A SWINDLING YOUNG LADY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1962, 29 October 1889, Page 2

A SWINDLING YOUNG LADY.

Swindles, especially of the peculiar kind of which we are about to write, are not very often perpetrated in Melbourne by women (says the Melbourne Telegraph), particularly very young women, who have, by their , apparent innocence, won the confidence of people, and consequently the detectives enjoy rather an immunity from enquiries into such cases. They are generally engaged in tracing levahters from the commercial world, and offenders of that ilk, . .but occasionally they are called upbh' to “ trace ” on© of the “ fair ” swindlers referred to, and upon such a one they have now been engaged for a little more than a week, with but a small measure of success, for her flight seems to have been as cleverly effected as were her swindles from prominent business people in the city. She has been known: by. the enghpninsif name of “ Miss Musicker,” and is said to bo scarcely 20 years of age,; and of petite and pleasing appearance. The names on which she has traded mostly giving cheques—are those off Messrs M‘Farlane and Son, who have for i many years been established in busil ness as jewellers and watchmakers in Elizabeth street, between Little Bourke and Lonsdale streets,, Many 1 months ago, it would appear, she, through one of Mr M'Farlane’s daughters, obtained a situation in that establishment, and whilst acting as an assistant in the sale of goods , was a model of propriety. She left, arid wks next seen at a fruiterer’s shop, higher up the street, kept by a yoang Greek named Lucas. He states that she came to him in answer to an advertisement, and (that whilst she waited in his fruit shop and refreshment saloon she was outwardly as prudent as a girl could be. Four or five weeks ago she left, and gate it out that she wks about to be married, but did not disclose anything farther. Next she appeared at the drapery establishment of Mr Prisk (late GK S. Mears and Co.), corner of Bourke and Eussell streets, and, with much display, selecteda quantity of goods ; and tendered a cheque signed “ GK M'Farlane and Son.” The shop-walker referred her to Mr Frisk, but she was f not, to be rebuffed, and stated with a degree of confidence that quite disarmed any suspicion that'there might have been ! that she “ was Mrs M‘Earlane, junr.,” and that "the goods were wanted at once,” so the cheque was accepted, arid she hailed a cab and drove off with them, ostensibly somewhat raffled ia mind that there should have been any disinclination oh their part to take “ her husband’s cheque.” ,The. worthlessness of the cheque Was soon discovered by Mr Prisk, but not “ Miss M‘Earlane alias Miss Musicker.”’ Next’ she'appeared at Payne’s drapery' establishment, in Bourke street, and then at the shop of Mr Hilton, grocer, in the Eastern Arcade. “Don’t; yoh know me?” she cried to Mr Hilton, " I am Miss Musicker.” Mr Hilton did not know her, but she drew to hisrecollection the time when her mother kept a boardingrheuse in Collin# street, and the fact that her mother, who had been.tjho victim of many vicissitudes of life, had been compelled to leave a little- in his debt. But now, she continued, she was an actress of some note, under an assumed name (for propriety’s sake), and at the Alexandra Theatre. Eamembermg the old score, she had, now that she was enjoying a good salary, come to pay it, and presented a cheque, which the tradesman accepted with pleasure, and, as all the other fair swindler’s victims did, handed over the change to her. In parting she remarked that several of the actresses at the Melbourne theatres were utterly incompetent, and particularised one young lady at the Alexandra with whom she sympathised keenly, but, however, her own (Mias fame was assured. Visits such a& these continued to be paid to various business places during the next few days*, but Mr Prisk got on the trail, and that resulted in an end —a temporary one* at all events—being put to the swindles. One of Mr Frisk’s employes knew the cabman who had driven “ Miss Musicker ” away from the shop, and it was ascertained that she had gone to a villa in a secluded spot at the rear of the tramway engine-house

on the Sydney road. There Mr Priek’d accountant went. Ihe door - was opened by Miss Musieker, but she had on a large flaxen wig, which.it was afterwards learned from the neighbors, she invariably wore when “ at home,’' and, secured in hbf diguise, she nonplussed the acqpunjfcant, who was fain to beat a retreat. Ho was, in fact, not confident; of the girl’s identity. But not. long after he had gone Mr Llpyd the owner of the villa, saw the girl and a young foreign-looking man harry out and get on to a tram in an "evidently greatly agitated condition. They have not been seen since, although the, detectives have made yppy special enquiries everywhere, including Albert Park, where the girl is said to have relatives. The detectives went out to the villa, which is one of a terrace, and by the aid of the owner’s duplicate keys an entrance.' The sight astonished them. On the front room table were cake, fruit and wine. The birds had been thus regaling themselves just prior to their flight. They were the goods which * had been obtained by “ Miss Musieker,” and furniture which had been obtained from Brunswick tradespeople! The house has since the flight been locked up, with the contents, pending the efforts being made to effect -an arrest. The name of the man iis: known* but it would be impolitic to publish, The total of the cheques' is pUt down at a couple of hundred pounds.