The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-06-22
HE DIDN'T TAKE ANY PAPER.
A Marion County Mans Costly Exper.
iences
Fairmont Index.

How He Was Buncoed Out Of $350.00
Fairmont Index.
On the Hough House register on
Decoration Day there were inscribed
the names, George W. Henderson, of
Bellaire, and G. E. Joyce and VIM.
Miller, of Wheeling. The trio of in
dividuals who claimed title to these
names were quite respectable look
ing and exceedingly clever fellows,
Miller and Henderson having the APP
pearance of de-awake commercial
men and Joyce the air of an easy go
ing clergyman. No one, however,
knew their business here until Mr..
Levi Carlow, well known farmer of
Winfield district, who came in to at
tend the decoration ceremonies hap,
pened to be approached and engaged
in conversation by the genial Mr.
Miller Mr.. Carlow learned that
Mr.. Miller desired to purchase a
good farm for a widowed and wealthy
sister who had grown tired of city
life and wanted to live in the coun-
try, and Miller learned that Mr.. Gar
low had just the kind of farm his sis
ter desired and that although he had
money in bank and little at home
he was not ayerse to selling his place
and taking life easy during the re
mainder of his days if he could get
a good price for the farm. Mr.. Mil
Ter said he would return to this vicin-
ity in week or two and take look
at the farm, and so they parted.
Early last week all three of the gen
try returned, and hiring carriage
of Liveryman Jolliff they drove out
to Mr.. earlow's. When within sight
of the place, the ministerial looking
Joyce got out of the vehicle and
Miller and Henderson drove ON to
the farm. They found Mr. Carlow
at home and at once proceeded to
look over the farm. Mr. Miller ex-
pressed himself well pleased with i,
and finally agreed to buy it at the
price of something over 81, 900. There
was to be down payment to clinch
the bargain, and while discussing
this little matter Mr.. Miller inciden
tally presented some excellent rea
sons why Mr.. Carlow should oblige
him by cashing his check for con
siderable amount, but as Mr. Carlow
had only $50 in his possession at the
the moment, it was not possible foi
him to accommodate the worthy Mr.
Miller in this respect and the matter
was dropped.
They were standing near str.I
of woods at the time, and in a few
moments the clerical Mr.. Joyce cam,
ambling toward them from amidst
the trees. But Joyce was much
changed in appearance. He had a
wild look about the eyes, he was
fidgety and talked incoherently, and
it was plain to Mr. Carlow that tn,
fellow was half cracked. Mr.. Miller
and Mr.. Henderson thought so, too
and when Joyce began telling then
in confidential way gauzy story
about his having come from Texas
in search of sister whom he wished
to make rich with his money, an6
recklessly pulled great wads of bills
from his pockets, they were positive
he was very much OF fool. Mr.
Miller said it was a wonder some
body haden't robbed the fellow if he
had been going through the country
in that style. While Joyee's tongue
was still running on, he sat down
spread handkerchief across his lap
took three cards out of his pocket
and solemnly informed Mr. Carlow
and his two friends that he was q
great three-card- monte expert. Mr.
Miller did not believe that the sim.
pie fellow knew anything about the
game, and to prove to Mr.. Carlow
and Mr.. Henderson that he was right
he bet the fellow $50 that he could
turn up the right card every time
But Mr.. Carlow observed that before
offering to bet, the sly and humorous
Mr.. Miller had deity turned up the
corner of the card while the poor
stranger had his eyes turned another
way, so that it was easy to distin-
guish that particular card from the
others. The alleged monte-expert
did not see this, however, and Mr..
Miller easily won his $40. The fool
ish fellow was not satisfied, and Mr..
Miller made another bet of $50 with
him which he easily won in the same
way Anybody could have done it.
Mr. Carlow himself could have turn
ed the plainly marked card. But
Mr. Carlow did not think it right to
take the simple fellows money in
that way, and he and Mr.. Miller re
sumed their negotiations about the
purchase of the farm. The crazy
monte man talked with the sedate
Mr.. Henderson awhile and finally
started off toward the road. Hender-
son turned to Mr.. Carlow and said
he didn't believe the fellow would
get far before he would find some
body who would not be too scrupu-
lous to win his money at his own
game, and said he supposed they
were a making mistake by not do
ing it themselves. Mr.. Miller was
positive that they ought to do it;
that they might as well have that
money as anybody else; that indeed
some villain might use violence in
robbing the fellow, and that they
would be doing him friendly ser
vice by relieving him of the cash.
He proposed that as the fellow had
about $500, they chip in to that
amount and wager it on the card,
and he called to the monte man to
return. Mr.. Carlow said he only
had $50 with him, but that he had
5000 id bank in Fairmont. Mr.. Mil
Ter suggested that Mr.. Henderson
could detain the monte man there,
while they went to town and got the
money. The idea was a good one
and they at once acted on it.
Mr.. Henderson had no trouble in
detaining the monte man, and when
Mr.. Miller and Mr. Carlow returned