The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-14
who engineered this little Job WAS q whole

VINO engineered this little job WAS o who'll
boquet Of double ohryssnthemums.
This fellow appeared at Fred's farm o,
Wednesday evening and talked like man O.
unlimited capital, saying that he had heart
OF Fred's elegant farm 80 splendidly eauipp
ed etc, and was anxious TO buy il. Fred
had no land to sell. but told the young mar
that near neighbor was DESTROYS OF sellin,
and he would be pleased to introduce him
80, never mind" said the young man
"I'll call again in the morning and we will
drive over. can get better idea OF tn,
lay of the land by daylight. I'm visitins
John F. Nash, Of Ottawa, and must gel
back"
He did call in the morning. Fred and he
drove over toward the home Of the neighbor
but on the way they met trampish looking
fellow, who, after inquiring the way ia
Streator, struck up a conversation with them
and proceeded to relieve himself of huge
chuncks of family history. He said that his
home was in Kentucky and that his father
had died and left large estatee, $50, 900 OF
which was willed to his sister, who was
supposed to live in Utica. He went to Utica,
and found that she had died, and had been
buried several yeras ago, and now he was
just on his way to Streator to see friend
Fred informed him that he was on the
wrong road, and after profuse thanks, the
tramp let loose another big string of person.
al history. He had been to Streator, hav,
ing stopped day while passing through,
and during his stay there, three card monte
men had relieved him of q thousand dollars
OF his sisters money. Indeed, he had had
hard luck,
Mr.. Glenn and his new found friend we're
interested and wanted to know how the little
game of monte was played, The tramp dis
played deck of cards and proceeded to ex-
plain. In few minutes Fred's companion
began betting with the tramp, and won
about fifty dollars. Then the tramp wanted
to bet big. Freds companion drew him
aside and told him confdentially that the
fellow was Irregular chump,' and if Fred
would 60 to Streator with him, he would get
some money from the bank and beat him.
Fred agreed, and wanted to come In himself.
They then told the tramp to get in their rig
and they would 90 to Streator and play him
for something larger than mere ten dollar
bills. He did 80 and after appointing q
rendezvous they separated. Fred going to
one bank and drawing SIS 000 while his new
found friend pretended to draw like sum
from another house.
Arrived at the rendezvous the game opened
and in about an hour, during which the
tramp wagered his money in most reck-
less manner, Fred aud his companion had
won the entire $4,000. Big play-grea.
luck. Then Fred's friend
placed all Of the money in small tin box,
and when they were alone handed it over
to Fred with the remark:
"Iou take the stuff home with you. We
have won big pile off this sucker anu he
may squeal and make it hot for US. I'll call
around at 2 o'clock after my share.
Fred went home in great gee, but
when, after waiting, long for his man, he
opened the box-lt WAS full of brown paper.
OF course he kicked and now all the police
and detectives in the state are looking for
that sucker and Freds friend!
And said Fred. 50 saw him put the
money in the box with my own eyes, and
he shut the box and gave it to me!'
And yet the impression prevails out at
Otter Creek, that Fred was mistaken.