-bell again rang.
“‘Mr. Mordaunt,' said the servant. , ,
“On hearing that name, a slight flush overspread Dorian's
features.
“My dear Emily, began Mordaunt; but on seeing Dorian he
stopped short. With a deeper flush, the young man bade him good
evening. -
“My dear Mr. Mordaunt,' said Emily, ‘I have not seen you
for an age."
“An age" repeated Mordaunt; ‘why, I accompanied you to
church yesterday."
“On hearing this, Dorian rose and paced rapidly to and fro
across the room.
“‘Oh, I forgot so you did," said Emily. -
“An hour passed ere Mordaunt rose to take his leave. Dorian
was standing near the window, with one hand in his bosom, the
other in his pocket; his face was deadly pale; and there was a
nervous twitching about his lips, which showed that a fearful strug-
gle was taking place in his bosom. -
“‘Good evening, Mr. Dorian,’ said Mordaunt, as he passed him.
“Good evening, said the young man, hurriedly; and as the
door closed behind him, he sank into a chair. - -
“What ails you, Charles said Emily, as she noticed his
agitation.

ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZE.R. 35.
“The young man made some evasive reply, and seated himself
on the sofa. . - -
tº what a dear young man that Mordaunt is,' said Emily.
“On hearing this Dorian sprang up. -
“Emily, said he, in a hurried tone, ‘as you value your own
happiness and mine, never let me hear you use such language again,
except to me.'
“Such language!" said Emily, haughtily.
“Yes,' replied Dorian; ‘it is very unbecoming for a young
lady—more especially for one about to be married soon-to use
the term ‘dear to any one but her intended.'
“Indeed, said Emily, and what right have you to control my
tongue, Mr. Dorian 7"
*The young man looked at her with astonishment.
“Emily, said he, speaking like one who is struggling to keep
his temper within bounds, “when I came to this country, I made
a vow not to return as I came, alone. I heard of your beauty,
our accomplishments; I saw you and loved. I offered you my
. I knew you would not refuse it, for every word that fell
from your lips told me that you loved me. You accepted me; so
far, so well. In a wife, I wish one who will love me, one whom I
can trust. In offering you my hand, I offer you a heart capable
of devoted love; and now you know why I dislike to hear you
use the word “dear to any one.’
“So rapidly were the words uttered, that he scarcely knew what
he said. -
“‘Emily, continued Dorian, “to tell you the truth, I am what
some would call of a jealous disposition; I cannot control my tem-
per; the fire of the Italian blood flows in my veins."
- “The young lady looked up in surprise.
“‘Well, Emily, said Dorian, ‘what do you say ”
‘That you are right, and I am Wrong,’ was the half reluctant
reply.
“‘Well, Emily, said Dorian, glancing at the clock, “I must
now bid you good evening;' and he left the room.
“As the door closed behind him, Emily rose and walked across
the room with the air of a queen.
“‘Ay, she muttered, half aloud, “he comes it with a high hand
already. He thinks to control my tongue—supposes that I am
not to speak unless he bids me. I’ll obey him now; but after we
are married he shall see whether I am to be his slave.”
“The evening came. In one of the large and splendid churches
for which New York is so celebrated, a large number of persons
were assembled. The minister stood behind the velvet-covered
altar; in his hands he held an open prayer-book. Before him
stood Emily Harper and Charles Dorian. The bride was attired -
in a magnifigent white satin dress; Charles Dorian was attired in
a plain * style. Behind them stood the relatives, &c.

36 ELLEN IRWING; THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
Soon the ceremony was over, and Charles Dorian was the husband
of Emily Harper.
“Charles Dorian found in Emily everything he wished. She
appeared to have a sweet temper, was kind and obliging; and when
he returned from a short absence, she met him with a smile. What
more could man wish
“It was Thursday evening, exactly a week after the marriage.
Emily was seated in the same room in which we saw her before.
She was alone.
“I wish Charles would come,” she murmured to herself.
“The door opened, and the servant entered and announced ‘Mr.
Mordaunt.”
“‘What! alone!' cried the young man, as soon as the servant
had left the room. “Where is Dorian º'
“‘Absent, as usual,’ was the reply.
“‘What a cruel fellow he is, to leave his wife all alone,’ said
Mordaunt, “Do you not feel lonesome, Emily º
“I do, indeed, was the reply; “and I am glad you have come,
though Charles has forbidden me to see you alone."
“‘What!' cried the other, in a tone of alarm, ‘has he dis-
covered - - -
“Nothing, replied Emily, blushing.
“Do you think he will be here soon º'
“‘He will not return until midnight,’ was the reply.
“At this moment the door opened, and Dorian entered. On
seeing Mordaunt he started, and concealed himself behind the win-
dow curtains. So engaged were Emily and Mordaunt, that they
saw him not.
“Ah,' said Mordaunt, drawing a heavy gold watch from his
vest pocket, “it is now seven o'clock; we have five hours before
us: five hours make three hundred minutes, and three hundred
minutes make eighteen thousand seconds. But how about your
husband 2’
“He scolded me the last time you visited me,' replied Emily.
“I remember,’ said Mordaunt; “it was the Monday evening
before last.” -
“‘Yes,’ said Emily. -
“Ah, said Mordaunt, “I am afraid he suspects—'
“How can he, said Emily. “I merely called you ‘dear'."
*** And did he take offence at it º'
“‘Yes, he scolded me for it,' replied Emily.
“Forget it,' said Mordaunt, throwing his right arm around
her neck, and kissing her on the forehead. Emily did not resist
him.
“I am sorry I married him,' said Emily, at length.
“On hearing this, Dorian turned pale as death; he felt a choak-
ing sensation in his throat, and yet he dared not cough. Little
did Emily imagine that her husband was so near.

ELLEN IRVING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZE.R. 37
“Dear Emily, said Mordaunt, “had I but known before, that
you loved me, I but it is too late now.”
* Not too late,’ said Emily. “I am a wife, 'tis true, yet what
care I?’
“My God!’ murmured Dorian, “can it be possible that she
loves me not º' and he leaned against the wall for support.
“‘Come," said Mordaunt, pointing to the adjoining room, “let
us go there; and he caught her in his arms. Emily rose, and the
door closed behind them.
“‘ Great heaven!" said Dorian, staggering to the sofa, ‘can it
be possible that my wife is a court Idare not speak the word!'
and he covered his face with his hands. Tears, hot, scalding tears
rolled down his cheeks, and his form trembled violently.
“Shall I interrupt them?' he thought. ‘No, let them remain.
Cursed—cursed be the hour that I first saw Emily Harper! Cursed
be the hour that Mordaunt—Mordaunt damn him, I'll have his
heart's blood for this. There is nothing left me but revenge Aye,
and I'll have it!" and plunging his hand into his bosom, he drew
forth a long, glittering dagger. “Shall I strike both or one—the
seducer, or the seduced—the ravisher, or his victimº Shall I strike
them both as they lay in each other's arms, fondly imagining that
the room which conceals them is a paradise on earth? This knife,"
and he held the weapon high above his head, ‘can do the work.
One stab, and all is over. I could pinion them both together, if I
wished, but would that be revenge? No, one–only one must die;
the other shall live—live to be pointed at with scorn as the wife
of a-murderer. Oh! that will be revenge!' and he shook his
clenched fist towards the door of the room. ‘Make the most of
the present, Henry Mordaunt, for to-morrow's sun shall shine upon
your corpse.'
* Placing the dagger in his bosom, he cast one last look at the
door, and then left the room. The servant who had shown Mor-
daunt into the room, met him in the hall.
“‘Bring me a glass of brandy—the strongest,” said Dorian;
and as the servant left him, he added, ‘what need have I of brandy?
The work I have to do needs a cool head and a steady arm. Re-
venge! thou dost more to intoxicate the mind than a dozen glasses
of the fiery liquid;' and he left the house.
“Let us return to the room above. Not five minutes passed ere
the door of the inner room opened, and Emily and Mordaunt ap-
peared.
“‘Adieu, Emily," said Mordaunt. ‘To-morrow night we shall
meet again." -
“Wain words! they never met again.
“A few minutes afterwards, Mordaunt was rapidly walking
towards his residence.
“‘I'll take a short cut across those lots,' he muttered to himself,
‘and thereby arrive home the sooner.' -

38 ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
“On reaching the lots, he paused. -
“It is so devilish dark,’ he muttered, “that I can scarcely see
my way. But who is this coming?'
“‘Mordaunt, cried a well-known voice, ‘is that you?'
“Why, that is Dorian,’ cried Mordaunt.
“At this moment the moon came forth from behind the clouds.
“‘Where have you been º' asked Dorian, as he placed his hand
in his bosom. - -
“‘Down to the club-room,’ was the reply.
“‘'Tis false I' cried Dorian, ‘Aye, well may you tremble!
know where you have been.
“‘What mean you?' cried Mordaunt.
“‘Why ask the question?' cried Dorian, passionately. “I saw–
I heard all. Villain false friend that you are prepare.”
** * For what º'
“‘For death!' cried Dorian, drawing his dagger, and rushing
at him. In vain Mordaunt attempted to resist. In an instant he
was thrown to the ground, and Dorian planted his foot firmly upon
his neck.
“Spare me!' cried Mordaunt, beseechingly. “Do not take
my life.’
“‘Cursed villain ſº cried Dorian between his teeth. ‘Did heaven
itself ask for your life, I would refuse it. No mercy will you find
in me.”
“‘Give me five minutes to prepare for death!' cried Mordaunt.
“‘What I do you ask an Italian to delay his revenge, when you
have robbed him of his heart's best treasure ?' cried Dorian, with
a fearful laugh.
“Spare me, oh, spare me!' cried Mordaunt. Oh God,
808-re 2.
P. The dagger fell, and Mordaunt sank back a corpse.
“‘The deed is done,’ said the murderer, as he rose from the
ground. ‘It was a fearful—who comes here?'
“‘There he is there he is ſº cried a voice; and Dorian saw
several men rushing toward him. One moment more and he would
be surrounded. Dropping his dagger, he dealt the first one that
came near him, a blow with his fist, and then darted off.
“After him after him 1' cried many voices.
“Dorian did not turn. He knew that the pursuers were fol-
lowing him. He ran as fast as he could towards his own house.
In five minutes he was in the hall of his own mansion.
“‘Where is Emily?' he asked hurriedly of the servant.
“In her room,’ was the reply.
“Dorian darted up the stairs, flung open the door, and entered
his wife's room. She was seated on the sofa.
“So you have returned, she said, haughtily. -
“I have,' replied Dorian, in a would-be calm voice; and he
* back on the sofa.

ELLEN IRWING; THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER. 39
“I have just received some bad news, said Emily.
“ & What is it º' - -
“. . The company has failed, and my father is ruined. -
* : Ruined I am glad of it,' said Dorian. “Who has been here?
“No one,' replied Emily.
“. . You lie º said Dorian. “Mordaunt has been here."
“There was something so strange in her husband's voice and
manner, that Emily shuddered, she scarcely knew why. -
“Aye, cried Dorian, springing up, “I saw it all; and seizing
her by the arm, he dragged her into the adjoining room.
“Look!" cried he, pointing to the curtain, “there's where I
stood and saw all.” -
“All I repeated Emily, in a faint tone.
“Yes, all!' cried Dorian. ‘Look at me."
“Charles, said Emily, with a faint scream, “there is blood
upon your arm.’
“Dorian laughed hoarsely.
“Good Heavens!' cried Emily, staggering back, “can it be
possible that you are a murderer?
“Yes | look at me—look on my hands; they are stained with
blood–the blood of your paramour."
“What, Mordaunt dead!' cried Emily.
“Dead, yes! with this knife Islew him."
“A murderer!' groaned Emily.
“‘Who made me what I am? cried the young man. “Who
made me take the life of a human being? My wife Speak not,
Emily, for I will hear nothing.”
“Emily pressed her hands against her brow, and sankinto a chair.
“‘A week ago,' said Dorian, ‘I was happy. The thought of
slaying a human being never entered my mind. Now I am a can-
didate for the gallows, made so by my wife."
“Emily gazed him vacantly in the face.
“I shall go mad, she said, at length.
“No you will not,’ said Dorian, grasping her arm. You shall
live to be pointed at as the wife of Charles Dorian, the murderer;
the wife of the man who was hanged.
“Here the door was thrown open by a servant, whose features
betokened signs of terror.
“‘What is the matter º' asked Dorian.
“Before the servant could reply, several men rushed into the
room. The stars on their breasts, and the clubs which they bore
in their hands, showed what they were.
“‘What want ye here?' asked Dorian.
“You are our prisoner, replied one, a tall, burly-looking fellow.
“For what do you arrest me?’
“‘For murder,’ was the reply.
“Emily screamed and fainted.
“Your proofs" asked Dorian.


ELLEN IRWING : THE FRMALE VICTIMIZER. 41
“This dagger, replied one of the policemen. “See, the blade
is covered with blood. Your name is engraved on the handle."
“‘Look at his hands,’ said another.
“Arrest him º' cried all. Before they could effect their pur-
pose, Dorian sprang through the open door, closed and locked it.
“Break open the door, cried one of the men, pushing against
it with all his strength.
“Out with your clubs and smash in the panels, cried another.
“‘Confound the door, cried another, as he attempted in vain
to force in the panels.
“Lay hold on this table, some of you,” cried another. ‘That's
right, one, two, three '' and the door was dashed from its hinges.
“‘Follow me! he's in the room above,' shouted one.
“The policemen sprang up the stairs and searched all the rooms.
At length they came to one, the door of which was locked.
“Break open the door, boys' cried one of the policemen.
“In an instant the door was dashed from its hinges, and the men
rushed into the room. Dorian was standing near a table, with a
pistol in his hand. As they entered, he raised it to his mouth.
“Stop one moment' he exclaimed. ‘God have mercy on my
soul,” he said, and pulled the trigger; it fortunately flashed in the
pan. In a moment it was wrested from him, and in an hour he
was in prison.”
“But how came he here 7” I asked.
“Because his father-in-law bribed the judge and the jury, and
he was sentenced to only two years in prison. It took the last
cent the old man had, and he-once the owner of millions—died
in the poor-house.”
“What became of Emily " I asked.
Marco drew a slip of paper from his pocket-book.
“I cut this from an old newspaper,” he said. “Last evening,
a well-known prostitute in this city committed suicide by throwing
herself into the river. She was the daughter of a well-known and
much respected merchant in this city. Her name was Emily Dorian.
Many of our readers will remember, that a few years ago her hus-
band murdered a man in street, was tried and found guilty,
and sentenced to two years imprisonment in the state's prison.
His time expired a year ago, and he is now at large.”
“Is that all?” I asked.
“Yes,” replied Marco, folding up the paper and placing it in his
pocket-book. “What do you think of him now?”
“Rather ask what do I think of you,” was my reply. “What
right had you to betray his fearful secret?"
“Merely to show him in his true light,” was Marco's reply.
During this conversation, Dorian had been slowly removing the
cords from his hands. Having succeeded, he now sprang up and
confronted Marco.
“Villain!” he exclaimed; “will you dare refuse to meet one
42
ELLEN IRWING; THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
whom you have betrayed? Will you dare refuse to give me the
satisfaction due from one gentleman to another?”
“Do you take me for a coward 7" asked Marco.
“If you refuse to meet me—yes,” was the reply.
“Where shall our meeting take place?”
“Outside of the village.”
“When º’’
“Any time you wish; the sooner the better; for my blood boils
to revenge the injury you have done me.”
“Our weapons?”
“I give you your choice.”
“I choose pistols.”
“And when shall we meet º'
“To-morrow at daybreak, if it is agreeable to you.”
“But our seconds º'
“We have no need of them.”
“'Tis well. I will meet you to-morrow.”
Having settled all the preliminaries, the young men bowed coldly
to each other and then separated, after having exacted a promise
from me not to speak to any one in regard to the duel.
The next morning they met, fought, and one was slain. The
other fled uninjured from the place.
That one was Charles Dorian.
That same day, I received a letter from my father in which he
requested me to return home immediately. I gladly obeyed, for
since Marco and Dorian were gone, I no longer cared for the school.
In a week I reached my home in safety.
--
CHAPTER IV.
The Farm-House—The Departure from Home—My Father's Death—Crime-
Charles Dorian.
My father's farm was situated near the White Mountains, and
close to one of the visiting places. Occasionally, when the hotels
were crowded, he would receive three or four lodgers. He kept
two servants and a housekeeper, a woman about forty years of age
My father's farm contained some five hundred acres of ground,
and two hundred acres were “pasture.” My father was very fond
of raising cattle, and he spent several hundred dollars annually in
purchasing those of a superior kind. ----
Three months after my return, the hotels began to fill with visi-
tors. Soon they were crowded, and several gentlemen who had
boarded at our house before, visited us. Among them was a young
man about twenty-four years of age, and of a tall and handsome
figure. The only baggage he brought with him was a small trunk,
with “William Shannon” marked on it. To us he was a stranger.














ELLEN IRWING; THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER. 43
Somehow or other, I was struck with his appearance, so much so,
that at length I began to love him. For two whole days he did
not address a word to me, but on the morning of the third, as I
was standing in the garden, arranging my flowers, he came up and
entered into conversation with me.
“I see you love flowers,” said he, “so do I. Do you under-
stand botany " -
I replied in the negative.
“Ah, then I must teach you,” he said. “I intend to remain
here three or four weeks, and during that time I can learn you a
great deal. We will begin to-day.”
“With pleasure,” said I.
His lessons were very interesting. He taught me not only the
language of flowers, but the language of love. Day after day we
wandered over the bright fields, finding something interesting in
everything. From his own lips I learned that he was the son of
a rich ship-builder in Boston, and that he had come to the White
Mountains for his health, which, he said, was very poor. He told
me his father had settled a fortune on him, and all he wanted was
a wife. He preferred a poor girl to a rich one—a country maiden
to a belle of the city. I believed every word he said, and why
not I was of a young, artless, loving and confiding nature, and
I had never heard of wolves in men's clothing.
Days passed on. One evening as we were walking in the gar-
den, he sank down on his knees, and in words soft and gentle as
the whisper of the wind, he offered me his heart, hand and fortune.
The full moon shone down upon his face, and it looked so beauti-
ful and calm that I loved him more than ever. He spoke to me
the language of love, told of a home in a far-off city, now waiting
to receive a bride; of a father and mother who were waiting to
clasp me in their arms; of crowded rooms in which I should be
the queen. I–I believed all this and I swore to be his, none
other. I gave him the heart of one, spotless as the soul of an
angel in heaven; I gave him a face which, as he often told me,
was more beautiful than a full-grown rose; I gave him a form more
beautiful than the masterpieces of the ancient sculptors; I gave
him all these, and he, the villain, robbed me of that jewel more
precious to a woman than all the wealth of the Indies. Aye, he
robbed me of this, and when, a fortnight after, he left our house,
I still loved him madly; for I held hold of the delusive hope that
he would marry me. He had promised to write to me as soon as
he returned home, and he kept his word.
In a fortnight I received a letter from him. He requested me
to come to Boston immediately, and said as soon as I had arrived
he would marry me. The thought of leaving my home made me
sad, for how could I forget the home of my childhood? Ah, oft
did I repeat the following words:

44 ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
“Fields, which surround yon rustic cot,
While yet I linger here,
Adieu ye are not now forgot,
To retrospection dear.
Streamlet along whose rippling surge,
My youthful limbs were wont to urge,
At noonday heat, their pliant course
Plunging with ardor from the shore,
Thy springs will lave these limbs no more,
Deprived of active force.”
The day after I received the letter, I began to make a plan by
which I was to leave the house. Something within told me my
father would never give his consent to my leaving the house. After
much consideration, Iresolved to start on Thursday, in the morning
coach. On Wednesday my brother returned from school. He
was delighted to see me, and all that day we conversed together;
but I did not say a word to him about Shannon. The night soon
passed and morning broke. I rose from my bed, and taking down
a small carpet-bag, I left the house. In an hour I was in the stage-
coach, and in a week I was at Boston.
Almost bursting with hope and love, I sought for the house to
which Shannon had directed me. I soon reached it. It was
nothing more than an old frame-house which looked as if in danger
of falling every moment, “Can this be the home of a rich man?”
I asked of myself. Without giving my mind time enough to answer
the question, I ascended the steps and rang the bell. In a moment
the door was opened by a servant.
“Is this the residence of Mr. Shannon º’” I asked.
“What is his first name 2'' asked the servant.
“William,” was my reply.
“Ah, it's all right; walk in,” said the servant; and I entered.
He led me up the stairs to the room above, and requested me to
wait a few moments while he acquainted Mr. Shannon with my
arrival. I looked around the room; the furniture seemed to be
very old, and everything was covered with dust. On the wall
hung four pictures, representing scenes from Byron’s “Don Juan.”
I was about to rise to examine them closely, when the door opened
and Shannon entered.
“Ah, my dear Ellen, I am delighted to see you here,” he said,
as he took my hand. “When did you arrive?”
“Not an hour ago,” was my reply.
“How are your parents?” --
“Quite well.”
Here there was a short pause.
“Ellen,” said Shannon, in his softest voice, “do you love me?”
“Love you!” I replied. “Ah, William, have I not given you
my heart already? Love you! words cannot describe the love I
bear to you.”
No pen can describe the deepness, the devotedness of a woman's

ELLEN IRVING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER. 45
heart On, how I loved that man then, oh, how I curse his memory now. And have
I not reason to curse him : Did he not force me from my home—the sunny home
of my childhood, from a father who loved me as only a father can love-from a
brother who would have laid down his life for me, had I demanded it, from the
friends of my childhood? He took me from all these, but worst of all, he stole from
me my virtue. Had it not been for him I should not be the wretch I now am: Oh,
memory ! how many fearful images dost thou conjure up—images that walk past
me like the phantom kings in “Macbeth.” Like him, I gaze upon them with horror,
but unlike him, I resolve to sin no more—to depart to “that bourne from whence no
traveller returns.”
Death! can death be an eternal sleep, as some say, or is it but the awaking in a
new and strange world ! I cannot—dare not think of it. How can I leave this bright
world" for let people say what they will, this world is a bright one. Better, far better
for those who meditate self-destruction to remain here than to leap across a yawning
gulf to a land which they know nothing about. But away with these thoughts, and
let me finish the sad history of crime.
Three months passed away. One day, in looking over a weekly paper, I saw an
advertisement offering one hundred dollars reward for any information that would
lead to the finding of a young lady by the name of Ellen Irving. At the bottom was
my father's name. Oh, how I wept when I saw those few lines! The paper said
that he was almost broken-hearted, dying with grief, and wishing to embrace and
bless his child before he died. What! bless me, after leaving him in the manner I
did! Yes, he could bless me; for where is the father who would curse his child! Ah,
the few minutes I spent in reading that advertisement were the bitterest I ever passed
in my life. Remorse, agony, grief and despair, were all crowded in those few mo
ments. Ah, truly has it been said, “that where we have years of sorrow, we have but
one moment of pleasure.”
I showed the advertisement to Shannon, and methought a smile lighted up his fea-
tures while reading it. I entreated him to take me to my father; he consented, and
that same day we left Boston. Soon we arrived at my father's house. My brother
met us at the door. He was delighted to see me. “How is my father " I asked.
* No better; not expected to live an hour.” I darted past my brother and ran swiftly
up stairs to his room, the tables of which I had, in my childhood days, when all was
one long summer, often covered with flowers. He was lying on the bed near the
window. As I rushed into the room, he uttered a cry of joy and fainted; but in a
few minutes he recovered.
“Where have you been º’ was his first question.
I informed him; told him of my love for Shannon; that I had thought he would
not consent to our marriage, and many other things. It was at this moment that
Shannon came into the room. I pointed him out to my father, asked his forgiveness
for leaving him, and prayed to him to bless me. He did so, and then died.
Thus did my father leave this world. Such was the end of a true Christian.
Two days passed, and then the cold earth received all that was left of him. “Peace
be to his ashes.”
A fortnight after his death, our little place was sold, and I gave the money to
William to keep for us; for my father had left a will, stating that the farm should be
sold, “and the proceeds divided between his daughter Ellen, and his son William.”
That same day William departed for the boarding school which he had attended
before my father's death.
Two days afterward Shannon disappeared, taking with him the proceeds of the sale.
In a fortnight I received the following letter from him:
“Dear Ellen–No doubt you were much surprised at my sudden disappearance,
and were at a great loss to account for it. The reason is plain; I have had you
hanging on me long enough, and this is the last letter you will ever receive from me.
To-morrow I leave Boston for a distant land. WILLIAM Suanxion.”
When I had finished reading this letter, I did not cry and weep as many persons
would have done. No, I merely placed it in my pocket, and went out into the gar-
den. In an hour I again entered the house, Walking up to the table on which
stood the Bible, I laid my hand upon it, and took a fearful oath. I swore to revenge
myself on all mankind for the crimes of one, to hate all, to disown my Maker, to
believe death to be an eternal sleep, to spread the opinions of Voltaire and other in-

46 ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
fidel writers throughout the world; above all, I swore that if my seducer should ever
cross my path, to wreak a terrible vengeance on him. I have kept my oath.
Many of the families residing near our farm owed my father various sums which
amounted in all to eighteen hundred dollars. Within two days I had collected this
sum. One half of the money I left with a farmer by the name of Halsey, and I re-
quested him to pay my brother one hundred dollars per annum, and to keep him at
the school until he was eighteen years of age. Then, bidding adieu to my neighbors,
I set out for Boston.
On reaching that city I purchased a man's dress, a pair of whiskers, a box of
paints, &c. I told those from whom I purchased the various articles that I was an
actress; and they believed me. The next day I hired a horse and rode out of town,
after informing the stable-man that I would send the animal back in charge of a
cousin. Soon I had left the city far behind me. When it was dark I dismounted
from my horse, and attired myself in male attire. I painted my face, dirtied my hands,
put on the false whiskers, and then rode towards the city. The stable-man did not
recognise me. After leaving the stable I bent my steps toward a large hotel situated
in the heart of the city. On reaching it I entered the bar-room and signed my name
on the book as “Michael Thornton, from Georgia.”
“Where are your trunks” asked the bar-keeper.
“They will be here to-morrow,” was my reply. “Can you show me into a room.”
“Yes, Do you prefer a double or a single room?”
“A double room,” was my reply.
“Here, waiter, show this gentleman to room number thirty-five.”
The waiter took an oil-lamp from the mantle-piece and lead the way up the stars,
I, of course, following him. -
“This is the room,” said he, throwing open the door. “Have you been to supper ?”
“Not yet,” was my reply, for I was very hungry.
“Supper will be ready when the cars come in,” he said.
** And when will that be 2* I asked.
“At eleven,” he replied, and then left me. -
I had not remained in the room more than an hour before the bell rang, and I
descended the stairs to the dining room. The meal was soon over, and I rose from
the table. Several men were standing near the door, and not wishing to pass them
I walked to the window. Suddenly I heard the words “a flat,” “a greenhorn,”
“let’s pluck him.” I turned my head and saw several men gazing at me. That I
was the object of their remarks could not be doubted. Wishing to hear more I again
turned to the window. In a few minutes the men came up and entered into con-
versation with me. I pretended to be a “greenhorn,” and I acted my part to per-
ſection. Soon one of them proposed a game at cards; I consented, and we seated
ourselves. In an hour I had lost thirty dollars. Wine was called for, and in another
hour all but one were lying under the table.
“Let us play for a higher sum, young man,” said the one who remained sober
“I do not wish to play any more, for I have lost enough,” said I.
“Only one game,” said the sharper.
“I have only one hundred dollars left,” said I, “and I would willingly give it all if
I could find out how you won my money.”
“Perhaps you think we have cheated you,” said the sharper.
* I do,” said I.
“Were you in earnest about the one hundred dollars?”
* Yes.”
“Then I will teach you,” said the sharper. “See, the cards are marked on the back,
and yet no man would know it unless some one told him. You will take notice that
only the highest cards are marked.”
“I see,” said I; “and now teach me the trick of winning.”
“And I will teach you a hundred tricks if you wish,” said the sharper. “Few can
beat me at cards.” -
In three hours I could beat even him. He was astonished at my quickness. When
I drew out my pocket-book to pay him, he caught sight of several large rolls of bank-
notes, and he demanded that I should give him fifty dollars more. I refused. We
quarreled, and in the heat of passion I drew a knife and stabbed him to the heart.
A waiter who was in the room at the time saw the act, and darted forward to arrest
me. As he drew near I plunged the dagger into his heart, and then rushed from the

ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZE.R. . 47
room into the street. In fifteen minutes I had washed the paint from my face, and
in two days I arrived at New York.
Here, assuming my own attire, I became acquainted with several young men, sons
of rich merchants. After robbing them of large sums of money, I left the city for
Philadelphia. There I made the acquaintance of an old merchant by the name of
D He grew so enamoured of me, that he procured a divorce from his wife,
and then kept me openly as his mistress. At length growing tired of him, I resolved
to rid myself of him. There was but one way, and that was poison. One night
he drank a glass of wine, and in five minutes he was a corpse. Three days after-
ward I arrived in Baltimore.
I remained in Baltimore six weeks, and then, after slaying two men, I left for
Washington city. While in that place I became acquainted with Senator S X
R s. This gentleman was very rich. We had several games at cards together,
and I won from him fourteen thousand dollars. From Washington I went to Charles-
town, and then to St. Louis.
One evening as I was seated in the bar-room of the principal hotel, (I was dressed
in male attire) two gentlemen entered arm-in-arm. Their backs being toward me,
I could not see their faces. They walked up to the bar and called for wine. One
of them while drinking happened to turn his face towards me, and I uttered a cry
of astonishment. The cry caused all eyes to turn toward me, and feeling somewhat
embarrassed, I walked up to the bar and called for wine. While drinking, I mur-
mured in a low voice, “ Dorian.”
“Hal” exclaimed one of the men, suddenly turning, “who was that that spoke
just now tº
* No one,” returned his companion. “Another glass of wine, waiter.”
* Dorian,” said I again. The man let the glass fall and turned his face towards
me. With the rapidity of lightning, and without being observed, I pointed to the
door and then to myself. Dorian understood me, and I walked to the door. In a
moment he was by my side.
* Come with me to the room above,” said I, and without hesitating a moment, he
followed me. On reaching my room, I closed the door and locked it.
* Charles Dorian,” said I again.
* Who-who are you !” asked Dorian.
* Ellen Irving,” I replied.
“What! Ellen Irving and in this attire ſº he exclaimed, gazing at me with
astonishment.
*Yes,” I replied.
* But what reasons have you for thus disguising yourself!” he asked.
| informed him.
“And I too am a murderer,” he said, when I had concluded my tale. “I do not
blame you for what you have done; nay, I admire you for it. Let us wander through
the world together. I will marry you if you wish.”
“Many me!” I exclaimed. “I do not believe in marriage. Let us be partners
in crime.”
For several months we wandered all over the United States. During that time
I shudder as Irelate it—we took the lives of eight persons. We then resolved to
visit Europe. In England, Charles fought a duel with a nobleman, and we were
forced to flee to Paris.
One evening as I was walking through the Rue de St. near the Boulevards,
my attention was attracted towards a man on the opposite side of the street, one
look showed me the features of Shannon. Ah, how I chuckled as Ibeheld him. The
villain caught sight of me at the same moment, but I had changed so greatly within
the last few years, that he did not recognise me. I stood still and beckoned him to
approach.
“Did you not purchase a bunch of flowers of me yesterday tº I asked in French.
“Why you do not sell flowers, do you?” he asked.
“I do,” was my reply.
“You are too pretty to be employed in such a business as that,” said he, chucking
me under the chin with his finger.
“Answer my question,” said I.
* Why?” he asked. -
%
Ø Ø
%
º
-
-


ELLEN IRWING, THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER. 49
* Because if you are the gentleman,” said I, “you promised to meet me here at
his hour.” -
“Ah, so I did, so I did,” he said. “Come with me to my hotel.
* Come to my house rather,” said I.
* I will,” said he: “shall I call a coach?”
“Yes,” was my reply.
A coach soon drove up and we entered.
A few days before, Dorian and I had removed from the hotel into a small, one-
story house. It was there I resolved to take Shannon. Dorian generally remained
in the house all day, and only went out in the evening.
In a few minutes we reached the house. Taking Shannon's arm, I ascended the
steps and entered the house. I led the way into the front room, and when Shannon
had entered, I closed and locked the door.
Dorian was seated at a table; as we entered he raised his head.
* Who is this 1* he asked.
* Let me introduce you to each other,” said I. “This is Mr. Shannon; Mr. Shan-
non, Mr. Dorian.”
On hearing his name spoken, Shannon turned pale.
* I did not tell you my name,” he said, “and yet you know it. Who are you?”
“What ſº I exclaimed, “is it possible that William Shannon does not recognise in
me the being who once gave him her whole heart! the being whom he has so much
injured the being who hates him now as much as she once loved him '''
“What Ellen Irving !” he exclaimed, starting back. Before he could recover
from his astonishment, Dorian had sprung upon him, and in a moment he was bound
hand and foot. After much conversation as to what his fate should be, we determined
that he should die by starvation. Accordingly we bore him into the cellar; and in
five days William Shannon was no more.
Thus did Ellen Irving keep her oath.
In a week we sailed for New York.
In that city we began our career of crime anew. One evening as Dorian was
walking in Broadway, he was accosted by a young man who requested him to direct
him to Chambers street. As Dorian was going that way, he consented to point it out
to him. On their way, he so captivated the young man, that the latter promised to
meet him at a certain place the following night. The place of meeting was at our
house. During a short conversation with him, Dorian learned that he was the son
of a rich southerner, and that he had about him some ten thousand dollars. When
they separated, Dorian returned home immediately. We determined if the young
man visited us, that he should never leave the house again.
The next evening we heard a knock at the door. Dorian opened the window and
looked out. In a moment he uttered a cry of rage. -
* What is the matter tº I asked.
“He has brought another with him,” was the reply.
* We can kill both,” said I.
“True; I forgot that,” returned Dorian. “How shall we kill them "
* Let both of us conceal ourselves behind the door,” said I, “ and when they enter
and the door is closed behind them, we will rush out and stab them.”
“That will do,” said Dorian; and we both descended the stairs. On reaching the
door, we both concealed ourselves behind it, and then Dorian laid his hand on the latch.
“Are you ready ?” he whispered.
“I am,” I replied; and the door opened.
“Does Mr. Gardener” (Dorian's assumed name) “reside here tº asked a voice.
* He does. Please walk up stairs.”
Both of the men entered. Hardly had the door closed behind them, when we
plunged our daggers through their hearts. They fell and died without a groan.
“Bring a light here,” said Dorian.
I rushed up the stairs and returned in a moment with a lighted candle.
“Here is the money he was speaking about,” said Dorian, as he drew forth a well
filled pocket-book. “What a fool he was to say anything about it at all.”
“And now let us see what the other one has got about him,” said I.
* Held down the candle,” said Dorian.
I held the candle down close to the face of the murdered man, and then uttered

50 ELLEN IRWING : THE FEMALE VICTIMIZER.
a thrilling scream; for in the face of the murdered man, I beheld the features of my
only brother!
-: - - - - - - -
Some days afterward, as Dorian was crossing the Hudson river in a boat, he was
run into by a pilot-boat, and drowned. Thus perished the Italian. Shortly after
Dorian's death, I removed to Albany. One Sunday, not having anything to do, I
visited a Methodist church, situated nearly opposite my boarding-house. The min-
º º
ister's preaching so struck me, that the following Sunday I again visited the church.
Through his means I was led to see the wickdness of my life, and I made a deter-
mination to repent of my sins and lead a new life. Ah, why did I not do it before?
Some weeks afterward, I made a sudden resolution to leave this world. After
making this resolution I resolved to leave behind me the history of my life in order
that others might see the rock upon which I have fallen. After completing the MS.,
I sent it to the minister, together with the following letter:
Rev. Robert B. Russel—Sir, A few weeks ago I attended your church. Your preach-
ing so deeply affected me that I was brought to a sense of my fearful condition, and
I resolved to sin no more. My life has been a fearful one, and in the hope that it
may be the means of turning others from the path of guilt, I send you my history.
To-morrow I shall be far away; to-morrow I shall know the fearful secrets that lie
beyond the grave; to-morrow I shall be-where Ah, what tongue can answer
To-night when you kneel in prayer, forget not to add in a word for me. May we
meet in heaven.
ELLEN Invirg.
Note—The writer of the above, committed suicide by taking laudanum on the
morning of July 12th, 1854. R. B. R.
THE END.
º
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