Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-11-06

of numbers does so through methods
extremely doubtful, il not decidedly
knavish In country places, where
each Is personally known to every
other. roguish genius finds poor field
for the display of its powers, and the
knave is quickly marked as such and
an embargo placed upon his opera
tions. In consequence OF this the rural
rascal soon emigrates to the city,
where his identity can be changed as
opportunity or necessity requires.
From q sharper" much may be
learned of practical value to thor
oughly honest and Conscientious man,
It Is, however, on the theory that evil
must be understood that it may be
avoided, that an expose of the modus
operandi of sharpers, swindlers, con-
fidence men-all the numerous fra
ternity of rogues who live by their
wits, In fact lis rendered highly de-
sirable.
Many readers will no doubt resent
the imputation that such information
could by any chance prove of service
to them, believing that they "know a
thing or two-or three, and, though
country born and bred, can @take in" a
great city, Chicago, for instance, with
out employing personal guide, or car
rying printed instructions. AS the
devil is said to gloat over the prospects
presented by those who rely solely upon
their own strength and righteousness,
80 the city sharper lies in wait for coun-
trymen, @wise in their own conceit,
whose arrival in town promises large
and, what is still more gratifying, an
easily gathered harvest.
Country people are not behind the
dwellers in cities, either in intelligence
or sagacity; indeed, In both regards
they no doubt excel the latter. They
are easily victimized by the city
shark, because OF their strange sur
roundings, the unfamiliar manners and
customs of those with whom they come
in contact, and their inability to COM
prehend the depravity to which human
nature can descend, while at the same
maintaining decidedly prepossessing
appearance and most courtly address.
The plans by which people can be
relieved of their money without resort
ing to the sand-bag or other forms OF
violence, are as various as the brains
of the 3con men" are fertile in imagin.
alton and invention.
1t is this great variety of methods
which enmeshes and too frequently
utterly discomfits the rural visitor. A
well-dressed old gentleman will fire..
quently stop him on the street and adj
dress him by the name of Thompson,
learn that he is Oliver Green, oil
Greenyille, apologies for his mistake
and passes on. A few minutes later
he is hailed in his own proper name
by o smooth confederate Of the Ole
gentleman, who, two times out oil
three, succeeds in convincing him that
he has known his son at school, or his
brother in Kansas, or even the visitol
himself at Greenville. The particular
scheme depends npon the circum
stances of the case, especially the
amount OF information that has preyi
ously been secured Confidence once
established, the sharper adroitly learns
the manner of man he has to deal with
This determined, the rest is usual,
plain sailing. 1.-THE proposed victim
drinks, which fact must be ascertained
without making any breaks hi
money is as good as won already. 4
tough" saloon is visited. and when tn.
sight-seer comes to himself, Otter
enough in a police station, it is t,
mourn the loss of his money and watch
The acon man. Is exceedingly yer
satile. and can furnish any information