The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-07-25
miscellaneous.
EXTRAORDINARY BLACKMAILlNG
A 81, Louis Adventures and Her Wonderful Ex-
pIOltB,


A 81, Louis Adventures and Her Wonderful EI
plOlts.
The St. Louis Dts6atch tells the fol-
lowing story about Armande Duplisse
alias Cecile Bertram, alias Mary Seat
ton, alias Hattie Downes, alias etc, etc.
one of the most skillful blackmailers in
the country She works alone, assisted
sometimes by male friend. Not more
than two months ago, under the assu'
med name of Mary Seafton, she got EN-,
ployment as housekeeper in the family
of wealthy merchant, and she display.
ed such knowledge of household affairs
that Mr.. J, and wife voted her a price,
less treasure. She had been there about
a week, and the lady of the house went
on a visit to friends in the country. One
night Mr. J. went home late, and ascen.
ded to his bed chamber to retire for the
night. While turning down the gas, he
heard noise from behind the bed.
Drawing aside the bed curtains, he saw
his housekeeper, clad only in a light
chemise, lying on the outside ofthe bed
Before he could recover his presence OF
mind the woman sprang to the floor, and,
winding her arms around him, held him
in a vicelike clasp and began to kiss him
and hug him. He struggled to free him
self, and, seeing this, the woman uttered
piercing scream, followed by shrek
after shrek. The household was arous>
ed, and minute later every servant was
in the room, gazing in amazement at the
suggestive spectacle. Mrs. Seafton was
lying prone on the floor in a dead faint
her dress torn in several places, and her
hair disleveled, and Mr.. ]. stood look
ing at them aghast. The woman told
about suddenly awaking and finding
herself in Mr., U.s. embrace, in his room.
The appearances were conclusive, and
the beautiful housekeeper quit the house
the next morning $500 richer. Another
and successful attempt to blackmail by
this woman is gilmore recent occurrence,
AS before, the woman, armed with first
class letters Recommendation and this
time under the name of Armande Du-
plisse, obtained situation as governess
for respectable family consisting of
husband, wife, grown son, two grown
daughters and little girl. Miss Duplisse
was so quiet and gentle in her demeanor,
and gave such evidence of culture and
refinement the family, believing the story
that she had told about her once wealthy
and aristocratic connections, treated her
as their equal. One of the daughters
was engaged to be married, and her suit.
or came, and to him the governess was
presented, and he was told that the same
courtesy was due to her as to the other
ladies Of the family. Upon this the young
gentleman took kindly interest in the
beautiful governess. and frequently
sought her company. One night after
the rest of the family had retired, the
young man, Frank, went to the library
to get book to take to his room. The
gas was turned low, and as he entered
the room he saw white form on the di-
van.
Drawing nearer, he saw that it was
Miss Duplisse. Her head was bowed
on the cushion of the safa, half conceil-
ed by her arms, and it seemed to him
that he could hear sobbing. He called
to her by name. She started in confu-
sion and put her handkerchief to her
face as though to wipe away the tears.
She gave him some pausible reason for
her presence in the library, but showed
no inclination to go out of it. Frank
asked her the cause of her grief. She
looked up shyly then sitting up, her
tsSes glaring almost fercely, her breath
coming short, her bosom rising and fall
ing and seemed to swell with an intense
emotion, she told Frank that she loved
him. Frank was astonished at this, and
demonstrated with incoherent words. In
passionate accents the woman told him
how intense, how consuming was her
love for him and yet he was to be an
others Oh, that thought alone was kill.
ing her The youth lost his wits, and sat
there as in dream, listening to this
beautiful woman confessing her love tor
him. So well did she act her part that
Frank discovered that it was day and
the household astir only when servant,
passing in the hall, saw the library door
ajar and the faint glimmer of light, and
pushing the door open, saw the couple,
uttered an exclamation of surprise, and
hastily retreated, That the servant told
her young mistress, Franks betrothed,
of what she had seen in the library, there
is no doubt, for the maiden instantly sent
for him and demanded an explanation.
Frank told the truth, but she would not
believe him; He sent for the governess
to confirm his story. Instead of doing
so she fell on her knees, begging forgiveS
ness but. oh, she loved Frank so. This
confirmed the maiden's suspicious, and,
with her eyes sufused with tears, she left
her lover and the governess alone, Frank
implored the woman, if she loved him,
to set him Alright in the mind of the fam
lily, But she shook her head sadly. and
murmured that it would be too great
sacrifice; and even if she could bring
herself to make the sacrifice, where could
she go She had no money, no friends.
Upon his question as to whether she
would go ifhe gave her the money, and
letters of introduction to friends whose
influence would procure her a genteel
and remunerative position, Miss Du-
plisse hesitated moment, and then,
seemingly by a.great effort, told him that
she accepted this offer. The letters were
soon written, the contents of Franks
purse (some $500 or $4oo) were placed in
her hands, and within an hour the beau.
fift1l 0Ovarnaec and bar t.,,, l. l - ! ,......L