Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-08-10
TICTIMIZED BY CONFIDENCE
MEN.
A HUNTINGDON COUNTY FARMER
TAKEN IN"

We clip from the Huntingdon Mon
itor the following well detailed fiction
embellished with stubborn facts, and
publish the same for the benefit of
'iarmers" and everybody else. The
editor says:
A well-to.do farmer residing not
many miles from Huntingdon, whose
name we withhold as he is not desrous
of having it made public in connection
with the facts narrated below, came to
town on Monday last to "take in"
Batcheller q Doris show and to see
the sights. While standing on the
corner of Fourth and Peen streets, he
was approached by a gentlemanly
looking individual, who Familiarity
struck up conversation with him on
various subjects, in the course of which
he informed our rural friend that he
was connected with a sewing machine
firm, and that he had come down this
way to see what the prospects were
for buying a small farm for his sister
in.law, located pleasantly and not too
far from town. The farmer replied
that he didn't know of any farm for
sale that would answer the description.
At this point the conversation changed,
the confidence man telling his newly.
made friend of an excellent horse over
on the show grounds, which he was
anxious to have him see. This subject,
as the sharper knew, is calculated TO
interest farmer, and il did not fail on
this occasion. He replied that he was
an admirer of good horses, and he be-
lieved as be had nothing particular to
do just at that time, he would walk
over along and see the horse The
two started for the show grounds,
chattering familiarly on passing sub.
jects of interest Just as they emerged |
from the river bridge, they met well
dressed dignifed looking gentleman (2) |
with whom the sewing machine man
shook hands heartily, at the same time
expressing his great surprise to see
him down this way, Turning to the
farmer he introduced this third party
as Judge - from Blair county, stat.
ing that he was an ex. associate Judge.
The sewing machine man then told
the Judge (?) where they were going,
and insisted on bis accompanying them.
The latter however declined, saying
that he was in hurry to 90 over to
town TO see his wife and family, who
were waiting on him. The two then
proceeded to the show grounds whore
they met Snowman of whom the
sewing machine man inquired concern.
ing the horse. The Snowman replied
hat the horse had just been taken
over to town. This was q great dis.
appointment to the machine man, as
he had brought the gentleman-mean-
ng the iarmor-over to see the horse.
At this juncture the Judge (2l again
appeared on the scene. The Snowman
hen pulled out a deck of cards, and
'howing the party n particular card
hrew IL with some others down and
hen offered to bet that no one in the
party could pick up the card. 1t
'eemed q plain case and the sewing
man took the bet, putting up
i've dollars and picked up the identical
,ard, winning the FIVE dollars. The
not in the least discomfted, ,
vent through the same performance
lghin and made the same offer TO bet
i've dollars. The sewing machine man ,
hen turned 10 the Judge (Y) and sug.
rested that he should try his luck.
rhe Judge (l) said he didn't know
much about cards, but believed he
.ould pick up the right card, and after
lesitating for q short time took the bet, /
md he too won five dollars off the ,
bowman. Tho cards were then thrown
gain, the Snowman grumbling at bis !
lard luck, and again the proposition
o bet was made, but our rural friend !
moving little about cards and being !
90 conscientious to engage in gam
ling, declined TO make any bet.
Then began a conversation between
he sewing machine agent and the
udge (2) during which the latter said
hat ho had come down TO Hunting. i
on to establish branch temperance
flee, speaking about the strong or. !
with which he was connect. J
d and Of tho great work it was
ding in assailing the strongholds of
um. He said that be would like TO
tart an Office in Huntingdon and that
G wanted to find some good, reliable
lan TO take charge Of II; that II would
ay handsomely, and that It's duties i
'ould not require near all the time of
ho person having charge. He spoke i
the duties of the office, mentioning |
mong others the distribution Of tracts, s
C. The sewing machine man then t