The Western Democrat

SINGULAR INFATUATION.

A singular case of infatuation, says the New York News, was brought to light on Saturday, the victim being Mr. J. Franklin Langley, of Norfolk, Va., who has been swindled out of about $1,500. It appears that Mr. L. had recently arrived in the city, and put up at the Astor House. On Friday last he was met by two girls named Emma Howard and Mary Russell, who inveigled him into a thieving den, kept in the rear of No. 21 Elm street, by one Wm. Howard, where he was kept in a semi-stupor state, and fleeced out of nearly all his money.

He finally became desperately in love with Mary Russell, and offered to marry her. She consented, and he bought her several silk dresses and a handsome wardrobe, besides several articles of jewelry.

He afterwards took her to Jersey City to get married, but the girl backed out, and said all she wanted of him was his presents, and that when she did get married she wanted somebody besides an old fool. This brought Mr. Langley to his senses, and he found that the girl and her accomplices had duped him out of about $1,500, all he had with him but $8. He then went to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, and told his tale, and the result was that Howard and one Jack Russell, and the two girls were arrested and locked up to answer a charge of conspiracy. Most of the wardrobe and jewelry which Mr. L. purchased for the girl was recovered and given in charge of the Property Clerk, but several hundred dollars which the gang got from him is still missing.

Mr. Langley is a resident of Norfolk, and is about forty years of age. He recently returned from California.