Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-08-27

On the 18th of last month, q woman calling
herself Mrs. Rivers, called, with her husband
ami two children, on wealthy farmer, named
llc2ekiah Ferris, at his farm in Winchester,
Franklin county, Tennessee. The visitors
were Gipsies, and made an arrangement to
stop with Mr.. Ferris and his family awhile
having first interested them By exhibitions of
seemingly marvellous tricks. The host was
much attracted by the apparently wonderful
powers possessed by the woman Rivers. and
in less than three days were caioled by her
into belief that a treasure of $780, 600 was
secreed on his farm, and that il could he re-
gained by proper witch process. For the ac-
cOmplishment Of this object, Ferris ambition
was soon fired, and lie and the gipsey woman
Immediately set al'ont the course of incanta-
ton,
Three thousand dollars in gold were neces-
sary for the pnrpose-so he was made to be-
lieve-and as he did not happen to have
money at hand, he borrowed the whole sum
of neighhor, getting 81, 29j in bank bills,
and sl.7O5 in gold coin. At night the
woman Rivers and himself entered a room
alone, with lighted candle, and locked the
door against intrusion. A trunk previously
provided was then opened, and the incanta.
ton commenced. The process wascarred ON
by the woman at first. whotied The money up
in coarse light handkerchief and united it
several times, meanwhile turning about with
quick mrtions, and constantly muttering I'M
intelgible gibbersh. When this farcica
performance was ended, she and Ferris knelt
while she blasPhemously offered prayer, adj
dressed in all mock solemnity to the 6iver of
all.
The bundle She had apparently made of the
money was then in due form deposited in the
mi tt+i,f al. 4
the key. Together they then left the room,
She having previously impressed him, with Il
belief that the deposit just made in the trunk
should rest there undisturbed l,y mortal
hands for ten days, at the expiration ofwhich
time ii he had unalteraby adhered to her in
structions, he would find the coveted $780,
5000 opening the trunk. At the end of the
third day of their stay there, the gypsy family
departed, the key of the trunk being taken
with them. Afterthe woman had gone, it
seems that Ferris grew suspicious that per-
haps all was not right in the transaction !;
but he nevertheless overcame his doubts, and
awaited with all the patience he could sum
mon for the arrival of the time when he could
see himself whether he had been duped or
not. He kept the matter TO himself for the
remainder OF the days and then the trunk
was forced open. There lay within il the
identical parcel he had seen put there by the
woman Rivers. A slight notion of call
right - touched his feelings and he hastened
to open the covering, and 10 there We're not
the 500 000 nor the So, 900, but trash equal
in bullIto the money he had entrusted to the
hands ofthe false woman Rivers.
He cast about at once to find the female
/ that thus cajoled him, but the bird had flown
and was doubtless far beyond reach but he
was told that few miles away there was
another gpsey. To this one he hastily went
and consulted her. OF course she knew all
about the others who had visited him, and
told him they had used false names, that
I their real names We're James and Elizabeth
Trail She further said that they belonged
in Murphytown near New York city.
Forthwith he came to this city. A mer-
camille acquaintance introduced him to Cap
tain Leonard, of the 26th Precinct, on last
| Thursday, who after hearing the story of his
| loss, gave him the solution that the money
! had been taken and the worthless stuff he
found in its stead substituted probably at the
time when the evening incarnation was made
He also informed him that the gipsy who had
given him the " Murphytown " information
had undoubtedly been decoy OF those who
had robbed him, placed where he would be
likely to hear of and consult her after his loss
should be discovered, in order to send him
/ on "wid goose chase'', as there is no
such place.as " Murphytown " in the vicinity
of New York. Officer Barry was however di-
rected to give attention to the matter, but
was unable to get the slightest clue to the
parties. Ferris remained at the Stevens
House until Tuesday, whenhe returned home,
feeling no doubt much wiser man than
when he left there, though any one Of com
mon sense, on seeing him. would say that he
was old enough to know better"
n. y. Express, 24h inst.