The National tribune., 1886-08-26
BEATING THE sHARPERs.
Comrades Who Were Too shreud for the Buneo
Ism Francisco Chronfele.l

[San Francisco Chronicie.l
Notwithstanding the popular newspaper fc-
ton of sharpers meeting green strangers and
getting hoist by their petard the fact is that
when an expert confidence man puts his ten
tacles upon sucker something usually comes
before he lets go. The Encampment here has
furnished few bona-fide exceptions to the rule
that are worthy of ehronicling. The low fares
and the presence of SO vast number of stran-
gers have, of course, drawn a great number OF
sharks to San Francisco. This class is distinct
from pickpOekets and thieves. 1t is formed Of
confidence operators, pure and simple, prepared
to fleece the Grand Army of the Republic at
anything from bunco to monte. Some of them
come from Chicago, some from st. Louis, and
there are two or three faces on the street that
are familiar TO Inspector Byrnes and his detec-
tives at New York. One of the metropolitan
"outfit" was lamenting his lack of luck to a
party of friends in Kearny street sporting
resort last evening.
81 had been reading up army history for
about MONTH" he said, "and was well posted
on the leading battles. You see l wanted to be
able to talk to the veterans, but it turned out
that it got me into pretty tight fix. L got
acquainted with an old fellow yesterday and
found out that he had been in the battle of
Gettysburg. l wanted to draw him into q
poker game, and to make myself solid, and
said: why, l was in that fight, too
Is that soP' he said. You amt GAR.
man, are your
"'No.' / answered; Il don't care to join for
private reasons
$50 you were at GettysburgP' the old fellow
went on. What division, now, did you belong
tor
"To Sickles's.'
"'Yes, yes-why, belonged to that, too.
Where were you the night after the first days
Gghting2'
al Slept in barn on Culp's HILL an
swered, cautiously, for felt was getting into
deep water.
ing barn was it2'
member it was a small single-story building,
with one side partly blown out
"'No! Was there a straw-rick in it p
so 1 don't know l said, desperately; believe
there was
"'You don't say so3' he replied; 'aud the
manger busted2'
a. Yes; think So
Was there another fellow in there with
your
al think there was,' said, like a blame
fool, not knowing what was coming.
You scoundrel, you'll yelled the old man,
that was met Give me back my walletP
what wallet2'
40, you know well enoughl The blasted
thief that slept with me that night stole my
wallet and 500 in greenbacks. I've been look
ing for him now for % years. i thought /
knowed you when you come up!
1t took me some of the hardest talking
ever did in my life to get rid of him. don't
want any more Grand Army in mine"
Another story is told in the Oregon head
quarters. 1t seems that a couple of smooth
tongued gentry fastened on to one of the vet
Grams, and proposed to go out and see the town.
he agreed, but before starting he excHsed him
self minute. and stated on coming back that
he had left his money with a friend for safe
keeping, and only taken along a few dollars.
They told him it was all right il he knew
| where he could find his friend when he wanted
| him. He said he did, and the party started
| out. The two confidence men spent about $40
| apiece entertaining the victim, and then pro-
posed that he look up his friend, get his cs4sh,
and play poker.
81 can't get it from him tonight" said the
| veteran.
why, thought you knew where to find
| him." protested one Of the sharps.
80 do" said the veteran, but 1t happens
he's the same friend on whose account I'm
wearing this badge. mean Uncle Sam. You
see, for precantion. put my money in an
envelope before started. address, ng it To my
self and dropped it in the letter-box. No, gen
tlemen, can't get any to night"
The confidence men went of and wept.