The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-28
THE GAME OF "FLIM-FLAM."
The Improved Method of Working 1t
in England With Counterfeit Coin.

in England With Counterfeit Coin.
From the London Telegraph.
I was a short time ago accidentally
thrown into the company of one of those
gentlemen known among the community
as "Brummagem Kids" who get their hv-
ing by passing spurious coin into circula-
ton, and from him gained some facts con-
corning the profession, as he termed II,
which may prove interesting to the public
at large. But, first, l must ask you to dis
miss from your minds eye the picture you
NAV have conceived OF a half-starved,
wretched, ill-clad bully with his pockets
full of leaden shillngs. My counterfeiter
was a very different fellow indeed. Some
what above the middle hight, and well
built, with a fine military mustache, a
rather pleasant-looking face, well dressed,
with the speech and manners Of a perfect
gentleman. de was indeed the last
person to be suspected as any
thing but what he announced
himself to be, viz, a sporting gentleman,
who was fond Of making little book oc-
casionally There was nothing approach
ing the swell mobsman about hun. His
jewelry consisted of a heavy gold watch
guard aud repeater, a signet ring, and
breast-pin. being rich without being snowy.
After informing me that he had now retired
from business, having made sufficient to be
able to end his days without fear of the gen.
tleman with the bracelets, he added, land
so now you would like to know a little
about the way to do the biz. ETC." Having
expressed my eagerness to hear and
learn all l could respecting the profession,
he commenced: well, you see the business
is divided into three departments, all of
which work Independently of each other.
There is the man who makes the com; the
dealer or middle man, who generally has a
shop of some kind, most frequently by a
grocer's, ard the last, but most important
of all, the one who passes the coin into cir
culation."
"And may ask what is the most popular
method of passing the money"
well, each man works on a principle of
his own. but | gave most of my attention to
the Bullets at railway stations. We will
say, for instance, l go into a refreshment
bar in Manchester, aud ! call for a drink
and pass a compliment on the fair barmaid.
L then threw a genuine sovereign on the
counter, which, of course, rings truly, but
will not give it to the girl till she lets me pin
the flower from my coat in her own dress,
which | need hardly say is not an objection
able proceeding with the greater number of
barmaids. Then give her the coin, or
rather the counterfeit one in its place.
When she brings the change, as she doubt
less will, half sovereign in gold and the
resi- silver, tne nalI-SOVerelgQ Is quickly
changed for bad one, with a request for
all silver. OF course she does SO imme-
diately, and | walk off, having cleared
slightly over FL by the transaction"
But, does not the girl ever test the
coing'
81 have never had one of mine tested vet.
You see, what with the gift OF nice flower,
the compliments, and seeing the sovereign
rung on the counter, suspicion never occurs,
and of course she believes the half sovereign
to be her own, exactly as l change them,
without removing the rest of the change
from the counter"
And now" said my informant. rising
and CHANGING at. his watch, II must wish
you good evening, and trust we may meet
again soon."
I echoed the sentiment, and he left me-
and not till the next day did find that the
sovereign and half sovereign which l had
lent him to illustrate his swindllng had been
changed in my case for bad ones, and
doubtless the pleasant smile with which be
left me was called up by the thought that l,
a professedly business man, should be as
easily gulled as giggling barmaid.