The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1891-10-30
THE FOOL AND HIS "TOADskir ~

Two Bunko Sharps Tackle the Wrong
Man and Are Sadly Disappointed.
Tuesday forenoon Erastus P. Moul-
throp, well know farmer, who lives
little distance west of the Shepaug de-
pot, received call from well appear
Ing stranger, who introduced himself
rs "Mr. Chase" an officer of the Wa
ferbury Clock company, who said that
he had $40, 900 which he had decided
TO invest in real estate, and would like
to look over Mr.. Moulthrops farm,
which he had heard was for sale. "Mr.
Chase" had horse and carriage, which
he had hired of Seth Pratt, and he and
Mr. Moulthrop got In the carriage and
drove to the south portion of the farm
on the Plumb Hill road. Here they
got out to view the land and were
joined by a simple looking individual,
who carried tin trunk.
The third party, who did not appear
very bright, remarked that he had
come from the south to sell some iron
mining securities, and had disposed of
them to advantage in Philadelphia for
'toadskins," but had lost $1,000 in
New York. When asked what he
meant by ''toadskins,"" the stranger
opened his tin box and began to take
out fistfuls of bills and silver certificates
and throw them on the stone wall.
The box seemed to be full of money
When asked how he had lost his 81, 900
in New York, the stranger took from
his pocket a handkerchief, and after
untying it took out three cards, two of
which were plain white on the face and
the third red.
He then proceeded to show how he
had made wager that no one could
tell the red card as it lay face down
ward on the handkerchief, and New
York man had been able to pick it out.
Still, it was very difficult thing to
do" and he would wager that neither
Mr. Chase" or Mr.. Moulthrop could
tell the red card.
"Chase" took up the cards, and
while the stranger was gathering up his
money from the stone wall quickly
turned down the corner of one card
and offered to take the bet. When the
'Chase" picked out the right card and
Won Then Moulthrop was requested
to put up some money and try it, but
he refused, saying he had no money,
| o,I Inc,Nita Tho ,f ha
fellows he refused to bet Finally
"Chase" suggested that they might as
well leave the simpleton and return;
but he and Moulthrop had not driv-
en- far on the way to the latter's
house when the alleged "Chase" said
that it was not right to leave such a
foolish fellow with such a large sum of
money, and that they ought to see that
it was safely deposited in the bank for
him, and he turned to drive back, but
Moulthrop decided that he had seen
about all of the gentleman's company
that he desired to, and left him
| Whether benevolent "Mr. Chase"
was successful in his effort to induce
the poor, foolish fellow" to put his
money in the bank is not known, but
he evidently thought he would look
elsewhere for a farm, as he drove Mr..
Pratt's horse to Cornwall bridge and
left it to be returned by the stage
driver From some inquiries he made
previously about the road to New Mil
| ford DerhapS he is thinking of mr.
chasing in that town. What has be-
come of the card man with the toad
skins" is not known, but it is certain
that he got hold of the wrong sort of a
man when he tried to pluck Assessor
Moulthrop Waterbury American.