The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-05-01
A RICH SCENE.
EncoanfeS.DetW nn Old Gentle.
man and Two Confidence
Wen ON q Railroad
Train.
From the Chicago Tribune.

1t is poor rule that don't work both ways II
biters were not sometimes bitten, all the world
would turn bulldog, and then where vould be
your poetic j,$ieeS Apropcs + thsd "hsral'
reflections, We PRINT The following particulars of
a confidence game, which, was soayht to be
story is one Of the best of the season, and should
prove a warning TO our. chepaiiers a. industris
not to place too much reliance in outward APP
The 1rDaas has, auaae be ps.i month, had
frequent occasion to make mention Of the prac.
tice Of the confidence game on the cars OF the
Pittsburg and Fort Wayne Railroad, and in sew.
eral instances these robberie. were committed
under very aggravating circumstances. The off,
GERS of the road, 10 their credit be 1t said, have
exerted every means in their power to rid their
trains of these human vultures, but in spite Of
their vigilance and caution. n .'tfioks has hetn
IN almost daily occurrence.
When Monday mornings train was about to
leave the depot, two well-known confidence men
were observed to come on board, and they were
instantly placed under proper surveillance. The
train had scarcely passed beyond the city limits
when the sleekest Of tho villains took seat be-
side All old gentleman, and the two were soon
engaged in familiar conversation. This old man,
upon whom had fallen the honor Of being select
ed for the next victim, presented quite study.
AAV "oS oopub ~ ySeAo Va uScs VI SOVo'uot
mien, and dressed in very large and full suit
of homespun. His face, as he conversed with
his new acquaintance, expressed only good hu-
msr and trust, but underneath q very shaggy
pair of brows there shone a pair Of eyes which
ought to mean something albeit they were there
as open and truthful a. any confidence man could
wish. New and then the old gentleman would
lean his head on stout and knOtty hickory cane,
as II to listen the more attentively. The CONVEX.
sstior, which at 6rst, had only general bearing,
was adroitly shifted to personal matters. and the
old man laid open his case. He hailed from
Southwestern Missouri had lived thery many
years then on his way TO visit resid.
ing near Valparaiso, Ind 'Indeed !" The stran.
ger was much astonished. That was his place Of
residence; merchant there; must know the son
what was his name? John Kirby. Why, he
knew him like a book; had had lots of dealings
with him. The old fellow was immensely tick
led at this Knew his boy" Well, that was
good and he fondled the knob Of his cane, as if
it might be the curly head OF his son, and was
quite lost in meditation. R .s .1.tel
At this junoture person with business.like
air stepped up and demanded the payment of q
bill amounting to $500. from the merchant from;
Valparaiso" That was awkward, quoth this in.
dividual; he had but little money about him
could he not wait payment until he arrived
home3 No; creditor had no time to stop; was
going straight through 70 Pittsburgh, aud must
have IL Immediately. TIE merchant ftoih Val
paraiso then explained TO the Old gentleman that
his creditor was prominent merchant in Chioa-
go, but little close, and acknowledged that his
note was . little over due. 1t was awkward,
and he scratched his head in great, perplexityr
Bdt'sudaedly flight dAwned upon him Why
had. he not thought Of 1t befere2 Perhaps his
friend could advance him the desired amount.
Gould give him u, 500 oheck for security. Ola
gentleman was very sorry; nothing would have
afforded him 'grrster pleasure than to have
obliged no Intimate friend to his son but he