Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-02-12
700 CID 70 II cLrurr.
A Confidence Man Tries the old
PoeketbOok Trick VIta a Sur
nriAinr IsnsMlI.

pFiHtA@ A6eruits
A man with a ford face and clear-cut
features, whose eyes had peculiarly in
nocent look in them, says the New York
Tribune, got on an elevated train the
other day 10 come down town. He be-
came absorbed in the contents Of q news
paper, and apparently did not notice "A
young man sitting near linn, whose eyes
seemed riveted upon his heavy gold watch
chain. After several stops at the stations
the car became nearly empty. The young
man suddenly rose, and, crossing over
TO the old gentleman, remarked:
81 beg your pardon, sir, but is not this
your purseg l found il in the seat by
your side"
The old man looked at the purse and
then at the young man for full minute,
Then he carefully removed his glasses,
wiped them with his handkerchief, smiled
TO himself, and calmly queried:
"And if It WIS not mine what would
You DO with itl'
"Why-Of course" said the young fell
low, slightly coloring, "Pd return it TO the
owner"
ooh, yes, see. But. young man, sit
down here for minute and let me tell
of scene that l once witnessed"
The young man, slightly disconnected,
mechanically oheyod, and allowed the
elder one TO proceed.
One day in April, some three years ago,
was passing through Chambers street, on
a business errand, when espied pair of
lady's kid gloves lying upon the sidewalk
l hurried forward to pick them up; but
was just too late, as another person a
short distance ahead of me secured them.
He looked at me in quiZZical manner,
and when | asked him TO let me see them,
he politely asscnted. But as if fearful of
being seen he nudgcd me to come into an
open doorway where we could look at our
prize with comparative safety. As took
the gloves flom his hand and pulled them
apart, so rs 10 examine their worth, was
surprised 10 find a large, heavy lump of
something tied up in one of the fingers.
With greedy haste communicated to him.
my discovery, when he snatched the gloves
from my hand and commenced working
the article out of the tinger-holc. In few
moments he held up to my astonished
lew handsome jcWelcd ring, which at
the lowest ought to have been worth $50
l expressed my surprise in q very open
way, ard asked him TO let me see it. This
he did, and at the same time asked what
] thought it WAS worth. l unhesiiatingly
gave my opinion. Then what had we
better do with il? he asked. why, ad-
veltIse it III the papers, suggested and
the owner will probably give us hand
some price for returning it, This he
thought was very good plan, but he
was on his way to the train to go out of
the city for month or two, ard consc-
quCntly lie would rot be able to receive
any of the money. Ill tell YOU, he
finally said, the owner will at least give
yeu $40 for returning it, and if you will
give me S. now l will surrender the gloves
and ring to you. How docs that suit!
It's fair, isn't it!'
"Well, yes, had to acknowledge it was,
and so without murmuring handed him
So, and walked away with the ring, The
next two days advertised in the papers
Tor the owner OF the ring; but 10 one
came to claim it. On the fourth day
concluded / had acted honestly in the
matter, and was now justified in selling
1t. l took it to a prominent jewelers.
where l knew its true value would be
given, and-what Go you think it was
WORTH"
The young man shifted uncasily in his
6Cdat dtl(l ttOi!SCtl llIS ~ u VI luC SpcIhcI.
'Why, it was a Lrass ring worth about
cents, and put i'll the glove by that
rascal of swiEdIcr. Now, then,' con.
tinucd the gentleman, in a severe tone
"what would You do if you discovered that
fellow up TO his old trick again."
"Ah! this is my station; l must 60
Good morning." And the young man with
the purse slid gently along the car, and
disappeared in the crowd on the platform
The old gentleman resumed his reading
and chuckled TO himself every low ano
then.