HECTIC CAREER OF IMPUDENT DON JUAN
THE methods of this anaemic-look-ing English impostor are superior to the crude plan of writing cheques without money m the bank — although he is not above that when he can foist them on one of his women dupes. •Mr. Grover (alias the rest) fills m cheque-butts fpr large amounts, leaves them lying about, and finds people so impressed by his evidence of his wealth that he seldom has need for cheques — even "crook" ones, except for spending money. In less than six weeks this impudent rogue filled m cheque-butts for a total of several thousand pounds, and, when he found it necessary, worked off valueless cheques on women whom he had impressed. Tho defrauded ladies, for reasons best known to themselves, have proved most reluctant to take these cheques to police headquarters', when weary tellers have returned, them marked "R.T.D." or "No Account." Mr., Aliases Grover has the study of false pretences down to a fine art. His history is a solid monument to the generosity and gullibility of landladies. He carries as many cheque-books as a share salesman m the oil-fields of Bold and Blase Texas, U.S.A., and his collection helped the Stamps Duties Office m jSeveral States to add quite a pound or so to the revenue. This bold and blase adventurer appeals to have purchased chequebooks from more than a score o,f banks m this State, and m Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania. His engaging air fits m well with the Spencerian penmanship which covers the cheques that are taken with the murmured thanks of impressed landladies. Photographs of himself m the uniform of an English officer are still being treasured :by different landladies and other members of the fair sex, no doubt. ' It is on record that he had stayed at some of the most swagger boarding establishments m Sydney and Melbourne and Brisbane, and not only left without paying his
board, but he cashed valueless cheques with the managements and collected the change. At a boarding-house m Darlinghurst which is patronised, by such wealthy visitors to Sydney as are staying a few weeks and do. not like hotels, and flats, he dumped his luggage three weeks ago. He would have nothing but the best room m the house, and when shown the best of what was available he fretted with his pince-nez and fussed Avith his cheque-books. . Not quite the thing he wanted — something more airy, you know. However, he condescended to take the room, stipulating that he would have to be given special attention owing to his being a victim of pernicious anaemia. The landlady was' concerned. Grover seemed such a nice chap, only he wasn't using the name of Grover just then. In no time he had the staff, dancing attendance upon him. Raw liver sandwiches and other peculiar d.ecoctions were prepared for his special fitGrover looks sallow enough to be really a sufferer from pernicious anaemia. But he ate well, and he left a hefty bunch of cheque-books well displayed for such members of the staff as interest themselves m the business of their guests. • Cheque-butts were filled m for such sums as £ 500 and drawn on Melbourne and Hobart and Sydney banks. Brief references were made 3 - on these butts to "deposit re Penfolds" deal and other hints of the guest's big business transactions. Quite a lot of butts were torn out altogether, leaving no indication of what sums had been drawn by this apparently wealthy Englishman, who came to Sydney from London m the Niki. Maru nine years ago when he was 38 years of age. Notwithstanding his ability to . impress the fair sex, young or oldj ,Grovet»'s; schemes to get"-, rich J^nded him m trouble with the .police soon after his arrival m the Commonwealth. At the end of 1921 he was sentenced to 12 months' hard labor for embezzle-. Went. . ' ;' .. ■ Three years afterwards he was con-
victed on two charges of issuing valueless cheques, and was sentenced to a month's hard labor on each charge. He was later convicted on a charge of false pretences. But that is merely by the way. Groyei", under one name and another, managed to dodge paying board bills wherever he. went. His manner towards women has caused more than a lot of heart flutterings. .'. • Burning letters were, written to him by those whose hearts had been set into a blazing glow of tempestuous love by Grover's honeyed voice. Even the fact that he got married, m Melbourne did not prevent the steady flow of these love-letters. Here are a few of them, which show to what an extent Grover succeeded m impressing and imposing on the helpless females who came m his way. Dearest,— l simply could not let the evening pass without Avrlting. The house is particularly full of life, but somehow "all persons plague." I feel
newly lonely— even I, who am so much alone. I want you, my big love. I'm terribly impatient, 'I know, but if you could realise how you fill every hour of the day you would understand something of the wild war raging. Your voice ever adds to the flame. I have been sitting here to-night, ostensibly reading, but living again the rapture of last night. I want to thank you, dear love, for the most wonderful hours of my life. My dream man. But it isn't wise to dwell too long on some incidents. . "When passion folds his wearied wings; sleep should be follower — never thought." I extracted a promise from you, didn't I, big boy? and I'm not brave enough to live up to my part. Darling, I'm now going to mail this letter, and" with. it goes a whole heart's love from Blanched Melbourne, July 31. Much Beloved, — Chirography has mini uiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiHiiMiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiniiiiiiiii
been my despair for hundreds of years. Also present circumstances are far from conducive to letter writing. You understand, don't you dear? I simply cannot write the letter I would write to you under different conditions. Darling! Freda will be out tomorrow afternoon. Will you please telephone me any time after three o'clock? Till we are alone together, accept fondest love from Blanche. Sunday. My Darling, — I would love to be with you to-night— just to lie your dear, tired head against my face, to love you tenderly. Dearest, I try to put you out of my thoughts for just a little while, but I wander quite aimlessly about, doing things like an automaton. I really am not capable of rational thought. I'm longing, to lie m your arms and have a heart-to-heart talk with you. No, darling! Not with the table between, as suggested earlier, but close to you. Dearest, I have quite a lot to say to you, but somehow when you come to me I feel such a wonderful sensation of utter contentment that words seem superfluous. The immortal bard tells us that "some truths are cheapened when too "Darling. Boy" oft averred," but I only want to tell you I love you, and hear m return your dear voice linger on my name as though it loved each letter. • Darling boy, take great care of that cold. Remember, I take more than a passing interest m your dear body. Everyone is talking at random, dear; I can't write. Wait till quietness reigns once more again. I will write you the letter I want to write. Good night, darling. God bless my big boy and keep you mine. Blanche. Compared with these outpourings of the soul, the thoughts of a little barmaid at Bathurst are totally different She has expressed herself as anxious to get rid of Grover. , , ' Her name figured on a marriage certificate, which was torn up by Grover, and. the girl has admitted to the police that she also mariiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiniiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiMiiiiiiiini
iiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiii!iiiiiii|iiiuiiiiiiiiiiitiuiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiii ried Grover, who went under another name for the purposes of the marriage. She has stated that she knew what his right name was when she married him. That he had been married previously did not seem to trouble Grover much, and he has been uncommunicative as to what happened to his first wife. Mrs. Grover the Second summed up her own position with him m the following letter:-*- . v The Occidental, Collins Street, Melbourne, November 28, 1928. Dear James, — I want to tell you that I find it useless us going on m the way we are. I think the whole thing has been the difference m our* ages, and now you appear to have been sick for some months, I feel you would be better off if you had your freedom, and then perhaps you might find someone who would be able to have more sympathy for you, as our tastes are not too evidently suited. You have been good and kind to me m every way, but I think we will both be happier to be apart for good, so please arrange anything you want, to get free. I will not defend, and I think it better that I go home to England and let's both try again separately. I received your cheque £50, so if you will arrange my passage finance, I will be quite comfortable at home, and will trouble you no further. I am sorry, as I have no complaints to make against you, but evidently we were not suited m many ways. — Yours sincerely, "Vera. Detectives have been very busy on the trail of Grover, alias this, alias that. They believe there are many defrauded women who are reluctant to come forward, and the criminal record of Harry Rugman Grover is benefiting by the shyness of these ladies.
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NZ Truth, Issue 1210, 7 February 1929, Page 8
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1,607HECTIC CAREER OF IMPUDENT DON JUAN NZ Truth, Issue 1210, 7 February 1929, Page 8
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