The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-11-29
NOTED CONFIDENCE MEN
"reminiscences of Skillful Opera
tors on Railroad Trains.
Some Stories of Their Successful Tricks and
of Their Occasional Defeats-The
Chicago Stock Dealer and the
Wide-Awake Farmer.

The death of Rush c. Wakeman, the
once noted railway passenger swindler
and expert gambler, as reported a few
days since, has recalled many reminis-
cences among railroad men and others
of his operations and those of co-workers
OF his in the palmy days of their bust
ness.
"Rush Wakeman managed to keep
out of the clutches of the law very sue
cessfully," said gentleman connected
with the Erie Railway, ''but very often
came to grief at the hands of men he
swindled or of railway employees The
first time ever saw him was in 1869. |
was route agent OF the United States
Express Company. One day | was
passenger on train on the Fort Wayne
Road, coming east. At Liverpool, Ind,
tine-looking man, about thirtv-five
years old, carrying a small satchel,
entered the car l was sitting in. and
took a seat at the side of an elderly
gentleman dressed like farmer, and
looking exceedingly unsophisticated
In short time conversation arose be-
tween the two and the young
man was soon informed that his
fellow-passenger was on his way to
Valparaiso, where he lived. This
seemed to be a very agreeable surprise
to the tine-looking stranger, who was
also going to Valparaiso, and when the
old gentleman gave his name the Young
man was simply overcome with delight,
and shook the hand of the Valparaiso
citizen warmly. He was a merchant
from Chicago, and had been a school
mate OF the old gentleman's son, whom
he had not seen for years. The two
conversed pleasantly for a few minutes,
when middle-aged gentlemen came in
from the smoking car. He was a high
ly respectable appearing person, and,
while walking through the aisles his
eyes fell upon the pleased young man
who was talking with the elderly gen
tleman, from Valparaiso. The new
comer's face frightened up, and he
touched the young man on the shoulder
and called him by name. The pleased
stranger looked up and evidently recog-
'nized friend, for the two shook hands
and inquired solicitously after each 9th
er's health Presently the newcomer
said something in his friends ear. The
friend looked somewhat ANNOYED, and
said in voice the old gentleman could
easily hear: How much is it? Have YOU
got the bill with you?' The newcomer
took paper from his pocket and handed
1t to his friend, saying that he must
have the money, as he had been called
away from Chicago suddenly and would
need it before he got back
from the East. The bill was for goods
purchased, and amounted to five hun
dred dollars. The young man didn't
happen to have that much money with
him in currency, but he had a certified
check for one thousand eight hundred
dollars, and if the creditor could give
him the balance he would gladly liqui-
date the debt. BY most singular IA
tality the creditor didn't have the
amount. Then the pleasant young
man turned to the elderly gentleman
from Valparaiso and blandly asked him
if he could not give him the cash for the
check The old mans regret was
touching to witness. Contrary to his
custom, he had left home with less than
that amount of money in his clothes.
The young man was just about to ex-
press his sorrow to his creditor when a
happy thought seemed to strike him.
He asked the old gentleman to let him
have five hundred dollars and take the
check until they reached Valparaiso,
when they would have it cashed. The
old gentleman actually appeared
ashamed to be obliged to disappoint the
old friend of his son, but the fact of the
matter was he had only thirty-seven
dollars on his person, he said, and he
apologized for being caught in so en-
barrassing a position. The young man
told him not to mention it, and the
creditor passed on, looking exceedingly
disappointed. By and by the young
man got up and walked back to where
the other was sitting. They talked to-
gether awhile and then the pOssessor of
the unfortunately large certified check
returned to his seat with the old man.
"'Would you mind" said he, letting
me have the thirty-seven dollars until
we reach Valparaiso? My friend says
it viii help him out very much in the
way of expenses until he can use some
paper he has.
Certainly not!'' replied the old
man, heartily. IN let you have it with
pleasure.
GAS he was counting the bills out the
young mans creditor came up. The
old gentleman counted the thirty-seven
dollars and laid it on his knee. Then
he placed his hand on heavy cane he
had.
There's your money said he.
Take it, The good-looking young
man reached for it, and the next mo-
ment the heavy cane came down over