Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-05-10
PERUVIAN swlNpLERs.
rhe Exploits Of Two Petfeet Artists In the
Confidence Line.

rhe Exploits OF Two Petfect Artists In the
Conndcnce Line.
A short time ago, we are told, there
was great excitemen. In Lima about
oertaln pictures by old masters which
were offered for sale. and bought, in
some instances, at very high prices.
While this ferment was going on a
man came TO the shop Of large gem
eral dealer and begged HIM to put into
his window a landscape that he had for
sale. The dealer consented, though
the picture was apparently mere
daub; but he knew little Of the value of
paintings, and was inclined TO doubt
his own judgment when tho owner
charged him on no account TO let II 60
under 5000 soles-about fl.000. The
picture was accordingly put in the win
dow, and apparently attracted some
attention; for several gentlemen asked
the price and offered large sums-3,O00,
1000 and 1900 soles, but never up 10
5000. under which sum the dealer had
been charged not to let It go. After a
time the owner camc back and said
that he was now determined not TO take
less than 1000 solcs. as he was told
that he had put too low q price on II
before, and soon after this another
purchaser appeared and offered 5000
soles. The dealer, thinking that the
owner would be sure to take the
5000 originally asked, determined to
make something out Of II for himself
and accepted the offer. The purchaser
deposited 1000 soles in order TO fix the
bargain, and left the picture in the
shop, thereby convincing the dealer Of
the genuineness of his offer, and the
latter sent 10 the owner, told him that
5000 had been offered, and asked II
he would take II. The owner, with
apparent reluctance, consented, and
the dealer accordingly paid him 5000
soles anxious to complete the bargain
and secure the extra thousand for him
self OF course the purchaser never
turned up, having been (as was the
other pretended purchasers) in league
with the rogue. The gang retired
quickly with their spoils, leaving the
dealer minus 1000 soles and plus a
worthless daub. about which he was
numerically laughed at by his ac-
quaintances.
A iewcler in Lima was imposed upon
in this way A ring with an unusu-
ally fine brilliant, worn by a we'll
dressed man who sat in the coffee
room Of one Of the hotels, attracted the
attention of some peddling jewellers
who were present. One Of them begged
TO be allowed TO look at the stone.
The ring was accordingly passed round,
and one Of the jewellers asked the own
er IL he would sell IL. NO" he said,
II do not wish to part with it,
as 1t was present Besides" he
added, ait Is not real stone, only an
imitation" At this the jewelers. exam
ined the stone again, and being con-
yinced of its genuineness. informed
him that he was mistaken. He, how
ever, persisted in il that IL had been
given to him as false stone and that
he did not believe 1t 10 be real. He
was asked IL he would sell il as false.
This, however, he refused TO do on
account Of its associations; but being
at last offered price considerably
above its value. IL false--though as
much under 1t, II realize consented "a
sell 1t, on condition that the buyer
would make a written statement 10 the
effect that the stono was sold to him as
false. This was agreed TO. the writing
was signed, the price paid, and the
ring at the last minute handed over.
whereupon the seller quickly retired.
1t was not long. however, before the
purchaser found that the stone in his
ring was In truth imitation. a duplicate
ring having at the last moment been
substituted for the original one. Al
the same time he was cut of from all
redress by the paper he had signed,
acknowledging that he had bought the
ring as false, and also that he had paid
n price so unfairly beneath the value
Of the stone. II he had supposed II tc
be real-a fact which he was not anx-
ious to have made public. James
Gazette.
When does an argumentative M,
II. most comDletely resemble an incon.