Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-12-09
A Down Easter in Bad Hands.

A few days ago, pure specimen Of a
back-woodsman arrived IN New York from
the interior of The State Of Maine, and regis.
tered his name at one OF the downtown ho-
tells, as T. A. Armstrong. The counl-vman
brought with him large quantity Of ax
helves, which were the product of an entire
summers work, and finding tile market for
them quite brisk, he readily disposed Of them
for the net cash amount of $3.50. On Mon
day morning, Mr.. A. ventured out alone 10
stroll through the streets of the city, and :ake
u glimrse Of The "elephanr." He ran,bled
from place 10 place, until he reached Chat.
ham street, where are located den OF in
famous swindling "Mock auction shops"
where sharpers Of every description can he
seen every hour in he day, lowering about
seeking whom they may devour. He had
no sooner hove in sight than u e machinery
was set in motion. and while the decoy ducks
played their parts, a grave Boxing individual
with the hammer in hand, commenced in
the usual tore, going going foi mere moth
ing, at the same time holding in his hand u
large polished brass repeater, and crying at
the top Of his voice, 'll has been sent from
the police Office, there is no owner, and il
must be sold 10 the highest bidder This
last exclamation did the business, and in the
twinkling of an eve, the down-easter was
within the shanry, and found himself paying
$50 for the watch. The cash being paid, a
Peter stepped up, saying, My Christian
friend, allow me to examine that wntclI.'-
lie passes himself as Dir. Jones, the watch
maker, examines the watch with an eye
glass, and then whispers TO the green 'un,
You have been sucked in; it is brass
watch The auctiOneer is then requested TO
exchange il for good one, and he puts up
another watch, which with great emphasis
he declares TO be genuine guinea gold. An
other Peter whispers 10 the ear of the vic.
tim, 'You buy it for $50. and I'll give you
800 for II. by going 10 my hotel in the next
block The countryman, all innocent, bids
the $50, down goes the hammer, aud the
book keeper is called TO receive the iund.-
The verdant one and his new acquaintance
now start for the Peters hotel, but instead
Of reaching one, Mr.. Armstrong is enliced
into another of these swindling concerns
There be was induced 10 put up the $50
watch, and requested by the Peter Funk 10
bid when he nodded his head.' The coun-
tryman did Just as the other desired him, and
10 his great astOnishment he had bid on an.
other watch for $50 more, which was knock
ed down 10 him and he was forced to pay up.
| The State of Maine ax-helve manufacturer
was by this time completely IN the hands of
| the mock k-aiictioneer swndlers, and with n
view of getting out of The bad bargains, he
allowed himself to he escorted from shop to
shop, where he raid commissions, bought
Other watches, and paid pretended watch.
makers until he was minus 5000 10 cash,
and had nothing left TO show for it, except
TWO old brass watches, not worth $40. He
was finally released from the gang OF land
sharks, and laid his case before Justice Os
born, who despatched officer Burley with the
victinized stranger, and he succeeded in re.
covering every dollar Of the ill-goten funds
which was very gratifying 10 the Maine gen
Ileman, who left for home in the first train 0
cars, ria New Haven Railroad.-[N. Y
| Times