The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-26
THU STOLEN LACES'
An Episode in the History Of Chicagl
Crime.
IRON THE DIARY OF DETECTIVE DENIS
SIMMONS, OF THE BANK DETAIL or rug
CENTRAL STATION.

Early in the spring Of 1872 the boarders
at Mrs Frelinghuysen house. on West
Adams street, felt themselves constrained
10 discuss and decide very delicate ques
ton For some time previous the con
duet Of Mrs Alice Claypole had given
them ,.~at concern This lady was the
wife of n middle aged lawyer Of good
standing. who seemed devotedly attached
to her, and was blind TO the many weak
nesscs Of her character. and obliyious Of
the fact that her bearing in male society
was a subject Of unfavorablo comment in
tho well conducted establishment Of the
estimablo Mrs Frelinghuysen.
Mrs Claypoles fiirtations wero the talk
Of tho neighborhood, and her bald headed,
good natured husband came in for a
goodly share Of that pity and compassion
which the world has ever in store for per
sons apparently unconscious Of their own
mlsfortunes
Poor old Claypole' was an Oft repeated
remark, "somo one ought % open his eyes
and lct him know the full iniquity Of his
wifcs misconduct.
But none undertook this delicate mis-
sion. and poor old Claypole' continued
10 idoli1c his charming and fascinating
spouse-charming and fascinating not
only TO him. but-to some half dozen other
gentlemen who were said 20 anguish in
the sunshine of her smiles.
Mrs Claypolc. 10 mako matters moro
piquant and interesting 20 her fellow
boardcrs. was not beautiful woman. os
the term goes She was tall and shapcly,
however, dressed with becoming taste,
and carried herself with a stately grace
that never failed 10 elicit remarks Of ad
miration.
Her features were somewhat irregular
and heavy in rcposc but when she became
interested Ia conversation, or, better still.
when she was aiming at conquest, her
face lighted up with the ardor Of her
thoughts. and her big blue eyes flashed
dangerously from beneath half dropping
lids fringed with long. dark eye lashes
that tried in vain 70 screen tho passionate
fire Of amorous glances
No; Mrs Claypolo was not a beautiful
woman, but she had that subtle power OF
charming which is more fascinating than
beauty and PLAYS the deuce with the vir-
tuOus instincts Of mankind.
Mr. and Mrs Claypole had lived at the
Frelinghuysen establishment two months
when the boardcrs thought il high time
20 arrive at some conclusion az to the al
legged improprieties Of her conduct.
Not content with the conquest OF full
grown and bearded men. the fair Alice,
who was thirty if sic was year. had re.
Gently shown liking for the society OF
young men in their teens. Three or Tour
~ these susceptible young fellows danced
in constant attendance upon her. They
ran her errands, escorted her 70 the
theatre took her &c supper after the play
and acted spooncy generally in the man
ner peculiar &c lovesick lads.
And, what was most eXasperating "a
the critics of mature ago. Mrs. Claypole
seemed to enjoy this hoidenish homage
She was soft and soothing, even motheriy'
in her demeanor toward her young al
mlrers She would stroke their cheeks
and pat their heads lovingly, call them
brave bows. and sometmes-sO MISS
Goggles. tho ancient spinster, who occu
pied the first floor hail bedroom, and was
ever on the alert TO spy out the moral dc
linauencies of her ncighbors avcrred-
kiss them tcnderly and tell them 70 be
good and true and devoted TO then
mother
"Sho calls herself their mother, the
eitful wretch. reported Miss Goggles,
with look of horror in her watery eyes
"sho ought 10 Toe horsewhippedl
No wonder Mrs trelingbuysen board
crs wcro stirred to the very depths OF then
honest hearts Such vagarles on the par'
of "a married woman were roprehensible II
tho highest degree They called Tor al
expression Of yirtUCus Indignation Mr.
Claypole ought 10 be Informed of his wife
moral obliquity IL was a burning sean
dalous shame that such a nice, hlgl
minded. hcoorablc old gentleman shoulC
have the wool pulled over his eyes by TN.
wicked woman. and he q lawyer too viii
professional knowledge of tho relic
which could be speedily gained IN the 81
yorce court.
Then it was that the h0ardors came e
the unanimous decision that Mrs Clay
pole was a designing. heartless coqueito
that her society should be taboocd. an'
that poor Old Mr. ClaypOle should receive
a broad hint Of what was going on. witt
view 70 prompt disruption OF his mari
tai ties
The conveval Of this hint was depute'
to James lladley. clerk in a downtown
lace store. who had worshiped at th'
shrine Of the fascinating blonde when sh'
first appeared at the boarding house an'
whose attentions had been supprcsse'
with scornful derision which stu
ranked IN his vlrtuous breast, and made
HIM accept the mission with revenSetu
alacrity.
And when Mr. Eadley finished his re
citel of Mrs Claypole's shortcomings ant
suspected peccadillos which he Delivers
with many pious signs and groans abou
the Inconsistency of woman, he was almos
petrifed by poor old Claypoles EN-
phatic rejoinder.
a.