American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-11-15
q ii II, o rnus.
The Twenty Dollar Gold Piece Dodge

ne lWenly- U0liaf G0ll PleCe Dodge
We have learned 10y private letters
that our old friend. Mr.. J. w. IIeudet.
son, of Memphis. Tennessee, Is fignriny
conspicuously, in Canada on the old.
hut successful dodge $40 gold piece,
30 successful Ia the United States.
" Jim was once gentleman Of some
means, but to"k to gambling, and like
many others who were green at. the
business, got throke." Ho was too
proud to beg, and he had To much hon.
or TO steal, and the question occurred To
him. allow was hc to obtain re-
spectacle li>ingl" This was poser.
which was at las, solved by hitting on
the $50 gold piece dodge. But where
was ho to make tho "raise7" A friend
in need is q fiend indeed, aud Jim
found just snch a largo heated soul in
Harry Hook, brother gambler, who
80 far had been able to keep his chin
above water.
. "Harry," said Jim, one DAY. "i,'s tar.
nation hard times dye know where
feller could raise twenty sinner on
his honol" '-..... ...... ... '..
Harry looked at his friend sideways,
uncertain whether To give or withhold.
81 dunna know" he at length drawl-
edout. "Life's uncc,tain--so is faro
Wall, 'sposs. you may ave it,"
Jim having obtained tho $50 gold
piece, borrowed from one friend liren-
travelling overcoat, and from another
s,u!fenough to take him To philadelphia
On the arrival Of the cars at Philadel.
phia. he rode mp to Jones Hotel. enter
ed it in a terrible hurry and registered
= his name. ...
"S0y, hcFe. clerk said jim, in hur-
ry, "can you give me five in silver, and
tho remainder in bankable money, for
that erc cIi'tcrT' at the snmc time
throwing down the $50 gold piece, and
lntimat;ng TINT it was the smallest piece
OF change he had.
Tho clerk was struck. He had not
that amount Of small change in his pos
session. and jim had not time to wait
for him to get it.
"Sce here, friend. just let me have
what loose change you have ill pay
Tho driver outside and go down to the
depot for my luggage"
Tho clerk was confused besides i,
would have looked mean to refuse such
small favor 10 a gentleman apparently
a live colonel. =
Jim obtained five dollars, hurried ont
of the hotel, jumped into to the carriage
md drove up to the Girard House; pre-
scented his $50 gold piece !; told the same
story; confused the clerk Jim looked
like respectable gentleman travelling;
was dusty; might be a good customer
too bad to uhund him couldn't give
fifteen in bankab!e money and she bal.
ance in small change; couldn't help o.
bliging the stranger. Tho stranger
cleared the ill Of feo moro in small
bills and changes stranger cleared out;
drove up 10 another hotel left with tho
samo success went through all the hn-
tells in tho city; was successful; aud
Philadelphia was played out that night.
Jim left the Quaker City that night
with seventy dollars and his magical
piece Of gold unbrokcn. = jim then
went 10 Boston, played this game there
with the same success, where he made
about fifty dollars. He then returned
TO NcW York, and in two days made n
raise Of $500 and left for Canada where
he Is practising the Same dodge with The
same success. He has never had occa.
sion to change the original twenty dol.
lar gold piece. 1t has been estimated
that Jim has now mado two thousand
dollars by it, and that it is his intention.
when Canada is played ont. to make n
tour through Europe on the strength Of
tn Y Poiice gazette.