Omaha daily bee., 1888-05-09

appearance and filed information against
Rothold and his s%windling gang, charging
them with fraud and Misrepresentation.
Monday afternoon, Manford, attracted by the
braying Of the loud-mouth crier, Conner,
dropped into the Rothold Joint to look around
He was instantly spotted as a sucker. Con-
ner had n watch, he said, a Louisville com
mercial traveller had pawned there, and as
his time had run out IL would be disposed Of
at a sacrifice. He told Manford
that the chronometer was worth at least $40,
but as they made it a rule to keep no over
due pawned goods on hand, he would let him
have it for Sl3-the generous shark. The
sucker, for such, Of course, he was, needed a
watch, and he said II it was what they repre-
sented it to be, he would take it. OF course,
they assured him of this, and he plauked
down his thirteen big iron dollars and took
the ticker. No sooner had he possession of
the watch, however, and carefully examined
snidest kind Of q snide. He declared at once
that he had been cheated, and that he
wouldn't keep the watch. Here, however,
the oily-tongued capper stepped up and said:
Let me look at that watch. l am a Jew
eler from Minneapolis, and III tell you
whether these men are getting the best of
you. You are right" he added, after scru-
tiniaing the watch with a professional air,
sit is not worth the money you paid for
II. but you've bought, however, and you'll
nave W htGp Y. lHti may bIduc WIN JOu,
though, and If they will, there's a watch in
the case" and he pointed at a highly bur
nished article in brass, (which is worth S35;
perhaps if you would give them $40 more
they'd let you exchange"
Manford examined the time piece In the
case, asked Rothold IL it was worth what
Mr.. Minneapolis said it was, and was assured
that it was. "But, as my friend says"
shrewdly continued the sharp, "if YOU are
dissatisfied I'll exchange with YOU for $40 to
boot"
Manford hesitated O moment, but making
up his mind that he might as well go the
whole hog, forkcd over the additional so and
received another worthless ticket in return.
left the deadfall and proceeded to a respecta.
BILE uptown house, exhibited his purchase
and asked them to tell him its value. SIT
might be worth 50 or "a, but we wouldn't
give you a penny for 1T, was the confronting
reply. This information, of course, perturbed
Mr.. Manford exceedingly, and hurrying back
to Rothold's he laid the watch on the counter
and told them that he had been swindled and
that if they did not see proper to return him
his money they could keep it, watch and all,
but he would make an effort and see whether
they were going to be allowed to rob inno-
cent people after this outrageous fashion.
OF course they kept his money, and the
timer, too, and all that Manford escaped
with was a receipt written on q piece of
wrapping paper, which reads about thus:
OMAHA, May, 1885.
Sold to w. H. Manford, a solid gold
watch, low karat, at auction.
A. RoTHoLD.
This house is not the only 'dive' on the
street that should be broker up, nor is it the
only time this particular place has sold worth
less goods to the unwary. A thirteen year
old boy was vlctimized some days ago but re-
gained his money with the assistance of an
attorney, A green gosling looking
still clinging to his brogans was
observed industriously bidding on a 'solid
gold watch" at u shop below Rothold's this
morning while a ''capper'' was raising him
a dollar each time. A policeman in citizens
clothes, who was passing at the time, OBJ
served the matter and stepping inside led the
unsuspecting agriculturalist outside and in
formed him of the designs the gang had on
his shekels, which to say the least, surprised
But he left, much to the chagrin of
the sharks who were trying to fleece him.
1t has been a question for some time why
these places were permitted to run openly,
and many complaints have been heard. With
out doubt the business will now be stopped.