Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-29
PUBLIC LEDGER.
LARGEST CITY CIRCULATION.
Ths Decoy's Victim.


From the New Orleans Crescent. Sept. 81
~ can tell you an event which, although
il did not come within the sphere OF my
own business relations, yet was within
nv personal observation, and for the cor
rectness Of which ! can vouch," said Mr..
F.. as the reporter seated himself 10
hear some incident connected with his
experience as detective.
"A young Keutuckisu had come TO the
city ia the winter Of 1856, as many 40
purely for pleasure OF great wealth,
and by no means careful of his personal
associates, he soon plunged into a career
of dissipation which rapidly fitted him to
become the victim Of one of the most re-
markable women Of her age. This per-
son was the wife of a noted gambler.
She had apartments at the most fashion,
able hotel, and acted as decoy to her
proaicate and INSCRIPTIONS consort.
She was a Spanish Creole, and possessed
every fascinating trait which have so dis
tingnished the womsn OF her race. But
added to the exquisite beauty Of her per-
son, she possessed an educated mind, and
was in reality fitted TO adorn any sphere
in society. Always dressed in robes that
ever enhanced her rich tropical beauty
easy of access, aud to the uninitiated and
susceptible youth, upon whom she Law
ished every bewildering charm OF manner
and address, it is not surprising she soon
became creature at whose shrine both
heart aud sense were surrendered. DE
accompanied her TO thester, balls and
parties, and as the influence OF her art
fully woven meshes became each day
stronger, and he less capable of resisting
them, she gradually drew him within the
male OF her husbands designs. Her ele-
pantly appointed psrlor became the thea
ter of little card parties, at which costly
wines and the Establishments Of female
beauty formed a combination Of attrac-
tons which his blinded perceptions could
NOT resist Step by step be was led along
the road TO ruin. -, -,
HE never saw his peril, or If he did,
II was discerned only to be forgotten in
the smile of bis dark-eyed enchantress.
Vast sums hsd now swollen from the pit |
tances hazarded at first His own means
had been exhausted; his friends had been
appealed to, until they would loan no |
longer. Still unmindful Of his perilous
career, a criminal step was taken, and
forged draft supplied him with the means
he could not otherwise procure. Another
and another followed, until the vast sums
he squandered had absorbed every dollar
of his inheritance. And now be awoke 4
from his dream Of passion, to realize the
utter hopelessness of his condition.
Bankrupt aud criminal, single hope
still fingered around the memory of bis
wrecked life and fortune-one ray only
Of possible happiness was left him as he
brooded on his sin, and that, the love OF
the beautiful woman who had ruined him.
To him she had become as an Elvira TO
Lamartine, the Heloise Of Abelard, and
now in the cleft of his torn heart be cher
shed her as beautiful flower ia sweet
of happier time. he knew
The had ruined him; he knew that the
casket shrined no jewel of pu-
.ity; but be knew that be loved her, de-
,pite her crimes and his own. Flight
vas still left him; the magnanimity of
ais friends and creditors had left him this.
From the consequences of his crimes and
he scorn of his friends be perceived the
of this last alternative of the
criminal and wretched outcast of society.
But before he went he solicited and OBJ
aimed an interview with the woman be
lad looked upon as an angel and wor-
hipped her as such. What passed at
hat interview was never known or ever
will be. he had been in her presence
perhaps an hour, when the scream OF
roman in deadly fright echoed through
be house, followed by the report of
istol. The startled servants rushed to
be apartment, but recoiled in horror.
n the center Of the room, bullet through
he brain, lay the dead body Of the young
Ientuckisn "A suicide. Beside him,
igid and pale as death, stood the woman;
ut the light Of reason had fed from her
yes; just retributioB had paralyzed
er mind The spell of her dark en-
hsntments was loosened, and none
fterward traced their ruin to the gam
ler's maniac wife