Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-04-21
SIisabet9 Daily @lonitor,
PUBLISHED AT 155 BROAD STREET, BY
J. MADISON DRAKE.
A FEMALE FORGER.


circulation. Checks were presented at
the principle banks signed by the
firms of prominent houses, and money
in the aggregate amounting to nearly
$4,000 obtained upon it. The pecu-
liar circumstances of the case disclosed
the fact that the forger resided in the
city, and for months we were on the
All vice to detect the criminal. Every
new face, every stranger whose occupa-
ton and pursuit were not thoroughly
understood. were subjected by Mr..
I and myself to most rigid
scrutiny. Still we were at fault. 1t is
not difficult to find out the person who
is not guilty of an offence the trouble
is to discover who is. And thus our
search went on. Baffied in one direc
ton, we took another. Aside from the
reward, which was ample, our pride
was interested in detecting the person
who, almost before our eyes, practlced
such open frauds. One day saw
lady paying for a bill of goods with a
check. Before she had time to leave
the store I obtained look at the pa
per, and was satisfied it was genuine.
Still was not certain. The lady was
deeply yelled, and I was subjected to
the alternative Of following her. This
I did and traced her home.
1t was beautiful little cottage, with
Il large yard and garden. Taste and
culture had fashioned the graveled
walks, and the trained foliage into par
terres, as curious as novel and pretty.
Vines crept over the portico and trail
ed along the network of the gallery =
The white and red holly hook bloomed
at the gate, and the margin of the
walks was bedded with violets and the
sweet.scented verbena.
I fastened back to the place where
the check was passed, and which Mr.
I had already certained to
have been forged. We had now OBJ
tanned clue. which if carefully pnr-
sued, we were satisfied would lead to
the detection of the criminal.
We waited until morning, and it was
determined that should visit her
alone. did so, and found the lady at
home seated in pleasant parlor, look
ing out on the miniature lawn. The
room was exquisitely furnished, and
breathed an air of evident refinement.
1t was fitted up as a pleasant lounging
place, half library, half music. Beauti-
full paintings hung from the walls, and
in recess was an elegant piano. Near
it was a statue, and opposite it stood
marble creation of the dance-loving
Terpischore, and from the center of
the richly carved writing desk rose a
beautiful Polymnia, with her finger
pressing the lips, trimming with song.
Gases filled with books. and vases of
kaleidoscope of gold, filed with flowers,
were scattered through the room. The
lady reclined in an easy chair, and re-
ceived the announcement of my name
with great embarrassment. Still she
received me with great politeness, and
inquired ''to what circumstance she
was to attribute my business ?'
81 do not know, madam, that it is
you, as yet but may I inquire if your
husband is in p
81 am widow, SIR" "But you
have business agent" mo, sir; I
live alone on small annuity. Pardon
me if I inquire the purport of these
questions %
MADAM /" l rejoined, "there is no
doubt some mistake about it, but the
draft you gave yesterday to Messrs. FL.
q Co., is forgery" "Sr p The tone
was indignant, and the face was white
with terror rather than passion. sit is
as I stated, madam here is the paper,
and took from my pocket the check
and showed it to her," "What is the
purport of all this p ''ro inquire from
whence you obtained it. THAT l can
not tell you, sir p 81 trust, madam
You will reconsider your last remark
for otherwise it will be my duty to ar
rest you rs the criminal" 'fAnd you
would do this?" cit would be my duty.
Her eyes lost on the instant their eager
look, and she turned aside her head.
I could perceive from the working OF
her countenance that she was thinking
intently-rapidly. Emotions, first OF
terror, then of determination and then
of entreaty, chased themselves over
her face with the rapidity of thought
It was grand face-noble expression
evincing intellect of no common order.
I could not believe she was guilty. I
did not until she turned to me with
the words
Take me to jail. I alone am guilty.
..But, madam, reflect, you are con-
demning yourself p
81 know it-lead me away say to