Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-15
QUITE A MISTAKE.

what Happened 40 Pair Of Con
ndence Men on n Pullman Car.
From the Kansas City Times
The other night an elderly and cleri
cal looking individual came aboard q
Pullman car at point about two hun
dred and eighty miles east of here, and
engaged berth for this city. He tool
the lower berth Of section, the uppel
half of which had been engaged by two
dapper-looking individuals, who, shortly
after the train started came back from
the smoking car and took seats in theii
section. The trio soon struck up |
travelling acquaintance, and judging from
the pleased expression of the three
countenances, this ACQUAINTANCE wai
mutually agreeable-and as will pres
emily be seen profitable. ~
The elderly gentleman, whom, for th'
sake of Identification, we will call Mr..
Greene, was retired merchant, from
Central New York, who was on his way
: 70 these parts TO invest a few snrplui
'nplasters in corner lots and Kansas
shl. He was one of those benignan
lands. 7nweFs whose smiles beam alikt
old sunhs and the unjust, whose well
on the just ''aok is always forthcom
filed pocket b, n or twenty for som'
ing TO change Il no doesn't happei
casual companion v: shout him, ane
to have any small bills nut ns legiti
whose worldly goods are gentry
mate spoils for the confidence de ap
that is TO say, judging from outs. toa
pearances. His two companions, ". :
we will call Messrs. Sharpe and Ketch
um-because their rightful designations
are unknown to our informant, need no
minute description.
By and by the conductor of p. Z. z.
came around to collect his fare for
berths. The elderly gentleman being
first in order, produced pocket-book,
at once well worn and we'll filled, and
paid his little fare, aud then came the
turn of the other two. Now, Sharpe
had plenty of money, while Ketchum,
though laden with exchange on New
York and Buffalo, had run out of cur
rency. Sharpe paid his small bill, but
Ketchum ransacked his pockets in vain.
Sharpe very generously offered to pay
his companions bill, but the latter would
not hear Of any such sacrifice on the
part of his friend. He would, however,
gladly accept cash for one Of his drafts,
II Sharpe would be so kind, but under
no ocircumstances would be accept any
other favor. 1t transpired that Sharpe
would be SO kind. so Ketchum produc-
ed a draft purporting to be drawn to his
order on the Commercial National
Bank" Of Buffalo amounting TO Sl5l,-
40. But Sharpe could not make the
change Would the elderly gentleman
be so unutterably gracious as to break a
fifty for him2 OF course he would-but
he couldt. But happy thought struck
Sharpe. lf his companion had such
delicate scruples about permitting him
20 pay his bill, perhaps the elderly gen.
tleman would purchase the draft. Ger
sainiy be would do that, but investiga'
ton revealed that he had nothing small
er than a one hundred dollar bill, ex
cept some desultory change the condue
tor had given him for a FIVE when he
paid his bill. Finally Sharpe aud
ketchum laid their heads and theil
finances together and succeeded IN max
ing up a purse Of 1908 40 including the
draft for $l5T 40 and so currency
whereat the elderly gentleman gave then
two one hundred dollar notes and hil
three dollars in change-they generously
throwing In 4" the forty cents-where
with Ketchum paid his bill, and the con
Suotor went on his way rejoicing, whit
the faanciers prepared TO retire BY hav
/ Ing their hunks made up" horninl
came and revealed the fact that Sharps
and Ketchum had found Il convenient Z
ssop of at some casual station durni
TIE night, though the elderly gentleman