Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-10-04
A Clever Forgery.

Some years ago a merchant engaged a
| broker to dispose of some stock to meet an
urgent demand for ready cash, says the
| Indian Planters Gazette. The stock was
sold, but the owner had considerable diff
Guilty in getting the sale proceeds from the
broker At last, driven to desperation, the
merchant threatened proceedings. The
broker after making a mental calculation,
sat down and drew check for the amount
realized on account of the stock sold, less
per cent broker S commission. and handed
it to the merchant with many apologies for
the delay After this both parted good
friends. The transaction occurred in the
early morning, and, as the merchant wanted
the money urgently, he presented the check
at the bank without delay. Guess his
establishment when the check was handed
back to him with the remark Insufficient
The merchant was hurrying away from the
bank when he met Reid, the detective,
coming up the stairs. He stopped the lat
ter and related how he had been sold by
the broker.
How much short of the amount of
your check stands to the credit of the
broker at the bank?' inquired the officer
Il never asked, replied the merchant
Very good, said Reid, go back and
ascertain
The merchant did so and soon returned
with the reply: Two hundred rupees. -
And the check is for SCOOP
Yes, was the reply
Look here, said Reid, there are half
a dozen writs against the broker, and he
has only given you this check knowing it
would not be paid in order to gain time.
He will draw this money himself before the
day is out and probably bolt from his cred
itOrs.
What is to be dOne?" exclaimed the
merchant in blank despair.
Just this said Reid, as cool as a Gu
cumber. take a pencil and a piece of
paper and write in a hurried scrawl as
dictate: TO the secretary of the-bank
Dear Sir: have Just accidentally discovered
that | have drawn check in favor Of
this morning, that my credit at the bank
falls short of the amount 200 rupees.
disappointment should the check be pre-
scented during the day Now, said Reid.
as the merchant finished the note, the
brokers' initials
The merchant looked up in establishment
Never mind. said the officer. Its no
Otfense to pay money into a bank to man S
credit, though it would be to draw money
out under a forged document.
This advice overcame the merchant s
scruples, and the brokers' initials were
duly attached to the letter, and the money
dispatched to the bank 1t was paid in
without question being asked. The
check was afterward presented and paid in
full. On going down the stairs the mer-
chant met his friend the broker coming up.
The latter, on recognizing the former, stop
ped suddenly, put his hand to his breast
pocket. and exclaimed Good God. | have
forgotten my bank book" He then tur-
ned on his heel, hurried from the bank.
and entering ticca gharTy at the door
hurried away. He had come to draw from
the bank the balance to his credit. but
seeing the man he had intended to cheat
ne was afraid to encounter him. never
thinking for a moment that the intended
dupe had then in his pocket every piece the
broker had to his credit Of course the
merchant lost 200 rupees over the trans
action. but as Reid explained, it was bet
ter to lose 300 than 5000.