Litchfield enquirer., 1862-11-13


 box behind that in which I was sitting, an passed out.
 It was not until he had been gone two o three minutes. that the thought flashed acros my mind that this tall fellow might be Jacob bad customer. had not seen his face, bu what I saw of his back corresponded with Ja cob's description of him. I hastily took u my hat and rushed to the door, but the tall fel low was nowhere ts be seen.
 | returned to my seat in the box, but befor sitting down, peered over into the adjoinin! box from whence. I supposed the tall fellow ha' emerged. There saw man with a half crowl piece in his hand carefully scrutinizing It. immediately stepped into the box, and seated myself opposite to him. He looked like sim pie countryman, but wearing that peculiar air 0 of knowngness which rustics are wont to as sume when among the Phlllstines.
 We'll, John,' said l, how are you? Whel did you come to town ?"
 He looked up bewildered. opening his eye and mouth their widest, and replled-
 Pretty well. a thank ye mister. You seem: to know I, but I'm darned if knows you."
 ' Your memory is no, us good as mine,' replied how's all the folks at home ?"
 Il left em all pretty we'll, he answered, ris ing up as if to make |. move to go. He seemed quite uncomfortable at my presence.
 Stop bit said. Who was that tai fellow who just went out ?' '' You know as we'll as do"
 " Did he have nothing to say to you ?'' Well, he did talk a bit." '' Did he want to do any business with you P '' Do y9u know what his business s?' : To be sure do He's smasher?' " And what s a smasher ?''
 " 4 dealer in bad money.'
 : Exactly 50. He wanted me to buy some"
 '' And did you buy any 2 ' He made me take this as sample,' hand. ing me the half crown had seen him inspect. ing.
 ' Whats his price for this article?"
 " Five pounds huntiretl.'
 " And you've bought lot, perhars?"
 |" agreed to take a hundred"
 " And he's gone to fetch them pcrhars?"
 " No; am to meet him in Battersea Fields, tomorrow ni-ht at clock. He says he Can not carry the stuff along with him, because of the-if it should be found on his person-of his being transported, He only carries one piece about with him as samp!e.'
 '' If this is a true samrle,' observed, you will make good bargan at shillug apiece.- This is good half crown
 :" You don mean that? It feels very greasy.
 " That is because it is cid and, worn smooth ; well, when you go to Batersea Fields, should like to go with you l want to make the ac- quantance of your money dealer" " l cant take you, as l,e made ma promise to go aIone.'
 Well, need no: go with you, nor be seen but shall be there. You may want my assistance perhaps. Good bye, for the present. Here. then, was one of new class of dodg- CTS, who finding many ready dupes. managed to carry on a profitable business, ostensbly dan- gerous, but in reality without mourning any risk of punishment. If one was knaye, the other was dups with criminal intent. who had nc claim to justice He was only the bitter bitten. The scheme of operation was as follows :- The fellow goes about in likely quarters, rspres enting that he has lot of counterfeit money fol sale. of if st rate quality, which nobody can de tetect, and which he offers ut tempting price He generally operates upon beer-shop keepers ] and certain class of small tradesmen. H. does not go to work hllnly, or at haphazurd.- | He first reconnitres, surveys the ground, scrut nlzes his intended dupe, drlnhs his beer, and fl l subject of counterfeit money. He is always 1 provided with d genuine half crown, of greas | feel, which he submits to Inspection as fair 1 sample of queer >oH. You don't mean to say this is bad one 2 asks the dupe.
 Yes it is pretty good sort, isn't it ?''
 c. Feels greasy, though"
 "Y Yes, that one does, because I have beel | carrying u Ill uiy P"Chc' "iVn Sohio SoPpois. The dupe seeing plainly that the coin is { good one, thinks there will be little risk and nt harm m buying lot of it but continuing t, profess his doubts, the knaye proposes that l., shall send the cuin to ueighbor grocer's O cheesemonger' for half pound of sugar UT but ter. or course, the coin being good one, Ii readily taken. and the knaye wlns deeper con idence at tue Cost of a few pence. There is n' longer any difficulty in striking a bargan. H. will take five or ten pound worth at the pric agree upon.
 The kuave then proceeds to urge the grea risk he would ,un by carrying such d quantity 0 counterfeit money about his person. The DO hce might get scent of It, and If sent to the ol' Bailey for tra It might ga hard with him an. moreover, to prevent being betrayed, he neve r carries more than one piece about with him. As must be careful. Therefore he appoints meeting with the dupe ill the suburbs, where h' can see if he Is watched. The place of appoint nent is generally some unfinished villa or man siou, about Henlsted, Highgate, Clapham, &c., When the dupe arrives at the appointed plac the knave pretends his friend is concealed il the empty house with the stuff. He coaxe the dupe out of his mouey, and pretends to g into the house, leaving his victim waiting out side.