A HEARTLESS SWINDLER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 188, 7 September 1878, Page 4

A HEARTLESS SWINDLER.

(From the "Melbourne Leader.") Notwithstanding much aaid to the contrary, woman's firm belief in the constancy of the sterner ssx, in spite of all their faults, does not appear

to be rouoh on the decline, if so instance that came under the notice of the City Police Court official* is anylike a representative cnee. ~Not long since, a man named Blake made the acquaintance of a young woman, who, by presaweranee and industiy in the calling she had engaged in, that of milliner end dressmaker, had succeeded in savin? the rpsnpetable sum of brtween £500 find £600. Blako paid his addresses to her, and she consented to become hia wife. A matrimonial alliauca Blake had no intention of contrr.cting, if he could possibly avoid it, bis sole object bein^ to obtain the money which hia trusting fiancee possessed. By some means or other he induced her fo give him the cash to invest on thair joiut behalf, and shortly after this point was gained he disappeared. The dresamßker at length came to the conclusion that she had been heartlessly duped, and communicated with the detectives. The authorities were quickly ou the scent and they captured Blake juet as he wea shout to go up country by an early morning train. On being removed to tbe watchhouso the money was found upon him, but (ho victim of big imposition almost immediately bailed him out. end when he appenred before the magistrate there was no prosecution, and he wns discharged. It might have been imagined that the youn^ woman, hnving ob'ai^ed repoßeesßion of her money could cot brine herself to punieh her whilom lover, but was content to let him go and never have any further dealirga with him. He was not so easily to be got rid of, however, and it now appears that ho managed to persuade her that sbe had utterly mist»ken his character, and ultimately iuduced her to marry him. The ceremony performed, he very quickly once more laid hands upon the money and again levanted. The deserted wife on Saturday obtained a warrant for the arrest of her mercenary spouse ; but there appears to be little doubt that he has succeeded in quitting the colony. If he has not done so, and is captured, he will doubtless receive the punishment he so richly deserves.