Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-09-11
SHE SKIPPED.
And Many Unfortunates Were Left
TO Mourn.
The Hegira Of Madam worthingtOn and
Expose Of the Mosaic Art Society
SwindIe-A Fit Penitsa-
tisry Subject.

a fairer exterior than that, OF Madam z.
Worthington. She came here FIVE weeks
ago clad in the weeds OF mourning, and
readily obtained the sympathy that Is
never withheld from the widow. She had
been widowed but six months and had
small child to which her devotion was
without limit or parallel. When she
rented No. 1924 Chapline street from Mrs.
Mathews and opened the Mosaic Art So
ciety," nobody knew what that meant, but
many were willing to ascertain, even at
high price. She advertised for lady as
sistants and held before their dazzled eyes
SUCH GATHERING PROSPECT
that no wonder they each planked down
ST. piece and felt the good fortune TO be
cheap. Still no one knew what the mo.
sale Art Society" was and TO enlighten the
public the lady issued circular letter OF
information. The dictionary yielded up
sounding verbs to frame that circular, and
when people read ii and re.read il, tn air
eyes opened, but they were none the
wiser.
Madam Worthington, in the course OF
her brief but checkered career about
Wheeling. had engaged twenty-five ladies,
who formed a class in the society"
These ladies were taught TO tint prints and
photographs in water colors, and this pro-
duct MSS alleged to have been sold by the
agents" of the Madam. For the instruc.
ton and for the box Of paints the Madam
required deposit Of $l2 from each lady.
She proposed to pay each a certain sum-
say S25 per month, or so much per piece,
when the necessary proficiency was at
tanned. In all, twenty-five ladies' entered,
and from them the Madame received the
neat sum of 1915.
Not one of these ladies but had her sus.
picions of the financial part of the society,
but there was nothing tangible. The madam
seemed so sincere and honest, and withal
such a quiet, self-possessed and respectable
lady that
TO DOUBT HER SEEMED SIN.
Her preparations seemed so elaborate that
she could not possibly have meditated
fraud. She had rented house on Fifteenth
street from Col OBrien and partially
furnished it, which looked like business.
True, she had been fond OF riding about
in nobby phaeton from Luke's stables,
but perhaps her business neceSsitated
haste. And she had gone unprotected to
see Jesse James, but poor thing, she wanted
to divert her thoughts from the dec use
of her husband. She could not be wrong.
Did she not occupy suite OF
rooms, with her babe aud nurse, at the
Mcclure House? Still her artists and sec.
reiari,s doubted their doubts. However,
Yesterday, the 10th inst, was set as pay
day end the ladies each had from Sl5 to
$40 due them. IF she pays US, they
reasoned "all will YET be we'll. She is go.
Ing 10 exhibit at the fair and Afterwards
give Lessons in decorating Oh china, so she
must be square"
When yesterday morning came, the
young ladies assembled, as usual, at the
art rooms, but the Madam was not there.
She was going to the fair and so no sus-
picion was raised. But presently bill col.
lectors began to drop round aud then, when
it was found she had left the McLLre
House and an unrcceipted bill, the truth
dawned. She had gone. Leaving word
with bell.boy that she had gone TO the
fair. She had folded her shawl strap about
her and
SILENTLY STOLEN AWAY.
Where she went no man knoweth, but
many would like to know. To keep her
memory green, she had made many &C.
counts. and left them, rudely and sudden.
ly, without saying good bye. Five hundred
dollars would cover the amount due by her
to her pupils and artists. she owed prlHt.
ing bills variously nd~-iddfscrima tely.
Livery, iewelryy -rfnhiiner, drug, china,
pa p lit and furniture bills she owed, and
when the back counties come in, the list
will be swelled to perhaps double the pres
ent amount Her creditors were thicker
than leaves in the Vallambrosa, and all
were left to mourn.
The last seen of Madam Worthington was
wien she suddenly quilted the Mcclure
House yesterday morning. On Sunday
night she was driven to Bellaire and re.
turned, but her business is unknown.
The she left just in time TO avoid paying
her employees and has doubtless sought
fresh community willing TO be taught a
beautiful accomplishment under the sur.
Vigilance of professional edification." She
said she came from Cincinnati, but this was
only her little game. She really
CAME HERE FROM EAsToN, PA,
where she operated under a different name
and was thoroughly ventilated in the Police
Gazette. So far no steps have been taken
TO catch and bring her back to answer the
charge OF getting money under false pre-
lenses and doubtless at this moment the
lorn widow, with the refined face, charm
ing manners and high culture, has her
next field and new alias already selected
and will at once enter n nOn the fat n mex.