A MAN'S POWER.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VIII, Issue 6, 1 September 1903, Page 438

A MAN'S POWER.

By SYDNEY PAULL

" V" Godot's George WillllPV^/'^v The exclamation tzl^t kr ° c iflvohitttarity { (ffi]M{z\^) from my lips as I C*w\sf^; looked with a morbid curiosity at the photo ms~' ? ' °^ cie " k° v murc^ er ~ My?' er," as he was called ■Yf" by the sensational portion of the press. A large photograph depicting a handsome young fellow of about nineteen years of age was being displayed in the window of a large draper's shop in Pitt Street, Sydney, and underneath were the words in large letters : " George Mitchell Wilson, the murderer of Arthur Dennison." Some days previously, Sydney had been startled by the news that a brutal and cold-blooded murder had been committed in the office af a well-known warehouse in the city. It was further startled when a few hours later, it became known that the murderer was arrested, and proved to be a young fellow scarcely out of boyhood's ranks, who had been the close friend and companion of the murdered man. On opening, the warehouse the morning after the tragedy, the caretaker was horrified to see a pool of blood mar the office door, and on investigation he found the body of Arthur Dennison, the firm's casfer, brutally mutilated, lying stiff and stark in his own blood. A doctor who had been hastily called, said that death had been caused by a bullet wound in the head, although

another shot had entered the heart, and the throat had ibeen cut from ear to ear, almost severing, the head from the body. The doctor gave it as his opinion that the deed was either that of a madman, or on the other extreme, that of a cool determined man who made up his mind that no spark of life should remain in the body of his victim. The cleverest detective in Sydney was put on the case, and at five o' clock that same afternoon, George Wilson, a clerk in the same office as Dennison, was arrested and charged with wilful murder. At the coro--ner's inquest the jury found a verdict to the same effect, 'and George Mitchell Wilson was committed to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. I had read all this in the public press with a thrill of horror, but had not connected it with the George Wilson of my school-days, the chum of my youth. Wilson was by no means an uncommon name, and, although I knew that his second initial was M., I did not know the full. name. I had not seen George for over two years, and was not aware that he had left his former place of employment. The realization that this callous murderer was my old chum almost stunned me, and I stood as one spell-bound, until a gruff voice ordered me, with the rest of the giaping crowd, to move on. I felt mad with this cruel, sneering crowd, and could have struck the mocking fool who was making some joke about the boy knowing

a great deal more than his father. I shut my ears to the laughter, and pushed my way *>ut, for I could scarcely breathe.

" He is not guilty/ I said to myself, " he cannot be guilty of such an awful crime as this/ and yet even as I said it,, I knew in my inmost soul— how or why, I know not — that he was guilty.

" But hie was such a bright, good fellow," I argued with myself, " one could not find a merrier or better companion in all Sydney. He a murderer— and such a murderer ? Impossible ! " But still that feeling in my heart would not be denied —a voice seemed to say : " He is guilty— he is guilty/

After a long and memorable trial, he was indeed found guilty on evidence that could not be gainsaid, that left absolutely no loophole of doubt, and although his lawyer advanced the theory that Wilson was suffering from mental aberration, was in fact temporary insane at the time of the murder, the method employed, the intricate planning, the coolness and cunning, displayed, utterly disproved such a conclusion, at least, so the infallible press said when commenting on the case. He was pronounced guilty, and sentenced to suffer the extreme penalty of the law.

One fact which had arisen out of the trial was thei subject of much comment. This was the strong, friendship which had seemed to exist between the murdered man and his murderer. This was more striking when the disparity between their ages was considered. Wilson was, as I have already mentioned, about nineteen years of age, whilst Dennison must have been at lea^t forty. Dennison was a widower, a man of assured position in busi ness, much sought after in society, a thorough man of the world, a general favourite with both sexes, and, moreover, engaged to Evelyn Wilson, George's only sister.

Other matters came out in the trial, sufficiently startling to war-

rant all the sermons, newspaper articles, and criticisms of the man in the street. Although only nineteen, Wilson had gone deeply into the whirlpool of sin. He had given way to the wildest passion ; he had been dragged into the meshes of awful wickedness, and at last had stained his hands with the lifeblood of his fellow-man.

God forbid that I should condemn him. Who am I that I should dare to judge between the innocent, happy youth, and the one who was condemned to die the most shameful death that man can devise ? I would not now drag to light these things which are better left in darkness, 'but that I am bound by a sacred promise to the man who' is in eternity, that I would some time give to the world the explanation of the frightful devolution which took place in his soul, transforming him from the God-fearing, happy boy to the callous, cruel man who died the felon's death for murder.

After muchs difficulty, I was able to see George before he died. At first he held aloof from me, but finding that I did not attempt to preach, nor worse still, to pity, he broke down and sobbed bitterly, for my presence, he said, brought back to his memory the happy schoollife, and the proud, days when ho first went out to work.

I shall never forget the time., when as a boy, he— but no, I cannot even now dwell on those days when no shadow of the future was black across our path ; I cannot write of the sunshine — my mission only deals with the darkness and gloom of his last days.

At the time I visited him he made me promise that I would do this work, and on the fatal morning of his death, for in spite of his youth he was executed, he gave a letter to the chaplain which was addressed to me, and which contained the explanation he had promised me.

It appears that about three years before the events^already related, when Wilson was only a lad of yix-

teen, he met Arthur Dennison at a social gathering at the house of a mutual friend, and then began that strange friendship which ended so tragically.

For some months the elder man cultivated this friendship assiduously, and succeeded in gaining the full confidence of the lad, who was flattered by the preference shown by the man of the world for him over many of his own, class and position. Dennison's influence over the susceptible nature of the boy was exceedingly strong,, and he lost no opportunity of exerting it to its fullest extent, with the result that he soon had complete command over the character, inclinations, and the very will of his boy friend. He played his cards carefully, never revealing his hand, but never missing a chance to score. The boy felt himself to be a man when he was introduced to men of the world, asked to take a hand at cards, or initiated into \the mysteries of billiards. He thought it a fine thingto reckon barmaids and actresses among his acquaintances, and also learned to cultivate the seductive pleasures of the glass.

Although Dennison seldom spoke of it, he had. dabbled a little in psychical science, and had learned to use mesmeric power, which was indeed, almost natural to him.

Having gained Wilson's confidence, Dennison was determined to try some of his devilish experiments on him, and one evening the subject of mesmerism was introduced. Wilson was much interested, he became a willing subject, and from that night he dated the baneful influence which Dennison exerted over his life, though it was very evident to us that this influence had been at work for some time previously. At any rate, from that night, he was as wax in the hands of Arthur Dennison. I dare not write of all the hideous things which George was led to do, of which he writes in detail, truly a sickening category. Sufficient to

say, that, led by this devil in human shape — if I dare speak so of one who has paid the penalty of his sins— poor Wilson lost his innocence, his purity, his manhood ; and, though only then about seventeen or eighteen years of age, he learned more of the follies and sins of men than most men learn in a lifetime.

About this time, Dennison obtained a position in his office for Wilson, and so, day and night, had him constantly under his eye, and continued to weave about him that web which ultimately dragged both of them in its clinging meshes to their death.

Whilst away from his presence, and under the influence of his mother and sister, poor Wilson endeavoured to shake off the vipor that was sucking his very lifeblood, only to fall again when Dennison willed it so. Through it all, the poor boy retained the consciousness of his downfall, and realized the horror of his position ; but in spite of all his struggles, he was held firmly in the toils of his enemy. He learned to hate his master unutterably, but felt compelled to obey his behests. And now Wilson began to gamble heavily, far more heavily than his salary permitted, and was encouraged in this by Dennison. In order to pay his " debts of lionour " Dennison suggested that Wilson should borrow a sum of money from the firm's account, promising to so arrange the books that it could not possibly be found out. " Of course, you'll be able to repay it/ lie said, " your luck's sure to 'turn. It's only a temporary affair. I'd willingly lend you the money myself,, but I've been losing heavily, too, and can't afford it just now." " You're a liar/ Wilson replied, " nearly all my losings have gone into your pocket ! " " Now, Wilson," Dennison answered, " please be careful of your pet names, or you may suffer for them. But there, we can't afford to quar-

rel. Do as I suggest, and things are sure to right themselves somehow."

That first " borrowing " led to more of the same nature, until a very large sum. had been appropriated towards paying young Wilson's gambling debts. From this time on to the end they had frequent quarrels, but were too closely bound, one to the other, to come to an open rupture, and in public still seemed the best of friends.

But the beginning of the end had come.

Dennison had in the meantime become acquainted with Wilson's family, and was a welcome visitor there. Mrs. Wilson thought so highly of him that she took him into her confidence regarding Georgo, for she saw that her son was giving way to drinking and gambling habits ; though even her motherly eye did not see into* his soul, or surely her heart would have broken long ere it did.

No one guessed the part Dennison played in George's life, least of al) the beautiful girl, who was as good as she was beautiful, Evelyn Wilson.

The possessor of a comfortable fortune left her by a maiden aunt with whom she had been a great favourite, she was much sought after. Several suitors had striven to win her hand in marriage, but she had remained heart-free until Arthur Dennison, with his handsome face and polished manners gained the whole-hearted love of the beautiful girl.

The night on which the engagement was announced to the family, George left the house with Dennison. Neither spoke a word for some time, until, unable to^ear the silence any longer, George broke out with %

" Dennison, you infernal hound,, you despicable cur ! What do you mean by this news, to-night ? Fool that I was, 1 never dreamt of it, or I'd have stopped it before ! Mind you, it must not go on for another day. I won't have it — I won't have it, I tell you !" he cried. " Good

Heavens ! Isn't it enough that you have ruined me ? Must you dmg my sister to hell also ? No, you couldn't do that, but you'd break her heart and ruin her life, and then throw her aside ! You know you would, you vile scoundrel ! " Dennison heard him out, and then with a sharp sneer in his voice, replied : " Don't be such a fool, George. You know I always get my own way, and I'm determined to have it in this. I will not break her heart, nor throw her aside, as you so politely suggest, but I'll turn over a new leaf and settle down to a quiet married life with your beautiful sister as my wife." " No, I swear you will not ! I'll kill you first ! " " Now, my dear boy, don't get dramatic. I'm sorry to be forced to remind you that you're in my power. A word from me, and you would be arrested for embezzlemeut and robbery. But I sincerely hope for your sister's sake that you will not compel me to take such an extreme step as that/ Dennison quietly responded. Wilson laughed in his face. " You wouldn't do anything of the kind, for you're too deeply implicated yourself to expose me." " You little fool ! " Dennison replied, "do you think I have been ass enough not to arrange for that? I assure you, my dear fellow, that you, and you alone, are the one implicated. I've taken good care of that, which you'll very soon see if you insult me further." Wilson was aghast at the villainy of the man, and now realized fully that he had been the tool of the unscrupulous wretch before him. The thought of what would be the fate of his sister, if she became this man's wife, rendered him reckless. " Nevertheless, if you persist -in your attentions to Evelyn, I'll kill you as I would a mad dog," he cried. Dennison vouchsafed no reply, but with a shrug of his shoulders and a

light laugh, he turned on his heel, and left Wilson standing; on the side-walk utterly oblivious to the passers-by, who looked curiously at the young fellow with the murderous look in his eyes. The next day at the office, Dennison broached the subject of their last conversation. " I hope you've become reconciled to me as a brother-in-law," he said. "No ; curse you ! " answered George. " I meant every word I said about killing you if you persist in your diabolical plans." " Well, that settles it," Dennison retorted. " I made up my mind to give you one more chance. You've refused it, so I'm determined to bring your defalcations under the notice of the managers when I make up the books for the month, tomorrow." Wilson started, and looked up fearfully, and was on the point of pleading for more time, when lie saw the malicious and triumphant look in Dennison' s eyes. He set his teeth hard, and went on with his work without another word. " Yes, I think it'll be a very good move," Dennison continued. " 111 offer to pay the money for you, which will put me in a very good light with your people. I'll tell how I've remonstrated with you over your bad habits," and he laughed gaily, " and at the same time I'll effectually clip your wings, my young high-cock-alorum. It'rt have paid you better to have kept in with me," he said as he left the office. A little later in the day, Dennison told George that he would be wanted back in the office that night, and that they would then have the opportunity of going over the various items in which Wilson was defaulting. " And perhaps," he added, "we may come to some understanding, afoout the future, for I don't want to do what I have threatened unless you force me."

Wilson did not reply, but had Dennison seen the expression of his eyes, he would not have felt quite so easy in his mind, or smiled so complacently as he turned to his work. That night the great warehouse was quiet except for the scratching of pens, and the occasional banging, of a book in the office. About halfpast nine, all the clerks except Dennison and "Wilson, left with a cheery, though somewhat tired, " Good-night." Good-night ! Could they but have known, they would not have left those two together for worlds ; for before they separated there was to be enacted a tragedy so awful— so black and terrible, that even hardened men shuddered when they thought of it ! " Now, George, have you decided to be sensible ? " Dennison asked, breaking the silence which followed the departure of the clerks. Without looking up, for he dared not let Dennison' s eye& rest on his, knowing that if they did, the stern purpose of his heart would falter, and he would not be able to do that which he had come prepared to do, Wilson said as quietly as his wildly beating heart would allow : " Perhaps I have been a bit hasty in speaking as I have done. But, Dennison, if I say nothing in regard to your engagement to my sister, will you undertake that nothing of my money troubles will ever be made known, and either lend me tlic money, or arrange the books so that the loss will not be discovered until I. can pay back what I've taken ? " " Yes, I'll willingly undertake to do that, though it's as much as my position or even my liberty is worth, but as Fve promised, I'll do it ! " Wilson looked up quickly and caught a look of devilish cunning. on his enemy's face, lyut he neither said nor did anything that would warn Dennison of his purpose. " And do you really mean to give

up your evil habits when you marry Evelyn ? " he asked quietly.

" Evil habits— well, on my word--I like that from you ! '■'

" I mean will you give up drink ing, gambling, and — and worse ? "

" I altogether fail to see what right you have to ask these personal questions, or what has suddenly turned you against the things you mention, in which, if I remember rightly, you are almost a pastmaster ! "

" And who made me such ? " Wilson cried, his anger overcoming Ms enforced calmness. " Who led me to these things ? Who introduced me to them, instructed me in them, and urged me further on every day ? Who, I say, but you, you blackhearted villain, you devil's own cur ! You think lam only a boy with whom you can play, whom you can twist round your finger. You have done this too long and too often, but you overshot ihe mark when you tried to drag my sister into your power as well. I would rather see her dead— killed by my own hand than mated to you— you scum of hell ! But there will be no need of that/ he continued, beside himself with frenzy, " for I'm going to kill you— do you hear me ?— kill you and send you where you belong ! Yes, you may well laugh, for God knows, you won't have many more chances ! I'm going to kjill you, and then put an end to myself, for there's nothing on earth left for me to live for. I shall, have done the only good deed of my life when I rid the world of you ! " He was calmer now, and spoke with a frightful deliberation that began to have its effect on Dennison in spite of Ms disbelief in Wilson's purpose. " George/ he said, " look at me —look me in the eyes ! "

" No, no ; I dare not do that ! And yet— yes I can, I will ! You've no longer any power over me. See ! " Wilson shotted in triumph. " Your day is done ! At last I'm master of myself ! And master of

you, too ! You've been my master for long enough, but now the tables are turned/ and his laugh was that of a madman. " Look at this, Arthur Dennison ! " he cried, drawing from his pocket a six-chamber revolver, " I bought this especially to take your life. You, thought I raved — that I was a fool — that I dare not carry out my threat ! Ah ! you start ! You're afraid at last ! No, don't move, or I'll shoot you sooner than I intended/ " But, George," said the now thoroughly frightened man, " I wa3 only joking. Of course, I didn't mean to expose you, or even to marry your sister after I saw that you were opposed to it." " Oh, you liar— you infernal liar ! You have lived like a dog, and now you're facing death like a curyelping and afraid ! " This last taunt goaded Dennison to fury. He sprang towards Wilson and endeavoured to grapple with him ; but the lad fired point-blank, and Dennison staggered back with an awful cry, and fell dead on the office floor almost without a struggle. Wilson, now mad with terror, not knowing what he did, fired again and again at the prostrate man till the revolver was empty. And then all the horror of the situation broke on his distracted mind. He dropped the revolver, called the dead man by name, endeavoured to raise the body, and in doing so his hands touched the warm blood of the murdered man. He started back with a cry of agony, and stood gazing at his blood-stained hands with horror, an awful sickness almost overpowering him. The body at his feet gave a convulsive movement which seemed to drive him mad. He snatched a knife from one of the show-cases, and hacked and mutilated the body to a frightful degree, and then, with the cry of a lost soul, he rushed from the scene of blood and slaughter, forgetting altogether that he meant to take his own life also.

There is little more to be told, and I am |glad, for the memory of that black night's work is very painful to me. But for the fact that all the parties concerned in this tragedy are either dead, or have left Australia for ever, 1 would not have taken up my pen even now, though I hold my promise to George Wilson as a sacred one. lam not going to advance an opinion as to the sanity, or otherwise, of Wilson at the time of the

deed, but I firmly believe that, in spite of the threats and seeming preparation, he did not intend to do more than frighten Dennison into breaking the engagement wiih his sister, and that the first shot was fired blindly. After which — well let each decide, for himself. Bennison's power over his fellowinan was great — greater than God intended— but that power being used for evil, in the end redounded to his own undoing.