Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-20
A VILE DECEPTION.
A NOTORIOUS DEMI MONDAINE
LOSES A VICTIM.
A Widow From San Francisco Inveigled
Into an Alameda-street Den-She Es-
capes and Appeals to the Police.

On Tuesday morning last, a young
woman dressed like widow, called upon
Chief of Police Glass and related story
of a narrow escape from degradation.
She stated that after the death OF her
husband, which occurred some months
ago, she paid what few debts they owed
with the small sum which they had
saved from his salary, and turned her
attention to finding suitable employ
ment for herself. The fact that she had
a little son seemed to prove barrier,
and at last she was compelled
to hire out to a dressmaker and sew for
a niggardly $40 week. With view
of improving her condition she made
frequent applications to various intelli-
gence offices, and ON Friday last was di-
rected to call upon Mrs. M. S. Jewett,
who resides at No. 113 Mason street,
San Francisco. She did so, and was Of
fered a position as governess for the
two children of Colonel Hamilton in
Los Angeles. The salary being good
and the work congenial to an educated
woman, the unsuspecting victim swal-
lowed the tempting bait, and even con-
sented to part with her darling child for
a time in order to take the position. AS
she was too poor to purchase a ticket,
the obliging Mrs. Jewett advanced her
$25 with which to meet her travelling
expenses, and on Sunday morning ac-
companied her victim to the train to in
sure her departure for Los Angeles.
On arrival at this city the governess
was to have been met by Colonel Ham
ilton, but at O'Clock on Monday after
noon, when she stepped from the train
at Arcade depot. the unsuspecting widow
was greeted affectionately by we'll
dressed but fashy-looking woman, who
was subsequently learned to be Maud
Cameron, well-known demi-mondaine.
The woman apologized for the absence
OF Colonel Hamilton, and escorting the
new arrival to carriage, conveyed her
to the house No. 203 Alameda street,
where she was ushered into hand
somely furnished room. On inquiring
for the children, her future charges, the
widow was informed that they were out
walking with their nurse. The new
governess remained in her room until
dinner time, and on entering the dining
room she was considerably surprised to
find the colonel still absent and
a number of women in evening
costume seated at the table. In few
moments their conversation betrayed
their real character to the new arrival,
who at once retired to her room and
commenced making preparations to
leave. To her horror, when she at
tempted to do so she found herself
locked in. After her first paroxysm OF
fear had passed away, she determined to
get away if possible, and watching her
opportunity she jumped from her win
dow, some eight feet from the ground,
scaled 10-foot fence and ran up town
to hotel, where she remained until
Tuesday morning. She then sought the
chief and related her adventure, and an
officer was dispatched for her trunk,
which was of course turned over. On
learning that she had an uncle residing
in the outskirts of the city, the chief
communicated with him, and the lady
is now comfortably ensconced at his
residence, awaiting the arrival of her
child