Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-08-04
II. WHITMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.
ARTFUL DODGERS IN LONDON.
Bird fm Hand worth two in q
Bag-A singular Swindle.

A BIRD fn Hand worth two in q
Bag-A singular Swindle.
From the New York SUM-
During the last two or three months
many people have been swindled in the
streets Of London by men who sell them
birds. The attention of the person is
FIRST attracted by seeing a man who is
holding handsome bird, often bull
finch, and who pretends that he has
found it, A confederate is near by, who
appears to be in the bird business, and
has bird cage full of birds. This con-
federate offers a large price for the bull
finch, which is of course refused. The
bird is then sold to the sympathetic per
son because it will be well taken care of.
On opening the bag, though after the
Disappearance of the vender, it is found
that a comparatively valueless bird has
been substituted. A lady recently had
this experience: She observed man
entreatng boy to run after an appa-
rently workingman and offer him a
sovereign for piping bullfnch," add
ing, the bird is worth five pounds"
She then proceeded on her way, and
noticed the workingman, Who was ca
ressing handsome bullhnch. Struck
by the beauty of the bird she stopped to
admire it. The workingman, begging
her pardon, said: "This bird must have
been a great pet, and has no doubt es-
caped from its cage have done my
best to have it claimed. am too poor
to buy it cage and food, and all | wish
is TO sell it to some lady who will be kind
to it and make pet OF it. That is why
| refused a sovereign, just offered to me
by that bird fancier.
The lady was faVorably impressed
with the mans manner, and asked the
price of the bird. He said, Anything
from lady, as | am only thinking OF
the bird" She emptied her purse, con-
tanning about one dollar and seventy
five ceuts, into the man s hand. During
this operation, and with no small dex
terity, he put what seemed to be the bird
into a paper bag, desiring her to be
careful not to open it in the street, as it
would be frightened at the sight of
stranger, and she might lose it. She
had carried the bird few yards when,
on turning round, she saw the tender
hearted workingman" making his way
as fast as his legs could carry him
round corner at sight OF policeman.
Feeling her supposed bullfnch to be
very uneasy in itS paper bag, she then
ventured to take peep at the captive,
and to her surprise discovered 1t to be a
very ugly greenfnch. She spoke to the
constable, who expressed surprise at her
credulity. He took her name and ad,
dress, but said those " workingmen"
were very deKterops in eluding the
police.
A gentleman bought Of these men
what he thought was canary, but what
turned out to be linnet, just caught,
which had to be set at liberty.
A lad ordered another gentleman a |
tasae bullfnch, warranted to pipe God |
Save the Queen" for So, in preference, |
he iSeclared to tTpeting it in the hands
of a cruel bird-fancieF, Vho was willing
to give much larger sum fer y. Fhe
boy was asked to take 1t TO the mouse
and leave il there until next morning,
when, in the event of its having been
heard in the interval 10 pipe God Save
the Queen" he would receive 81 90 for
it. The offer, however, did not in tie
least seem to meet his view, and he took
his departure, stating that he was afraid
the bird might die wers be to leave it.
Mr.. Vanderpant says that AZ dusk one |
evening near Wardour street, ip London,
his attention was attracted to a lad
dressed as a butcher, Who pushed rap
idly by him, and muttered something in
a tone that seemed to imply that he was
in fear Of some pursuers; almost lmme-
diateiy two of the toughest specimens
of the Seven Disls passed him, one Of
whom said, "The tlokes got yellow
crested pipin' bullfnch, WORTH hyepun
note" Walking quickly, our cores
sU0ndent overlook the butcher, who in
formed him that the bird had flown into
his masters shsP, and he had allowed
him 10 90 out for nall an hour TO en-
deaver to dispose Of it. The msa vho
were following him had offered him six
" bob" about 81 so. He did not care
for the Eaoney; only wanted TO be sure
hat the poor little thing would be taken
:. - q etc. He would part With 4 icr
al ~ Ming this conversation be had
~ ,,,,ltsa T.. on;cklv Wssk the butcher through
some narrow courts. an, not llslps ssE
locality he was entering, expr,- -ea A's
regrets 70 his companion at being an
able to take charge Of the bird, and bsas
him farewell.