PROCURESSES AND THEIR VICTIMS.
_Clandestine Meetings at Seemingly Respectable Resorts--The
"Introduction House."_
The revelations not long since published in the London _Pall Mall
Gazette_ revealed fashionable aristocratic depravity in the British
metropolis in a shamefully disreputable light, and disclosed the
services of the professional procuress in all their repulsive
loathsomeness. Although we do not possess titled libertines at elegant
leisure here, there can be no manner of doubt that the procuress plies
her vocation among us, and thrives on a liberally perennial patronage.
Whatever may be her characteristics in other respects, she is invariably
an elegantly-dressed woman, with persuasive address, suave speech and
attractive mien. In most cases procuresses possess houses of their own,
where they procure desirable ladies for their patrons. Sometimes these
establishments are termed "Introducing houses," and, as may be imagined,
are exceedingly lucrative to their proprietors. Sometimes ladies are
boarded and lodged in the house; but they are usually "independent," or,
in other words, living under the protection of some patron of the
establishment. Some of these procuresses possess a list of ladies whom
they can send a messenger for on demand. Take the case of a well-known
establishment in one of the most fashionable quarters up-town, for
example:
A wealthy broker, speculator, or attache of Uncle Sam, calls upon the
lady of the house at a fashionable afternoon hour, orders wine, and
enters into conversation about indifferent matters, until he is able
delicately to broach the subject he has in view. He explains that he
wishes to meet with a quiet lady, whose secrecy he can rely upon, and
whom he can trust in every possible way. He intimates his preference for
an elegantly-formed, young and fairly good-looking acquaintance, and
would like her, in addition, to be vivacious, witty and a little gay.
The lady of the house listens complacently, and replies that she is
acquainted with a lady who will suit him to a nicety, and offers to send
a message for her at once, if he wishes; but he must take his chance of
her being at home. Should she be out, she intimates an appointment will
be made for next day. In the meantime, a messenger is dispatched to the
lady in question, and more wine is ordered and drank. When the lady
arrives, the introduction takes place, and the business is transacted,
as far as the procuress is concerned. Sometimes the gentleman pays the
professional fee, and sometimes the lady gives half the money she
receives from the patron to the madame of the house.
Not infrequently these procuresses will write to men of means of their
acquaintance, informing them in some cipher or slang phrase that they
have a new importation in their house awaiting eligible disposition.
Large sums are often paid under such circumstances, and the fresh
importation is usually sold in this way five or six times. In other
words, she is represented as a maid and imposed upon men as a virgin;
which fabrication, as it is difficult to disprove, is believed, more
especially if the girl herself be well instructed.
To the house up-town, to which reference has been made above, both
married and unmarried ladies repair, in order to meet with and be
introduced to gentlemen. This sort of clandestine meeting is greatly on
the increase in New York, as it is also in Paris and in London. Some
curious facts have come to us in a professional way, to which we can
only refer in a general manner here. The following is a case in point:
A brilliant and handsome lady, belonging to the best society in Gotham,
married to a man of wealth, found herself unhappy in his society, and
after some time unwillingly came to the conclusion that she had formed
an alliance that was destined to make her miserable. Her passions were
naturally strong and her education had not been of the kind calculated
to enable her to control them. She had been, pampered and petted, and
had been accustomed to have every desire gratified. One day the name of
the "Introduction-house" madame came up in conversation at a lady
friend's house, and the naughtiness of the topic was discussed with the
freedom characteristic of progressive society ladies, safe from
intrusive masculine ears. A few days after, she ordered a cab and drove
to the house in question. She was received with _empressement_, and
informed that it was not necessary to explain the nature of her
business. That, she was assured, was understood. She was shown into a
handsome drawing-room, elegantly furnished and upholstered, and
requested to wait a few minutes.
After waiting, in uneasy suspense, a little time, the door opened and a
gentleman entered. The heavy curtains of the windows and the thick
blinds caused only a "dim, religious light" to pervade the apartment,
preventing the lady from seeing distinctly the features of her visitor.
He approached her with well-bred politeness, and, in a low tone of
voice, began a conversation with her about the beautiful weather New
York was then enjoying. She listened for a brief moment, and then,
with a cry of astonishment, recognized her husband's voice. He, equally
confused, discovered that he had accidentally met in a house of ill-fame
the wife whom he had sworn to love and honor, but whom he had condemned
to languish at home while he enjoyed himself abroad. This remarkable
rencontre had a happy termination, for, after a little legal sparring,
it ended in the reconciliation of husband and wife, who mutually
admitted that they were both to blame.