Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-10-31
A SHARP GAME.
A View Orleans Banker swIndIed Ont
OF SIS 900.

habits, arrived in this city from New York,
accompanied BY his good lady. His visit
was specially directed 70 a young, high
toned and popular merchant who lately adj
Vertised in the New York papers for 4
partner with capital to engage in lucra.
tive branch of business. There was an air
about the newcomer peculiarly attractive,
a frankness Of purpose, a scorn of all show
aad sham, devotion to strict Office habits,
and an exhibition Of quickness and aptitude
well calculated to impress even the most
wary. He stated to our Young friend, ia
the shortest and most business-Iike .erms.
that he was out Of employment; had seen
the advertisement, examined the rafe. FENCES
and enterprise, liked it, concluded to 90 in,
aEd-here he was- Perhaps his capital
| was too limited, but it was all he had, con-
sisted of thirty-ive thousand dollars sight
exchange, nete of fifteen thousand dol
lars, already due, gilt-edges, etc, and
there it was. II upon reflection our friend
thought they could make terms, why so; il
on reflection be thought differently, why
50, also; no hurry, he would call again to-
morrow, and-goOd morning. The next
days sun brought, punctual to the APP
pointed time, the commercial candidate.
Victim had decided to entertain the
proposition favorably. Here again the
systematic merchant shone forth. Ofc0urse
proper knowledge Of each others pri-
vste and commercial standing was the
main necessity. He had already satisfied
himself upon those points with regard 10
his New Orleans friend before he packed
a shirt to come hers-trus. him for that
he now begged leave 10 refer to his own
credentials, and-there they were in the
shape of about fifty letters, all speaking IN
the highest terms Of the bearer, and an
stamped with the printed headings Of the
writer's firms, some of which were among
the most prominent in New York city. As
if these was not enough, he proceeded T.
pile Pelion on Ossa by the production OF
one from Governor Fenlon, Of New York.
exhibiting the closest intimacy with that
Official, and a confidence in his integrity
capacity and honesty, rather rare for the
diamond cut diamond age we live in. Ia
greatest apparent latitude was allowed Tor
the detection Of impOsture, surprising any
existed, but so neatly and unblushi0gly
was the game played that not the leas, sJs-
picion was awakened either in the mind OF
the victim nor the older and more disiaier-
ested heads whom he very rightly con
suited. Unlike the course Of true love
this union ran smooth the banns we're
published under the usual cOpartDership
head an expensive Office was engaged in
opposition to the younger and more pru-
dent merchant, whose ideas Of economy
were further outraged by New. York in
sisting upon having the Office Corpeted. lie
intended to introduce new wrinkles" into
business here, be saw no reason why be
shouldn't be comfortable. He did intro
duce new wrinkles, and became decidedly
comfortable, a. follows:
After day or two elapsed, he mani
Tested his readiness to call at the back and
arrange the basis Of bis business. Thither
the parties went; the letters were here eI-
hibited anew, the bills of exchange sealed
and deposited, he not desiring to use them
until trade had fairly commenced The
President was equally charmed with him;
thoroughly posted upon the mysieriel Of
finance, as be vas with the details OF trade.
personally acquainted with some OF the
correspondents Of the bank, as well "A with
the nature Of its business, he speedily e.
tablished q confidence in the mind Of the
astute 6nsncier, far more profitable, ~ AZ
terward proved, than that with the ycun-
merchant Before leaving, he showcd a
letter from New York firm Of veil known
standing, requesting the President in qGes-
tiOn 10 paw for them the fifteen thousand
dollar note, if requested bv the bearer.
and draw at sight, with commissions and
exchange, az usual. He stated that he
might probably require the money in a few
days, and would they accommodate him, or
rather his New York friends2 President
was disposed to do so, but prudently sug-
gested the amount be passed to the credit
of the firm. This did not cOmp0rt with
our friends business ideas, good humored-
ly he couldn't think Of this, partner might
diA hsGa-a- 49, -------h-i-is .-i-------s.-l-
no, It was private m4tter. II he received II
it must be on those conditions, and he smiled
happy, careless, shrewd smile, the free ma
sonry Of which is 80 well-knOwn in bank
circles, and which went direct to the Pre5i-
dents heart, who could oaly be ZOO happy
to oblige." At the conclusion Of this
pleasing interview the two partners strolled
up the street. New YoIk's wife he said
was anxious to see Mobile, he believed he
would take run over there. New Orleans
assented. He would be back the day after
tomorrow, and be ct the office at eleven
o'clock. sharp Would his partner wait
for him if he happened to be Il few minutes
late. Certainly partner would, and he did.
He waited the whole day. He il waiting
yet, and the enterprising merchant has vel
to make his appearance, either a. the
Office or anywhere else. lie did 20 some
where, but before going he visited The
bank, and had another chat with the Pc
sident, and walked of with the fifteen
thousand dollars. No suspicion was aroused
for two days, when inquiries sent over
the wires revealed the fact that the letters
and bills Of exchange were all iorgrri,s,
and the dashing New Yorker 4 sUindler.
That firm has since been dissolved. That
bank President has grown suspicious Of all
knowing business men. He looks sharper
at visitors than Of old, and his depo-itor4
are beginning to complain Of discount
strings being drawn tight. The gloom
hanging about the financial portals OF his
institution, and vacant office with a roll
of carpeting to let On Carondelet street, IL
the sum and the result Of all the bril.i4al
anticipations Of that firm with the Few
wrinkle.