St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-04-28
They Touch Several Chamber
!. Of Commerce Men for
f Money.
Victims Retieent About the
Manner in Which They
We're Vietimized.
A Very Sleek Game That Was
Cleverly Worked on the
Susceptible.

LES. you nave DSeu cOIIcCtlS III
formed, and it is not so very long ago,
either, but | can't give you any particu-
lars of interest without bringing iIr
names; and as all the information /
have was given me in confidence, /
couldn't think of doing that, you know"
1t was prominent operator in the
chamber of commerce, who spoke in
answer to question from GLOBE re-
porter who had just asked him Ques
ton regarding the vague rumors which
have been afloat for week or two re-
garding pair of handsome butterflies
who are said to have succeeded in black
mailing several prominent brokers and
men on change.
''Haye you any idea of the amount of
money obtained?" asked the manipu-
lator of the A. w. Faber No. 2.
., We'll, no; nothing definite replied
speculation of this kind to the extent of
$1,000 Or more, and there is at least
81, 500 that a friend of mine can swear
to. There has been good deal of quiet
talk On this point on Change lately
and l imagine that it would be rather
difficult for pretty woman to get
within several feet of the private Office
of any of the wel1-known men in the
chamber just now."
s'Can't you tell me something about
their methodist" asked the GLOBE man.
"No; | don't believe l care to-" said
he, and he wandered off with peculiar
twinkle in his eye that might have led
more suspicious observer to think that
he could tell great deal if he chose.
AS the discounted scoOp-seeker stood
looking after him some one slapped him
on the back and asked him if he was
looking for an investment. 1t was a
well-known broker who spoke, and
little later the two were seated in the
brokers' private office and the pumps
began TO work again.
'Can you tell me anything about this
blackmailer in petticOatS who has made
things so interesting for some of the
boys of late, Mr.. p" began the re-
porter.
''No-yes. II hardly know what to
say" returned the wheat man. You
see, one OF the men who was taken in
has placed the case in the
hands of Chicago detectives, at the
advice and solicitation of his friends,
who thought it was his duty to himself,
to them and to other men in similar
positions to bring the fair criminal to
justice, and | am afraid l might say
something that would injure their
chances of capturing the woman. He
finally concluded to tell the story, but
refused to give the names of any of the
men who had been bled.
The story as told by the broker was,
that about two weeks ago two very
handsome and stylishly dressed women,
about thirty years of age, began to be
noticed about the chamber, going in and
out of the brokers' offices and conduct
ing themselves in perfectly proper
and buSineSS-llke manner. They
invested small sums at different
times and became quite familiar sight
about the corridors, so much SO that
when they suddenly dropped out of
sight one day last week their absence
was noted and commented on. They
were never together at the chamber and
did not appear to know each other, but
it has since been learned that they were
often seen together at the theaters and
were frequently driven about the city in
the same carriage.
"What was B. telling you Just as [
came up?" asked the broker when he
had proceeded thus far with the nara
tive.
HE said that FREUD of his lost
$780,"
Eyes. and mighty good friend at
that" and Mr.. H laughed quietly
and chucked himself under the chin.
He finally resumed his tale with,
"After the ladies had disappeared l one
day asked a friend of mine, who had
done some business for the taller of the
two women. what had become of his
goddess. He pretended not to under
stand for a while, but afterwards seemed
to conclude that l knew more than
| did, for he said, We'll, Char
that she set me back just $1,000 1t was
then but | foresaw something interest
ing, and remarked jOkingly that l
wished he would pnt me onto her sys-
TEN.
"Well, said he. she had been doing
little specializing through our office and
had made a little money. One day, the
same day that she disappeared,
she came in as usual and
and sat down in my private Office after
closing the door. 1 was busy and
merely looked up and said, ''How do
you do, Mrs. Gilbert?"-the name she
had given me-and asked her to be
seated a moment. She drew a chair
close TO me and sat down. A moment
ldter she Tell nalL-Way over Une table
said feebly, "Oh, 1 feel so faint;
some water, please" l fastened to
bring her water, opened her
cloak at the throat and I'M
tied her bonnet strings. She immedi-
ately threw the bonnet off and eX-
claimed, while further disarranging her
dress. you have insulted me grossly,
sir. Now. $1,000 quick, or Pll scream.
You understands
Il am married man and church
member, so naturally felt a little bit
embarrassed. l tried to reason with her
and to convince her that she would do
me no harm. but she didn't seem a bit dis
concerted and proceeded make her gar
mentS still further indicate that some
liberties had been taken with her
person, and said: ''Now, shall l call for
help, or will you pay?'
Il needn't, perhaps, tell you that
wrote check for the amount. She
took it, rearranged her clothing and de-
parted, bowling very politely as she
left. l subsequently learned that
she cashed that check within
ten minutes after leaving my
Office, and yesterday L discovered that
that bewitching, black-eyed mink who
used to be around here, and seemed so
coy and shy, was her pal, and the two
worked two or three men here in the
same way, and ali on the same day. l
i, ,cc, at IL