The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-06-24
COUNTY, PA. JUNE "a, 1888.


est. As tho good steamer St. Louis
reached her landing at New Orleans or
the morning of a fine day, a gentleman
nearl y thirty years of age, with an intelli
gent eye, light complexioned, somewhat
portly figure, and withai such person
as would attract attention anywhere, ca ne
ashore, and ordering his baggage carried
to the "St. Charles" ID ade his way to the
counting room of Messrs. Dumont& x Har-
w, extensive commission merchants.--
Here be spent an hour or two; then, hur-
rying to his hotel and partaking of has.
ty dinner, he took hack and went down
to the levee, from which an 'up-r iver'
steamer was about starting. He had
barely time to get aboard, when she
swung off and slowly steamed towards the
North. Arriving at Baton Rouge at
midnight, our stranger went ashore and
to first class hotel
On the following day, it was understood
that Mr.. Ames $50 bis name was register.
ed on the hotel book was desirous OF
purchasing quantity Of sugar and mo-
lasses. 1t being the season when a new
crop was ready for market, be was soon
beset by numbers of holders Of the desir-
ed articles anxious to sell-the more so,
since be came recommended by the we'll
known house of Dumont & Harry.
Among those who presented themselves
was Nicholas Stingwell, who had large
lot of sugar for sale; also some extra mo-
lasses. Mr.. Ames consented to look at
his stock, but found his price entirely a.
bove that of the New Orleans market
Stingwell who had hoped to drive a sharp
trade, urged the excuse that his sugar
was of an extra quality. An offer was
fually made by Ames something better
than would be paid by New Orleans mer-
chants with which Stingwell closed. The
goods were to be delivered in New Or
leans immediately, and payment to be
made at the Office of Dumont & Harry.
The contract being placed in writing, Mr..
Ames remained few days, and having
seen the goods shipped properly, he took
boat and returned to New Orleans.
Agreeably with bis appointment, on the
following day he repaired to Dumnot &
Harvy's where he was informed by the
senior partner of that firm that his con-
signments had arrived, and fortunately a
purchaser for the whole lot had applied
to them. Stingwell came in shortly
after saluting the parties present,
said he believed his part of the contract
in the recent sale was fulfilled, the sugar
and molasses being now in the store-house
of Dumont & Co. At the same time, he
took FROM bis pocket "bill of SALE"
made out with the exception of the name
Of the purchaser.
81 have made out bill of sale, as you
will observe" he continued; "but, unfor-
tunately, neglected to inform myself of
your name, in full. Ames, l think, was
the surname!"
"Ycs, sir; and you will insert as the
full name, if you please, Edward Z.
Ames"
This name was quickly written in the
bill; and Stingwell, saying that che had
some urgent business " hich demanded bis
return to Baton Rouge by the first boat,
which would start in about an hour
brought matters to crisis.
Mr. Ames signi6ed that be was prepar-
ed to make payment. and the parties
stepped to desk. Ames, taking the bill
of sale in his hands, said:
II believe this is correct in every part.
| am indebted to you to the amout of
thirteen thousand, FIVE hundred dollars.
Then drawing from his pocket some pa.
pers, be handed them to Stingwell, say
ing: Il believe these will balance my
account"
Stingwell opened the papers.
'Perdition seize you, sir!' he exclaim-
ed; show came you by these notes!"
"It matters not, since the notes, signed
by you and payable to George Williams,
or order, are properly endorsed by au-
,hority of the United States courts to me,
as guardian of his two children. If you
once defrauded him of the just payment
Of twenty thousand dollars, | have now,
by stratagem, reclaimed portion of his
dues. as to the remainder, which you will
doubtless refuse to pay, may you reap the
reward in its use which a guilty con-
science, if not wholly scared, will bring
you"
Choking with rage, Stingwell swore
'he would take the life of Ames before
be could leave New OrleaDs;" in reply to
which threat, Ames displayed pair of
revolvers, with the use of which he assur-
I'd Stingwell be was we'll acquainted, and
was quite ready to defend himself, adding
further, that ''if his presence was requir
ID at any time, to settle the matter rela
ting to the balance of the notes due the
heirs of George Williams, his address
would be, as would be seen by his card
which he provokingly offered StingwelD,
At Worcester, Massachusetts,"
Boiling over with wrath, and finding
curses of no avail, Stingwell seized bis hat
and rushed out at the door.
Mr.. Ames, together with Mr.. Dumont,
,loscd the sale with Captain Arthur, who
m mcdiately took the sugar and molas-
,es aboard his yessel-after ma wing the