New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-21

rom disgrace are. however, frequently frus-
trated not at the time Of the conviction, but
after liberation. by feow-criminals with whom
the restored member Of society has been COM
PEELED to associate while IN prison. The authori-
ties will respect the secret Of the unfortunate
man. But woe betide him II he is recognized
by any ex convict, who at once finds In him an
easy prey, extracting one sum Of money after
another from him under the threat Of revealing
TO the public at large the fact that he has
served time" and of thus destroying his pres
ent az well as his future, OF bringing trouble on
those nearest and dearest to him, and OF reveal
Ing in one word that secret which he would give
his very life to preserve from being made pubic.
1t is not 30 long ago that the daughter OF a
wealthy and prominent man In England was
about to be married TO the son OF one OF the
most influential members OF the lAberal party
In the House of Commons. None OF those VINO
were to take part in the ceremony had any ioea
that the father Of the bride had past Which
would have qualified him for membership III
the Society of Reformers." But on .e morn
ing Of the wedding he was visited by one OF MS
former prison associates, who threatened eN-
posure Of his secret unless he received chech
for a large amount The victim neither wouiu
nor could give the sum demanded, ana appeaieu
to the police for protection This so exasperated
the blackmailer that he divulged the story. with
the result that the wedding was postponed.
That same night the bride drowned herself In
one Of the two lakes that were comprised in the
park surrounding her fathers country seat,
while he himself poor man. was found In his
bedroom with his brains blown out.
MODERN MEN WITH IRON MASKS.
Tn Lronco nm endeovor has heen made IA prC-
tect prisoners who not habltual criminals
from persecution by blackmailers after their
liberation. by compelling them to wear through
out their term OF detention a species OF black
hood, which masks their face. effectually CON
cealing their features. Two holes left for
the eyes, while as rie mask does not descend
below the mouth y ere is no interference with
the breathing. These modern prototypes OF the
Man with the Iron Mask whose identity
mains to this day one OF the most interesting
mysteries of European history. arc not only
compelled to wear their hoods when taking their
daily exercise and when leaving their cells for
chapel. but even within the cells whenever any
warder or visitor opens the door. Yet In spite
Of these precautions there is quite ne much
Matchmaking as In England so much. indeed.
that II is one OF the favorite themes OF modern
French novelists The portrait drawn by Victor
Hugo In Les Miserables' OF the universally
respected Mayor OF an important town. the IN
innate friend OF the bishop OF the diocese and
OF the general commanding the district. who
is suddenly exposed as an ex-convict was taken
from life and Is isolated case. For during
the reign OF King Charles one Of his favorite
courtiers. a nobeman to whom ne had accorded n
colonelcy OF his guard and the gold key OF
Chamberlain. was suddenly recognized during
the course OF a review by an ex-convict IA one
OF his former prison associates. There. too the
nobeman made the mistake Of appealing to the
police which led the man TO subs;antlate his