Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-03-10

New YoRx. March "A wealthy
ex Confederate General. who has been
stopping IN this city for the part few
days, was ON Thursday swindlei by
bunko m-n out Of $3.50. TIE victim
is msn of experience, and has Travelled
considerably, and considers himself well
posted on things in general. About
10 o'clock 10 the morning he started
for stroll up town. lie walked a
considerable distance when he grew
tired and hailed passing hack. The
driver dropped his fare by mistake at
The corner Of Fourteenth street and
broadway, and the passenger, whc dr.
sired to 20 still further, was about I"
r-.rnter the vehicle when well. dressed,
gen,lemanly looking young man sp-
preached aud exclaimed: why, Gen
rrsl. am delighted to see you" The
gentleman looked in amazern-nt at the
young man, but politely accepted his
hand. ideally" said hr. '.you have the
advantage OF me" why, You don't
know me; well. you know my UNCLE
aud The young man named prominent
banker doing business iu the city from
which the General hailed. 81 know
your uncle well" said the General.
They then conyrrsrd about diffrren,
matters. The young man sermed TO he
thoroughly poasted abou, the Generals
affairs. Suddenly he happened To think
of some elegant pictures he had pnr'
chased while in Paris aud which cer-
tsinly must have arrived by this time
A friend of his AZ onnd the corner was
to look after himself by coming lii,l'
cut OF his way To See them. tie could
acqusinl the young mans uncle VI thu
purchase upon his return South; the Gen
raj consented 10 go with his newly
discovered friend and was led into a
place about 50 tret off Broadway. The
person they called on was very sorry.
bu, the pictures had not arrived. II
WAS owing to the young gentleman
own negligence, he said. But then you
need not feel entirely disappointed,
added the genial store keeper; Il have
goud news for you" "How il thsl!
a.k-d the young man. why, that
ticket You bought when you were here
last has drawn u prize OF $500 The
usual game was then played GA the nn'
suspec,iug stranger, who first lost his
cash amounting to $27O and then a
check for $1,000. Even then he had
not the slightest idea he was the dupe
Of his young friend. As the pair slep-
ped into the slieet the young man call
iiun.d the General not to mention the
circumstance of their loss TO his Uncle.
Ii the affair were made known, he said,
it would luin his reputation. The Cen
-,al promised u keep silent aud they
separated. Several hours utterward hr
began to think the whole maltvr over,
aud the inore he thought the more he
was convinced he WAS a victim Of u
PARTY of confidence. lie made the facts
know 10 a friend and Was advised ~
acquaint the police with the whole pro
c-e,iinys. This he did and Inspector
b, rnes sent out Il couple at detectives
To investigate the case aud capture the
swindlrrr. II is understood The men
were found and compelled To disg"rge.
Swindl-rs have been obtaining sums Of
money from wealthy cillzrns on the
prelerse of collecting funds for the new
lite saving corps. The fire commission.
.rs are Investigating the matter. Printed
subscription lists were circulated by the
rogucr, the names OF prominent men
with large amounts appending filling
the sheets. The names OF WIN. IL.
Vanderbilt and one of his SONS were
written on the list. A wealthy lady
being applied To gave $50 on the
strength Of VanderbIlts name.