Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-06-08
TALES FOR TRAVELLERS.
The Airy But Ancient Inventions
of Confidence Men.
They stnl suGHce TO Catch tho Unsophlstl-
Gated, Even II They Are Old-Tsxas
Not a Good Market for
''Green Goods"

Talking about smart people" =" said
detective to a Star reporter, ''the con-
fidence man. or the con man. as we
call him, will never take back seat,
and there is no reason, except as amat-
ter OF honesty, why he should. He is
always quick to take trick and can
sizeup q 'mark'as readily as any member
ofthe profession. He is usually good
looking man, and, OF course, he has
winning ways That is necessary in
his business. He is never at a loss for
subject that will interest any ono, and
he seldom makes a mistake when he
picks out his man. The con man, as
rule, does not attempt to become a
millionaire at one haul, nor does he
usually risk more than two or three
tricks in city during one visit The
depot is his favorite place for picking
up his prey He converses with his
victim, learns his name and address,
and, strange to say, he is either from or
is going to the vicinity of the homo Of
his victim. His pleasant conversation
never fails to give an impression OF his
sincerity and he can make the stranger
believe almost any thing he will tell
him. He never stops short OF mine Of
some kind, even il it is only sand
mine. Sometimes he will even go so
far as to tell that there is a gold or
silver mine in the neighborhood of the
victims house, If he should happen to
be countryman.
but 1t does not take an unsophisti-
Gated countryman to get swindled by
the con men," continued the detect
i've. They are smart enough to catch
the most intelligent citizens There
are four merchants in this city who
have fallen victims in New York. They
did not pay very dear for their expert
ence, but they no doubt learned a les
son that will prevent similar transac-
ton in the future, so that there is no
use or sense in a person saying they
couldn't catch me- They can catch
you. and they don't want more than
half chance, either. II the game is
tried and followed up It's only ques-
tion of time before they will get the
Doodle. People read OF the smart
tricks Of crooked people every day OF
two, but still they will get caught in
the snare. Bait the hook and the suck.
ers' are bound to bite at it.
THE check racket" he continued,
"is one OF the oldest games of the con.
fidence men, but it is still practiced
successfully. In working It there are
always two crooks The first one will
go into depot and look about to pick
out his mark He does not always
select the greenest looking man. He
first sizes up the thickness of his pocIk
et-book. If satisfied that he has enough
money to play for, he engages in con
versation with the stranger, and frs
learns where he is from.
"'Why, l am going there myself OF
the next train, he will say.
"Of course, the stranger is glad tC
have company. He never did like L
travel alone, anyhow. The confidence
man is such a pleasant talker that th'
stranger becomes interested in him
and they are friends in little while
The one who takes that part OF the
game is usually an elderly man, be
cause. in some cases, the occasion de
mands that he should have a grow
daughter.
Then the old gentleman interrupt
his newly-made friend and tells hin
that he is going around to the hotel TO
his wife and daughter.
my daughter he will say, will
be good company for you ard max
the trip pleasant
"The stranger readily accepts th
proposition and anticipates pleasan
journey. He leaves the depot ant
starts with the gentleman to the hotel
The latter incidentally refers to bill
of goods he has purchased and whicl
has not arrived atthe depot.
Presently young man, ostensibl,
a clerk in store. meets the two. and
addressing the elderly man, he pre-
sents bill for the goods, and request
its payment
Certainly, he will answer, taxin
check from his pocket, here's you
money
"'But l can't change the check tn
supposed clerk'will reply.
Then he hesitates What 10 do h
does not know lie turns to his frien
and shows him the check He woull
like the loan OF $50 or 500 until he ca
get the check cashed, and, of course
he has no objection to handing owe
the check as security. The check /
for $500 or $IO0, and, satisfied that h
can not possibly lose any thing, tn
victim takes the money from his pocke