Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-09-29
SHARP PRACTICE.

Dy writer IN CnGmOer'S journal. a
precious pair of sharpers. desirous of
changing their abode, summoned the
waiter at the tavern, and craitily in
duced him to join in "blindman's-butf," ,"
each being blindfolded in turn. The
walters turn to be the blind man came,
when if he caught either of his two
playmaIes, he was to receive guinea
and bottle of Champagne. He crept
about. He searched the corners. They
were crafty hiders; but he would find
them He CROPPED under the table he
tried the chimney, and every place
which could afford concealment for a
rat; and at length jerked the bandage
from his eyes, found the room deserted,
and rushed down stairs to discover
that be had been duped, and his en-
plover swindled.
This reminds US of the stoy of two
fellows whose money was almost en-
tirely expended, and who determined
that wealthy hotel-keeper should be
the means of replenishing their purses
Accordingly, one of them giving up the
money he had to the other, entered the
premises of the selected victim, while
his confederate kept out of sight The
visitor inquired for the landlord, to
the query, "Can you give me good
dinner ?" OF course the resources of
the establishment were equal to such a
demand, and in few minutes the
'good dinner" was served and duly
Then came the question of
but the guest had no money,
and pointed out to his host that he
possessed the "needful," he should
have ordered what he had consumed,
in the usual manner; that he had SIM
ply sought information concerning the
ability of the house and the inclination
of it's owner to supply him with a
good dinner, and was much obliged for
the same. A policeman was called in !;
but his decision leaned toward the i'm
pecunious diner: it might be consid-
cred debt, but the criminal law could
do nothing The guest departed. The
ground his teeth. Not long
after this, number two arrived with
the query, "Can you give me good
dinner ?" A smile of terrible meaning
crossed the landlords face. Eyes, yes"
he replied "take seat" He fastened
out, and returned with bucket of wa
ter, which with his own hands he
dashed over the applicant for a good
dinner, who thereupon jumped to his
feet, and demanded an explanation of
such extraordinary treatment. "Ha !
ha !" laughed the incensed Boniface, as
he glared about for something where
with to chastise the object of his
ha! you fellows can't
fool me twice in the same way" The
visitor appeared astounded the irate
appeared anxious to kick the
visitor out. A violent scene occurred.
The would-be guest was denominated
a swindler and a robber. The officer of
the law was again summoned. Each
made charges against the other. The
infuridted host called in his solicitor
The visitor declared that he was per-
fectly able and willing to pay for what
he required, exhibited his money,
threatened proceedings for assault and
battery, and vowed he would bring
his action for slander as well. The
landlords solicitor considered his eli
ent was getting cheaply out of the
scrape by paying down fifty pounds as
a solatium for the wounded feelings
and the wet clothes of swindler num-
ber two!
"A swell-mobsman once made wager
with a gentleman that the latter could
notcarry a ten pound note from the hotel
at which both were staying to place
indicated, along specified route. The
bet was accepted; and the gentleman,
with a grim smile placing the note
within the lining of his hat in the pres
ence of the swindler, started to accom-
plish his object He had nearly arrived
at his destination, when, passing a
place encountered with brick, timber,
and other building materials, his at
tention was attracted by little boy
amongst the impedimenta,
and crying piteouslv The gentleman
and desired to know the
cause of his grief. The boy had lost a
ten pound note, which had been given
him to get changed, and he was afraid
his father would kill him. BY this
time a crowd, attracted by the roars of
the unlucky lad, had assembled, and
the builders materials were being
overhauled. A confederate
among the crowd now managed, while
engaged in the search, to knock off the
hat which contained the coveted note.
Its owner naturally stopped to pick it
up, and replace it on his head. Instant
ly the confederate collared him. "Give
it up! give it up" he cried. "Give
up what ?" demanded the gentleman,
endeavoring to set himself free; while
the crowd, leaving off the search, be-
gan to throng round the sharper's vic
tim. "Give the boy his money-his
note, you thief" shouted
the swindler. The gentleman angrily
protested; but the swell-mobleman cut
him short by exclaiming: "He's got
it, men. | saw him put it in the lining
of his hat" The hat was instantly ex-
amined, and conclusive proof obtained,
for why should any one be found car
rying his money in his hat? And des-
pite the struggles of the real owner,
the note was handed over to the boy
who Immediately made off
with it; while, had it not been for the
arrival of constable, the victim of the
conspiracy would have Jared badly at
the hands of the infuriated crowd.
OF all the bottles that have been
thrown overheard from imperiled ships,
no despairing man gave up hope so ut
terly as to fling into the sea bottle of
fine old brandy.
THE BRADFORD AND BUFFALO PIPE
United Pipe Line Compa-
ny has recently completed an oil pipe
line between Bradford and Buffalo.