FULL
TEXT: In this day of scandals, strange divorce suits and other social cyclones,
it would be altogether unusual and unexpected if the female blackmailer and not
come to the surface. That her presence has not been more extensively heralded
is due to the discretion of her victims who, have not cried when the pressure
upon their purses was brought to bear, and have been content to allow
themselves to be bled in silence. About two weeks ago a prominent manufacturing
firm of Minneapolis discovered that the bank account of one of the partners had
been overdrawn. Explanations followed, and the partner showed conclusively that
he had been induced to give up $500 “hush money” to mollify a female charmer
who threatened to blast his social reputation unless her demands were complied
with. It was the old story – a short acquaintance, which had followed upon the
heels of a preliminary flirtation. A few notes of a tender nature had passed
between them, presents of flowers and jewelry had been lavished; then a few
clandestine meetings, and finally, to cut the story short, the denouement. The
injured husband (?) unexpectedly appears. In fact, doesn’t take the trouble to
knock, but kicks the door down. “Aha, madam, I have found you out. And you,
villain, you shall suffer for this! I’ll teach you to steal from me my wife’s
affections.”
Then
comes the usual scene.
The
ebbing wife prostrates herself at the feet of the man she has (to all
appearances) promised at the altar to obey, love, etc. He is obdurate, and must
have blood. He draws a revolver, which he flourishes with reckless abandon, and
swears that the life of the vile seducer shall pay the penalty. “But it was my
fault,” sobs the wife. This changes the complexion of affairs, and the second
act of the drama, which has been previously rehearsed, comes on. “Then, madam,
you shall be the one to suffer. To-morrow I will commence proceedings for
divorce. The world shall know of your perfidy. The papers of this city shall
ring with the story of your downfall. You, sir, I will brand as the invader of
my home, and will make you a stench in the nostrils of all decent people. It
will be useless for you to deny what I shall say, for I have witnesses to the
revelations of this night, etc., etc.” This is probably the way the affair
occurred, for all agree that there was nothing new or original in the modus
operandi of the little scheme played by the blackmailer and her pal. The poor
dupe thought it useless to kick, and arranged the matter by giving his check
for $500, which, when cashed, overdrew his private bank account, and thus brought
to the notice of his partners the little escapade.
The woman who figured in this romance, which did not have
very much romance in it either, is a rather prepossessing brunette, tall and
stylish. Her history, as far as Minneapolis is concerned, is somewhat
interesting. She was brought to the city from Cincinnati about three years ago,
by a leading young business man, who is considered quite prominent because of
the honored name he has inherited rather than on account of any noticeable
business ability or social graces. At the end of a year the woman hinted that
she was about to become a mother, and desired a settlement. The prominent young
business man possessed a wife and several children, as well as a summer
residence at Minnetonka, and couldn’t very well have this thing come before the
public, so he compromised by paying $4,000, the sole consideration on the part
of the party of the second part being that she would maintain a discreet and
very deep silence. It is, perhaps, needless to say that there was no truth in
the woman’s assertions as to her maternity, but the scheme worked so
successfully that within a few months another prominent business man was
entangled in the meshes. This gentleman also holds his head rather high. He
lives on the interest of money left him, which he has increased by a few
real-estate speculations and a fortunate marriage. He was very sly about this
little affaire d’amour – so devilish sly that he kept it entirely away from his
intimate associates who would have probably protected him. When the “pinch”
came, however, he did not give up with the desired alacrity. He had a young and
pretty wife, who is not inclined to stand much nonsense, so he afterwards
thought better of the matter and sent a friend to Cincinnati, where a
settlement was made for $3,000. The woman is now seen almost daily on the
streets, and seems to think that the climate of Minneapolis agrees with her
better than that of Cincinnati. She probably has another innocent in tow by
this time, and if he recognizes the cut accompanying this article he may
perhaps be brought to realize what he is in for.
[“Female
Blackmailer. - How Several Prominent
Business Men of Minneapolis Fell Victim to Her Wiles. - The Injured-Husband Racket and Successful
Threats to Make Other Hearts Ache. - A
Cincinnati Siren Who Finds Minnesota Agrees With Her Financially. - A True
Story Without Names, Which Carries an Unwritten Moral With It.” The St. Paul
Daily Globe (Mn.), Dec. 5, 1885, p. 3]
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