Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-01-22
HOW A SHARPER WAS TAKEN IN.

HOW A SHARPER WAS TAKEN IN.
In the fall of 1912, on my way from
New York to Washington, | stopped for
a couple of days in the pleasant city of
New Brunswick. On the afternoon of
my arrival, six or eight of the tOwnsmen
were c0ngregated in White Hall Hotel,
discussing the character and animad-
yerting upon the habits of one of their
citizens, Mr.. NJ. D., who was notorious
for his cunning at a bargain, and close
fistedness in money affairs.
As the conversation was carried on in
a pretty loud key, | may as we'll let the
actors speak for themselves.
"ClOse, did you say?" remarked one,
"Why, you might as we'll try to fish a
dollar out of the ocean, as to get fairness
out of him in bargain
A perfect skinflintp' uttered little
dissatisfied looking fellow. II knew
him when he wasn't worth dollar, and
now he counts thousands where | do
hundreds, and all made by saving and
taking advantage of the necessities of
others. Oh, he is sharper.
True said another, "he'S the keenest
fellow ever knew. Look how he did
Smith, in that bargain. A man should
rise early to trade with Smith, can tell
YOU" r-f
F.Fhere's no mistake about D-'s being
a sharper" added third.
'He would Out-Yankee YankeedOm and
not half try" putting in plethOric in
diyidual, who seemed to give his teSti-
mOny.
Il would give ten dollars to have him
handsomely taken in" said another par
ty.
so would l" repeated two or three.
During the conversation had Observ-
ed an Individual a strongly marked
Yankee face who was paying strict at
tention to the speakers. He was tin
peddler, and had three wagons loaded
with lanterns then in yard. When
they began to talk of giving money to
have their neighbOr Outwitted, he arose
and putting on the Yankee pretty strong
ly, said; a..
dividual about whom you are speaking.
I say, / don't know him-but if you've a
mind to subscribe little grain of some
thing. just to pay the venture, like. why,
shouldn't mind tryin' it. calculate
it might be done. I've learned of such
people afOre, and / don't know but what
&. might be able to fetch him. I'm most
in the tradin' line, and it is all in the
way of trade" --
'Just the dandy, gentlemen" exclaim-
ed one of the party, lust the trick for
SOUP"
"You're in the trading line are you?'
exclaimed another.
"Yes, gentlemen, tradin's my Occupa-
ton. I'm clean from Bangor. way down
i'm the state of Maine. / can do little
of most anything, in the summer, stay
at hum and help the old fOlks-in the
fall and winter peddle tinware, mostly
lanterns"
"YOu don't sell lanterns?' said the
plethoric citizen inquiringly.
"I'd like to know if hain't got three
hundred of 'em in my wagons in the
yardr'
"Oh, you have, eh. Well, you're the
very man we want
"Yesp' said the Yankee.
"We will make up purse of twenty
dollars for you, if you will bamboozle
our friend D.
Il shouldn't wonder if I could strike a
trade with him."
when can you do it?''
Il calculate it can be done to-mor-
row" w
'Very well-if you succeed the money
is yours"
Twenty dollars was Immediately col
lected and given to the landlord, as an
earnest of their seriousness, and the
party broke up to meet the next evening
On the following morning our Yankee
acquaintance, who was shrewd, intel
ligent fellow, put on a genteel suit and
after having made good many inquir-
les respecting the habits, manners and
appearance, and residence of Mr.. D.,
mounted a horse, with the intention of
stopping there on his return, as if just
from Philadelphia. As good luck would
have it, old D. was standing in front Of
his house as the Yankee approached.
"Sir," said the latter, would you bt
good enough to inform me how far it il
to New Brunswick"
1.-TWO miles. sir" said D..
"And how far to New York;
"AbOut forty miles, by stage"
"Are there any tinsmiths in New
BrunSwick? aE
"Why, yes, there are two or three small
affairs"
az am sorry there are so small. wa!
in hopes of being able to fill an Ordel
there which our house has received fOl
lanterns"
Lanterns" said the old fellow, quick
Iy taking the bait, for he had seen three
wagons loaded with them only the da.
before. -,
Eyes, added the other carelessly, W.
have heavy order, and was told ina
the article could be had in New Bruins
wick" ffr
''You are fromsP philadelphia, then
Sizes, do business there. You haE
most probably heard of our frm-Hyde
Cook, Sage, Connolly & Co."
u can't say that ever heard of tina