The New York herald., 1879-08-09
A ROGUEiS RUSE.

CHARITY vICTIMIZED BY ONE WHO PRETENDED
TO BE DUMB-How SPEECH WAS RESTORED.
Once In while charitably disposed persons feel
mortified when their good offices turned to bad
account-not that their benefcence thus bestowed
upon scoundrel rebounds less to their own credit
but the thought that their kindness might have been
useful to deserving person naturally to
them. A striking instance of misdirected benevo-
lence Is furnished In the of George Marsh. In
the month of September of last year intelligent
looking young man wended his way to the oyster
saloon Of Frank Keckeissen. Jr, at No. 81 avenue A.
He wore pitiful look as he entered the place,
and his continued silence. as he stood near
the entrance. aroused the curiosity of the
owner Of the concern. The man could neither hear
speak What the oysterman to do? His
visitor made signs that he was both deaf and dumb.
He carried q book and, procuring pen. wrote to
that effect one of the pages. adding that he
compassion the unfortunate fellow Keckeissen
put his hand in his pocket and gave him little
writing, to return on Friday. busy day, when he
would give him work. In obedience to this invita-
All conversation between the saloon keeper and
his empoye was carried on through the
medium of chalk writing on the counter. The lat
ter gave every satisfaction, and wrote Keckeissen
that he desired very much to be employed every day
as well Friday and expressed an ardent wish to
be taught the art of opening oysters. The saloon
keepers heart was melted and he at once proceeded
to instruct his interesting empoye to the method
of disclosing the delicious bivalves to the hungry
gaze of the expectant customer and it not long
before the "poor dummy, as he Called
reflected credit on his tutor. He dis
played much proficiency that the saloon
keeper employed him regularly, and finally reposed
such confidence in him that he permitted him to
open the establishment every morning, always leav
ing the keys where he could find them Mr..
Keckelssen entertained a number of his friends on
last thanksgiving Day; and "the dummy" who had
tcipate in the hospitaites. SO deeply grateful did
he appear for this additional of generosity that he
actually took down play bill that hung the wall
and penned letter in which he profuse in his
expressions OF thankfulness. not only to the saloon
keeper but all others the world who had taken
care OF him in his afiction.
DUMMY SCORES ONE.
In describing this epistle III the Court of General
Sessions yesterday, Mr.. Keckeissen, spreading out
his ut full length observed that he thought it
would never come to an end. As usual. Mr.. Ksckeis-
to 20 to Fulton Market. An hourlater he returned
to ind his place deserted. where is the dummy"
was here some time ago. attending to his work
'Well.' said Keckeissen. bringing his fist down
on The counter with thud that made the CLANS
cape with astonishment, "Pu bet my life
that dummy has robbed mel" Proceeding to ex-
anime the saloon he discovered that several dozens
of spoons has disappeared. tve dozen knives and
forks and two coats. pocketbook and all the small
change in the TILL Can 1t be wondered ut that Mr..
Keckeissen reflected with bitterness on the in
gratitude Of mankind in general and dummies in
particular? But. being blessed with good nature
he soon forgot his misfortune, consoiing himself
with the thought that his heart the less
light for having done . good turn to o scoundrel
Not long since tn oysterman saw "the' dummy"
enter beer saloon and offer to sell pocketbook for
thirty cents He at. once recognized his former
sstant and whispered to the proprietor of the place
to entertain him while he went for officer. In
a moment more "she dummy found himself in the
tolls of his injured benefactOr, but wonderful to
relate the surprise seemed to have remarkable
rative effect. The dummy suddenly recovered
his speech, as by magic. and with great indigna-
ton and much volubility protested against the
"outrage" to which he was subjected.
DUMMYs
OF course, the prisoner had never seen Mr.. Kec-
kessen in all his life. aud had certainly pre-
tended to be either deaf dumb. But the oyster
mans heart had grown harder than 1t In former
days and he refused to believe that he mistaken
in the identity of his former employe and the up
shot that, under the name Of George Marsh,
"the dummy" found himself indicted by the Grand
Jury. He arraigned for trial in the Court of
General Sessions yesterday by Assistant district At
torney Bell. who in the course of the
brought out the foregoing details. Still another
victim OF the prisoner, Joseph Cohen by name. tes-
titled that he bad given the prisoner food and raj
ment believing that as a deaf mute ne deserv.
ing object of charity. In his defence the
prisoner. who has remarkably good voice, pleaded
that the one Of mistaken identity. He in
sisted that prior to his arrest he had any
of the persons who charged him with crime. and
that he had pretended to be deaf and dumb.
His story, however, was not believed, and the jury
found him guilty of larceny. The inposter, who
said he = glssscutter, living ut No. IL Bowery,
sentenced by Judge Gildersleeve to three years
in the State Prison.