The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-11-29

Wide-Awake Farmer.
The death of Rush G. Wakeman, the
once noted railway passenger swindler
and expert gambler, as reported 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. 1
was route agent of the United States
Express Company. One day / was a
passenger on a train on the Fort Wayne
Road, coming east. At Liverpool, Ind,
fine-looking man, about thirty-five
years old, carrying q small satchel,
entered the car was sitting in, and
took seat at the side of an elderly
gentleman dressed like farmer, and
looking exceedingly unsophisticated.
In short time a conversation arose be-
tween the two, and the young
man was soon informed that his
fellow-passengcr was on his way to
Valparaiso, where he lived. This
seemed to be very agreeable surprise
to the fine-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 merchant
from Chicago, and had been school
mate of the old gentleman's son. whom
he had not seen for years. The two
conversed pleasantly for a few minutes,
when a middle-aged gentlemen came in
from the smoking car. He was a high
~ 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 aud evidently recog-
nized q 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 youP' The newcomer
took paper from his pocket and handed
it 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 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 fa-
tally 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
apologizcd for being caught in so en-
barrassing position. The young man
tcld him not to mention it, and the
creditor passed on, looking exceedingly
disappointed. By aud by the yo,sng
man got up and walked back to where
the ether 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 will help him out very much in the
way of expenses until he can use some
paper he has
"sCertainly notr' 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
his fingers with rap that brought him
to his feet with a yell of pain. The two
swindlers started for the car door, but
the old man was on his feet in second,
and with blow from his cane on the
head of the old friend of his son brought
him to his knees in the aisle. The other
man was stopped by passengers. They
were both taken into the baggage-car
and bound to beam. When the train
reached the swamp wilderness Of North
ern Indiana they were dropped from
the train. don't know how they ever
got away from there, but two years
later man who was playing cards with
three others in an Erie smok;ng-car near
Hornellsville was pointed out to me by
. brakeman as Rush Wakcman, who
had just won one thousand dollars on
one hand from the other PLAYERS.
en1HoU1fxad IN him the friend NJ the