The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-28
W. E. CARWILE, Secretary.
Weighing IIny and Fodder on the City
Scalea-A New Dodge.


Scalea-A New Dodge.
MIR. EDITOR: wish to call tho attcn-
ton Of our citizens to frauds perpetrat-
cd by those youthful vcnders of hay and
fodder, who may be seen on our streets
with diminutive carts but littlo larger
than family wash-tub, drawn, in most
cases, by small half-stnrved steors. Said
cart is capable of containing (whcn we'll
pressed down and literally watered) from
$50 to 200 pounds weight, but by some
strange hocus pocus, after tho second
weighing Mt the city scales, made to
represent weight of from 600 to 500
pounds, for which the unsuapccting pur-
chaser has to pay. Having been vic
tim to these frauds. have taken tho
trouble to Investigate the mod,ls operandi,
and give the result Of my discoveries,
hoping thereby to put on guard oil those
who are thrown in contact with these
enterprising young traders. I have dis
covered three different modes adopted
by them, by which they cheat the pur-
chasers out of from 800 to 500 pounds on
each load. The first is very ingenious
and worthy of better cause. "Artful
Dodgcr" No. weighs load of hay,
drawn by very large steer, who will
weigh from 800 to 1,000spounds The
ticket for the first weighing is made out
in all honesty by tho Clerk of tho
Market. The load is then delivered to
the purchaser, but tue ''artful dodger"
on his return to the scales exchanges,
for tho time, his large steer for ono be-
longing to his accomplioe, Dodger No 2,
said little steer weighing not more that
400 pounds, which is weighed with the
empty cart, the ticket mado out accord
ingly, and the purchaser charged in hny
tue difference between the large and
small steer. some 400 or 500 pounds.
Dodge No. 2.-Aftcr weighing large
load, rs much as the cart can hold No.
starts to deliver it to tho purchaser,
but on the way, meets his accomplice,
who has small load. No. l transfers
fully half of his load to the cart of No.
2, nnd then delivers what is left. He re-
turns with his cart; has it weighed, and
the unsuspecting purchaser, paying in
accordance with the ticket, is cheated
out of more than half the load No. 2,
having now IL fuN load, plays tho same
game.
Dodge No. 3-Rehects somewhat on
the SGgdcity of tho city weighcr. would,
however, here remark that 1 do not, in
any way, question his honesty; on tho
contrary, l think him perfectly innocent
of any connivance in tho matter, and
have found him not only 'OiNing but nnc-
ious to detect the Offenders, but Mt the
same time, feel assured that he is over
matched in shrewdness, and it is soine-
what remarkable. that, with so many
noble examples of rascality staring him
in the face, ho has not kept up with the
times. He assured me that he had Host
over $50 by these artful dodgers, in tho
few months he has been in office. But to
return to this last dodge-it is managed
thus: Aftor weighing the cart and load,
together with the animal drawing it, the
ticket is made out for ihe first weight
the load delivorcd-the empty cart re-
turned for tile second weighing; but
mark the cunning-w The wcigher is
engaged inside with the scales, tho art
full dodger steps hittle bull off and lets
him stand on terra .tirma, thus cheating
his customer out of the weight, but de-
claring ut the same time, that lie has
bought q "duKy load"
Is there no redress for these wrongs?
If not, the city scales had better be done
away with and every one purchase nc
cording TO his own Judgment Of weight
CITIZEN.
An old German legend rnprcscnts tbo J.