Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-11-04
Confidence Women.

~ bAihb Slh0D NNAAA-
monty known as confidence women de-
serves notice. says the New York cor
respondent OF the Troy Times. One of
this class recently included a railway
conductor among her victims, bis loss
being of heavy amount. Railway men
are generally very shrewd, but in this
case Conductor Perrin was completely
| duped by the smooth statements of the
confidence woman, who obtained more
than thousand dollars by her articles.
She became acquainted with her victim
while travelling on his train, and per-
suaded him TO advar re money in order
TO aid her in reco ring large estate.
She gave nun cd references, one of
which was Robert Bonner. This is a
very common trick among swindlers,
who know that when a good name is
given few ever make inquiry. Bonner,
however. was questioned after the fraud
became known, and his reply was that
he had no acquaintance with any such
person. Conductor Perrin has acquired
an experience which ought TO be really
valuable, since it has cost so much.
The remarkable nerve, tact and
general skill exhibited by one of this
class of women shows genius for fraud
which is really surprising. Two of her
victimslwere among the most penetrative
and astute business men in this city,
who, however. in her hands became
| iuniln dnYau lRa ~ fhaan ra
ceiver Of stolen diamonds, whose death
has recently been mentioned. He had
for twenty years been dealing with
burglars and pickpocke.s, and was con-
sidered unusually sharp, but she manip-
ulaied him in a very ready manner.
After he had suffered heavy loss he
awoke 10 the fact that there was at least
one woman who was his master. Her
next victim was Babbitt, the magnate oi
the soap trade, who lad been
robbed by his bookkeeper TO n heavy
amount. One day young woman called
at his Office and interestes him by a
statement concerning the above men,
toned bookkeeper of a surprising char
/ - Afl- plit lfsAAiay h1AAt NAlt EOdp
man that she could put him on the track
OF the lost money if small sum were
advanced TO meet expenses. Such was
the skill OF this.remarkable confidence
operator that she had obtained $4,000
from Babbitt before his suspicion was
aroused. He then learned too late that
he had been merely duped by profes-
sional swindler who added,t the graces OF
womanhood to the adroit and unscrupu-
lous arts OF fraud.
Babbitt arrested the woman but soon
found that she was too wise to place
herself within the meshes of the law,
and hence the prosecution dropped. Her
operations were discontinued until the
Babbitt money was spent, and she then
appeared in n new role. This was
hiring ianos which was sent TO auction
as soon rs possible and converted into
cash. These instruments were of course
mortgaged, but this made no difference
All that the owners could do was tc
bring suit, and she was so much accus.
toned to law that il had lost its terrors
The above is only part Of the woman't
operations, but " hen one considers that
she has husband and family it shows
how widely her genius can extend be.
yond the limits OF the domestic circle
These confidence women have greai
success in finding victims. one of theil
favorite methods being clairvoyance
Commodore Vanderbilt fell into such
hands in his latter days, and was nc
doubt bled handsomely.