The New York herald., 1879-08-26
FRENCH LESSONS AND DIAMONDS.
A LADY's COMPLAINT or LARCENY AGAINST AN
| UPTOWN PHYSICIAN NET WITH CHARGE OF

LADY's COMPLAINT or LARCENY AGAINST AN
UPTOWN PHYSICIAN NET WITH CHARGE OF
BLAcKMAIL.
Before Justice Murray. in the Jefferson Market
Police Court. yesterday, came up for hearing
in which charges OF semi-larcenious nature were
met by others of blackmail. and which ultimately
sumed such tangled shape that tho magistrate was
glad to refer it to another tribunal dapper little
lady, with soft voice and insinuating manner.
brought the matter to judicial notice by securing
the appearance of DR.. Robert A. Gum, physician
in practice at No. 1o2 East Twenty third street. The
latter to court with several gentlemen prepared
vouch for his good character and certain corre-
spondcnce bearing the case. The com.
plaIrant Mrs. Kate Kirkpatrick, was similarly
prepared. She laid bundle OF letters and pawn
ticket on the magisterial desk and then proceeded
to unfold her grievance.
'in April last" she said, 'beiug in straiteqed cir
cumstances and desirous Of retiring to tho country
for time. pawned diamond ring for $10 left
the ticket with DIR. Gum ut his solicitation. and
because he had promised to soon redeem the jewel
for me- Some time after that needed more money,
and sent my sister to the Doctor for the ticket. with
directions to secure from friend money enough to
redeem the ring and hepledge it again for larger
sum. Tho Doctor declined to part wth.it. saying no
would attend to the matter himself. In August
sent for it again. and received an envelope enclosing
a ticket, but this for $50. From tho pawn
broker learned that $40 additional had been raised
on the original $40. that instead of having $ll %
had $3S 80 to pay for the ring. AS the Doctor
fused me the so he had secured had alternative
but to seek the Courts protection"
THE DOCTORS STORY.
At this the physician, to whom Justice Murray had
turned for an explanation, blprted out:-"This IL
simply o. deeply laid plot to 'blacknail me, Your
Honor. did not ask her for the pawn ticket. She
left it with ME. Soon she wrote for money and,
knowing expected me to raise some for her
the ring pledged the ticket again and sent her the
proceeds Since that time she has made this transac
ton means of blackmaing NO."
Here the complainant submitted . letter writtcn
by the physician she alleged. prior to the pawn
ing of the ticket BY it she wished to show that she
but not that which was realized on the ring. He
denied having dated the letter. and while admitting
the penmanship of the body of 1t his own he
claimed she had written the month and day.
81 met Kate Kirkpatrick in an uptown boarding
house." he continued. "She was in q sore strait at
the time, and I took lessons In French from
her and endeavored to her other
pupils. Her correspondence showed sho
a fluent writer. and ! suggested to her
She acquicsced. and was able to secure her the
position of fashion editor o Sunday paper. Then
followed various applications for my assistance.
which never withheld ut the sanio time. however.
keeping aloof from any relations that might COM
promise myself or her. To her family. 900. gave
such help as lay in my power When sent her
money to Huntington. Long Island. whittier she had
gone for the summer. thought had discharged
my duty aud more. and it only when her sister,
Miss Cassery came to inquire after the ticket that
began to perceive my position. That woman, Mrs.
Kirkpatrick, played with me a cat would with
mouse but perceived her plots in time, and am
now prepared to meet this trumped-up charge and
fight ii to the end"
Thecompainant on her part. insinuated before lcav
ing court that she was much aggrieved lady; that
there wSs rare drama behind the simple charge:
ond declared her willingness to carry 1t to civil
court Hcr sister, Miss Casserly, reader. told what
little she knew OF tho Affair." and then at the JUS
tees suggestion the matter was transferred to the
ciy rt