nl_e17

Bessie Cushman, "Another Maiden Tribute," Feb 1887
shot in the leg, and took refuge in the swamp. Dogs were let loose on
her trail, and a gang of overseers started after her. She slept in the
swamp one night, but was finally hunted down and taken back to the
den.
"I personally investigated the way in which a Chicago girl of
undoubted respectability was kidnapped. She was decoyed from an
honorable life by an advertisement offering large wages in a boarding
house. When she had nearly reached her destination, she for the first
time learned the horrible life she was going to, and sought to turn back,
but was compelled by force to go on."
John read this to his wife, between sips of coffee, remarking: "The
papers couldn't live without a little spice of this sort once in a while."
Such is the reputation for veracity possessed by the American
newspaper.
Mary answered: "But wouldn't it be terrible if it should be true?"
and her husband, by this time deep in the reports of the Board of
Trade meeting, replies without looking up, "What? Oh yes." Such is the
stolidity of the American reader, exceeding that of the English when
the subject is one in which he has no moneyed interest. An
enterprising reporter proceeded to investigate the statement. Gaines,
charged with abducting the Chicago girl, who, of course, would know
most about it, is, unfortunately, out of the city; but the man in care of
his place and 111 South Halsted Street, assured the representative of
the press that "Minnie knew just what she was going to up there." This
interview was duly published, and John again reading the morning
paper says: "Here's a denial of that kidnapping canard I was reading
you a couple of days ago."
Mary answers, "I'm glad there's no truth in it." The ripple in the
moral sentiment of heart and home and community is smoothed away.
It was pronounced an exaggerated account of an every day
occurrence. Men said, "Every time the police raid one of these houses
some girl tells a pitiful tale." God help them, how can any one of them
tell other than a pitiful tale? This is not fiction. The denial was received
as if it came from as reliable a source as the charge, so willing is
conscience to receive an anodyne, so largely is the morning news
taken without salt or reflection. The charge was preferred by Hon.
Bartlett Breen, the member from Menomonee in the Michigan
legislature. The "denial" came from a scullion in the employ of Gaines
the saloon keeper and brothel keeper, and who has a "place" in
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