The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-01-19
A CLEVER SWINDLER.
The Cunning Schemes OF a Most
Accomplished Scoundrel.

AOCOAIPAAOAAONA eOOOe~~@~~~~ - |
Thirty years in the livery business
gives man y varied experience and
knowledge of men as well as horses.
l was standing in the door of my
stable one afternoon just at the close OF
the civil war, when medinm-sized,
hunch-backed man walked up and in
uuiled if he could be accommodated |
with first class itg for a few days,
saying that he wished to investigate an
extensive tract of mineral land i'll that
and the adjoining county in the interest
of large syndicate in the East. i
exercised tho usual precaution OF ask
ing his name, where he was from, and
if he could give me references, He
readily answered my two first queries,
but stated that he was stranger in the
place, but had letters, and produced
half dozen Introductory epistles from
as many gentlemen of national reputa-
ton. One was from our Congressman,
whose handwriting knew, and an
other was from the Governor of our
State. Itstruck me that his credentials
were strongly worded, but my desire to
please so good customer. and one
associating with the elite of the land,
induced my willing acceptance, and l
ordered ont the finest double team we
had. In fact. it was the only pair in
.he stable that pleased him, and, as he
seemed to haze plenty of money and
proposed paying an exorbitant price, !
saw no reason why Mr.. Albaugh should
not have the pleasure of riding behind
my eight hundred dollar bays. As he
took the lines preparatory to starting
he turned, with the air of man who
has forgotten something. and inquired
if wished deposit, stating that he
might not return before the third day.
Ireplied in the negative, wished him a
prosperous trip and babe him good day.
l watched them disappear with a
feeling of pride-proud to be the pos
SCISSOR of an outfit pleasing man of
such fastidious tastes, and proud to
know that my name was so well known
with those occupying seats so high in
public life.
The third day came, and the fourth,
and still no return of my team. Leay'
ing my business in the care of an EN-.
ployc, l started in pursuit. At the
railroad station received dispatcl,
from party inquiring it ! had lost a
pair of horses; if so, to await further
particulars. Iw:red that had, ant
demanded information about them
The next train brought the author o.
the message, who was the exact image
of the man who had hired my team
excepting the bunch back; the man who
drove my team away was in this par
ticular very much deformed, while thi
one was straight of build and differ
emily dressed. This similarity was cas-
lily accounted for. The man who hiret
my horses was his twin brother. and al
accident in childhood had occasionel
the deformity and affected his mind
At times he imagined himself tn
possessor of property; and, durin!
these periods of mental alteration woul'
OCChSlOU IlOuDlC stil'
anxiety. One Of these spells had seize
him after leaving my stable, and h
concluded to drive to his home in Gin
cinnati. While en- route to that poin
the horses had taken fright at moving
train and ran away. The buggy wa
dashed to pieces. Albaugh was badl
injured and death ensued, as the under
takers certificate testified. One of tn
horses was killed and the other S
crippled that it had to be killed. Thi
was all told in such IN earnest, plaus
BILE manner that it carried conviction
and when he begged to know how niue
money would settle the unfortunat
affair, was more than ever persuade
of the genuineness of the mans stor,
answered that one thousand do
lars would not have tempted me to pa
with them.
'.Under the circumstances, said h
will YOU take thatp | am sorry for yoI
but could you know what life thu
brother has led me, and the money h
kleptomaDia has cost me, you hea
would pity me know"
And to tell the truth, did pity hir
He had turned from the burial of h
brother to pay for his brothers foil
and his crushed spirits showed the a
guish Of his feelings.
SO took the fellows hand after l
ccving the $1,000. and thanked him (
the gentlemanly manner in which
had tried to right his brothers wron
and we parted.
A few years later. Twas attending I
fair at Louisville, and admiring
beauty and speed of the fine horses {
hibited on the track, when my attic
ton was directed to a splendid pair
bays driven by colorcd groom; tn
looked SO like the pair had lost tina
took advantage Of the first opportun
10 critically examine them, and FRI
certain peculiar marks soon satisf
myself they were the identical pair
horses the oily hunch-back had tn
gears before driven from my stable.
Finding the owner, inquired OF b
how he came to find such beauti
matches, and so like familiar p
that once owned.
Thought them in Cincinnati, :" .
he. from an importer Of blooded 'to
VhIs was d picked pair from his fnr