The sun., 1892-05-01
ALL NORWALK SOCIETY SOLD
HERBERT R0OsEvELr vAN RENssE-
LAIR, WAS ONLY ARTHUR ADLER.

from New York BecoAes the Ward Mo.
Auis,er OF Norwnik- k--Tender Hearts stiii
Tbrob for the Unmasked Impostor.
I, was admitted generally in Norwalk yestor-
day that there was scarcely single family In
N1rvnlk society which was not filled with
emotions OF some kind by . discovery Just
made that Mr.. Herbert Roosevelt Van Rens-
,elaer OF New York was only Arthur Adler.
formerly q cloak salesman here. Norwalk
society is largely made UP OF the families OF
wealthy manufacturers and wealthy mer-
chants, and few minister's. doctors, and
lawyers II Is more exclusive In some respects
than the Four Hundred. But Mr. Herbert
Roosevelt Van Rensselaer, OF New York had
credentials-plenty Of them-and some OF
them. II report is true, OF nm extraordinary
character. 1t was said yesterday that he
came to Norwalk recommended by "his own
family. tho Van kensse!aers the Astors, and
tho Nhnderbilts.
His first appearance was at the residence OF
tho Rev. f NJ. Selleck. formerly pastor Of St
Pauls Episcopal Church. the oldest end most
fashionable church Of Norwalk. Mr.. Selleck
is now principal OF n select academy for boys.
Before he became m minister he had q military
academy In Norwalk. Among his teachers at
that time was Mr.. 7. " Huysoon. The latter
now has teachers nGcncy In New York. and,
when Mr.. Seleck applied to him for compe-
tent tencher OF ancient and modern languages.
MrHuysoon sent up Mr. Herbert Roosevelt Van
Rensselaer,. He scnt n warm letter of recon-
mendation along and this. together with tho
other letters that Van RENSSELAER, produced.
procured for him q cordial reception. He
was domiciled In the principals own house.
and engaged to instruct the boys in Latin and
Grceek, French and German.
Mr. Selleck is nearly 40 years old and man
OF very mild manners. His family has been
known in Norwnlk since the town was found
ed He is frank and STRAIGHTFORWARD. and 1t
did not occur to him to ho suspicious OF MS
new teacher. The latter said that he had goue
to Norwalk because he was anxious to
finish book which he had begun to
write. He could not finish 1t In New
York because his social duties took up most
OF his time. He proved fluent talker.
with easy manners and large fund OF infor-
nation. He said lie had travelled extensively
and he told Mr.. Seleek wonderful stories OF
his experiences. MI seleck was greatly
charmed with the man and congratulated
himself upon his acquisition. Van Rensselaer,
reached Norwlk in the middle OF last Septem-
ber About six weeks later he disappeared. He
left note for Mr. Seleck. giving vague rea-
son for his sudden departure. but it rather
mystiIled tho old gentleman.
The real reason was not known to anybody
but Van Rensselaer, and one other resident OF
Norwalk. Directly opposite Mr.. Selleck's
academy lives James l. Stevens. Mr.. Stevens's
business as superintendent Of the New York
cloak firm Of BENJAMIN h Cnspary compelled
him to travel great deal. It was Mr. Stevens's
sudden return which induced Mr.. Herbert
Roosevelt Van Rensselaer, to go away. He had
not known that Stevens lived in Norwalk. He
to NEW fGs R ae ote
He signed his real name to the telegram and
Stevens responded
benjamin. 4 Caspary several years before.
s he sss ss ss pss sSSs1 s:ssR
sdopted ADO tho name Of Van RensseIaer ,bscause be- use
ing provided he would not attempt to use bis
prsnised d. L. said nothing to anybody. not ct
va Gs as Dk ssn sss it sss.sa to Mr. %
sk t s% matters IT. had him
was the fair q st. Faus chnreS It Was ss4H held
IN the Norwalk Opera House. It WAS decided
represent the different seasons. but nobody
was willing e undertnke lf the task Of arrang;
He Immediately introduced Van Rensselaer,.
NJ smy " onE nn9
took advantage OF this. He took in. the
rGst Of society as he he had taken Ken in Mr.. selleck.
fair was largely duo to him. He. boasted OF
his. family. his connections; and his friends.
careless way Of his acquaintance with Ward
McAllister. and said h.. never visited New York
there We're I no doubters. although It was te GEM
orally known that he worked ior 81 week
thrown oren to him. and he was made the lion
Of every gathering, Mr., Selleck was blamed
+ Everybody YER % Seems TO nave liked him and to
have been struck by his brilliant c1nversa-
HSoa Soa pe Sas feet ten m inches ai his npparent pet
height was lessened by an uncainly. stoop.
His forehead retIented abruptly. and his com:
seIyes as .the NJ onkey." Yet he was tho great
weaithiest girls Of tho place qusrrsiied with
each other to gain his attentions. They took
@ @ Sys s teas fas hs d
social aiinir was complete without him and
sGsty axsa %sa S All With
the, swell musical organization of Norwalk.
The daughter Of a physician; wealthy man.
fHr inng tine ssemed to be hts favore
would be married. After while however he
ceased to devote himself to her. and was more
catholic in his attentions. All tho pretty girls
seemed TO please him.. and wherever. they
gathered he was to be found to-, His inter,
for a week Or 30. and then drop her. The
sr hs Hna fne oeF
tak.d about him, cast doubts upon his Xe-
men took up the cry, and clouds began to
gather.
Van Rcnsselaer remained obliyicus OF these
and continued to hr as lnastnl AZ ever. Only
recently. when Ward McAllisters revised list |
Of 100 WAS printed. Van lcnsseiaer said that
the two Van iensselner ladies mentioned in It
were his cousins. lie told OF his rece Ition in
thirds 9f the island" lie spoke 10 the young
inen Of his nine beautiful overcoats. He said
he had been educated in Vienna and had in
herited a fortune iion his father. James Van
Iienssselner month ago he Was still the hero
the millionaire. 0if'"'h'
Las. Monday niGht he attended "socalr IN
the Congregational Church nj New Cnnasm
There the rumor that h" was an i'm most cr lrst
T.