Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-03
YOUNG GIRLS FALSE STEP.
Miss Phillips steals s720 from Her
Fathers Guest.

A special dispatch from Pittsburgh, Pa,
SAYS: The arrest Of q handsome blonde for
the theft OF 1920 from guest Of her parents
has developed a romantic story, The girl Is
Mamie Phillips, and she is not yet eighteen
wears Of age. Her parents are respectable
residents Of Allegheny City. Some time ago
James Dcviue, who was staying with Mr..
Phillips. missed S72O that had been taken
from his trunk. MIR. Deyiue never suspected
any one about the house, and the matter was
placed in the hands OF the police, the result
being Miss Phillips's arrest to-day.
Several months ago the newspapers chron-
icled the brave act OF young girl who at
the risk Of her own life saved an old lady
from being run down by horse car. That
young lady was Miss Phillips. She was walk
ing along Wylie avenue, when she saw an
old lady in deadly peril In front OF q rapidly
advancing street-car. The girl sprang Tor
ward. seized the old lady. and rescued her.
The old lady thanked the girl, asked her
for her address, and drove OF in a car
rage. There the matter ended for week.
Then there came an express package to
the young lady's house containing iady's
gold watch and chain. There was no
message or explanation OF any kind. Tue
gift was attributed 10y the girl TO the mystic
rious old lady, and the parents we're de.
lighted. The following week there arrived
a handsome set Of plush-covered furniture
for parIOr use. The family said il must be
mistake aud protested against its receipt, but
the eXpressmeu was sure it was all right and
showed the plainly-written address on the
tab attached. What would come next?
That was answered in q few days by the ar
rival OF handsome piano, with card adj
dressed 10 the young girl. The excitement
IN the family at the receipt OF this present
can be imagined. Still there was no word
from the donor.
The next gift was in the shape OF two silk
dresses and some other handsome articles oil
clothing. At last, about ten days ago, there
came letter with considerable sum OF
money enclosed. The writer said the money
was TO be used for music lessons for the girl,
so that the piano would not be useless
present. The donor said he was the son OF
the old lady who had been saved by the girl,
and he added that he was In the insurance
business in New York. He did not wish 10
have his name known at present, but he said
that inquiries had been made about the girl,
and she had been found worthy OF assistance.
At some future time the writer declared he
would make himself known. and as he had
no relatives but his mother he hoped TO give
substantial aid to the girl and better her con-
dition in life.
Armed with these aud additional facts De-
tectiye Glenn to-day called at the residence
and was received by the mother Of the girl.
The lady was questioned concerning the re-
cent accessions TO her daughters possessions,
and then the story OF how she had managed
TO account for the accumulation OF goods was
brought out. The mother said that her daugh-
ter had rendered an important service 10 8
wealthy old lady some time previous, and that
the latter had presented her with the articles
as q manifestation OF her appreciation. She
produced q letter which purported to be
written by this person, but Of which the girl
was the author. The girl was then called
into the room aud was formally accused.
She denied the charge vehemently for up
ward OF a half hour, but ~ she was con-
fronted with one proof after another OF her
actions, finally broke down and confessed in
q flood OF tears.
There the matter now rests. The gentle
man who lost the money does not want TO
prosecute IL be can secure the return OF the
funds. and II Is very probable that an ar
rangement will be effected. Ia the mean
time the parents OF the young lady are nearly
beartbroken over their daughters conduct.