The Portland daily press., 1888-10-18
TWO swINDLERs
Try to Play PortIander for Large
Amount.
He Proves too Sharp for the Little
Came.

Monday morning, early, one of Portland's
well known citizens, Mr.. John Z. Leathe.
was standing on the Western Promenade en-
joying the beautiful prospect, in the rare
sunshine, when he was accosted by a well
dressed, gentlemanly appearing man, who
asked him what building it was that doomed
up in the distance. The Portlander replied
that it was the State Reform School.
"And what building is this on the right 81,
said the stranger.
THAT" answered the Portlander, sis the
Maine General Hospital"
Are you an old resident of Portland 9,
asked the stranger.
Il have resided here So years" replied the
Portlander.
Then you probably knew my father. "said
the young man. HE was for a number OF
years cashier of the Casco Bank. named
small, and after his death my mother and
myself moved West. Then went into bust
ness, and have been remarkably successful
Lately married, and my wife and came
East SO that she may see our early home.
She is SO pleased with the city that l have
decided to buy house here, and my mother
VIII occupy it while my wife and l make a
European tour. When we return we shall
settle down in the house with my mother"
Have you decided on a house." said the
Portlander, with twinkle in his eye, .'be-
cause ! own several houses, one of which
might suit your fancy
Il have no doubt of it," said the stranger,
land | will call upon you this afternoon
with my wife, and we will look at them"
The couple parted, and each went his way.
In the afternoon, as the Portlander was pas
sing down Spring street. he met the stranger
coming up. The stranger said he was on the
way to his house to see him and tell him that
his wife would not be able to look at houses
until the next day. He then asked the
Portlander to walk with him, and the gen.
tleman consented. During the walk the
stranger said that when he left Chicago he
drew in a lottery two sets of Bancroft's
United States" beautiful editions. or
course he had no use for more than one copy.
and he would give the Portlander the other
If he would call at his house with him. This
the Portlander agreed to, and shortly the
stranger stopped at a house on Oxford street
and pulled the door bell
A man answered the bell and invited the
gentlemen in. Upon entering the parlor the
man who answered the bell told the stranger
that the books arrived by express, but had
been so carelessly handled that he had
been compelled to send them to Boston to
have them rebound and generally fixed up.
well" said the stranger, turning to the
Portlander, you will have to wait week
for the volumes. Now, at the same time that
drew the books also drew dollar. l
don't want to send all the way to Chicago for
dollar. What would you do about it?''
The man of the house piped up and asked
him why he didn't try his chances for more
than dollar.
flows that" said the stranger.
III show you," said the man of the
house.
The man then showed large card like
lotto card. divided into numbered squares
The stranger was told to place his dollar on
any one of the numbers, and then draw four
cards from an ordinary pack of cards. If the
added numbers of the four cards was the
Same as the number on the other card on
which his money had been placed, the better
would receive thousand dollars. The
stranger bet his dollar and lost. Then he
tried again and won. Two packages, ap-
parently containing $500 each, were placed in
his hands. Now" said the stranger. turn
ing to the Portlander, "try your luck" The
Portlander did so, and was told he had gain
ed $4,000, but in the case of so large a sum
$500 must be deposited before the money
was paid over. The stranger took the Port
lander into the entry and said: my wife
has $1,000. have drawn $1,000, and If you
could raise $1,000. we can scoop the Slo,-
co.,"
"All right" said the Portlander. II can
raise several thousands if necessary" So
the two men left the house. When they
reached Preble street the Portlander turned
to the stranger and said: young man, 1
am not as green as you may think. My hair
is gray, and have seen life in my day. You
are swindler, and when see policeman
will give you in charge" The stranger
quickly took flight. When the Portlander
was asked why he didn't wait until he saw a
policeman, he said because he didn't want
to be mixed up in such scrape."
The police were informed and visited the
house, but the scamps had left.