Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-09-11
Hotel Keepers and Hotel Beats.
Marshalltovn Republican


There il NO releyance in the associ-
alton of the classes named in the
above heading other than that the ho-
tel keepers of Iowa have inaugurated
steps 10 protect themselves more eff
fectually sgainst the sharpers who
frequently fleece them. There has
grown up latterlY q class of quick
witted rogues who make it their es-
pecial study to victimize hotel keep
ers, and who do it SO clcverly that
landlords generally prefer to keep
silent about it rather than to publish
themselves as victims of misplaced
confidence. These beats travel from
place to place the states over, playing
the same game, but varying it to suit
the OCCASION They are not ill-bred,
suspicious looking characters; they
rather appear Is affable, gentlemanly,
well-to-do men Of the world.
One OF the most common beats is
the one who gets his landlord to en-
dorse draft--which, alas, comes
back in due time to boniface demand
ing its full face. This beat first in
sinustes his way into the good graces
Of the hotel man by paying his bill
promptly the first time; then he
drops into the hotel again, stays q
few days, comes to the landlord,
draws him aside, states that he lie un-
fortunately out of funds, that he has
been disappointed in receiving mon
ey from the house that employs him
and would he do him the Kindness to
20 to the hank and endorse Q draft
for him? Landlord hesitates, finds
The fellow owes him SO or So, and if
he has not been taken in often he
yields and gets tleeced to the tune of
$50. Many Iowa landlords, inciud-
ing our good-natured Col. Bowler,
have squandered $500 or $500 to learn
this little game in all it's varied pha-
SEES.
There are many varieties of "bcats'
that afilict hotels. Here is a case, said
Col. Pete Ballingall, the jolly Ottum-
wa landlord: 81 had fine looking
gentleman put up with me short
time ago. He was large, portly
man, with flowing white beard-just
such man % you would take to be
Secretary of War. He was faultless-
ly attired and perfect gentleman in
manners. He said: Landlord, can
you give me nice cool roor1; l want
cool, quiet place gave him the
best in the house. In the morning
he came and requested that should
have q nice steak fried especially for
him. He was treated to the very best
in the house. He was around with
the guests and conducted himself a.
one In An exalted station should for a
day or two, when he drew me aside
and quietly said, Landlord, would
like loan of IS; find that / must
70 to B. tonight, and / have no
funds of my own. have been dis
appointed in getting money, tho
may be able to repay you sometime.
You really have been very kind and
have treated me nicely, but feel
compelled to ask you for money /
hesitated and said, The fare to B.
IL not half that much But inter-
rupted his guest. y must have money
to get my boots BACKED and pay for
lmy washing and finally he gets
the too easy landlord, by telling an
enticing lie, to hand over IS, and the
newly developed "beat" goes on his
way to take in another hosiery.
The cheats" not only include clever
men, but many smart women-perfect
ladies, until the proper moment
comes, when they spring . trap on
the unsuspecting landlord. One of
this class comes to the hotel with
three or four big trunks, is given .
good room, and conducts herself a. .
lady should, until the time of her de-
psrture comes, when she requests the
landlord to come to her room. He
calls and she demands that he shall
give her some money. "Why should
| give you money 2" he asks. And
then with knowing look or wink
the blackmailer says "Well, You
know" "But ! haven't done any
thingp protests boniface. "You
have; you have insulted me you
are in my room and II you attempt to
leave I'll scream and tell your wife"
Poor man, innocent tho he may be
and fearful of raising breeze, to the
injury Of the house, sees no way to
get out of it but to reach down In his
pocket and give her what she de-
mapds, aud then with her luggage
she marches off without paying her
board and poor bonifsce, amum" and
outwitted, alloys her to go in peace.
slThis game Of blackmail is varied and
the@clerk made the victim. The
LADY aharges him with the same Of
Tense. or NAhat he has sent a man to
ner room t03QDRlt her. II he denies
IN; !. say You ~ and l can prove
" hatner than 6S1a. the reputation
of the house inj0rsds r. sSonsst i.rI
lord (for there are sacT nnd,nrds,