St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-07-15

lily WudI WAS UGy Olu uOuDl lbs great
est coup in this country. These facts
have.
NEVER BEFORE BEEN TOLD IN PRINT
In 1880 George Bryan, professional
swindler. and man of singularly en-
gaging presence and suave address, who
was at that time living in New York,
went with woman named Clara Witter
to st. Louis, where they set up house
keeping in a respectable neighbOrhOod
as Mr.. and Mrs. Walsh. The Witter
woman has been the soi-distant wife of
Baltimore crook named Awkward, who
subsequently acquired some notoriety as
masquerader in female attire, and,
without being remarkably brilliant,
she was very smart, cool
headed, inscriptions sehemer of
The pair rapidly became popular IN
the neighborhood. They were pol
ished, affable, and considered great
acquisition to the local social circle,
which, by the way. gave several enter
tainmentS in their honor. Thus they
acquired standing. Meantime, Mr..
Walsh. as he was known, dabbled a lit
tie on Fourth street (the Wall street of
st. Louis, and took occasion to form
the acquaintance of very solid and re-
spectacle capitalist, who was largely
interested in one of the banks. This
gentleman was advanced in years, mar
ried, and
HAD A GROWN FAMILY,
Among which were several lovely
young ladies. Moreover, he had high
social and moral standing, and if he APP
peared in an equivocal light in suisse
quent events, his past had been un-
doubtedly exemplary.
One day Mr.. Walsh brought Mrs.
Walsh to the bank in question, and
made deposit in her name so that she
could check it out, he explained, for pin
money. Some introductions followed,
of course, in obtaining the lady's sigma
tpre, and the old banker putting in an
appearance, she was presented to him.
A few days after Mrs. Walsh called
alone and inquiring for the old gentle
man (call him Smith for convenience.
consulted him in relation to some in
vestmentS. She had an insinuating.
fattering manner that is dangerous for
/ young and old men alike, and Mr.. Smith
was favorably impressed with her. She
said she intended to tell her husband
nothing about the investments until she
saw how they turned out. and he very
unwisely subscribed to the arrange
ment. Thus
A SECRET,
which is the opening wedge of an init
macy, was established between them.
Mr.. Smiths self-esteem was probably
tickled at this good-looking, dashing
woman making confident of him. He
made some inquiries, and, finding her
standing excellent, purchased little
stock for her, drawing against account
in her name, as she instructed. In this
way she began to call at the bank pretty
often to inquire about the market, ETC.,
and was generally ushered into direct
Or'S room, where she and Mr.. Smith
could chat undisturbed. Thus by de-
greeS unnecessary to follow
SHE wORMED HER WAY
into the old mans esteem. Then. ac-
cording to his subsequent statement at
detective office, she began to complain
of her husband. Smith lent a sympa-
thetic ear, and she poured into it a tale
of cruelty and neglect that melted his
heart. 1t was no doubt easily melted.
She told him romantic and entirely
fictitious early history, and, in short, he
gravitated from the attitude of business
counselor to that of intimate personal
friend and adviser. Things were in
this attitude when Mr.. Smiths family
went to Newport for the summer, and,
breaking up housekeeping, he took
rooms at hotel. But the climax was
approaching. One evening he received
note stating that her husband had
gone to Kansas City, and urging him to
call at the house, as she wished to see
him on important business and was too
ill to venture out. At 8 o'clock Mr..
Smith put IN an appearance.
ON THE GROUD FLOOR
of the house where the Washes resided
was parlOr with but one door, which
had a spring lock. On the mantel was
a French clock, which was destined, as
it afterward turned out, to play an i'm
pOrtant part in the little drama. Here
Mr.. Smith was received by Mrs. Walsh,
who wore wrapper and explained that
she was indisposed from an attack of
neuralgia, and begging him to be seated
she began long, rambling story of her
domestic difficulties. An hour and a
half passed away thus, and the clock
pointed to 9:3O, when Mrs. Walsh rose.
and, while OStensibly regulating the
gaS-jet, accidentally turned it out. At
the same instant the door of the room
was suddenly tried from without, then
violently bursted in, and by the light
from the hall two men seen standing on
the threshold. :.~--.
AT about O'Clock ON this eventful
evening a neighbOr who had brokers'
Office on Fourth ftreet, and who knew
both the Walshs and Mr.. Smith very
well, was
SUMMONED TO HIS DOOR.
and found Mr.. Walsh, his clothing
disheveled, and apparently in high
state of excitement. In few passion
ate words the pseudo-lawyer told him
that he had long suspected his wife, and
now had proof positive of her fraity.
He insisted that the broker accompany
him to the house, where, he said, she
was at that moment with her lover.
They entered the premises from the
rear, and quietly let themselves into
the main hall. Walsh looked repeatedly
at his watch, and for little while they
stood listening.
ssThey are in therer' said Walsh
finally. and attempted to open the par
ior door, but found it locked. Instant
it off its hinges.
As they entered the room, which was
pitch dark, a woman began to scream,
and when the gas was lighted Mrs.
Walsh
WAS DISCLOSED IN IIYSTERICS,
while Mr.. Smith stood near by in pitt
able state of confusion. Walsh raved
like a mailman. He SWore he would
have both their lives.
Business" he cried, pointing to the
woman'S deshabille and cutting short
Dir. Smiths horror-stricken eXpiana-
ton. why, was the gas out? Why
| was the door locked? You villain. Do
| you take me for fool?n
| II appeal to you, SIR" stammered the
| old banker, almost beside himself, and
turning to the broker, Il assure you on
my honor. swear 10 yOu this is all a