The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-16
swindling Mysteries OF New York-Watch
stuMers and their Tricks.

among the many petty trlckS OF sWlndlerS tha
infest city, none, perhaps, is successful
more profitable than that of swatch stuffing," a.
1t is technically termed. To practice this frauC
with much profit, requires two persons well skilled
in dupcity and deception, and one should be
somewhat expert at slelght of hand in order to
ry out the fraud with full success. The rogue hav
ing selected his partner or "pal," and procured q
gold watch of ordinary value, and brass one wei
gllded, worth about one dollar, which he enclose:
in neat buckskin bags marked on the outer side
with the presumed valuation of elegant gold
watches, rating from 500 TO $50, takes his posi-.
ton at the foot of one of principal Streets lead
ing from some of the steamboat thoroughfares
of our city Strolling leisurely along backwards
and forwards, now and then stopping at corner,
he keeps his eyes intent upon the first approach OF
any person who has the appearance of a
stranger. AS soon as perceived, :the rogue hav-
ing the watch in his possession moves towards him
with rapidity, and by some means endeavors to at.
tract his attention, which gained, the following
colloquy ensues;--
WArcH SUFFER-, Tin an under tone, and with
apparent excitement.)-My dear sir, am in great
distress, and therefore you will excuse me, as a
stranger. from accosting you am very much in
want of little money 10 pay my passage to my
family, who are out west, and cannot raise the
means. have a good watch-a gold watch
which would sell at almost any sacrifice If could
only obtain the little want.
J CoUNTRYMAN, Ia little elated at the idea of ma
! king bargain. )-Let's sac the watch-perhaps III
buy, it to oblige YOU i it's good one Is it real
STUFFER, (taking from his pocket the real gold
watch )-Here il is-yon can examine it-but do
| not let every body see it, It's real gold, and a
| first rate time piece assure you.
CouNTRYMAN, (taking the watch. )-Well, de-
clare-it looks first rate. What do you want for
it-how much! You know money Is pretty scarce
about these days.
ting it carefully in the buckskin bag)l don't want
to sell it, but am compelled to do it, and there
fore you can have 1t bargain-You shall have 1t
for $50 under the circumstances, as | want to go
tonight, and must have the money some how.
CoUNTRyMAN-(rather ub'ingly)-Well, don't
know; perhaps it amt yours am rather dubious
Here the partner of the ''stuffer," who has been
cycling the parties at short distance, closeup and
s'What is the difficulty gentlemen-any thing l
can help you with or manage"
CONFERENCE.-The man here has gold watch
he wants to sell, but don't care much about buy
ing it.
SECOND SrurFER-Let's look at it-Uhe watch
is shown)-why it's first rater-Pll rel! you what,
stranger, if you'll buy it. and 60 with me to my
CoUNTRyMAN-(Being pleased with the notion OF
making $lO)-Well, ri take it on them considera-
tons, as the watch is good security.
first suffer ,deiivers the buckskn bag containing
the brass watch, and then makes tracks in great
hurry. His partner accompanies the countryman
until he can obtain an opportunity to give him the
countryman is thus left alone with his treasure AT
the first watch-makers establishment, probably, he
makes halt and enters to enquire the real value OF
his supposed bargain, when his senses are awaken
ed with the astounding fact that the watch Is pure
brass and mot worth eighteen pence! This man IS
never caught by such trick again, and ever al
forwards you should wish to touch him on his sem
derest point, feelingy enquire, "Do you want to
buy nice gold watch very cheap, and first rate
time-keeper" He never will forgive you.
These rogues practice this trick oftentimes with
out the aid of real gold watch, using the brass ca
ses which are made with so fine finish as to de-
ceive those who are not judges of jewellery
Should the rogues be recognized by the countryman
and arrested, the police magistrates assert, that
there is no law OF the State sufficient to hold them.
and unless they be sent to the island as Migrants
they are invariably discharged, as the trick Is set
down as fair business Transaction, the parties
buying and selling with their eyes wide open.
OLE BuLL.-This Prince of violins and 'taipcte
speeches is kicking up most tremendous excite
ment throughout the Union. The Bostonans, after
working themselves into a regular syabub,
are cooling down to a consistency, on the promise
that he will appear there about the 1st March But
the good people of Baltimore are fairly daft with
the expectation of hearing him on Monday night.
Not young lady has slept without dreaming OF
| the handsome Norwegian and his enchanting vio-
lin. The city of monuments is suddenly changed
into the city OF vioins, and every heart is prepared
TO enjoy-a Disappointment for Ole Bull plays on
Monday night at the Park, and on Tuesday at the
Tabernacle. The quiet thee and thous'' of Phi
adelphia are equally crazy. Every seat was taken
at the Chestnut street Theatre on Wednesday for
his concert last night, and the anti-theatre moral
lists have forciby taken possession of every nook
and corner in the Musical Fund Hall, for this eve
ming. What a revolution has this delightful quiet
inspired enchanting, soul thrilling son of pine-cad
Norway created in our sober, calculating, money
making world And how charmngly he tells us
in his broken Elssler-like English dat de feeling
ofhis VIOLIN of his pocket is but de reflection of de
bruddery love of his vera dear Amer-ec-can
friends" In the south the enthusiasm is spreading
like wildfire. 1t will completely turn aside the
rage for theatrcals and this Macready will find TO
his cost, as he has already found out in this city
Yet, notwithstanding all this excitement, Ole Bull
enjoys himself as nationally every prince of good
fellows ought. He toasts his brudder artists,
drinks champagne with his brudder Jews, drains
his glass in bumper to his dear friends, and
then, like true scion of the old stock, breaks his
glass upon the table. Tira Ia Bull
Madame DAMoREAu and ARToT had an over
flowing house OH Thursday night at the Musical
Fund Hall. They are announced, together with a
powerful orchestra, to appear on next Monday eve
ming at the same place.
Miss C. CUsHMAN presents an Interesting bill fof
her benefit tonight. She appears as Mrs Suleu,
in the Beaux' Stratagem. Her friends will remem-
Der that this is her last appearance in New York.
POPULAR LECTURES ON ANAToMY.-Dr. Pattlson
of the University Medical School, is now deli
vering series of popular lectures on the anatomy
of the human body. His second lecture will be
gwen in the Stuyvesant Institute this evening.
These lectures are very curious, amusing, phllo-
sophcal and instructive affairs-quite different from
the trashy things which given all around town