A Clever Swindle.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 85, 29 December 1887, Page 3

A Clever Swindle.

It is really surpiising io what an extent ths art of swindling is carried in some of the Lrge European cities, and notably London. A very clever fraud was practised lately in the

•nd of that city, ths victim being a well, known clergyman. The gentlemtn mentioned Wtt in oblige of t large slid thickly populated parish, and waa noted for his eloquencs. It was not surprising therefore to him to receive t latter from t stranger, And this stronger a lady, tailing him she was in great trouble, and beseeching him to call on hot. Such things had occurred before, end without for a moment suspecting treachery, he immediately tallied forth, to administer spiritual con. eolation. On arriving at the address indicated, 0 respectable little house in a quiet street, he Was shown Into a room, well furnished, and, at first sight apparently empty. A low moan however, attracted hie attention and looking in the direction of the sound he saw lying huddled up on the floor a lady apparently convulsed with grief. For a long time nothing could he obtain but sobs, and cries, but at last she maoaged to tall him with much hesitation, that whilst attending his church at which she had been tor many months a constant attendant she had conceived a wild and hopeleva love for him, when she felt it was wicked, having found he was a married man. ■a had determined to leave London at one”, going, however, she had one litt a Mueet to make. Would be grant it she Piously wailed, of course he was frightfully daggered, and hardly knew, whether to bolt or not. At last after another appeal he coneented to do anything within reason. *■ Oh yes 1 it was quite reasonable, only a kiss ! lust" one." The girl was pretty, she was young * it was an awful predieament, but what was ha to do ? By this time she bad her arms round his neck, and looking down on that sweet .sad face, he felt he couldn’t le aigt, and he kissed her. Thanking him, oh, so much, she let him out, and he went on his wav marvelling greatly at her singular whim. < few days after, a showily dressed individual sailed and demauded to see him. On being Emitted, without any preliminary be handed the Beverend jent’eman a email package and smilingly tookaseat. Amou-ent’suncertainty, and tlien horror of horrors I what was it he held before him ? Nothing less than a cabinet ohoto of himseif io the very act of kissing the nretty girl. With a groan he dropped it. Too Ute he saw it all. He had been duped, clean bad by instantaneous photography. The fellow who had brought this unpleasant little Surprise, and who had meanwhile been enjoying ths other discomfiture, now calmly requested ths loan of £2O, threatening that if his sequest was not oonip ied with, to forward a copy to all the leading members of th» oi.u ch. Foolishly tbs Beverend 'enileman submitted, and was at various times victimized to the extent of nearly one kindred pounds. Finally getting desperate he placed the matter in the hands of the police, explaining matters and requesting secrecy. By some means the affair leaked out, and he was eo horribly shafted, and eo pestered by requests to tee the photo, that he found it advisable to seek fresh fields and pastures new.—American Exchange.