The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-11-13

A NOTORIOUS SNlNDLER.-A man with
awooden leg, ha, been committed 10 trial in
London, for swlnding host fpersons by pre-
tending 10 bc Their reiatirc The fellow was a.
mazmel. successful, particularly with the wo-
men, aud made deal of money by his villain
Gus ingenuity. The following is a specimen OF
the manner IN which he proceeded.
Miss Rachel oadlcr, a decent looking Young
woman was thelneXt complainant < her relation
OF her case excited the strongest feeling of sym
patty and indignation. She stated that she re-
sided with her mother, an aged widow, in Mack S
place, etter lane. Her mother had been deal
and Inhrm ioi many years. and II was with Duff
Guilty that with compliments best exeftons they
could support themselves. On frda, last
While She and her mother were sitting together a
knock came at the door, which She opened. and
found the prisoner there she had not time TO
ask hun his business before he pushed by her TO
the parlour, and seated himself with the ease and
confidence OF AN old acquaintance The prison.
ca then asked her mother how long her husband
had been dead, and II she remembered TO have
heard hlm speak OF a brother OF his who left his
friends when very yonne to so abroad Her
mother said She had and she remembered him
his name was Tom Sadlcr."
" You are right lsald the prisoner and am
that same Tom Sadler"
The poor old woman said, she was clad TO sec
him, but she really should not have known him,
lsaid shel II IS ~ years since saw him.
The prisoner went on to say that he had lately
returned with a pension OF lbs. per day. He
SAID II had taken hln long time to find her out
and inquired INTO the state OF her circumstances.
lie Was informed that they were indifferent: up
ON which he said he was most happy TO say it
was in his power to assist her and her daughter.
and thai they should be always supported IN ere.
dit and responsibility SO long as he lived ---C ON
pamdnt & her mother regarded HIM as an an
gel dropped down from Heaven and warmly
expressed their gratitude. He next SAID, that
he had IA wife, and Two lovely daughters, sweet
excellent girls, whom he shonld be happy to
introduce to them. His wife, he added was
unhappily very ill., and he was then going 10 A.
pothccaries Hall to procure her some medicine.
His pension, he said, was coming due on die fol.
lowing day, and he would then bring them IOI
and repeat the gift occasionally. Then came
the reai object OF his visit He said he was short
of money, aud that the medicine would come to
lSs. and asked If they could oblige him with los
or lbs. to make up sufficient they said thev
had not then shilling in the house and he asked
If they could not raise the sum ne wanted by
some means ; and complainant with the consent
of her mother, offered to pledge two silver
spoons (the only articles of plate they had left1
To procure the money. He offered to accomna
ny her, and they walked down to Fleet market
together, where she pledged the spoons at a
pawnbrol>cr's for los, and gave HIM the money
outside the door. He then shook her cordial
ly by the hand and, continued the complain
ant, bursting into tears -" the base creature baf
the impudonce to kiss me, and call me his dea,
niece
Al this part OF the narrative there was a gene
al burst Of indignation throughout the office -
The feeling seemed perfectly uncomfortable, AN,
vented itself in eXclamations, 40, the scoun
drrl ~ " Base fellow - and there was also ;
general hiss. The prisoner was the only pcrso,
who appeared unmoIcd He stood smiling 4
gainst the storm.
He was committed to take his trial