The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-24
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
ZOE ApDIrIoNAL LOCAL ITEMS SEE INSIDE rAens ]

IEOR ADDITIONAL LOCAL ITEMS SEE INSIDE PAGES.
AN OLD-FAsHIoNED SWINDLER-HR MEETS
HIS MATCH AND MISSES A PoINT-About 4
O'Clock yesterday afternoon, a very respectable
looking man, with pleasing address and re-
marksble huency Of speech, stepped into the
dry goods establishment of Mr.. ohm Burnse, at
No. M7 South Eleventh street, and stated that
he wished to purchase large number of blan-
kels for use in the Pennsylvania Hospital, of
which institution he claimed To be the trea-
suIer. Some time was devoted TO look
ing over the samples shown him, and
his selections were finally conn plered
and laid aside. He then retired, promising to
call again in about an hour, and pay for his
purchases. This he did, but finding MIR. Burnes
busily engaged, he again withdrew, and again
returned. He then presented in payment
check on the Sixth National Bank of this city,
drawn for The sum of two hundred and tfty
When Mr. Burnes called his attention to this
singular circumstance, he stated that 1t was
done in accordance with q rule OF the Hospital,
which required all checks drawn by officers OF
that:institution TO be endorsed by them.
He turther stated that be was physician in
the Hospital opposite which he resided, aud
that he had a large private practice Ia the city,
and was Intimately acquainted with any num-
ber OF our most prominent physicians, a long
list OF whom he ran over glibly, by way OF veri-
ficRtion of his claim.
The blankets which he pretended to purchase
were valued at Sl79 and were OF larger pat
tern than those, used in the Hospital. But
when this objection was raised, the alleged
physician stated that they could easily be cut
into the sizes required. This would be pur>
chaser, on presenting the check, requested Mr..
amount for which 1t was drawn and the price
of the blankets. But this Mr.. Burnes refused to
do, saying that he was a stranger to him, and
he desired TO ascertain whether or not The
check was good, and therefore exclaimed it, pro-
missing that he would let Mr.. MSrtill know the
result, as soon as he (Burnes) learned about it..
Before leaving the store, the pseudo physician
said that he would send Patrick, the porter OF
the Hospital, for the blankets fast as they
were needed for use. This morning Mr.. Burnes
proceeded to the Sixth National Bank aud pre-
sented the check. He was at once informed
that no such person as James III. Martill (the
name signed to the cheeky had deposit there,
and also that a check for 500 had been pre-
sented to the bank sterday signed by the same
name. but this time having the title cashier"
attached, instead of the word treasurer" )" as on
this given to Mr.. Burnes
Mr. Burnes' attention was also called 10 the
endorsement upon the back OF the check,
which, while IT. was evidently written by the
same person who had signed the check, still
showed that he was able TO write almost any
style of hand, and was probably very good
imltator of others penmanship.
The swtndler, who was thus forestalled, is
about hVe feet six inches in height, of stout
build, and dark complexion. II would be we'll
for our merchants TO be on their guard, as his
respectable bearing and fluent speech are well
calculated to deceive the unwary.