The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-07-17

his eyes met was glaring sign bear
ing the significant words Beacare
Of PickpocketS. he put his hand inn
pulsivelv upon his pocket to feel if his
wallet was there. Finding it all right
he started leisurely up Lake street.
The busy hustle and noise of the
town confused and nearly deafened
him he looked this way and that at
the various objects that were new and
strange to him. At last he came to
the front of an elegant store where
he observed a man engaged in sharp
dispute with a truckman upon the
sidewalk.
81 say" said the truckman, was
not to leave these goods here until
you paid the balance due On 'em."
He pointed with his whip to pile
of merchandise that he had apparent
ly just unloaded from the truck.
Deacon David Dulldozer regarded
the men closely perhape here was a
chance for speculation he was al
ways ready to get all he could for
nothing.
"But l tell you," said the well
dressed man, who was evidently the
proprietor of the fine store before
mentioned, the bank amt opened
yet, come around here about ten
o'clock and I'll settle with YOU"
The man commenced to move the
goods as if he would reload them
upon his truck. The merchant looked
at Deacon Dulldozer q moment and
then pleasantly asked
Stranger. are you in much OF
hurry ?"
mo, not particularly" said the
Deacon.
"Could you lend me hundred dol
lars for an hour? I'll give you ten
dollars for the use of it."
Now, how natural it is for a man to
take advantage of another when he
finds him in any particular strait.
Here was sharp investment for the
Deacon. He would realize enough
pay the expenses of his journey, but
he wasn't to be easily caught.
"Couldn't you make it fifteen dol
lars ?" he asked indifferently.
"Couldn't think of such a thing,
said the merchant, shaking his head
uneasily.
:" Say twelve, then, dollar or two
isn't worth disputing about"
The Deacon, still suspicious, COM
menced pulling the goods open; he
wasn't going to be fooled with saw
dust" he said, SottO VOice. He found
them to be of great value.
"But see here" said the Deacon,
''If anything should happen, what
have l got to show for it? S'pose-
ing you jest give me bill O. these
afore [ give you the money. I'll give
If mn W hen Won Pe0eem 'em.
Z" Nonsense, who ever heard of a
bill of sale for an hour"
81 don't keer, dizziness is biziness."
The truckman was getting impa-
tient. The merchant bid him wait
and mind the goods few nom ents
and he would settle with him.
They crossed the street and entered
a lawyers office; bill of sale was
made out conveying the goods to the
Deacon who paid over the money!
considerable sum, but the goods were
worth ten times the amount. They
went back to the sidewalk where the
merchant paid the impatient truck
man, who departed grumbling at the
delay he had caused him. At last the
merchant said: "You wait here by
the goods until l go over to the bank.
l will be back in three-quarters of an
hour and settle with you" Saying
this he passed around the corner and
disappeared. For a time the deacon
strobe up and down in front of the
store.
He again examined the merchan-
die to assure himself he had not been
beaten; at last he sat down on one of
the bales and patiently awaited the
merchants return.
Presently stout man came out of
the store, dragging heavy truck after
him.
AS he observed Deacon David Dull
dozer, he gruff1y said:
E'Get off'n them goods"
F'These goods are mine," said the
worthy Deacon, with significant in
clination of his head, and an emphatic
movement with his green cotton UNI
brella.
The man broke into roar. The
Deacon grew more puzzled than ever.
s:PIease get out of the way, con-
tinued the Deacon, persistently.
'Yournl be you crazy? Why this
is consignment that just came in
this morning"
'Tknow it." replied Deacon David
Dulldozer; "but I've bought 'em."
The porter put his head into the
store door and called out to some one
within. Presently pleasant-faced
gentleman, with gold spectacles and
white necktie came to the door.
"Have you been sellin' these goods
to this gentleman ?" asked the porter.
"Why, no, not that | am aware OF, F."
said the new conner.
81 bought 'em of yer partner, sup
pose," said the Deacon, uneasily.-|
s' Here's the bill of sale he gave me-"
The old gentleman took it, glanced
at it and smiled. .A 9
"My good friend" said he, they
have been playing a confidence game
on you."
Deacon David Dulldozer was as
tonished. The boldness of the game
that had been played upon him was
beyond parallel in his long expert
ence.
He was too sharp not to be soon
convinced that he had been most
cleverly swindled. There was moth
ing left for him to do but to return
home, which he did at his earliest op-
portunity, like Moses before him,
having to borrow money from the
merchant to carry him there. He
was singularly reticent about explain
ing the cause of his sudden and unex-
pected return. though Moses Knapp
strongly suspected the cause. He
ever after studiously avoided Chicago
and Chicago investments in particu-
lar.
The moral of the foregoing is: Do
not be too communicative with utter
strangers, nor over Jealous in getting
something for nothing.