Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-08-28
THIRD EDITION,


A Heavy Confidence Game
Yesterday morning two strange. bu
we'll dressed and very gentlemsni,
looking, young men knocked st rh
door OF q private residence on Eight
street, near Poplar, and when the sun
mons was answered, stated to the lad.
that they we're book agents and woulo
like to have the use of q room as a,
Office for few days, while they cal
vassed the city. AS they offered yer,
liberal pay in advance, she conclude,
to let them have room, and after Sol
thing for 1t they vent away.
Shortly after noon one Of the party
who had evidently selected bis Victim
met q prominent citizen as he wa
walking up Market street, near Sixth
and accosted him by name. When th.
elderly gentleman, whose birthday II,
happened to be, said that he did no
recolleet him, the nice young man CAV,
him the name of an old friend and saio
that he was his son. He then congratu
lated him on his birthday and wishe,
him many returns Of 1t. The old gen
tleman Was very glad to meet the sol
OF his old friend, and invited him I,
his house.
The young man stated that he wa,
engaged in the book canvassing bust
ness, and while they were talkise
another we'll dressed young man came
mp, and was introduc by the stranger
as his partner. The first young mar
informed the old gentleman that the,
had two copies OF the encyclopedia OF
Delaware on hand, and that IL he
would 60 Gown the street to their office
he would make him present of one.
The offer was accepted with thanks,
and the swindlers escorted the old gen
tie to the room on Eighth street. After
sitting and talking little while two
other men came Ia, and after one OF
them bad pulled out a pack Of cards,
they engaged IN game OF poker. One
OF the young men soon Joined them
S1M In short time won 81 900, which
nOdoubt was counterfeit money.
The old gentleman was then asked to
take hand, but at first declined, and
finally said chat he had not much money
with him. They agreed to play for
whatever stakes he might choose, and
the game was commenced OF course
he was allowed to win, and when IL
was proposed to play for 81, 800 HAND
the old gentleman was very willing to
90 out and get the money. As i. was
after bank hours, he called upon a
prominent bank official, and upon his
representation that he needed S. 500 at
once was told that he could have it il
he would give his note, with q good en-
dorser. This last was easily obtained,
and the old gentleman, with his crisp
new notes in his pocket and his head
filled with visions Of how he would
clean these green yourg men out, hur.
ried to where his new found friends
awaited him.
Several games were played with
changing luck, but the old man was
always little ahead. Finally each of
the players had an excellent hand and
the betting became lively until the old
man had staked all the money he bad
won, with the 81. 900 borrowed money,
and there was over $4,000 in the pot
one OF the young men thea called and
showed three Of kind. The old man
smiled, threw down four aces and
reached fer the pot. The third fellow
piously exclaimed: I guess not, aud
exposed straight flush, when the
prominent citizen turned pale and knew
that he was cleaned cut. Without
waiting for his encyclopedia he hur.
riedly left the place and went to police
station, where he remained for half an
nouh VI moiei uuL ulu not mention the
swindle.
he then went out and returned in
ABOUT an hour when he informed the
mayor OF the whole transaction. A
couple OF Officers accompanied him to
the place, but it was too late "a the
birSs had flown. kilograms were sen
10 Philadelphia and Baltimore, but 1t is
scarcely probable thai the shsrpers
will be caught. The Mayor thinks
that II be had been Informed of the
matter at once, he would have sue
ceeded In arrestinR them. The victim
ls welLknown citizan, member of
church, and director in bank. There
Is no doubt but the swinGlers are pro.
lessionsl confidence men from one of
the large cities, who came here 30 work
their little game, and succeeded ven
beyond their expectation.