The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-10
BUNCOED OUT OF $50.
Two Sharpers Take in an Old Nan on
the Wharves.

the w narVeB.
| An old gentleman on his way from Florida
TO the north was taken in by two sharpers
on the Ocean steamship wharves day before
yesterday. The old gentleman was plainly,
but decently clad and trudged along with
carpet-sack. Late in the afternoon be was
standing at the wharf lost IN wonder at the
great ships and the river, when a large
| wagon drove up full Of fish. The old mans
eyes spa Killed. and his rustic feet led him to
where the fish were dumped out on the
platform. 1t was great sight Tor him.
| There were more fish in that pile
than he had ever seen and
nothing short of a circus would have drawn
| his attention away from them. He gazed
on and did not see two neatly dressed young
men when they stepped up to where the
fish were being assorted.
This lot will turn me in a neat sum-"
| said one of them, pointing TO the fish which
the men were t,iug up, and speaking in an
! undertone. The old man turned and looked
at him.
81 haven't incurred any expense in ship
plug them either" the natty young man
added.
"It Is the best lot have ever shipped"
"Well, that is saying good deal, for you
have shipped a good many" said the other
little man, who was playing the part of the
listener
you are probably the largest dealer in
the south, are you not ~ he asked
People say | am OF course I am not
the judge Of that. My policy is to attend
to my business and treat all men fairly.
Such has beel my conduct and / attribute
my success to that. am friend to the
countryman. | was ono myself one time"
The two then turned aud walked down
toward the ship. The old man fell in love
OF md bal . hot
tom of his soul that he knew the thriving
young men. He knew that he had a friend
in them. He liked the cOuutrymen, and he
was one He would have no difficulty in
making his trip on the boat to the north.
His first step would be to form
their acquaintance as soon as the ship was
out at sea. But the fish looked pretty to the
old man. and he stood and watched the last
one strung.
As the men began to carry the fish to a
boat bound for Charleston, the departure
OF the Gate City was announced, and as the
old man turned to 60 down to get aboard,
he met the two young men running to meet
him. They were confused. apparently, and
one of them remarked: ooh, it's awfully
embarrassing. have not got the change
with which to pay tie men, unless I could
gel this check cashed."
You viii hardly get a 500-dollar check
cashed down here" chimed in the little
man. The old man stopped and
turned aud looked after them as
they passed him. He reached down
into his pocket md felt hi, little mite of
$50, bu he was ashamed 10 offer to asst t
the good Young men with that small
pittance. He walked down toward the
We sci, but before he got aboard one Of the
young fellows ran up to him almost breath
less and said: 'My good man, will yoa be a
passenger on board this shinS'
Yes" the old man replied.
We'll, can't you lend me just $780, /
am going north myself, and l cannot leave
without settling up with the hands. Here
Is a $500 check that you may hold until you
are paid ~
The old man shook his head sorrowfully
because he had only $50
Il will have to ask you for that amount
then, if you will be KIND enough to accom-
modate me. ] think my friend and | can
make it answer" He hurriedly passed the
$500 check into the old mans hands aud ran
back up to the platform. The old man
went aboard, aud after securing his quar-
tiers and putting away his carpet-sack, he
came out to see the young men whom he
regarded so highly on so short an &C
duaintance. But they we're no where to be
found. Possibly after all, they had to go
up town TO get money 10 pay the hands, so
he shamblel up to the platform and in
quired of the hands where their masters
were.
What mastersF' they asked.
why, the two young men who have
hired YOU to do this work.
"G'long Off old man. bawled one of the
smirching nslecmea; I'VE are our own
boss. You don get US into your traps.
Dim onter yCr.n
The Gate City began to move about and
they rushed him OF TO get aboard He had
lost his mo 8ov.