Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-03-12
A Genteel SWindIe.

One evening in November last gentleman
presented himself at the residence of Lord c.,
in London, and asked to see the lady of the
house. lie was shown into the room of Lady G.
My Lady" said he "a mere accident has
thrown into my hands number of letters which
Lord c. has written to a young lady with
whom he entertained a haSon for several months.
The young lady is beautiful and highly intelli-
gent, she is Of respectable family, and only the
blindness Of passion has induced her to forget
herself in this way
Lady c., who loves her husband passion
ately, was tbunderstruck.
"Sir," she gasped conyulsively, "and those
letters which you have received-where are
theyP'
" have got them. Here they are" said the
gentleman, producing at the same lime bundle
of FIVE six letters.
Lady c. stretched opt her hand to receive
the bundle which the gentleman had shown her.
my Lady, said the gentleman s. need not
tell you that these letters are valuable. Lord
C would pay me five hundred pounds for
them. But in returning them TO him, | would
assist him in the crime he is committing against
you. Morality has always had powerful intu-
ence on my actions, and, in seeing you SO terri
bly, excited and hopeless, ! feel inclined to act
generously with you and offer them at half the
price the Lord would pay me for them"
But, sir" said Lady C, g l do not
know whether these letters are genuine. You
are perfect stranger to me. They may be for
geries."
A these words the gentleman replaced the
bundle into his pocket, and bowed politely TO
the lady.
" have nothing to say, my lady" said he,
coldly. "Lord C, who knows whether they
are genuine or not, may decide on their value" D"
And the gentleman went to the door.
" Stop" said my lady, " let me have those
letters But, sir, have not got the amount you
ask for them in cash. If this diamond necklace,
will satisfy you, you may have il. Lord c.
paid three hundred pounds for it last Christmas
and il is worth more than you ask for the let
ters."
The gentleman examined the necklace closely
and then after having put it into his pocket, de-
lvered the expensive letters.
When Lord c. came home few hours after,
he found his wife in despair. Only after thou
sand prayers and caresses he succeeded in learn
ing the terrible news which had been COMMUNE
to Lady c.. In vain he tried to persuade
her that she had been made the victim of an in-
genous swindler who had profted by his alb
sence to deprive her of costly piece of jewelry.
Lady c. declared that all his assurances were
as many lies, and that she Was determined to
separate from him.
AT this juncture "A letter was brought in. On
opening it, twenty pound bank fell on the
table The lady read hurriedly the contents Of
the letter, which was addressed to her, and
which ran as follows.
My Lady BY this time Lord c. will
have convinced you that my letters are ingen-
Gus fabricatons Of my own hand. | am ar
tist in my own way; my forgeries are excellent,
and you are not the first, nor hope, will you
he the last of my victims But am honest in
my dealings. asked two bundred and fifty
pounds for the letters. You gave me your neck
lace. have just sold it for G27O to Messrs. b.
q D., Ludgate bill, and take the liberty to en-
close you $50, amount over and above my de-
mands. have no doubt the jewellers will, upon
presentation of this letter, return the necklace
Tor Me amount they paid for it.
Very respectfully,
j. E. THIEF"