A HEARTLESS SWINDLER.

Press, Volume XXX, Issue 4095, 11 September 1878, Page 5 (Supplement)

A HEARTLESS SWINDLER.

[Prom the Melbourne "Leader."] > Notwithstanding much said to the contrary, woman's firm belief in the constancy of the sterner sex, in spite of all their faults, does not appear to be much on the decline, if an instance that came under the notioe of the City Police Court officials lately ia anything like a representative case. Not long since, a man named Blake made the acquaintance of a young woman, who, by perseverance and industry in the calling she had engaged in, that of milliner and dressmaker, had suooeeded in saving the respectable sum of between £500 and £600. Blake paid hie addresses to her, and she consented to become his wife. A matrimonial alliance Blake had no intention of contracting, if he could possibly avoid it, his sole objectjbeingto obtain the money which hia trusting fiancee possessed. By some means or other he induced her to give him the cash to inveet on their joint behalf, and shortly after his point was gained he disappeared. The dressmaker at length came to the conclusion that she had been heartlessly duped, and communicated with the detectives. The authorities were quickly on the scent, and they captured Blako just as he was about to go up country by an early morning train. On being removed to the watchhouse the money was found upon him, but the victim of his imposition almost immediately bailed hiai out, and when he appeared before the magistrate there was no prosecution, and he was discharged. It might have been imagined that the young woman, 'having obtained repossession of her money, could not bring herself to punish her whilom lover, but. was content to let him go and never hare any further dealings with him. He was Eiofc co easily to be got rid of, however, and it now appears he managed «> petsuade her that she had utterly mi(»»«en hie character, and ultimately induct her to marry him. The ceremony pe--tormed, he • very quickly once more laid h' n ™ u P° n tn e money and again levanted. The deserted wife on Saturday obtained'a warrant for the arrest of her mercenary : but there appears to be little doubt that he has succeeded in quitting the «"ony. If he has not done so, and is enured, he will doubtless receive the he so nohly deserves. _'