The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-04-06
Hoaxed into a Fortune,

chimes, enterprises and schemes were
brilliant and prosperous.
The stock list in newspaper was
column in length. Men who "went in"
with one thousand margin" for a
flyer, came out with twenty thousand,
q span of horses and dictatorship in
four or five companies in q fortnight.
Who does not remember the lively days
of 1868 and '64.
1t was about these days, rs the al
mauacs say, that three young men reg.
ularly read the city papers, visited. the
metropolis two or three times a week,
and sat together in neighboring town
railing at fate. .,.,
zone can do nothing without money"
said Ginseng; "a speculation, the con-
ception of which does honor to Spen-
Ger, of the Boston brokers' board, Je-
rome, or Bill Davis, coming from q
poor devil like me, would attract no
notice."
"In said Plea, "have finished an ar
ticle which would establish my reputa-
ton as journalist. if could only find
a newspaper to buy it."
"I have asked for an increase of sal
ary," exclaimed Denim, the third
youngster, anxious to contribute to the
chorus of lamentation, "and he told
me that for $500 a year he could get
more clerks than he wanted"
"Now just look at Jack Hasede, one
of the greenest fellows in this place,
who went to Boston last fall; he's
speculated somehow or other in oil or
copperas, and came riding in town yes
terday with spanking pair of grays.
They say he made ten thousand dollars.
He must have done it on credit, for he
never had any cash beyond his salary of
500 year. =,
at would not 80 much matter" said
Ginseng, eff besides being poor, we did
not seem poor. Could one Of us only be
thought rich"-
"What is the use of the shadow with
out the substance p demanded Denim.
"Much," said Plea; ~ agree with Gin
seng; the shadow sometimes makes the
substance. The next best thing to cap
ital is credit"
ESPECIALLY" returned Ginseng, "the
credit of having a good fortune. Have
none of us rich uncle at the Southp
zone of mine went to Texas or Mexi-
co, forget which," ventured Denim,
land he never came back"
"Capital that is all one requires,
exclaimed Ginseng; "we will conjure
up this uncle of yours, or, could we not
kill himi Yes; Jabez Denim, former
ly of this place, who went to Santa Fe
in 1856, deceased, leaving plantation
and half interest in silver mine, worth
five hundred thousand dollars per an
mum, to his well-beloved nephew,
Charles Denim"
The trio laughed at the joke, and
made merry over bowl Of punch sent
for to do honor to the testator. Plea
lost no time in cOncocting, and after
wards publishing a full account in 10,
cal newspaper of the fortune that had
been left to the modest Denim.
1t read, when in type, as follows:
1--WE understand that news has just
been received of the decease of Jabez
Denim, Esq, many years ago resident
of th;s town. nnh fnr s",," - t."uSi
in Boston, who went to Mexico In 1913.
Mr.. Denim, it is said, died Immensely
wealthy; he owned An immense fortune
in plantation stock, ETC., but his chief
wealth was half interest in one of the
most productive silver mines of the
country, the annual profit of which is
reported at over half million. We
learn that the whole of this immense
wealth goes to his only surviving rela-
tive, Charles Denim, Esq, who, by this
freak of fortune, becomes one of the
richest men in the State. We congrat-
ulate our young townsman," etc.
The publication of this, extravsgant
as it was, had an unexpected effect. The
next day sundry friends dropped in to
compliment the newly rich man. He
endeavored to undeceive them; but they
would not take a denial. In vain he
assured them it was hoax; twas of no
use. Several people remembered old
Jabez very we'll, and knew he went out
to Mexico. Among others came in his
tailor, to whom he owed small sum Of
money.
A conversation followed, which may
be taken as sample of many:
"Good morning, Mr.. Schneider; sup
pose you are come for those twenty dol
larsT
"Ihope, sir, yon don't think ] came
for such q trifie as that, No, sir, came
to take your orders for suit of mourn
ing rs
IA suit of mourningr
eyes, sir. Dark brown frock, for
morning wear, black tIowsers and waist
coat; also full dress suits to receive
friends"
"At the present moment, Mr.. schnie-
der"
al hope, sir. have done nothing to
forfeit your patronage"
"But, 1 repeat, l have received no mon
"I hone, sir, you won't mention such
thing; there is no sort of hurry" ex-
claimed the tailor, who busily employed
himself in taking Charles measure VITA
slips of paper.
The latters wardrobe was not sump-
tuous, and he said nothing more.
"My dear sir" said the next visitor,
II have a very great favor to ask OF you.
Buy my house. You are very rich; You
must be on the lookout for safe and iu,
cratiye investments. Twenty thousand
dollars are nothing for you-a mere