The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-23
ELSIE LOWS ROMANCE.
The Story of the Pretty English School
Teacher Who Married Forger Ryland.
to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WAsHINGroN, Feb 22-The dispatches an
nouneed last week that well known forger and
check raiser, Edward Ryland, had been con-
Victed in New York and that he was sentenced
30 five years at Auburn. Mention was also made
Of the fact that his wife Elsie, a former Wash
sngton newspaper writer, was also serving out a
sentence in the same prison. Elsie Justice Ry
land nee Elsie Justice Low, was pretty little
English girl, and her story is romantic
one She came from England as the
tutor of the children of Sir Edward Thorn
ton, when that gentleman represented
her Maiestys government in Washington. On
severng her connection with the Thornton
family she became substitute teacher in the
public schools here, and occasionally wrote an
article, prose or poetry, for the local press. AS
her school teaching was desultory and irregular,
she soon gave it up and devoted herself to the
newspapers entirely. She had the entree to the
galleries at the Capitol and for year two
seemed to be doing well. She was pleasant
congenial little woman, and readily won
the respect of all her associates
Combined with her pen she earned
some money as canvasser for advertisements,
and was, for a time, quite successful in this di-
Fection Finally, however the gossps attacked
her character, because she was woman trying
to make her own living in an honorable manner.
The average female correspondent, or society
writer" of Washington can circulate more scan
dal with the smallest basis than any other
twenty scandal mongers in America. The re-
suit of the attacks of these harpies was that
@ba noor litt1a Er@,liSh woman haonn
to see her living slipping away from
her, and when her last dollar had been spent for
bread she called upon one of the older cor
respondents and confded to him her needs and
fears. She begged him to aid her in securing
work of some kind away from Washington. She
would do anything on earth that was honorable
to make living. lie promised to see what
could be done. It was at the time when
the pedestrian had just begun
and it happened that two men with a trotting
horse arrived here the next day. These men
advertised wonderful match. The celebrated
Canadian pedestrian, Mile. -, would walk
quarter of mile while fast trottercould trot
half mile. But they had lost their pedestrian
Mademoiselle had deserted them at Richmond
They wanted another good walker and would
pay $40 day. Here was chance for Elsie
Her friend saw it and called to consult her.
Could she walk. OF course she could. All En-
gish girls can walk; but she was not profes-
sional and was somewhat diffident Her
friend assured her that it was the
easiest thing in the world. She would have
about furlong start before the horse could get
mis- feet. Besides, the pay was good aud the ex-
penses light She finally consented and her
friend. with the aid of lady acquaintance Sc
cured her costume and Elsie made her debut next
day in Hagerstown as celebrated Canadian pc
destrian. For several weeks she made her appear
anee on the track daily and won great applause.
Finally the horse died and Elsie started for New
York. Here she again picko1 up half living
by her pen for year or two, and at last married
Edward Ryland, who then held position in
Bradstreets Mercantile Agency. For while
they got along very nicely together. It was rep
resented to the little woman that Ryland, her
husband, had fortune in England. She inves
tigated and found that money to the amount of
several millions had been left hlm, but that it
had reverted TO tho British crown because her
husband was an exconvict and ticket of leave
man. On this discovery, and. further that lie was
still engaged in questionable practices, she at
tempted to secure q separation. He was ar.
rested for forgery and Elsie started for the
South. Then there appeared death notice in
q Baltimore paper, announcing that Elsie Justice
Ryand, otherwise Low formerly of England
had died on the train and had been buried in
Baltimore. copy of the paper reached Ryland,
then in prison await ng trial. Later he found
out that this was 'put-up job, and that Elsie
still lived. He accused her of participation in
bis crimes She was arrested aud convicted.
sn his evidence mainly, and is now serving out
her sentence in Auburn. 1t is the genera, belief
among those who knew her hero that she is in.
noeent of any crime. She was warm-hearted
generous woman, and would do anything to
help friend. There are many newspaper men
in New York city who are indebted to "Elsie
Justice for care and attention in sickness, and
one especially who owes her almost his life, for
fhe raised fund for him when sick and alone
and without dollar or friend Among these
men she is believed to be an upright, honorable
woman. and guiltless of her husbands crimes.
An effort is making TO induce Governor Hill to
pardon her, and the movement finds many sup
V0iteEs here.