The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-19
A CUNNING COUPLE.
How Rev. Dr. Jenckes and the Brunswick
z1 Hotel We're Victimized by Strangers.


+ Another illustration of how good.natured and
| sympathetic people can be imposed upon by
| mon ey sharpers, came to light yesterday. Last
June, an Englishman named Harry Bristow,
and wife, registered at the Hotel Brunswick,
with q view, as they claimed, to settling in In
dianapolis to engage in the wholesale cigar and
tobacco businets The couple claimed to be
Episcopaliau Church members of good standing,
and soon ingratiated themselves into the good
will of DR.. Jenckes and his church, where they
were duly enrolled as members the register
book Mr. Bristow also claimed to be Mason;
and by bringing the influence of both the lodge
and the church to bear in their favor, the two
spread their acquaintance in the city pretty
wide. Mr. and Mrs. Bristow had not been at
the hotel long, however, until it was mildly sug-
gested by the clerk, Mr.. Brown, that their bill
was accumulating and no payment had yet been
made Mr. Bristow replied that he was daily
expecting remittance of ESQ from his brother
in London, who had sold out a
tobacco store belonging to them both, and would
send his share of the money to to this city
Immediately. Things went on as usual a few
days longer, when the clerk again explained the
became alarmed, evidently, and called upon DR..
Jenckes to aid him. Mr. Jenckes, whose sym
pathy was enlisted by the plausible story OF the
business relations of the man, together with the
desperate financial straits into which the couple
seemed TO be temporarily thrown, gave them
money, and assured the Brunswick management
of the trustworthinesS of BrstOw. A week or
two passed and the remittance was not forth
coming. The hotel management became sus
pcious at length, and once more approached Mr..
Bristow with plain talk demanding that some
thing must oe done quickly towards settling the
bill, or they would be given no further accom-
modationS. But Bristow explained that he had
just sent a cablegram to London hurrying up
the draft which could not be long delayed. Mr..
Nicholson, the hotel manager however. not
disposed to give any credence to Bristow's word,
and went to the Western Union telegraph Office
where he found the telegram, which, being
marked collect" had not been sent. The stu
alton became emba-~" ssing when DR.. Jenckes,
whose faith in BIl,vow remained mistaken,
supplied the means by which the cablegram was
sent. A day later word came that John Bristow,
to whom the message had been directed had
refused to receive it, Manager Nicholson be-
came indignant, but DR.. Jencks insisted that
Brstow had been wronged by his brother, and
would prove good for his debt in time.
About this time Mrs Bristow came forward in
tears. and pleaded lenent treatment from the
hotel management declaring that she had prop
erty in Belleville, Canada, which she would dis
pose of to pay the bill. Mr. Nicholson's
sympathies were actively worked upon and he
decided to delay for few days his contemplated
summary proceedings Meantime, Mr.. and Mrs.
Bristow were not idle. He had borrowed money
right and left from his friends and was not
particular about the amount fer which he
asked going far as to ask the
loan of half dollar. She procured the
loan of wraps and various articles of dress from
her church friends, and uD a large bill for
dentistry at DR. Helms; also bill for treatment
at DR.. Logston's. Mrs. Bristow went still fur
Their, and procured of Mrs. Jenckes, in the alb
sence of her husband. letter of recommends
ton, which she claimed she desired to at
Belleve. In all, the couple succeeded in get
ting together about $3.50 in money and availables.
Last Wednesday Mrs. Bristow announced that
she would proceed to Bellevle to look after her
property there and being still further aided by
DR.. Jenckes, who kindly loaned her his valise,
she left the city. Mr.. Bristow, it was under
stood. was to remain until her return, but on
Friday he, too left without saying anything to
even the deluded hotel management While
they were at the hotel good-sized box, care
Upon this the clerk kept watchful eye.
determining that if they should fail to pay their
bill, the box and its precious
tents should be retained. When it was
found that Mr.. Brist0w had departed Also Mr..
Brown went Up to their room and broke open
of tissue paper. This was evidently their
ruse to get away without settling their bill, and
in measure, it succeeded Mr. Nicholson and
DR.. Jenckes are considerably chagrined at the
sharp trick that has been played upon them and
are not feeling very kindly toward the 'blarsted
BriJishers." The hotel is out about $50, and DR..
Jenckes is short about onehalf that sum- The
Doctor, however. will have the matter published,
with names, in the church organ of the Episco-
palans, so that the couple cannot useFhis letter
Of recommendation, or impose upon the friend
ship of the church members.