The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-09-11
HER DEAR MEMORY
REMAINS THOUGH SHE HAS GONE.
The eus.a Of swladlsr., and How She Pl.ysd II
on WhsslIas with Her "AosaIe Art Society"
Some Exotic LItsratar,, snd Some
Startling Displays Of Audaeity.

on WhsslIns with Her "AosaIe Art Society"
Some Exotic Lltsratan, snd Some
Startling displays Of Audaelty.
About FIVE weeks ago lady, apparently
about thirty years old, dressed quietly, but
neatly, in q princess suit Of blue, and wear,
ing demure hat over q head OF glossy
black hair and very attractive face, ar.
rived in Wheeling, and registered at the
Mcclure House Us Madame P. Worthington.
She was tall and graceful, and her bearing
evinced rare self possession for woman
alone in the midst Of strangers. She
seemed to be an experienced business
woman, aRd attracted attention by the un-
assuming directness with which she went
about the business which brought her here.
This was the establishment Of an art school
On new plan. She took suite OF rooms
at 1924 Chapline street, In the old Wheat
mansion, now owned by Mr.. Mathews.
Seductive advertisements were inserted in
the newspapers, and mysteriously worded
circulars were strewn about the city "as
thick as autumn leaves that strew the wales
in Vallambrosa." One Of the former read
thus:
DERMANENT POSITIONS AND
L good salary can be furnished two more Ia
dieSw who will Epp!y Immediately at the rooms Of the
MCSaic Ar. society, l224 Chapl ne street.
The circulars were fsarfully and wonder.
fully made up. They were laughing
stock for week, and no wonder.
SOME FLowERy EXTRACTS. ..
Such sentence as the following from one
Of her circulars was enough to justify the
suspicion which many entertained after
Madame Worthington had been here q
week or so, that she was crazy:
"In courteous response to kind public
interest and solicitude, we venture TO pre-
sent this brief leaflet, demonstrating the
appreciable character, principles and ex-
ceptional advantages oil our society. Our
Institute combines in its incorporation all
the essential and positive elements Of It's
supremacy and progression; 1t compre-
hends three superb departments, which
operates reciprocally In forming an en-
during and selfsustaining system upon
which are founded the prosperity and per.
menancy Of our grand structure"
The studio, says the circular, "is invested
with all the requisites and particularities
concomitant to the exquisite execution Of
every specie Of fine art, by the beautiful
mosaic theory, which is the beaming star
Of our armament. This unique practice Is
q scientific development. By this marvel.
GUS discovery the artist can, as by the
wand OF q magician, translate to canvass
his fond ideal, or respiritualize portraiture,
or vividly restore the antiquated in man.
ner worthy OF idolatry. In this study, our
pupils become inordinately enraptured-a
skillfui and efficient knowledge Is quickly
acquired, to enable the practitioner TO &C.
complish gratifying results.
"0ur Erchec9uer: To this final depart
ment is our attached exemplary organized
canvassing agency, in stated district OF
the country, duly provided with certif-
cate OF commission to solicit, and receive
for our society, specimens, and order Of
patronage. The position Is one OF honor,
dignity and profit immeasurably more re-
munerative than any other mentionable
avocation for general.acceptanee."
srsPIcioN AROUSED.
About this time questionable transac.
tions began to be whispered around,
and many thoughtful people had their
suspicious aroused. Madame Worthing-
ton met with good success in her effort
to establish scnool. Pupils were required
to pay fee oil Sl2. for which they received
q little package Of water color paints and
tuition for stated time. At the end Of
this time they were to be given employ
ment at salaries varying In sum from S. to
$l2 per week. September 10 was to be the
first pay day at the institution. Thelady also
succeeded in buying several large bills
OF goods, for which abe was to pay
September 10. Many merchants TO
whom she applied refused to give her
credit, when she became very angry, and
resented even the implied suspicion OF the
refusal. Sometimes this tack won and the
merchants relented and let eer have the
goods; while in most cases she succeeded
In running up liberal bills without exciting
suspicion. Druggists, dry goods dealers,
jewellers, furniture dealers, booksellers,
dueensware men and art dealers were
visited impartially, and in all the amount
OF goods secured, to be paid for September
10, must have represented q handsome
sum.
THE pENovEMEHT.
Yesterday morning the bills fell due, and
the lady pupils were to be paid for their
work. Collectors and pupils to large
number were at the studio at an early hour,
but Madame Worthington came not. In.
quiry at the Mcclure House developed
the fact that she had lefton an early train
on the Cleveland 4 Pittsburgh road, going
no one knew whittier.
The Madame had secured twenty.eight
orthirty pupils, from each Of whom she
had Obtained Sl2, and from several con.
siderably larger sums, She had also run
advertising bills Of greater or less size at all
the newspaper offices, and printing bills at
several lib offices. Two furniture dealers
were large sufferers, one having let the
Madame have q large bill oil furniture and
the other several carpets. A prominent
ieveler sold her gold watch and chain, on
which she had paid but $40, leaving q
liberal balance, which was to have been
paid at nine o'c.ock yesterday morning.
Her bill at the Mcclure House bad been
paid up to September !, but weeks board
was again due. The rent on the house on
ChapiIne street occupied as q studio was
unpaid, and only last Friday Madame
Worthington rented house on Fifteenth
street, for which she contracted 70 pay $50
a month. Into this house she had the fur. |
niture purchased Friday placed, and also |
the carpets above referred to.
The scene at the Mosaic Art Studio yes.
terday afternoon when an INTRLLidENcER
reporter called was lively one. The par.
lor was filled with the Msdame's victims,
ladies' from fifteen. years Of age and up.
wards, some Of them apparently dtsposed
10 cry, some laughing merrily, and all
wanting to talk at once.
now THY TOOK IT.
Said one young lady: ~ don't care 50
much for the money, but ! am ashamed
10 20 home. all the folks warned me
IL Ia "