Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-15
BsiackmaiI as "A Fine Art.

Gotham is to day paying tribute to vast
legion of women who live upon tho folly,
the egotism and the innate brutality of men.
Police Inspector Williams, who is beyond
all doubt the best authority upon the sub.
ject, estimates their number at 10000. Ex-
supt. Walling goes even higher. and puts
the figure 10000 beyond. The methods en-
ployed by these women display bewilder-
ing novelty and ingenuity. Some are prac
lically backmai, but biackmail 80 delicate
and artistic as not to come within the law.
OF those who work this vein the most iuge
nious is Mrs. May Robinson, alias May Rob.
erls, alias Irene Latham, alias only heaveE
knows how many other names. She is
about 2S years Of age, medium sized, hand
somely propottioned, elegantly dressed, with
brilliant brunette face that would com
mand notice and admiration everywhere.
When 'at work" che would leave her home
at $50 or 10 a. N. and take some thorough
fare frequented by the merchants, bankers
and wealthy men in general. For dudes,
actors and professional "mashers" she had
no eye. But portly, well-clothed man,
whose mien and demeanor suggested pros
porous paterfamlias received her smile and
bow the moment he looked at her in half.
recognition. Twice in three times the bait
took and the victim made her acquaint-
ance. From now on it was clear sailing.
She would use all her powers of conver.
sation to fasciuate her new ffierd and was
seldom unsuccessful. Money was never
mentioned. In reply to the queries be
would naturally make she always gave the
same story. She was u widow, wel-5orn,
well-educated, enjoying lille and pleasure,
and baving-lhanks to her dear dead hus
bands Iowa and foreihou25t-a limited in
come Of 81 000 year, just enough TO sup
port her in comfort. The story treasured
the admirer, who in his heart had feared
that his new inamo'ata vas anything but
what she said With him she for the next
week lunched, attended ,naiinees and drove
through the park and on the boulevard. In
the mean time she wormed from him his
home and office address, the name of his
wife and children and hundred details in
regard to his private life. When this was
accomplished her next move was to send a
begging letter. in which she stated that her
renlittances were delayed by litigation or
cut off by reason of some corporation skip.
ping lis dividend, and wound up by a very
neat and afec.ionate request for loan of
| sum of money, anywhere from 500 to $500,
according TO the pecnDiary responsibility OF
| her prey. Once lii three times this would
| bring a financial return. Twice il wond
| not. Then came the master stroke. With
| coarse pen and the blackest of ink she
would write fervent love letter upon
heavy white paper; incose it in the thinnest
and most transparent steamer envelope and
| mail it to him at his own house. 1t always
began, "My Own Darling" or My Dearest
and Sweetest Love-" aud ended. Hoping
to lay your dear tired head again upon my
breast, Your Little Love, May" There was
not single unkind word in the
letter There was vast amount
| of passionate love and very distant
| reference to the number of dollars wanted.
! A near sighted man could read the com.
promising episte through the envelope.
Much more reading could jealous wife or
an inquisitive sister or daughter. The luck
| less man received the missive at the break
fast table. He recognized the handwriting,
read dozen words through the envelope,
and then went into cold perspiration.
While in most cases the relationship between
the man and woman had been innocent, the
letter bore all the indicia of guilt and in
divorce court would have been proof pre-
sumptive against the husband. It's effect
was terrific and instantaneous. He lost his
appetite for breakfast, and left Immediately
for his Office or for the house of his cores
pondent Nine times in ten the money was
forthcoming and in many instances large
sums were paid to compromise the matter
and induce secrecy on the part of Mrs Rob.
berts. So far as known she began her ca.
reer in this line Of business on Thirteenth
street, transferred it to johnson street,
Brooklyn, near Miners Brooklyn Theatre,
and then went to 26 street, near Broad
way In all three places she had magnif-.
cent rooms kept two horse coupe and
wore clothes, diamonds and jewelry worth
81 600 at least. Her first departure from
New York was induced by Inspector. then
| Captain Alexander S. Williams; from
Brooklyn by Police Capt. James Campbell.
ofihe First Precinct, and her last in New
York by Howe & Hummel, the great crimi-
| ual lawyers. In all these cases the would
be victim instead of beirg scared, waxed
wrotb and made confession to the police or
to his counsel. The woman now resides
near Central Park. but does not seem as
prosperous as before.-N y. Cor. Chicago
Herald.
Syrun of Figs