Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-09-21
From the New York Herald.
A Well Plotted Swindle.

E.tiee, Ioung Ladies Brought to Me City
 Urler he Pretense of tazing Hem .SouM
 as Music Ieochers, and Men Ro55ed of
 Mer Money and Boagqge T1eir appear
 Gac at Me Hotel, etc.
 One of the most remarkable cases of swindling which has been perpetrated for a long time came to light last evening, in which 1t appears that, as alleged, fifteen young ladies of Philadelphia were duped by person named Johnson, who, under the pretense of hiring them as teachers of music in southern families, managed to get them to this city, and then decamped with about one hundred and fifty dollars of their money and nearly all their baggage amount ing in value to between four and five thou sand dollars.
 The circumstances of the case go to show that the party who carried out this swim dle had laid his plans admirably, and so successful was he that several leading mer- chants of Philadelphia were also victmiz- ed by him. It seems that about two weeks ago an advertisement appeared in the Phi ladelphia Ledger stating that fifteen young ladies were wanted to go south and teach music in private families. The party ad- vertising had also called upon the firm of Smith, Woodman & Company, publishers, mum Der 609, Chestnut street, who frequent ly furnish music teachers, and stating his object to them, they at once agreed to pro- cure the required number, and those an swerlng the advertisement were requested to call upon the above firm. The result of the advertisement, as might be expected. brought very many applications, and the addresses of the young ladies beino fnr- nlshed Johnson he at once sought an inter- view with them. Various stories were re. lated to them respecting the positions that were required to be filled, and after several days some fifteen young ladies were ac- cepted by Johnson. From the fact that Johnson had succeeded in misleading the above firm, many of the friends and parents were led to suppose that all was as repre- sented, and they were immediately fitted out for the journey. Some six were to be promised situations in the family of Mr. Brooks in Alabama, while others were to De located on various plantations More over, they were each to pay half their tra- yelling expenses, and Tuesday, the 30th ult.. was allotted as the time of departure. Ac- eordingly, on Tuesday evening the young adies were at the railroad depot. and un- Ter the care of Mr. Johnson they left for New York, intending to take the steamer for Alabama yesterday. Soon after they eft Philadelphia, the conductor of the train called for their fare; when Johnson refused Ito pay, and told them that he did not pay Iany part of thelrexpenses until they left N. ! ork eS hey were accordingly compelled to pay their own fare to New York.
 On their arrival in this city yesterday morning eight of them were conducted to the Howard Hotel, Broadway, and the others to some other hotel, their where abouts not as yet having been ascertained. Their baggage was all sent to the Stevens Hotel, Johnson stating he had engaged rooms for them at that house, but they be- ing somewhat crowded they could not be accommo odated until evening. Soon after breakfast he called upon them at their rooms, and stated that he would require their portion of the money, as he was going to procure their tickets in the stea- mer Accordingly each of the young la dies handed him over fifteen dollars, and saying he would return soon, he left. He proceeded to the office of the hotel and there succeeded in getting the loan ot five dollars and departed. saying that he would be back in a short time. About ? o'clock the propretors of the hotel received q let. ter signed by Johnson, stating that he wish ed them to inform the young ladies that he would not be back until o'clock, owing to his not being able to arrange his bank ing papers. One of the young ladies final ly became suspicious that all was not right. and proceeded to the Stevens Hotel to make inquiries about her baggage, when to her surprise she found that all the baggage, with the exception of few of the trunks had been removed, and that Johnson had called for them.
 The fact was accordingly made known to the proprietor of the Howard House. and upon further investigation no traces of the whereabouts of Johnson could be learned or where he had carried the trunks. De- putty superintendent Carpenter being made aware of the fact immediately detailed de. tective slowey to work up the case, but up to late hour last evening he had obtained no clue to him. It is thought that he had fled the city. He is described as being a man about five feet six inches in height sandy hair, and was dressed in brown sack coat and check pants. The trunks be- longing to one of the young ladies is said to have contained Sl000 worth of yalua. bles. Last evening they were all congre gated together at the hotel in the greatest state of excitement. The proprietor, how ever, informed them that they could remain at ease, as his house was open to them until they could return home. Several of their friends from Philadelphia, who were here in the city, called on them, having heard of their unfortunate position, and offered them any assistance required. Johnson represented that he owned large planta- ton Tn Alabama and over one hundred slaves.