THE END OF A YOUNG MAN. A Romantic Story.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 282, 18 July 1888, Page 4

THE END OF A YOUNG MAN. A Romantic Story.

A CONFESSION OP DRINK, MURDER, AND REMORSE. The man Sinclair, who was found dead by Mr W. McMillan, M.P., at, his estate afc Wentworthville on Sunday last with a bullet wound in his head, was identified by his uncle, a Mr Sinclair, residing at Petersham, N.S. \Y\, and MiRhodes, of Pynnont, with whom deceased had been lodging. Hip uncle described deceased a& a very temperate man, and states that his fathor resides in Cireonock, Scotland, where deceased whs born. The latter was only 24 year.s of age, and so far as his uncle wasaware was unmarried. Atthcijiqueet held by Mr J. E. Bowden, the Paramatta coi oner, the medical evidence was to the effect that the wound was self-in-flicted, and the jury returned a verdict to that effect, A lengthy statement, signed " Obfeian St. Clair." was found in one of deceased's pockets. The statement wa& written in a girlish hand, but became irregular on the last two foliob. From this it would appqar that the depeased was steward on board a ship employed on the route to Brazil, and

having learned a good deal of the Portuguese language he used to mix freely with the passengers. During one of the voyages from Monte Video to Rio de Janeiro he formed an acquaintance with a young lady passenger, Isidora de Alvinex by name. When bhe other passengers had retired to sleep, they used to sit on the deck and ' talk love.' This went on till the vessel's arrival at Santos, where the \oung lady lived. After another journey the steward received an invitation to go and visit the young lady's brother, with whom she was staying. Daring his visit he proposed marriage and was accepted, but tbe bi other would not hear of such a connection and the girl left her brother's protection and went to stay at an hotel. The steward then proceeded in his ship to Rio Janeiro, where he left and took the first steamer back to Santos. On his arrival there he was married to Senora de Alvinex, both then proceeding to the Island of San Sebastian, where they held a large coffee plantation. About three months alter the marriage the brother paid them a visit, and he became more friendly towards his sister's husband. But one day, after having drunk more wine than he could stand, the brother insulted St. Glair's wife, when St. Clair drew a revolver and shot him. De Alvinez died and St. Clair, having made his escape, heard soon after of his wife's decease through grief. St. Clair then took to drink, and after sojourning for a while in England came to Australia, where he squandered all his money. Since then until his self-destiuction on Sunday he had been Ha ing on what work he could receive. The statement concludes with these words :—": — " Beware ot drink, even in small quantifies ; it has ruined me. — Ossian St. Claik." Mr Sinclair, the uncle, states that the deceased had mentioned that he was engaged to the Isadora de Alvinez referred to in his statement, but he never spoke of the tragic occurrences related of her by him, although some indirect references that he made at times to some mystery inclines the uncle to the belief that there might be some truth in his story. He intends to make inquiries at the places spoken ot in deceased's statement. Deceased had seen a great deal of lite and voyaged all round the world, including the Brazils. It i.s stated that he was compelled to leave his last- ship because ol a Chinaman being hiib&titutetl for him, and fince then, some 14 months, has followed the occupation of a paititei in and around Sydney.