The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-12
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81 HElNoSgiDEscESiAM Am. ~ Iit early hour
yesterday mofnfng TITO SeiIdressed men
sntefed the grucefy sssore pf fssldr. sJspob
Hechler, on Bruno astreet, and quiet I'LL
qntred OF the proprietor &c whether Mr..
Steinberg was int y y Mt Hechler informed
the strangers that no such person as Stein-
borg was known. in that yitinfty.. The gen.
ilemen manifested great surprise, and told
the guileless Hechier that they could not be
mistaken, as Mr., Steinberg had himself di.
rected them to the house, and promised to
meet them there at that hour. The innocent
tiechier, even In the face Of such evidence
as the above, strongiy sserted that steinberg
bad not bee.: there, was not there, aud to
the best of his (Hechler,s) belief neyerwouId
be there. The strangers appeared very
sorry, and said they bad just arrived from
Europe, where they purchased a large stock
of jewciry, and owing to the sudden aud nm.
expected depression of their finances they
were unable to raise the necessary funds to
release three cases of jewelry that were at
that moment lying in the custom.hous
awaiting the payment Of duties. They
said they were acquainted with no
one in the city, with the exception
of Mr.. Steinberg, who was an old friend,
and he had promised to lend them $500 if
they would call at his residence. They said
they were unacquainted with the city, but
to the best of their belief Hechler's house
was the place where Steinberg lived but if
they were mistaken they hoped Mr. Hechier
would pardon them, and finally asked Hech.
Ter II ne could not let them have $500 with
whlch TO release their goods from the custom
house, and as security for the payment
thereof they offered to leave with Mr.. Hech.
Ter two magnificent gold watches. manufac-
tured in Geneva and valued al $500. The
watches were then produced and examined
by Hechler. They were wrapped in cotton
and very carefully packed in rosewood cases.
While Hechler was examining the watches a
third party walked into the store, and
after purchasing q can Of fruit from a
clerk, stopped to praise the beauty of
the watches, and finally inquired if
they were for sale. The circumstances
of the case were then related to the third
conner, and after celebrating few moments
he put his hand into his pocket, and said he
would lend the strangers 5000 and take the
watches as security for payment. The two
men answered, "Oh. no, you are a stranger 10
us; you may be all right, but if Mr.. Hechler
will lend the money we would much prefer it,
as we know where we can find him and re-
deem our property" This remark touched
the vanity of the unsuspecting Hecher, and
he acceded to the proposal. On going to his
money.box he, however, found that Sl7j
was all the money he had in the store at the
time. This fact was stated, and after some
minutes of silence, the man who bought the
can Of fruit said: "Well, take the watches
and give these gentlemen the $175, and will
go with them to the custon.house and LEND
them the additional So, after which they car
pay me-" This was done, and thetwo fol eign
jewellers, in company with the man who hao
bought the can of fruit, left the store to-
gether. Hechler remained in his store adj
miring the beauty of the two brass watches
whose real value was probably $40, but fol
which he had paid $175. He waited pa
tiently all day for the return Of the watcl
dealers, but alas! they came not, and finally
he began to "smell rat" of huge proper
tons, and, to satisfy his mind. carried the
watches to a jeweller, who pronounced then
brass. Hecher was, of course, for time
very indignant, but he finally concluded II
accept the situation. Shortly after dark las
evening he slipped meekly into the Western
station house, and, with tears in his eyes
| told his tale Of woe to Captain Lepson
Active measures were at once made to cap
ture the swinders, but up to late hour las
| night they had not been heard of.-Balt'nlor'
| american, 10Th.