Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-06
A New SwladIe.
A New York paper says:

~ -NcM lOih papSl
We have information of bold, cold-blOoded
attempt to swindle, that, in point of novelty and
supreme baseness, eclipses anything that has yet
come within our ken. Last week one of our
most estimable fellow citizens, a cloth merchant,
departed from life, leaving a son who succeeded
10 the business, widow and four daughters.
About two O'Clock on the afternoon of the day
following the funeral, a TALL good-looking indi-
vidua called at the late residence of the deceased,
and asked If any gentleman of the family were
in. Ascertaining from the servant that only the
| ladies were at home (Which was precisely what
he wanted), he requested to see the lady of the
| house, stating that he had something of the
utmost Importance to communicate. He was
accordingly requested to step into the parlor,
and in few moments Mrs. c. appeared. The
stranger scanned her face carefully, and though
il bore but too plainly the evidence of her rece:t
bitter affection, the cold-hearted scoundrel only
| saw in these signs a stronger assurance of the
success of his "little game"
81 am sorry" he said, with an affectation of
pity and concern, "to be the bearer of bad tdings
to you at such a moment"
The lady started Grief had made her ner-
| vous, and the cunning william had adopted this
| plan of working upon her feelings, trusting,
| under the cover of her distress aud excitement
to mislead her judgment and evade all risk of
| detection.
Il am sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but
/ come at the request of Others and assure
you, most unwillingly."
"Pray, sir, don't keep me in suspense" ey-
claimed the widow, growing more nervous aud
alarmed. 81 can bear TO hear anything; only
tell me the worst at once"
The man hesitated little, and then taking
bundle of papers out of bis pocket from which
he selected receipt, sad Shortly before your
husbands death, madam, he endorsed note
drawn by -, (giving the name of one of the
largest cloth houses on Broadway. This house
has failed, and as the note is due it will be pro-
tested at three O'Clock to-day, and become
charge upon the estate of your husband am
requested by MIR. Montgomery, vIce-president of
the Park bank, where the note is made payable
TO inform yon that there are also some charges
accrung to the amount of $500, but by the pay
ment OF $40 before the note is protested these
extra expenses can be got rid Of. Here is Mr.
MontgOmerys receipt for the sum specified if
you feel disposed to pay it," and the obliging
emissary Of the considerate Montgomery pre-
scented her the paper he had taken from his pock-
ct. Mrs c. remarked that 1t was very singular,
as her husband made it practice never to en-.
dorse notes, and asked the stranger to call at
the store and see her son about it.
Impossible, madam" he replied The
bank closes at three O'Clock, and (pullng out
his watch) it is now nearly half-past two;
should not have time
Impressed with the perfect sincerity of the
man, and being in no frame of mind to urge
him to pursue the course she had suggested
Mrs. G. felt for her portemOnnaie, and would
have paid the money, but luckily, it was not in
her pocket, and eXcusing herself she went into
an adjoining room TO get it,
A lady relative was sitting in there at the
time, with some members Of the family, to
whom Mrs. c. rel ted the foregoing circum-
stances. As soon as she heard the story, she
exclaimed: Don't you pay a &C IT; the mans
evidently swindler. II yon doubt it, lust ask
him TO step in here" Mrs. G. went out and
politely invited him to walk that way. II was
n critical mOmaUt for
man. He first turned red, and then pale; twist
ed his fingers nervously; dropped his hat; picked
1t up again; looked at the railing of the banis-
tiers as though he wanted TO jump aboard and
Slide out OF sight as fast as possible; but finally
mastering himself with one strong effort, strobe
toward the apartment, and, pausing for an in.
slant on the threshold of the door exposed to
the battery of female eyes directed at him the
proportions OF tail, well-built man. apparently
of Irish extraction, with light eyes, round face
small features, lord complexion, red side
whiskers, cut Close red mOustache, and habited
in brown overcoat, brown chevoit updercoat
and mixed gray pantaloous Saving the fact
OF the Few drops OF perspiration that stood upon
his forehead, as if he was just recovering from
the effects Of toO-powerful sudorihc, this inter
estlns stranger managed to confront his audi
ence without further betraying himself. and re-
STATED the case with the fidelity of one of those
vendors of quack medicines whose tiuency and
eloquence are the wonder of all rustic audien-
ces. The ladies heard him patiently, and when
he had finished, Mrs. s friend told him that
the facts were no doubt as he had stated them,
Dut as there was no person present competent
TO decide the weighty question involved he
would have to submit the case to young Mr..
G. in person.
Mr.. Montgomery's friend bowed his acknow.
iedgements of this little speech, and seeing that
Tue game was all up, restored the bundle Of pa
| pers to his pocket; and, nervously making for
| the front door, quilted the house.