Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-20
AN ADVENTURES.
Ans AImOner Of Confederate Orphan
age In n New RSIe-Hew a BeWiteh-
Ing Woman Pluck ed the saaId OLD
Merchants OF the Greseert Chy.

Ing woman PIueked the kaaId OLD
Merchants OF the Creseert Cisy.
The people of every place are oc-
casiOnally victimized by some clever
and astute parsonage, who, under
the guise of philanthropy or public
benefaetiOn, lays the credulOus part
of the population under contribu-
tons ostensibly for good purposes,
but really to subserve private ends.
Such an instance has just been
brought to the attention of the po-
lice. ....
A few days since a handsomely
dressed and prepOssessing female
appeared in our city, with letters of
introduction TO some Of our prin-
cipal men. She announced herself
as the widow of distinguished Con-
federate officer, and her object to be
the founding an Institution for tho
education of the orphan daughters
of Confederate soldiers at Memphis.
The letters bore the signatures of
well known gentlemen in this and
adjoining States, and the lady re-
commended as a person entirely
trustworthy, eminently pbilanthrO-
pic. and her plan entirely feasible
and practicable. The subscriptions
she desired were not large, and the
small sum contributed by each indi-
vidual would make the total suffl-
GENTLY large to accomplish the end
in view. Whether melted by gen
uine desire to aid the unfortunate,
or fascinated by the charming man
ner and address of the bewitching
stranger, is Of course a subject of
speculation; but it is nevertheless
true that the lady was very success
full. The staid old merchants, lean
ING over their cash boxes, listened
charmed by the oily tongue Of the
handsome lady, and grew marvel
ously generous at once Their hearts
sOftened at tales of woe, of which
they little dreamed, anG a laudable
desire infused itself into their minds
to see such an institution, the bene-
fetal results of which were so bril-
liantIy pictured, spreading its infiu
ence over the land. In this way
many dollars were raised But a
hard old factor, not easily fascinat-
ed or charmed, was applied to, but
begged for little delay. 1t seems
the plan did not strike him as just
exactly feasible, besides the lady,
according to his crude ideas, was
far too benevolent for these strin-
gent times. Some of the gentlemen
whose names were appended to the
recommendations he knew person
ally, and the idea occurred to him
that it would be wise to eOmmuni
cate with them. He did so, and not
much to- his surprise, but with q
great deal of self-cOngratulatiOn he
discovered the fact that the lady was
an impOster. The slightest imagin-
able peculiarly of expression led
to the belief that a more northern
latitude had the distinction of her
nativity, and subsequent inquiry
developed the fact that she had been
engaged in the very laudable pursuit
of teaching Mississippi darkies how
to spell. As soon as this fact was
ascertained, there was an evident
sensation ia certain commercial cir
cles. But, strange to say, no one
was willing to acknowledge himself
duped. Each would laugh at the
other, but confessed he was far too
wise to be imposed upon. The fas-
cinating stranger was privately adj
vised to leave, and before the Off
GERS could succeed in effecting her
arrest, the almoner Of Confederate
Orphanage was non est.-Ne,y Or
| leans PicdVtne, Dec. II.