Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-01-21
A BLACKMAILER
CHECKMATED
Shrewd Trick That Saved a
Woman's Reputation.

two letters-the one recently received.
the other to be posted-on the counter.
After awhile she came hurrying back.
unprepossessing appearance, whose
clothes had been renovated and cleaned
to the point of responsibility required
by his employers, declared that he had
not seen 1t, whereupon Mrs. Varian
threatened to send to the office and
have him searched.
"If you do you will bring suspicion
on me and" he hesitated, then cast a
piercing glance at the lady, perhaps
yourself"
Mrs. varian paled. She remembered
the letters.
Madam" said the salesman in a
low tone. when and where can see
your
She cast whitening glance at him,
gave her address, adding: Tonight at
IL. Come to the basement How much
shall have readyT
1.-TWO thousand dollars"
The lady's heart sank within her, for
she knew she could not raise such a
sum. But she went away without fur
Their effort to regain her property or
to reduce the amount Of the blackmail.
About o'clock that afternoon
iashily dressed man stopped at the
counter and while examining some
silks looked up at the salesman with
a surprised expression and asked, "Are
you George Perks"
81 am"
I'm Johnny Denico. come from
the same town as you"
Perks admitted Mr.. Denico to claim
acquaintance without protest, listening
to what evidence he had as to his
really being what he represented, lis.
tening without even yes or no. When
Denico concluded, "Pm alone in town;
come and have a dinner with me-"
Perks saw something tangible. He
hadn't had good dinner for years,
and as Denico was willing to pay for
one he was perfectly willing to trust
to his professions till 1t was over
At o'clock Denico came back. the
clerks swarmed out and the two new.
ly made friends were In the throng.
Denico led the way to restaurant,
ordered a good dinner and while they
were waiting for II concluded that it
would be pleasanter to have pri-
waite room, which was secured When
Perks was well filed Denico began to
beat about the bush in proposition
he said he had to make, but at last
came out plain:
ITO tell the truth, George, this pros
perity of mine is dependent upon a
little game I'm playing. I've got
scheme for getting in people by a
very ingenious advertisement. the real
meaning of which is thinly concealed.
They don't know they're caught till
they find 1t costs 'em something Then
they wriggle, but generally come down
without much trouble OF course l
size 'em. I don't take all they've got
Now, want man
THAT'S your game, is it?" interrupt
ed Perks. 81 knew from the first by
your looks that you were no acquaint-
ance of mine and that you were either
going to bunko me or wanted me to
join you In some confidence game Mr..
Denico-if that's your name-you've
given me first rate dinner. and on
that account I'll not put the police on
your track, but want TO tell you that
I'm an honest man, working for first
class concern and can't be tempted"
Perks drained his glass and. rising,
took his hat from hook Then. turn
ing, he said: "Good evening, Mr.. Deni-
co. The next time you try to do
man you'd better light on one that
can't see through milestone"
"Sit down." said Denico, with sud-
den change of manner and tone.
Perks took fright at once and sprang
for the door Before he could open IL
he felt Denico's hand on his collar and
the cold muZzle of revolver pressed
against his neck. Denico led him back
to his seat and crammed him into II.
"I've failed to fool you as | hoped
don't like my present method. It's
especially in this case. But
won't use that thing" putting the re-
volver in his pocket. cts noisy. I'll
Try this" And he drew ten inches of |
steel from his breast pocket !
This morning lady left her bag at |
your counter. / don't believe you have |
Jared leave 1t there. made sure of |
you from the time you left the store. |
md 1 believe you have 1t on your per
son."
81 haven't" said Perks, trembling.
you lie! Turn your pockets inside
,ut." !
Perks hesitated moment, then, re- :.
llizing that he was cornered. took two
etters from his inside pocket and
brew them on the table Denico seized
hem eagerly, looked at the addresses.
hen smiled complacently. Stepping to
he door, he unlocked 1t and held IL
pen for Perks to pass out. helping him
With kick that nearly broke his spine.
The next morning he who had passed
lnder the name of Denico stood with |
drs. varian in her sitting room before
n open log fire.
"There are our letters" he said.
Why all women who are indiscreet
instead of very few don't get caught
don't know. The way women carry
heir belongings would wreck a man
very day of his life. I've saved us
9th this time"
She seized the letters and threw them
q the flame.
That's the end of letter writing"
he said. II