Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-14
"BUNCOED."
A Texan in New York Awaiting Infor'
nation Concerning "a Friend"
and S1150.
John Drury Of San Antonio the Victim Of
Young Mans Afiableness, Who Does
the GrIpsack Act.

NEW YORK, May 13.-lt cost John
Drury of Texas just Sl15O to SIT in Bat
terry park yesterday afternoon and talk
with an engaging stranger for half an
hour. Mr.. Drury owns large herds OF
cattle and many acres of land at San
Antonio, Tex. He went there years
ago as boy and grew ND among ranch
eros and wild riders of the Southwest,
always under the impression that he
knew about all there was to
know concerning the ways of this
wicked world. He made money right
and left, and his bank account grew
rapidly, Last month Mr.. Drury de-
cided to give DIP his wild and free life
on the Texas ranch and travel about
the world, his objective point was Paris
by way of New York. During his stay
in this city at the Reese house, 81 Green
wich street, Mr.. Drury met two days
ago most pleasing gentleman, and be-
tween the two there soon sprang up an
acquaintance of the closest sort. Drury
cenfded to the stranger, whose name
was Petro Mariana, that he had $1,000 in
bills, which he was anxious to change
into French and English money. Mariana
became interested in the Texan
and took him to Wall
street money changer, who, in return
for his 1900 American dollars gave hun
English sovereigns and French francs.
Drury put $3.50 worth of this foreign
currency into his travelling bag, and the
balance he distributed about his person,
through his different pockets. HIS
friend Mariana then asked him to goE
down to Battery park and view the ship
ping in the bay, telling the Texan to
meet him opposite the barge office.
Mariana left him for few minutes, and
then returned, carrying yalise iden-
tioal with the one carried by the rancher.
Then they sat in the park and saw the
ships and steamers go by, both
wondering at the magnificenoe of
the sight. Suddenly Mariana looked at
his watch and remarked; 'lt is $3.50
pollock, have an appointment at up
town. Excuse me, will see you later. -
With that he picked up his gripsaok and
hurried away. Unsuspecting Drury a
short time later took up, as he thought,
his travelling bag and in leisurely man.
ner meandered back to his hotel, stop
ping on the way to purchase ticket for
dEl5 ny way Ol IlSO CL1A btSdulOAf sniA~
ing on Saturday. After selecting his
stateroom, and agreeing on a price, he
opened his bag to get the money with
which to pay for the ticket. Then q
wonderful thing happened. Instead Of
crisp bank of England bills and shining
French COIN, the amazed rancher found
couple OF bricks and lot of old iron
before him. He was recalled from his
lQnph
from the steamship clerks who
said only one word" Buncoed. - With
all his worldly wisdom Drury was wise
enough to know what that meant. Hs1
did not take his ticket for London, out
instead, he postponed his trip across the
water, and reported the case to Acting
Sergeant Martin Conlin of the Castle
Garden police squad. Detective Grodeif
was put on the case, and most yindio-
tive and belllgerant Texas ranober Is now
anxiously awaiting for any information
of well dressed young man who calls
himself Petro Mariana.