A DELIGHTFUL FORGER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1037, 28 February 1880, Page 2

A DELIGHTFUL FORGER.

11 Silverpen " writes from San Francisco to the Aucklatid Herald : —

I wonder if you have heard or taken cognisance of the capture, in London, of one William Cooper, a notorious swindler, who was arrested there and brought to justice because I knew him. He was a middle-sized young man, a regular lady-killer, married to a lady old enough to be his mother. He solaced himself with the society of younger and fairer maidens, who used to call him and his wife papa and mamma — and a most devoted parent he was. He lived in a most splendid style, haying four carriages and a dozen horses, with a menu at his table that was fit for the gods ;in fact, I never witnessed a more delightful house ; and William was pious also, said grace at every meal, and kept early hours, and paid court to his wife before the world, though he spent every dime of her fortune and, folks say, paid court to others out of sight. One fine day the delightful little nest was deserted, and it was discovered ere long that Williaui the good, had supplied his daily wants from the bank accounts of his employer, for he was head clerk of a rich man, whom he relieved of £7,000 dollars. Did he run away vulgarly ? Not he : they took a carriage and pair and drove down to San Jose, causing wonder wherever they wont by the lavish expenditure and plentiful distribution of dollars among the domestics, champagne opened by the dozen, and so on. Finally, he and the poor wife went to London, where we hear of them in princely style at Hertfordshire, in the best society, full of money. The calm, crafty, graceful William going to London for business twice a week, where robed in various disguises he contrived to swindle banks, merchants, and friends, forging the names of several acquaintances in Hertford for large sums. Finally he drew a forged cheque on a large bank which was found out, and this handsome, graceful, audacious swindler had the hardihood to walk in and ask how they " dared " couple his name with dishonor. But for once he made a false step, and he has been tried there, though wanted here. It was a case that caused a profound sensation, for he tried to poison his victim ou this side of the water ; but I for one can hardly credit that he was so bad, for, you know, the devil is never so black as he ! 8 painted, and this forger was so prepossessing .that sorrow involuntarily comes in with the feeling of anger his doings call forth.