The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-27
CAUGHT HIM FOR CASH.
MR.. A. M. MCREI0HT LOOKING FOR
ONE J. T. HASTINGS,
A Clerical Looking New Yorker, Who
Raised the Wind by Means Of a Bogus
Check Imposed Upon q Confiding
Hotel Check.

Mr.. A. NJ. McCreight, OF the Peabody Ho-
tel's efficient clerical staff, would like to con-
tinue, for a brief season, his acquaintance
with one J. 4. Hastings.
SO DESTROYS is he OF this, that the sum OF
$50 will be paid for just one sly, but unmis-
taxable glance at the clerical looking alleged
New Yorker.
And there is method in this |excruciating
longing for the said Hastings. Mr.. Nc
Creight feels for him as he does for few, II
any other, men in all this broad land. Even
the hotel mans W brother does not oc-
cupy more of his thoughts Just now than
does this mar Hastings. When IL is related
that Mr.. McCreight has already chcerfully
given him $50, and on the briefcst sort Of ac-
q~uaintance, the public will be- moved TO in-
quire; what strange fascination has this
stranger over one OF our most esteemed fell
low townsmen, a man who is far from being
a spcndthrift2' TnE APrEAL is on the in
side and volunteers a full, fair and accurate
explanation.
On good st. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March
II, Hastings was one Of a goodly number
who applied a. the Peabody for accommoda-
tons. lie may have been Irish or he may
not have been, but the fact Is, Il was Irish
mems day, and Mr.. McCreight, who pre-
sided over the register and desk at the time
OF the guests arrival, was inclined To regard
every conner rs a native Of the Emerald Isle,
and therefore n good man. Hastings also
wore a substitute for the shamrock aud thus
strengthened the clerks belief IN his inno-
cence and business, He went through the
formality Of aiixing his anne to the register
and was assigned 10 n room always ready for
those supposed to be all right and willing to
give up tie prescribed stuff. The guest even
! condescended TO smile freely at the cordial
welcome, which served to pave the way to
terms OF intimacy, which aross shortly after
ward-just long enough aftorward 10 pass
muster as according 10 the code OF proprioty
aud good breeding.
Dinner came and went, Hastings making
II n point to see that n lions share thereof
went In his direction. Then the painful
conviction came upon him that his wallet
was not groaning under pressure OF lucre,
but he had what gets the lucre, hat Is To
say. the check" Mcekly, and with honesty
stamped all over his face, the guest flushed
the check before Mr.. Mc('rcight, Offering 90
| exchange IL for so, less the amount charged
for one days accommodations. AZ The papc
was drawn for so on the lmporters aud
Traders Bank, New York, and the applicant
had allaycd every suspicion OF crookedness.
the ailhble clerk went down N his individ-
ual belt, drew forth five crisp $40 williams,
hiN tue Nttu WIS dpit. HASTINGS WAS
happy, and shed the light Of his ~counicnnnce
full upon his bcnciactor until after breakfast
on the 18th. Then lac went hence.
The balance Il q matter OF only a few
words. Mr.. McCrcight forwarded the check
10 New York. Yesterday came the srquel:
mo such man Is known TO this bank, either
ns n deposition or an individual piece Of hu.
mnnity."
Mr.. McCrolght sustains the loss himself,
AL I..NU.a uN...a m.. a.. -. ~. -
keeps n shower bath OF molten lead for the
next man who requests hiu to cash n check.
j. 4. Hastings, whetLe' hat be his name
or not, is about ifly ytAfs Of age, five feet
eight or nine inches tall. would weigh about
100 pounds, and has "a bency0lcnt-looking
face, adorned only by "a rather heavy iron
gray moustachc aud forty tons OF check.
For the incstimablc pleasure OF gazing upon
that face and form again Mr.. McCreight will
pay $50 over aud above the loss lac has
already sustained. When he does an officer
Of the law, the District Attorney aud other
Criminal Court machinery will be requested
10 lend o-nchnntment 10 the view.