Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-03
SMOOTH YANKEE SWINDLERS
Two of Them Fleece Fashionable
London Tailor.
BOTH SECURE FINE OUTFITS
A Tall Native of Alabama tProcures
the Endorsement OF General
New and short Man
Uses It.
London Tailor Tricked.
Copyright 1889 bU jams Gordon Bennet

were two Americans. Both were young one
about twentv-eight years, and the other per-
haps twenty-four. The former said his name
was w. S. Reese and that he came from
Alabama. The younger of the pair said his
name was II. l.. Rose, ana that he too came
from Alabama. Reese was about 5 feet or
5lpcbes; his complexion was fair, hair light,
and his small moustache was frizzed both to
port and starboard. He had an off-hand way
that is said to have been taking how TAX.
ihg'' will soon appear Rose was fair
haired and fair complexioned, with a smooth
and boyish looking face, but brave and
mannish manner
Some days prior to the arrival of the men
at the Metropole, there walked into the
United States consular office an American
who stood feet inches tall in thin-soled
boots. He was large enough to fill a han
som without trying. He asked for General
New, the United States consul to London.
He was ushered into General News private
Office. He SAID his name was w. S. Reese
and that he came from Alabama. He also
said that he was heavily interested IN the
Iron manufacturing industry Of Birming-
ham and that the principal object of his visit
to London was to interest English capitalists
in Developing the wonderful natural re-
sources of Alabama. He produced let
States senator from Alabama These
letters certified that Reese was
oil that he saId he was. Reese was in need
of considerable information, and as one of
80, the duties of the United States consul to
London is to supply any and all information
that may be wanted by the army of Ameri-
cans who call upon him, General New of
course was equal to the occasion. About
the last bit of Information for which Mr.
Reese asked was the address of tailor who
would clothe him N the latest fashion and at
price which any Alabaman who did not
move in the first circle of taiordom would
scorn TO accept, General New wrote on one
side of a visiting card that w. S. Reese
was man of character and
" directed the card to $. Nelson, of 13 Han
over erect. This card Reese carefully put
in his pocket. Not long afterwards, so it is
supposed he just as carefully lost it, fact
which he failed to communicate either to
General New or to Mel on until it was too
late for the information to be of much value.
On August q well dressed young man
walked into Nelson's tailor shop and pre-
sented General News card, upon the back
of which it was stated that w. S. Reese was
amta of character. Ever since he opened
his shop Nelson mad been on the look out for
mon of this kind. Besides, Nelson has made
clothes not to an extent entirely sat
isfactor TO himself, but still he made
clothes for General New, and he wanted
more custom of some kind. What could he
do for Reesel The latter wanted quite a lot
of clothes, but would order only one morning
walking suit in order to satisfy himself that
Nelson was up to the proper notch. The
suit was made and sent to the Metropoe.
Reese called in a couple of DAYS to say that
the clothes were admirable in every way.
On his second visit to Nelson's shop Reese
was accompanied by Rose. The latter COM
plimented Nelson on his skill as tailor,
said he was rather tired of his own tailor
Weiss, of New York, according to the stamp
on his clothes and had determined to give
Nelson an order. Nelson was naturally
pleased and ut once began to ex-
hDit the best goods in his
stock. Both of his new customers
wanted fur top coats. Reese said he pre-
ferrcd astrakhan, and after some discussion
upon the strong and weak points OF astrak-
han and seal, both agreed to take astrakhan.
They wanted the best, OF course, and money,
they limited, was no object Rose was, so
Rec J,wivately informed Nelson, q son Of
one OF the largest iron manufacturers IN the
United States. Clothes to the value of
a200 were ordered before the wants of the
large.hearted Americans were satisfied
Rose suggested that his clothes be sent to
the MetropOle. Several times he asked the
head salesman to be sure ana send the bill
with the clothes. He had horror of over
duo tailor bills and he wanted TO reap the
benefit of the usual cash discount. Reese
said he was stopping at the Savoy. His
clothes were to be sent there. He was quite as
anxious as Rose that the bill should be sent
al ,,f, IL. IL
his Sleep and in one respect 10 was per-
feet baby-without his sleep he was not
himself. Nelson is now of the opinion that
Reese had been without sleep for two
weeks.
Both orders were filled and both were de-
livered at the respective addresses of Rose
and Reese. Reese said he would expect his
clothes AZ the Savoy hotel on August 81.
Oddly enough he did not become a guest
there until August 20. lie left the Hotel
Metropole on august l6, and where he
stopped from that date until the 10Th is not
known When he left the Metropoe he said
he was gong TO Liverpool and asked that all
letters or parcels that might reach the hotel
for hlm should be sent to Liverpool.
Rose remained at the Metropoe until Sep
tcmber %, and upon paying his bill said he was
bound for Liverpool Before leaving he re-
celVeu the clothes ana the Dill. Nobody en-
poyed in or about the hotel noticed that he
displayed any anxiety about the bill after no
received the clothes.
On August "A two young men who seemed
possessed of plenty of clothes and unour.
dened with an ounce Of care took steamer
at Liverpool for New York. Whether or
not they blossomed out in those astrakhan
top Coats on tho voyage is not known to Mel
son, but he hepes they did, aud gave mis-
Eane, as no is willing TO bank his reputation
y on the quality and cut of those coats.
About September J Nelson's mead
salesman thought it was curious that
the gentlemen who had displayed so much
anxiety about their bills should permit the
latter to remain unpaid for G week. lie
called at the 'Metropole and discovered that
Rose had waited himself thence just a week
before3 Further inquiry proved that Reese
and Rose had left London at the same time
The situation was explained to Nelson. He
began 10 have qualms. He called upon Gen
eral New and asked him II he had given a
card 10 w. S. Reese. New answered afirm-
atiyely Relief 70 the value OF 3aoO was at