The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-05-30
HOAXED INTO A FORTUNE.

HOAXED INTO A FORTUNE. -,
Everybody was specializing; coal stocks,
copper stocks. oil wells, machines, enter
prises and schemes were brilliant and
prosperous.
The stocklist in the newspapers was a
column in length. Men who went in
with one thousand margin for a flyer,
came out with twenty thousand, span
of horses and directorship in four or
five companies in a fortnight. Who does
not remember the lively days of 1853
and "a?
1t was about these days, as the alma
macs say, that three young men regularly
read the city papers, visited the metro
polls two or three times week and sat
together in neighboring town, railing at
fate
One can do nothing without money. }
said Ginseng "a speculation, the con-
ception of which would do honor to Spen-
| Ger, of the Boston brokers' board, j erome,
or Bill Davis, co ming from poor devil
like me, would attract no notice.
L said Plea, have finished an article
which would establish my reputation as a
journalist, if | could only fnd newspa-
per to buy it.,
L have asked for an increase of salary
exclaimed Denim, the third youngster,
anxious to contribute to the chorus of
| lamentatioD, and he told me that for
$500 year he could get more than he
wanted.
Now, just look at Jack Hasede, one
of the greatest fellows in this place, who
went to Boston last fall he's speculated
somehow or other in oil or copper, and
came riding into town yesterday with a
spanking pair OF grays They say he has
made ten thousand dollars He must
| have done it on credit, for he never had
any cash beyond his salary of 500 a
| year.
1t would not so much matter said
Ginseng, II, besidessbeing poor, we didn /
seem poor. Could one of us only be
thought rich
What is the use of the shadow without
the substance Demanded Denim
| Much, said Plea L agree with Gin
! seng; the shadow sometimes makes the
substance. The next best thing to capt.
tai Is credit.
Especially returned Ginseng, the
credit of having good fortune. Have
none of us a rich uncle at the South p
One OF mine went to Texas or Mexico,
L forget which, ventured Denim, and
he never came back.
Capital that is all one requires, ex-
claimed Ginseng; we will conjure up
this uncle Of yours, or. could we not kill
him? Yes: Jabez Denim, formerly of
this place, who went to Santa Fe in 1856,
deceased, leaving plantation and half
interest in silver mine, worth five hun
dred thousand dollars per annum, to his
well beloved nephew, Charles Denim.
The trio laughed at the joke, and made
merry over bowl of punch sent to do
honor to the testator. Plea lost no time
in connecting, and afterwards publishing.
full account in a local newspaper of the
fortune that had been left to the modest
Denim.
1t read when in type, as follows:
We understand that news has Just
been received of the decease of Jabez
Denim, Esq, many years ago resident
of this town, and for some time trader
in Boston, who went to Mexico in 1915.
Mr.. Denim, it is said died immensely
in plantation stock, &C., but his chief
wealth was Il Ia f interest In one of the
most productive silver mines Of the coun
lIy. tlc duuudl pIOuO vi WHICH Is TepOfUeu
at over half million. We learn that
the whole of this immense wealth goes to
his only surviving relative, Charles Den
i'm, Esq, who, by this freak of fortune,
becomes one of the richest men in the
State We congratulate our young
townsman,' etc. 80
The publication of this, extravagent
as 1t was, had an Unexpected effect. The
next day sundry friends dropped in to
complim ent the newly rich man. He en-
deavored to undeceive them but they
would not take a denial. In vain he as
SIRED them it was hoax; it was of no
use. Several people remembered old
Jabez cry we'll, and knew he went out
to Mexico. Among others came Charles
tailor, to whom he owed small sum.
A conversation followed which may be
taken as sample of many
Good morning, Mr. Schneider; sup
pose you are coming tor those twenty dol
lars?
L hope sir, you don't think [ came for
such trihe as that. No sir; / came to
tack your orders for suit Of mourning.
A suit Of mourningY
Yes sir. Dark brown frock for mourn
ing wear, black pants and vest; also full
dress suit to receive friends
At the present moment, Mr.. Schnei-
der
I hope, sir, I have done nothing to
forfeit your patronage.
But, Irepeat, have received no mon
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