Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-12-20
rARnsR Disrz RoRssD or 81 900.
Tho rh,sfs Quest who pretended to Be IN
EnrIneI,a Lung Insi Son.

Tho rh,efs CUES, who rre,endea to se the
Farmers Long Lost sou.
Weitsport. Pa, Corr. OF N. Y. Sun
The particulars OF weil.plsned aud skill
fully executed swindle come from Dietzville,
little farming village composed OF not
moro than half dozen comfortable farm
houses, about seven miles from here Josiah
Deitr, after whom the village In named, was
the first settler In tho neighborhood,
and was known To be rich The
family consisted of himself, wife, and one
boy. The latter early took An aversion to
farm life, and on more than one occasion
threatened to leave home. Seventeen years
ago tho lad suddenly disappeared from
Dietzviile and nothing WAS heard from him
for four years, when q letter came from New
York giving an account OF his wanderings,
and saying that he WAS about TO start for the
West The young mans absence bore beav-
lily on his mother. but the father said he
would never 40 after him or persuade him to
return. This ho strictly adhered to, and
nothing more was heard from young Joss,
ss he was called by his companions
Last Sunday well dressed young man
came TO Dletzyillo and inquired for Farmer
Deitz. few minutes later he stood In the
presence OF the old couple whom he called
father and mother, introducing himself a. the
almost forgotten son. The old farmer was
inclined to maintain a feeling of Indifference,
but was soon forced to tears, while his wife
pleasure Of her sons return. The whole
subject for three days was the story OF why
no ler home and his subsequent life In New
YORK and Chicago, whence ne had Just come.
He then surprised the farmer and his wife
by the announcement OF his recent marriage
and that his wife would arrive soon. Mean
while the uususpecting father told his son
that no had been very successful while no
WAS absent and was not only the owner of
several OF the best farms In the valley, but
large mOnPN.
lie generously offered the hospitality Of his
home to Joss and his bride IA long as they
chose TO remain.
Joss expressed no desire To see any of his
old neighbors, but confined himself 20 the
house until tho third dav, when he loft for
the purpose Of meeting his bride Several
hours later he returned with the supposed
vile, and everything else was forgotten OK.
cept the comfort OF the young couple The
Young woman feigncd fatigue after her
lowed soon aiterward by the old couple
Subsequent events show that their hurried
retirement was not for rest, but to give them
more time TO arrange for their flight with the
old mans cash. The whereabouts OF tho
money, which the farmer acknowledged he
had In tho house, was discovered, and dur.
ing the night Jos-, his bride, and e., 900 de.
parted at the same time. The uususpecting
farmer was not aware of what happened until
he went to call them TO breakfast next morn.
ing and found their room deserted. The fol.
lowing note lay ON the table:
DELRFArHER Good by for seventeen years
more. Joss
The old couple are over rwheimed with grief,
not NO much for the loss of the money IN the
ingratitude OF their son, IL IL really was he.
The general opinion prevails that IL WAS pro-
fessional thief who knew the farmers circum-
stances, or perhaps a companion OF the son,
from whom he got sufficient Information TO
successfully carry out the plot