The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-06
He MET TWO Willy sHARPERs.
A Rich Old Gentleman in Baltimore
Robbed of $1,000.

BALTIMORE, Dec. "A prominent re-
tired merchant was very neatly fieeced by
confidence men yesterday. He could only
be persuaded to lay the case before the po-
lice authorities late last night upon the I'M
derstanding that his name should not be
given out by them until the rascal who vic
fiuized him was caught. He was robbed in
a room in boarding house on Pearl street,
and is now suffering from nervous prostra-
tion. the result of violent fistic encounter
with one of the men who was in the game
About 10 o'clock yesterday morning the
old gentleman started to leave his resldence
when he was hailed by young man who
was driving horse and buggy A CONVEX
sation followed, and the stranger said his
name was Roberts and that he was nephew
of a well-known citizen aud son-in-law of
another He also said he was q clerk in a
national bank, and had recently arrived
from Colorado, where he represented his
father-in-law in certain mercantile trans
actions. He persuaded the old gentle
man to get into the buggy and ride down as
far as the bank. While in the carriage the
young man told him that he had TWO copies
of Bancrofts History of the United
States" to call for. One was his own and
the other his father-in-law's. Further, he
said his father-ln-law already had one copy,
and he would turn over the other to the old
gentleman if he would go to the agents
Office. The bait was a good one, and the
pair went to 12l Pearl street. Entering
the parlor they met man No. 2, who said
that the books were not there, but would be
sent to their address on Wednesday. The
couple gave their names.
No. 2, addressing No. /, then said that his
book had drawn a prize Of S51. No.
asked for the money and got $50. He
asked for the remaining dollar, when No.
2 said that for this amount he was entitled
to two more tickets in another drawing
nothing to lose and all to gain. No. let
the 81 20 for the chances, The old gentle
man sat by all the while and took it in. No.
2 then counted out eight cards, which when
added up counted thirty three No. said
he had drawn $40. The other ticket he
presented to the old gentleman and asked
him to draw. He did SO, and the cards
counted thirty-nine No. 2 then said it had
drawn prize of $4,000, but he must have
evidence that the men were responsible or
else he could not pay them. They must
have an equal amount to show before it
could be paid over. The old gentleman
said he could not draw check, but would
get it.
He sent friend to his home, got Sc, 900
worth of bonds and then advanced S., 900
on them. The money was turned over to
the old gentleman in the presence of No. |.
1ney Jnen went Dack 10 see NO. Z. Inc
money was tied up and placed on the table.
No had the money No. said he must
see if it was all right, and started to count
it with his back turned Suddenly he said
the amount was as represented, and tying
up the bundle rep aced it on the table
The old gentleman did not tumble to the
fact that spurious roll had been showed in
front of him, but appeared jubilant over
his drawing. No. / put the roll in his
pocket and was so elated that he began to
thump the cid gentleman on the chest AID
congratulate him on his success. Finally
the old gentleman became exhausted, his
high hat YVES knocked on the floor, and
when he recovered the two men were gone
So were both the money and the spurious
bundle Of notes.