Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-10
FOOLED THE FARMER.
New York Sharps Turn a New Trick
in the Green Goods Game on
MRS. CHARLOTTE BLUME'SNEPHEW
JOhan Hersch Pays $3.50 to Obtain an
Inheritance of $4,000.
A WEST END FEAST ENDS IN WEEPING


brought to sad and abrupt termination by
the wiles of New York sbarpers, who had
introduced new feature into the green
goods" game. The story has been related
TO the police, and is remarkable one.
Johann Hersch, German, had for 16
years titled the soil of a farm at German
vile, Jefferson county, Ia, and was some
what startled and perhaps pleased when he
received news from a New York lawyer that
his aunt, Mrs. Charlotte Blume, had left
him legacy which could be secured with q
little trouble and expense. Hersch knew
that his aunt was dead, but did not know
that she had amassed snug fortune by rum
ming grocery in the upper part of New
York City.
Considerable correspondence ensued be-
| tween Hersch and the New Yorker, until
finally the latter was told to come on to the
metropolis and get his share of the estate,
which amounted to $1,000. As Hersch and
the New Workers were not acquainted with
each other, the former was told what train
to take and now to dress, in order that he
might be recognized.
AN IMPORTANT POSTSCRIPT.
Attached to the letter was a postscript,
informing Hersch that he had better bring
along $3.50, the amount of the lawyers COM
mission for securing the legacy. Hersch
had some money and borrowed some more,
and with his 1S.year-old son started for the
East
Hersch has sister in P Pittsburg, who is
married to Michael Heinlein, who lives
about a quarter of a mile above the Stone
Tavern, in the West End. Hersch and his
son reached Pittsburg on Monday, COM
municated his good fortune to his relatives,
and on Tuesday started for New York.
Hersch arrived at Jersey City about noon
on Wednesday, and was met at the depot
by two affabIe, well-dressed men, who
quickly disclosed to Hersch that they were
the men he had travelled so far to meet.
'You must be tired and hungry after
your ride" said one of the men. "Let us
have dinner before we attend to business
This suggestion, being both benevolent
and practical, was acted upon at once, and
the party went to hotel where they had
good dinner, enlivened by the congratula-
tions of the New York gentlemen.
READY FOR BUSINESS.
It was getting late in the afternoon when
the man who claimed to be the lawyer in
the case suggested that it was time to move.
The party boarded ferry boat, crossed to
New York, took a train on the bewildering
elevated railroad, and after riding for about
half hour took a carriage, drove a few
blocks and alighted in front of a handsome
office building.
Hersch and his son were conducted to a
handsomely furnished Office on the second
floor, the most striking feature being large
safe. The party took seats, the big safe was
opened with a clang, and one of three very
similar packages was taken out and placed
on the table.
"This is your inheritance, Mr.. Hersch," 3"
said the lawyer. "Allow me to congratu-
late YOU upon your accession to fortune"
Mr.. Hersch, replied modestiy, and the
package was united, small wooden box
disclosed, which, when opened, rev ealed an
alluring array of greenbacks.' The money
was in five bundles, each one secured by
rubber band. The money was taken out
and counted by the lawyer and Hersch.
There was no deception-there was So. 600 in
crisp greenbacks.
HERSCH PAYS THE PRICE.
The money was replaced in the box,
which was wrapped up in nice piece of pa
per, and secured by stout cord. Then Mr..
Hersch's attention was called to the fact
that he had not vet paid the fee. Mr..
Hersch remedied this omission Immediate
Iv, and turned over $3.50 with all the pleas
ure in the world.
The party sat and chatted for a short
while, until one of the New Yorkers sug-
gested that if Mr.. Hersch desired to return
to Pittsburg that evening, he would just
have time to make his train. The box was
handed to Mr.. Hersch, and the lawyer in
sisted on accompanying him to his train.
When Mr.. Hersch reached the depot, the
lawyer said: "Now. let me impress upon
you not to open the box until you get home.
There are always sharpers Oh board trains,
and if they suspect you of having such a
large sum of money about you, they will
surely rob you"
Mr.. Hersch thanked the gentleman for his
kindly consideration for an unsuspicious
farmer, and started for Pittsburg. He and
his son reached the Union Depot without
cent except that contained in the little box,
and rather than open it in public they
walked the entire distance to the home of
his sister in the West End.
JOY CHANGES TO DIsMAY.
When Hersch and his son reached the
Heinlein residence they found an elaborate
banquet prepared and number of friends
gathered to welcome the possessor OF for
tune. After joyful couple of hours had
been spent, it was suggested that Hersch dis
play his wealth. There was no hesitation,
as he was now among friends, and with
unctuous deliberateness he opened the box
and showed five tempting bundles of green
backs. Slowly he drew out bundle, slowly
skinned off the top bill, a 81 greenback, and
then
Well, the balance of the bundle consisted
of slips of very good quality of green
paper, but nothing more.
With fear and trembling the other pack
ages were tested, and with like result
The fortune had resolved itself into five 81
bills and several cents worth of paper.
CONSERVATION overcame the erstwhile
happy party. Hersch broke down COM
pletely and shed bitter tears. The sight of
his sorrow overcame his friends, and they
joined him in his lamentations.
Herseh first determined to return to New
York and trace the swindlers, but when he
realized what a hopeless task it would be he
gave up the idea. On Friday he and his
son returned to his Iowa farm. n
Mr.. Heinlein called the attention of In
spector McAleese to the case, and the latter
will communicate with the New York au-
thorities in regard to the matter.