Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1908-12-04
CAUGHT In A TRAP.
A Shrewd Scheme for Biackmail-
ing Business Men.
How n Detroit Merchant Was Surprised
by Pretty Adventures and How He
Cleveriy Turned tho Tables on
His Gay Visitor.


per cent. Of the stories about attempts to
plackmail the business men of the country
are true"
Possibly you may have had an expe-
rience of the kindl" usuggested the re-
porter.
Yes" replied the merchant, "and that
is why | speak with so much positiveness.n
But it wasn't SUGGEST" the reporter
aventured to remark
"No," was the reply; "and probably only
because kept my wits about me. The ad-
venturess visited the counting-room three
times during an interval of ten days. On
the first two occasions my partner or some
one else happened to be present, but on the
last occasion she found me alone She pre-
tended to be getting subscribers for an art
journal, and really interested me in the
engravings she had with her, for my taste
was somewhat In that line. She had
sweet voice and was n fluent talker She
was prettily dressed, and had just enough of
gush not to awaken my suspicious"
Handsome, was shei" asked the re-
porter.
We'll yes-stylish, at least-and with
what might be called superb figure. Sud
denly she announced that unless 1 gave her
fifty dollars she would set up an outcry and
alarm the entire store. l looked at her
moment in dumb amazement. There was a
look in her bold, brown eyes that | did not
like.
II saw my peril. My integrity at home
and in the community is A No. l, as you
very well know. But, suppose she had
screamed and brought clerks and custom
ers into the countng-rooml Not few
would have been ready to believe any
charge she might have made against me.
Even after u man has been entirely vindi-
Gated his character is still somewhat
smrched, and against that there seems to
be no redress. My wife is not the least bit
Jealous and trusts me implicitly, and yet
would not have had her serenity disturbed
for ten times the sum demanded of me.
You can understand from this how mar
ried man whose character is not above re-
proach is quite likely TO submit to the eX-
tortion. determined to outwit the design
ing woman.
THAT is cool demand" 4 said, with
half-satisfied little laugh. "The amount
does not surprise melt is the sublime as
surance. You are very bright and pleasing
and full of daring, and l wouldn't mind
moving you better"
my reply threw her off her guard. My
temporizing pleased her. Her eyes warmed
up, and she leaned sloser to me.
"But," sald, II haven't the money about
me.n
''Your check will do" she quietly re-
joined.
'All right" assented l.
81 filled up a cheek for the amount,
signed it and handed it to her. She scanned
it in business-lilSe way and then said:
81 am much obliged to you"
"Oh, don't mention It," 1 said, with a
glance that led her to suspect that was a
trifle fascinated. 81 know you must be in
need, or you would not descend TO such
trick. But allow me to suggest that you
have not been wary enough"
Why?" asked she, with puZZed look.
"Ths telephone connects with the bank
upon which l have drawn the check"
said. II could stop its payment before you
reached the sidewalk"
THAT is true!" she SAID, with discom-
flied air. 'Tll not take the check"
Ssh aid it down and picked it up.
First admired your imDRdence," / said
"now l am beginning TO admire U0u. Will
you please write down your name and adj
dressl Possibly l may call. I'll send my
head bool-keeper to the bank with you.
He'll vouch for you and you'll get the mon
ey."
She looked at me keenly, then penoied
down her name and address. She thought
that l had tumbled to the racket as the
saying is, and that she could presume on
my cleverness in the future. | touched the
call-bell and cash boy entered.
"Tell Mr.. L. to come here" said /, 81
want him 60 go with this lady to have
check cashed for her"
The pretty little adventures had
smoothed her halr and repinned her collar
When the head book-keeper came in / said
to him:
Mr.. t., this lady has work of art to
show you. 1t is issued in monthly parts,
and the price seems quite reasonable. She'll
explain it TO you as she did to me.'
81 caught up my hat and walked out of
the countng-room with the check in my
hand. The look of baffled rage which she
sent after me was comical to see. She
frowned on the book-keeper, wrapped up
her sample copies and left"
"She'll try it again." remarked the re-
porter.
"Not here" replied the merchant. SIN
never here alone Dow-neither is my part
ner. The very next day the book-keeper's
desk was put inside the railing. l tell you
there are all the time schemes going on,
and you have to be pretty sharp if de-
signing woman happens to be at the bot
tom of them. / didn't think so at first, but
think so now"
''And did she give you her real namel"
asked the reporter.
''That | can't answer. The address was
correct but she moved before detective
got there. She was a little afraid of the re-
suit of her experiment with me-"
"Am / at liberty to use this episodel"
asked the reporter
"Why, certainly, sir. supposed that to
be the object of your inquiries An nkling
of the matter reached you, didn't therel"
"Yes."
$50 suspected. Well, the story is just
as l have given it TO you. But you must
not publish my name or that of the firm"
"rll not, since it is your wish," said the
reporter.
Il longed to No Order.
Bob," SAID stranger who lived across
q ni, &c fnA