Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-09-12
Il UidO,Cer BfdcE- Matted.

We copy the following from Matthew
Hale Smiths new and very interesting
book, entitled Sunshine and Shadow
in New York." just published by Burr
& Co., Hartford, Conn:
A man about So years old came from
the rural districts to spend little time
in the city. He was wealthy, respecta-
bic, and the father of two children. He
selected his quarters mp town. Among
the boarders was an attractive CalifOr-
MIA widow. The widow and widOwer
soon became quite intimate. Both SEEM
ed captivated. BY mutual consent,
suite of rooms was taken, handsomely
furnished, and occupied by the parties.
A few days after the removal the gen.
tleman was greeted with an unpleasant
surprise on entering the room. A
stranger sat in his chair who announced
himself as the husband of the woman
and demanded heavy damages for the
dishonor done to his name. The old
man was frightened nearly out of his
wits. Had he gone to the police force
and put himself under their charge all
would have been well. But he did as
most men do under such circumstances
he offered a large sum of money to
hush the matter up, keep ii out of the
papers, and be allowed to depart. He
paid the money, settled the bills, left
the elegant furniture, packed his trunks
and departed.
He was not lost sight of, however, for
a moment. The parties knew their man
and his means; knew his standing. and
the value he put on his good name. He
was logged constantly he was drawn
upon for large sums of money he was
threatened with exposure, till, driven to
desperation and almost to beggary, he
did what he should have done ut first
went to the police headquarters and
made clean breast of it. The chief of
the detectives took the case into his own
hands. On new demand for money
being made, the chief opened a negotia-
ton. through friend, to see if settle
ment could be made, SO that the victim,
by paying certain sum, might be free
from further annoyance. The chief
worked up the husband. He turned up
too conveniently not to be a rogue He
was tracked to Boston, where he had
wife and children living. The Boston
marriage was established. The black
mailers met at the appointed hour. The
sum demanded was agreed upon, and
the chief was ready to pay the money ~
soon as the parties signed a receipt. The
adroit rogues declined to put pen to pa
per, and the detective declined to pay
the money, which he held in his hand.
clustering and threatening seemed to
have no effect on his resolute friend.
The handle of n pistol conveniently
peeping out from the detectives bosom,
and the cool manner of the negotiator,
indicating that he knew how to use it,
admonished the blackmailers that an
attempt to get the money by force would
not succeed. The receipt was signed
The chief cody put it into his pocket,
with the money which he held in his
hand. The rogues knew atonce that he
was detective. The principal one
claimed the woman as his wife, and
said he had a lawful right to settle the
case as he pleased. If that woman is
your wife," said the detective, then /
will try you for bigamy, and send you
to Sing Sing" Amid much clustering
and many threats, he was taken to the
Tombs. He was found to be an old of.
fender. Graver crimes were up against
| him. He was tried, and sent to Sing
Sing. The victim was relieved from
further eXtortion. The money, gone,
could not be regained. He returned to
his rural home satisfied with his New
York experience.