Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-13
TRIED. A FLIM-FLAM,
Clarence Burdett, of Wheeling, Fails
to Pass a Forged Check.
PRESIDENT WILLIAMS TOO SHARP.
The Swindle Frustrated by Timely Use of
the Telephone.
HOW A BAGGAGE CHECK HELPED OUT

A bold attempt to fim-fam President j.
Clark Williams, of Curry University, was
made by a snappy young man hailing from
Wheeling, w. Va, day before yesterday,
but the wary educator did not nibble at the
bait. A bogus check was the means which
was hit upon by the Wheeling young man
to enrich himself. The check is awaiting
the return of the forger, but no one expects
that event under the circumstances.
On the day named President Williams
was sitting in his Office on the third floor OF
Curry University when young man en-
tered briskly and walked up 10 the desk.
He was evidently about II years old, was
dark and short, with broad face in which
were set pair of dark eyes. He intro
duced himself as "Clarence Burdett," of
Wheeling, and said that his father, Andrew
Burdett a real estate dealer, had been cor
responding with Mr.. Williams with refer
ence to course in shorthand for the SOD.
Mr.. Williams could not recall any such
correspondence and so remarked, but the
young man glibly stated that whether Curry
University was the one his father had in
mind or not ne was desirous OF enrolling
himself. Prof. Williams proffered a pen,
and the school register, upon which the
young mau inscribed his name, clarence
Burdett. He then asked easily how much
the hrst quarters tuition would cost, and
was informed that S2S was the correct figure
THE FATAL CHECK.
Then Mr.. "Burdett" fished a check out of
his pocket and rendered it to Mr.. Williams
The check was drawn on The National Bank
order and wes Sized "a Prrdlt. - ~ aIi
the writing being free and vigorous. A
picture OF the bank building on Main street,
Wheehng, adorned the left side OF the
eneck- e- beneath the cut were the hgures
slo' and the second dotted line In the body
OF the cneck was occupied Dy the WORD
seventy, preceded and followed by dash.
Where the number of the check should have
been, some pen scratches were hlled In IN a
looked all right. put as Mr. Wllllams
glanced at the Clarence Burdett IN the
register he saw that the writing was exactly
alike in each instance. Having duly scented
a mouse Mr.. Williams remarked that he
rever cashed checks.
That's all right" said "Burdett, "you
needn't cash it, You can deposit it in some
bank for collection. 1 don't know anyone
here, and cannot be identified. It's all
right. Mr.. Williams revolved plan In
his mind, and finally summoned his teacher
in shorthand. Mr.. "Burdett" was told to
follow the teacher to another room. Mr..
Williams then rang up Wheeling and
asked for the National Bank Of West Vir-
ginia." The cashier responded, and in an
swer to the questions of Mr.. Williams stated
that no such name as "a. Burdett" was
upon the bank books, and that the check
was unquestionably bogus.
RuRDErT WAS csucHr
,.,.-,s
Conglatulatlng himsell upon MS cautlon,
mr.. Wllilams asked tne cashier 70 nold the
telepnone moment. ne sent ioT Mr.;
buroetI, ana toIa MN lnat oank nad
oeen ealleG up, anu wanted 10 ask lew
queStions aoous Tue checH: