The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-05-14
Keep your Eye Peeled.

How countrymen are taken in and
done for when they visit the metropo-
lis is admirably and graphically told
in the following sketch: Under the
shadow of the principal hotels aud in
the vicinity of nearly all the public re-
sorts. can be seen, lazily lounging
about, which the fascinating eyes Of
rattlesnskes, nearly every hour in the
twenty four, few well-dressed. mock
jewelry- -bedizened scamps who are
ever on the watch to play tricks on
travellers. The innocent greenhorn,
unused TO the craft of the cities, in.
quires for certain street. a noted firm.
or some particular locality. These
sharpers have his measures at once
can tell, in the twinkling of an eye.
whether he is possessed of the shin
plssters or the money laden spondu-
licks; aud Immediately they all are in
the most resplendent style ofhyfaulting
to satisfy his eWy question. to con-
duet him anywhere over the city, to
him. personally, to any locality, firm, or
place of business. He is delighted
with their apparent zeal, and almost
in ecstacies of delight with his new
found city acquaintance, who ply him
with well studied compliments. They
tell him where he can buy articles of
every description at enormous sacra-
fees, announce 10 him that So & So are
nearly bankrupt, and will sell the re-
quired articles at first cost price. be
cause of his pressing liabilities. Those
Jeremy Diddlers tell him of So & So
countrvman of his making handsome
thing by means of their Information, Q
few days ago; bring him to some fash
ionable hotel or rendezvous, where he
is introduced to,another of the clique.
The last acquaintance is the boss of the
gang; he gives his account of the tre-
mendous thing he has made q short
time ago. and is seemingly displeased
that his Eldorado is disclosed. By-and-
bye he begins to think and say it is
of no account, and only matter of
business. which. in reality, could not
possibly be concealed; becomes charmed
with our country greenhorn. invites
him TO have drink, becomes commu-
nicative over it. and then, in mysteri-
Gus manner, tells him how fortunes
can DO made, and whole estates pur-
chased at fabulously low price with
every accommodation allowed for the
payment of the job. His clique then
regret their want of means to avail
themselves of the golden vista; anoth-
er and another drink is insisted on.
Our country greeny then insists upon
his round being takeu. and incautiou.ly
exposes the contents of his we'll filled
pocket book. The hsrpies view it. for
well they know it will soon be theirs.
Wine and women are then entered full.
ly on; the fashionable abodes of pleas
ure are discussed with a gusto. The
theatre is next gone to. Supper is
then added TO this demoniac conspiracy;
repeated drinks very soon finish the
greeny's slysisn joys. and then. when
completely piled, he is brought. or
rather carried. to q low brothel. where,
with its luxurious reception rooms. and
its still more bedizened courtezans. he
reels into the hell OF abandoned de-
lights. His senses are now completely
gone with drugged wine; home. faith
er. mother, wife, and family are for
gotten; and next morning when be
awakes. bewildered, he finds his porte
monnaie gone. and that in large and
strange city he is beggar, without
one cent in his pocket, aud his quon-
dam, delicious friends of last night non
Too thoroughly ashamed
of his hideous position. AMI now awak-
ening To all the horrors of desouemen.
in the morning and evening papers,
which might reach the eyes or ears of
his far off relations and friends, he
tells on none of his losses. gees TO no
police detectives. and quietly submits
10 the fearful catastrophe. BY such
means, these atrocious scoundrels con-.
tinue to ply the snarss of their vocation
Onscathed and UNPUBLISHED.