Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-04
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this is true of the men. ii seldom applies
to the women, according TO the expert
ences of secret service men, sometimes
because their interest is less-not having
made the plates or invented the appara-
tus-and especially because they have in
most cases been forced into committing
the crime. In general the women give
up with very little fight when they are
cOrnered.
The women have higher morals than
the men, say the secret service operatives.
but are usually as rough and masculine
I'm manner. Beauty Is an asset of the
really clever woman counterfeiter In pass
ing worthless money, though not a neces-
sity. The appearance of being well OIL
is far more important. A clerk Will &C
cept money from a homely woman as
readily as from pretty one; But only
may tender a bill of large denomination
without being questioned.
y
4 peculiar incident illustrating this fact
occurred some while ago in one OF the
large cities 1t was at time when a
number Of five-hundred-dollar counterfeit
notes had been issued and were stu 10
be traced to their source. The public haa
been warned, and all clerks were on the
lookout for them. AS the story goes.
woman drove up TO one of the big depart
ment stores, beautifully gowned and IN
an extremely fashionable carriage. with
coachman and footman in livery. she m
uuired at the store for camel s-hair
shawl much in demand at the time among
women of fashion. one costing 500 lnally
met her approval TO pay for ii she pre-
scented a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. note of the
same date the counterfeit notes, ana
marked in one corner with large INK
blot.
The cashier at the department store,
Ia.a inc g.
whether or not the note was bona iide,
sent il TO a neighboring bank. IL took a
longer time TO accomplish this than would
ordinarily be necessary 70 make schange.
The lady became very impatient at the
delay The clerk held her a while on va
rious pretexts. Finally he was forced to
explain. with apologies. that the bill was
similar to the counterfeit ones, and that
il was being tested. When finally the
change did come back. proving that the
note was good. she became very indig-
nant that any one should have doubted
her veracity, and refused TO take the
shawl. Moreover, she demanded the iden-
teal note back again. She left the shop
in high dudgeon.
An hour later she returned and stated
that she could find no shawl she liked 50
we'll as the one in question. The clerk,
eager TO atone for his recent unintentional
affront. was all attention, and quickly
brought forth again The valuable article.
In dignified silence, she purchased il,
rendering the ive-hundred-6ollar note ink
spot and all. in payment Without any
hesitancy the cashier accepted the bill,
peculiarly marked. with the large ink
blot The woman received her $500 in
change and her shawl and left the store.
The following day the note was sent to
the bank. II was found 10 be counterfeit.
The courts of Los Angeles, Cal, have
within the last month found guilty
woman who has been prominently con-
nected with the work OF counterfeiting
although she Is now serving a term for
forgery. Gertrude Stadfelt, alias Gertrude
Driggs, was on the occasion OF her lrs.