The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-02-27
Swindlers.

Swindlers.
Scarcely week passes that some new
and successful swindling dodge does
not come to our notice, practiced by
travelling agents who should be consid-
cred and trested as highwaymen. The
papers are continually exposing their
methods and warning the too confiding
farmers to have nothing to do with
them, but still the advice Is unheeded
and each fresh returning swindle calls
to mind the old adage: Experience
tearhes a dear school," Not long ago
the patent spring bed bottom man per-
suaded Walter Soules to take an agency
for that very desirable piece of furni-
ture and induced him to sign an order
for bill of the same to sell on commits
sion. 1t will not take the reader long
to guess thai that paper was either a
note or such contract as made it bind
ing on him to take and pay for the num-
Der sent. But Walter soon 'smelled a
mice" and promptly advertised them
and his note, refused to take the goods
from the express office when sent, and
when agent No. two came around in
the shape of guileless limb of the law
TO collect the money for those bed-bot-
toms. was not only too sharp to be
caught by any of his well-laid device:
to make him acknowledge himself in
debted to agent number one, but when
threatened with legal prosecution had as
the boys say, "sand enough" in him to
openly defy and beat him at his own too
often successful game of bluff. This
enterprising company of manufacturers
got discouraged and gave 1t up, ordered
their bed-bottoms shipped back and
Walter is once more happy. Not so
lucky were two of his neighbors who
were frightened into compromise and
gave in settlement a fair note of hand
for an amount something less than that
originally agreed upon but still over
500, and kept the bed bottoms which
will hencefOrth do service in some un-
occupied hay loft adding to the comfort
and repose of sundry broods Of chickens
or other feathered bipeds. Martin Ca
vim of Spencer advertises note in this
issue which he says was fraudulently
obtained and given without considera-
ttculars there is no doubt he is victim
o this or some other equally transpar-
tent fraud.
The most recent case that has come to
onr notice is that of Mr.. Abel Daugher-
ty in Penfield who was called upon by
a washing machine agent and persuad-
ed to take the agency for this latest,
patent improved and best of all appli-
ances to Tighten the domestic hardships
of woman. The thirg was lovely and
Indispensable in every well-regulated
family and not to burden them at all or
allow them to take any risk, he would
send them three machin es, one of which
he would give them If they would sell
do as slick as Oil. The thing would run
itself, almost; would do an ordinary
washing while the lady was getting
breakfast. They had only to show 1t
to their neighbors and they would be
crazy for it and fairly spelling for an
opportunity to purchase. 1t was so
easy that blind man could not fail to
see it. He saw, and signed an order for
the machines. In few days pair of
these precious scamps came along to
settle with their purchasers and exhib-
tied an order for two or three dozen ma
chimes which they said were already at
the depot and by the conditions Of the
contract the money was due. In vain
Mr.. d. insisted that there was some
mistake; they clustered and bullied |;
talked shoot and one of the party who
claimed to be a sheriff threatened to ar
rest the old man and take him to Cleve-
land for trial and so worked upon his
fears that he signed note for $40 or
more, and they went their way trusting
to sell it to some simple fool who does
not read the papers, before the transac-
tion should become known. A note
obtained in that way is not worth the
paper it is written upon, but all the
same liberal shave nine times out of
ter stimulates the cupidity of some one
and victim number two Is added to the
list. We are informed that no washing
machines for Mr.. d. have been received
at this station.
And now my dear friends, for whose
benefit we are writing, it Ia needless to
warn you to be on your guard when
genteel strangers approach you with
business propositions. Experience
shows that such advice is wasted. Men
would rather be humbugged than ad-
NIT their own lack of business sagacity
and ability to care for the interests of
number one.
Rather let us say that when the next
travelling man comes along and sets
his trap for you, 60 right in with no
unnecessary delay, and do not stand on
the order of your going. Your knowl-