Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-10-15

A small elderly gentlemen with sparse
grey hair from Page county was "taken
in' by band Of sharpers of Baltimore and
fieeeed to the amount of over six hundred
dollars. We will let the old gentleman tell
his own story for the entertainment and
instruction OF our readers.
Nv business was all transacted and was
going from Barnum's Hotel. where
stopped, to Baltimore street, when met
this man, (there he pointed to Watson,
who is young man OF remarkable pre-
possessing appearance) He greeted me
cordially and asked me if had forgotten
the son of my friend Watson, who is a
minister of high standing in Page county,
Va, and whose brother is clerk OF the Cir
cult Court He knew me mighty well, and
while he did not resemble the Rev. Wat
son, who is my near neishbor. knew Wat
son had son away, and thought that, be
might take after his mother, who died
long ago. l was telling how very many
young men there were who grew up out Of
recollection, when he proposed walk. He
said he was in a new kind OF business,
where money was made, bnt was afraid
his father would hear Oft and that may
break his heart. He took me up the fright
0f steps on the southeast corner OF Charles
street and some alley. and into room
where one man sat ut Il table behind box,
and another had u board before him with
cards upon it,. My friend, the minister's
son explained that these cards cost dol
lar each. and showed me how the moEey
was made. II seemed good honest game
Il didn't know it was gambfing--ard
bought card to see how it was done. |
wondered how so much could be made by
the card purchased, and the man who ran
the business make living. Things were
done rather in a hurry, but think when
| threw black number or die ! was to get
prize, and if got blue had to put up
again, and back IS for every number.
l became excited, and some how fOu nd
that all of 5000 in currency was gone.
Friend WAtson's boy was playing against
the others. and he kindly leaned Siua. At
last it reached a point where had to COW
er my $500 with $500 more, or double the
stake, and then l was to get it back sure
and run the chance OF getting several
thousand besides. left, and went to get
the money from my trend aJ Cushing
BAiley's, and il was n check for $500 on
some Howard street bank. l was in
hurry and my friend got it cashed at Mich
olson's banking house. When | got UP
stairs in the room Watson came after me
ed my stake very anxious to get it back
and threw. when the man who sat oppo-
site said, You lose, and he raked all the
money down. Watson's boy said TO me,
I'VE are ruined; oh, what would my faith
er say" aud he appeared very miserable.
Watson's boy loaned me a little. and won
S. several times, but | lost occasionally
and gave young Watson my personal or
der for $l0O on my brother in Luray, Page
county. ] had then Just enough money to
pay my way home. and | stopped l al
ways keep al ,mnrandGm, aid ] IND
that lost, in addition to the one hundred
dollar order, which hope will not be coli
lected. the sum of $C15 SO in currency.
Young Watson appeared very much trou-
bled, begged of me not to let amy OF his re-
lations know what he had been doing. and
said he would never tell on me. At tho
corner of Cross and CHARLES str eet he went
one way ana | another, and indeed until
the marshal said not, J. thought he was
WatsoI'saboy. l went to buy Il testame Mt
at Cushings & Bailey S, and had no money,
and told my TREND in confidence about
my loss, and he male me come to the po-
lice.
Inevef frank drop of liquor in my life,
and havevery little respect for any one
who does. am no gambler and was de
ceived in the son of my venerable friend
who lives close by, in Page county,
1t is unnecessary to add that the yorns
man who called himself Watson was sharp
er, who was no relative Of Mr.. Watson OF
| Page county, and only assumed the name
| In order to deceive the small elderly gen.
| IIeman