Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-04-10
BAlkEo BY A HACKMAN.
Sad Experience OF Society Man VIII
Unwittingly Passed Bad Money.

Sad Experience OF Society Man Who
Unwittingly Passed Bad Money.
A society gentleman, who has money and
business, found himself in prelcament re-
Gently. He lad alighted from a hack en-
route to ball with lady friends.
Let the bhl go on my monthly account" 4"
he said to the driver, as he started away with
the ladies'
mo you dor't," responded the driver. with
that unmistak able ar of determination to
collect or fight I've been worked once or
twice that way. You will have to pay or
stay"
But can't be detained. You will find
me all right at your Office" giving his name).
I'm III hurry, too" said the driver, but
can he spared long enough to go up into the
ballroom and lang on To you until you pay. ="
+ But, man, this is absurd. am B, of
such and such "A firm, known TO everybody.
You needn't be afraid"
Il am not afraid of losing, for I'm going
to stay right with you. l stick closer than
the whip declared.
Ladies, pardon this scene if you can, said
the society man as he reached for a handker-
chief from his spiketail and wiped the death
damp from his brow. "This man is unreason-
able and happens to catch me at a time when
l haven't money about my person. You, /
hope, ladies, will require no further explana-
ton"
The ladies were all sympathy and smiles.
OF course they had no money. Where should
society lady dressed for ball carry moneys
A happy thought strikes their miserable COM
panion.
Here, driver, will make you out a check
on any bank you name"
Now, you really didn't take me for fool,
did you. If Lnew you well enough to take
your check I'd know you well enough TO trust
you. Como, thu ladies are getting cold.
want the money. Are you going 10 pay, or
must | annoy you all eveningm
The sound Of merry music within didn't
cheer the sickening heart of the moneyless
man. But hope came through thought.
Ladies, will you kindly excuse me and
remain here as hostages till step in and bor-
row from u friend:'
The ladies were willing and had rare sport
cutting the driver to pieces by speaking of
him i'll his presence, but never addressing
him.
''If you would save friend" said Mr.. B.
hurrying in and addressing the first acquaint-
ance he met, ''let me have 81 to pay a crazy
hackman."
w ul Sci teiillls ule DON, Sulu Une Irl6QQ,
clapping open a well loaded pocketbook.
'only | haven't the change Take this five, "
and he selected from lot of bills silver GER
tificate.
Descending to his friends the borrower
thrust the bill at the hackman savagely;
There, take that bill | have no time TO
wait for change Perhaps you can use it in
learning how to treat a gentleman
Trouble drops from the mind when one
mingles i'll the nlazes of the waltz and the
foregoing incident was forgotten by the princi-
pal sufferer. Ii was rudely recalled the next
morning when the hacliman, immersed in
sardonic smiles, and accompanied by some
one who pight lave been a detective, called
at his place of business.
Counterfeit money don't CO." was the
drivers salutation
"Counterfeiti l tell you, man. I'll have q
lunacy commission appointed for you if you
don't clear out. You are the most pest
ferrous cus over encountered What's the
matter with you nowi Didn't you trouble
me enough last nghtr
I'm all right Don't talk too loud or /
may not be satisf ed with So Take this paper
and give me good money, will your and he
handed out the borrowed bill which had been
passed to him on the previous evening by the
society man.
The bill, upon examination, did look queer
Come with mt, d" Mr.. B. said, ''and we will
see about this"
Certainly" responded the driver; '.in my
hack. at your expense"
The whole affair was explained later, when
the group stood before the gentleman from
whom the money had been borrowed
Great Scott he exclaimed, did I give
you that bill' That was given to me by a
revenue officer as a sample of the counterfeit
certificates which We're put in circulation
here some months ago. / asked for it as a
curiosity and have interested many friends
by exhibiting the bad bill with good one
and asking them 10 pick out the counterfeit
The officer who gave 1t to me marked it at
my request, and If you will look closely you
will see counterfeit marked in small letters
on the face of the bill ln-Indianapolis News