The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-08-01
A California Confidence Game.

Says the San Francisco Bulletin There
is an inspiration in the climatic in
huences of California that excites the
faculty of shrewdness in the human
character to the highest point, and when
this trait inclines to an erratic tendency,
it usually develops rascality of an in
genious and artistic order; none of your
sneaking, pocket-picking, contemplate
artifce, but dignifed and majestic vii
lainy calculated to command the admi-
ration and reverence even of its victim.
A few days since gentleman arrived
here from New York city, and coming
from that locality one would naturally
suppose the visitor was thoroughly edu-
Gated in all the deceits and deceptions
ever conceived for entrapping the guile
less and unsophisticated but he had
never travelled in San Francisco before.
Entering one of the street cars on
Wednesday afternoon, he was casually
drawn into conversation with venera-
BILE gentleman of clerical garb and mien,
who took seat beside him. AS the con-
versation proceeded, the reverend gentle
man disclosed that he was the pastor of
fashionable congregation in the neigh
borhood of New York, and to complete
the singular coincidence, he was sojourn-
ing at the same hotel with his newly
formed mercantile acquaintance. On
this information, the intimacy between
the two became confirmed, and on re-
turning to the hotel, some hours of agree
able intercourse resulted in an agree
ment to visit Yosemite, in company,
previous to returning together Eastward.
1t was early in the evening of the same
day the merchant and the clergyman
had resumed the comparison of the OBJ
servations of life on the Pacific coast, in
the sitting room of the hotel, when a
bright, intelligent-looking lad came trip
ping in breathlessly and addressed the
latter: "Oh, papa, can I not go to the
theatre, Just for once; it is Maggie
Mitchell from New York that is per-
forming here, and want to see the
theatre only this time"
"No, my son." replied the grave and
reverend parent; " it would be improper
for NE to accompany you to such place
of amusement, and could not consent
to your visiting the theatre unless under
the protection of some friend"
The mercantile gentleman from New
York bethought himself on this sugges-
ton that "a couple of hours Thespian diver
tisment would relieve the monotony of the
evening, and Immediately favored the
inclination of the lad, kindly rendering
his protection and society.
"Well, my son." remarked the solicit.
GUS parent on this proposition, "since my
friend desires to attend the theatre,
have no objection to your going in sucl
company, this one time"
The engagement was immediately as
sented to, and shortly after the merchan
from New York and the delighted sol
of his esteemed clerical friend started OF
their way to the Metropolitan. Th'
two had proceeded but short distanc,
when the lad suddenly stopped and re-
minded himself of an important precau
ton. 81 must go back" he said to hi.
companion, land leave my watch and
money with father; orpeople are always
sure to get robbed in San Francisco"
The earnestness of the lad aroused the
apprehension of the merchant as well
and on returning to the hotel he also
insisted on depositing his watch, valu.
able gold chronometer, and a pocket
book containing $3.50 in greenbacks, il
charge of his clerical friend. The latter
hesitated as to the propriety of accept.
ing the trust, but finally consented OF
condition that the merchant from New
York should take his receipt for the
money and watch, which was duly drawn
and delivered.
The two again set out for the theatre
much more at ease concerning the secur
ity of their valuables. 1t is needless t,
remark that Maggie was sparkling ant
captivating, as usual, and the New
Yorker was deeply engaged in the in
terests of the play. His juvenile com
panion, however, manifested greater
appreciation of peanuts than dramati
talent. The lad finally started fo
another pint, and did not return. Hi
guardian became alarmed, and hastenec
anxiously to the hotel to make inquiry
The missing youth was not there, Meth
er was the pious and conscientious pa
rent; and more singular still, the clerl
had never received any formal intima
ton of the presence of such reverend
gentleman among the guests of the house
The venerable gentleman had probabl,
wandered off in one of those fits of alb
stractedness peculiar to clergymen O
that class. When he returns, the gentle
man form New York has his receipt Il
cover the property, and he will probabl,
preserve it as precious memento mean
time.