The New York herald., 1877-12-11
A BAD MISTAKE.
HOW BOSTON LAWYER BEARDED THE LION

HOW BOSTON LAWYER BEARDED THE LION
IN HIS DEN AND FELL VICTIM
Mr. Anthony Comstock, agent OF the Society for
the Suppression Obscene Literature was alone IN bis
office yesterday morning. deeply engaged IN the study
OF some statistics ON tho decrease OF immortality in
New York, ~hen she door gently opened and
stranger ehdod into the room So noiseessiy was
the entrance effected that Mr. Comstock was not dis
turbed In study and Tor several seconds no was IN
mindful OF the strangers presence.
sAhcmln
Mr. con,Atock looked up with start The visitor
was man OF about shir,yave years Of age, dressed
in a frock coat and dark pantaloons The pantaloons
were fully four inches too short but the difference
was amply up in the coat, which reached nearly
TO his ankles. Both articles were distinguished by
tendency to shine whom struck by the rays OF .he sun
The VISITORS countenance was OF tho velvety type
and expressive of much caution and mystery. In one
hama he held greasy hat and in the other small
package As Mr. Comslock looked at him, he nodded
and winked mystericusly.
"Weli, sir ~
The stranger glanced cautiously around the room,
poised his head to catch the sound OF any stray iect
and advanciug few stops SAID, In low, melllauous
voice.
"Are you alone Y''
Mr. Comstock edged his char toward the rear door
OF his Office and rephed that nc was
',Hush-sh" said the stranger coming closer and un-
got good thing"
"Ah, lndeedl what is n9" inquired the agent get
ting closer 10 the door ana keeping his eye fixed on
the mysterious intruder The latter again looked
around the room placed his hand the door KNOB 10
see mat me 40 door was and sA n Is
caught Would be sent up" And the stranger
placed his iorsnnser by the side OF his nose.
wv nat the oil all that's goou are you drv-
lug at man" shouted the now aroused agent jump
ing 10 his ieeL
ss0meDody may hear YOU and all would be discoy-
cred. Keep cool won't hurt you. Here they are;
here they ure-choice specimens SIR l'l sell you
two dozen at ten cents each-worth ten times tho
money aud the speaker placed ON tho desk OF tue
agent Tor the suppress on OF obscene literature hall
dozen small photographs OF ballet girls engaged In
dancing the can-can. Mr. Comstock glanced them
over ana blushed The stranger noticed the change
OF ana rubbed his hands AS he SAID, 'How many
would you likcY
THg DgNoUKMENE
The agent from his chair look OF deter
mnation Ia his tace aud imperceplible shadow
OF irony played around his mouth. Calmly, however,
are cheap Ili take ali you've got Place them right
here on my desk. l glory IN getting hold of such
pictures In iact make sort OF specially Of them"
aud Mr. Comstock seemed 10 grow enthusiastic as ne
spoke
delight He hud unknowingly struck a big bonanza.
Instead OF selling paltry low he had disposed oil VII
his STOCK. In moment he had emptieo .he contents
cced them heap. he expressed his regret that he
hadn't brought more along.
had brought lour times many. Il would take ali.
But before conclude the bargain leL's 30 anu
friend vi mine and submit the pictures TO his Judg
ment. Then will both be satisfied" concluded Mr..
Comstock, putting on his coat
The dealer looked u little puzzled. 'sThs is some
what irregular" he said. II don't like 10 submit
them to many people, you know. l showed them to
you because thought by your looks that you wero
fellow that likea-"
.And SO is my friend" interrupted Mr. Comstock,
trifs nettlsd at the allusion " bis appearance.
''But wno-wh0 is this iriend?" asked the stranger,
q little unuecided.
ME Comstock looked niw full in the face, and in
changed voice sad-"he Is police magistrate, ana
am Anthony Coms,ock"
"Oh, Lorl ~ the Dref but fervent ejaculation
OF the crestiaen pedler, as he leaned against tho
wall
At the Tombs Police Court the prisoner gave his
name az Charles +. Blanten, and said that he
ioi merly lawyer In Boston. He had taken 10 ped
ling obscene pictures because he nceded money.
Justice Fiammcr held him In 81, 00O bail