Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-09-19
A BLONDE MYSTERY.
Strange COnduct of Beautiful
Young Lady = LiterRture, Grtef,
Seduction and shame.


A New York Brunette Mystery"
which has been going the rounds OF the
press, has stirred up the envy of St.
Louis, and that enterprising little city
trots out its Blonde Mystery as fol-
lows. We hope the mystery, TO use the
language of the Journal, will be "un-
solved" Immediately:
Not loug ago young lady presented
herself to the editor Of the Fireside
Weekly, and announced her desire to
become contributor to that periodical.
She was most prepossessing in her per-
sonal appearance, and her conversation
evineed thorough acquaintance with
literature and the fine arts. She was a
blonde, and the editor of the Weekly
could not refrain from Femarking that
she had beautiful golden haif. Her
ewes we're sunny blue, and her complex
ion as fair as the MONDAY sky. She
was apparently about eighteen years
Of age. The story she told was pecu'
ljsrly Interesting, inasmuch as 1t was
az instance of parental tyranny and op-
preston, and flial insubordination and
rebellion. The E;rl said she was the daugh-
ter Of respectable aad wealthy parents,
who reside on Sixth street, HsGr the Mu-
tual Building. She had received every
educational advantage, and was not only
aroScieat in the solid fundamental
BRANCHES, but hs9 also acquired q good
ACQUAINTANCE with frepch, Italian, and
German. From quite ap, early age she
had evinoed fondness for literature
and had, while o mere child, resolved to
become an author. She had according
Iy Darsued course of study and read
Inc WITH a view to following this PFC,
fession. She has been in the habit OF
-devoting certain amoRpt. OF time aally
to crafty her literary pench2gt, ana nau
written many very acceptable qruoles
and sketches, which had been ppblished
in various magazines and newspapers
Her parents, it seemed, had taken o
strong dislike to her modus operandl
Il was their intention to marry Their
daughter to some pia;n, practical fellow
and her exaltad notions grieyed them
sore. They at first argued and reaso1ea
With her, but finding this OF 70 avail
taey betook themselves to force, ana he1
her locked up for days at time in her
chamber, whega che could not have re-,
course to her pen sGa books. All oil
this was very distasteful TO tiae gIrl. her
mind was made up, and
SHE WOULD FOLLOW THE LITERARY PRO-
FEssIoN.
So she finally promised to comply
With her parents wishes, and was re-
leasad from durance vile. Her labors
were from that time conducted unbe'
known to her Iqps and mamma.
She would sit p1 VI night and work,
and send the results OF yer midnight
tOil TO New York papers. She nov gone
TO the editor of the Weekly for advice.
Would he not help her-at least, give
her the friendly edyice she 80 much
eraVed9 She produce& q stery she had
written. and asked if it coplf be pub
lished in the Weekly. The gepteMSp
told her to cali thR pext day, fpd p,
would converse with her. So the glrl
left the Office feeling somewhat eRc0nr-
aged. The story proved to be an excel
Lent one, and was published In suose-
queat Weekly.
The yoaGg lady did not return at the
aupointed time, an@ the editor concluded
that she had decided MOI 70 come. In
the course of fortnight, how eyeE, slhne
s,ade her appearance and said:
SHE WAS IN GREAT TROUBLE.
Her uarexts had discovered her subter.
fuge and were Ss,T indignant. They had
locked her up In her yeom and she had
- ,h.t dav heeu RELEASED. She h6d
decided 10 leave the city. She was gong
10 New York, where she opined she couia
obtain employment from one OF the pc
riodicsls. She desteg 10 write occasion,
ally for the Weekly, aud stated that h
The editor wished az any time 10 eopmu'
nicate with her, he might address Letter
to her friend, Miss -, aud It would be
forwarded 10 her. From that day to this
the Young lady has not been seen nor
heard from by her friends. Her parents
are in great trihulation aud offer a hand
some reward EOr her recovery. These
facts are known-shs IS still IN the city,
she dresses in black, and has her besuti-
fuI auburn hair dyed a somber black.
The detectives are trying to ferret out
her Wbereabouts. and will alloy no op-
Dortunitv TO sIip whereby they can solve
ne mystery. Il has been hinted, and BY
her psrenis. too. we believe, that there
r. a darker mystery, a ssdder trath be
hind this all--seduction. kheis supphee
With money from an unknown source
II h feared she has Welded to temptation
and has hidden herself from the Voria 70
cover her shame.