The sun., 1909-06-07
The FINNISH BURGLAR GIRL
SHE LAYS 1T ALL on A CROOK
WHO TELLS FORTUNES

And Sells to the LOvesick . Peppery
Drink at $40 = Bottle n He Can't Get
More-Astina Drinks the Drink and
Steals the Hated Rivals Finery
.What's the charge against this girl?'
said Judge Corrigan yesterday morn
ing, eyeing a young woman who faced
him on the bridge Of the West Side court
between two Central Office detectives.
She was in tan linen suit. Her yellow
hair was rumpled and her face was
streaked with tears that had dried on a
layer Of talcum.
"She's burglar. your Honor said
Collins Of Headquarters, and ratified otf
the evidence against her. Her name was
ASTHMA Sandron. She was a Finn and
20 years old. She had climbed the fire
escape Of an apartment house at $50
West iosd street. entered the fiat occu-
pied by Minnie Henry and stolen Minnie's
beat dress, feather boa and gold watch.
That was on May 10, One Of the men
in the house had seen her mount the
fire escape and sneak into Minnie Henry q
fat through a back window. but he was
80 much interested In watching woman
burglar that he forgot to give the alarm
until the girl was out and gone. He
remembered her appearance accurately.
though. and was able to give a descrip-
ton OF ASTHMA that enabled the det eotives
to pick her up yesterday morning.
well. what have you got to say for
yourself. Astina'' said the Magistrate.
Are you guilty or not'"
I'm guilty said the girl. slowly. then
began to cry. The gentlemen have
told the truth. took Minnie's Things"
Here. here put in the Magistrate,
impatienly. Il can't be satisfied with
this. l want this explained. Come now
tell me all about it,
The Finnish girl dried her eyes with
the sleeve OF her linen coat. caught her
breath few times aud finally got her
voice In working order. Ordinarily the
court clerks. stenographers and police
men. together with the sensation seek kers
that always fill the front seats on Sum
day morning. pay little attention to the
excuses Of women thieves, stories cut
from the same pattern. Pretty soon after
ASTHMA began 10 talk everybody who could
/
Judge she said. 1T was the love po-
ton that made me steal Minnies things.
The fortune teller who made it for me told
me that il would make me do queer things
that I wouldn't be Responsible for. God
knows never stole anything before.
-You see. Minnie and lived together
for two years up until few months ago,
We had fiat together and We we're just
like sisters. Then we both fell in love
with the same man and he loved Minnie
more than he did me- ! could see it, the
way it was going. but Minnie didn't know
that was stuck on him. was too proud
to give myself away. But nearly went
crazy. ana | guess the love potion made
me altogether crazy.
Il went around to see fortune teller
in Forty second street near Broadway.
He sat on a throne like king with pic
lures OF stars and moons painted on the
walls around him. He was very distant
and proud acting. told him my story
and asked him how much It would cost
me to get potion that would win Minnie's
-0irl, said he. girl, can do wonderful
things for people that have lots OF money.
but only the wealthy can change fate
| II YOU have plenty Of money can get
your lover for you and make you beautiful
and wise, How much have you got in that
"1i .i aot IS said. Won't that do2'
@Impossible,' he said. Beauty. happi-
ness ana wisdom for IS! If did that all
my magic would be taken away from me
Go out and scrape up some more. young
woman
II left there and managed TO get to-
gether $50. He said that would have to
! H. ka. ~
into little room where he made liquor
in pot / watched him standing over
il mittering charms and throwing his
hands around and looking very savage,
-He came out and gave me bottle
full OF red stuff that tasted sharp and
peppery. He said was to drink some
every night and that l would have
the next. He said that no matter what
did when under the spell Of the potion
| couldn't be held responsible for my
acts and that everything was sure to be
all right,
about clothes and money and automo-
biles and the man that was in love with
Minnie and not me- One night IL came
into NV head that Minnie had no righl
to her nice dresses and things and that
ought to 90 and take them myself.
knew she wouldn't be home In the eve
ming, 80 went to the nat house in Wes
iosd street and climbed w. the Are escape
II was easy to get In the window.
stayed just long enough TO take q dree,
liked, q feather boa and the gold watoi
that had his picture In 1t. didn't thinl
anybody saw me-
; Corrigan, that you or anybody els,
; could be silly enough TO be misled BY I
Wretched faker. I don't know whethe
you are telling the truth or not. Iha
the Grand Jury in bonds Of u 600 -,
s1hen 10 Just He'd TO me-, said the Cir
beginning TO CRY. again. Il Am respon
si6Ie for my acts
you are, ssid the Magistrate. an
they took Astina to cell In the cour
,tpr''n' - -------