St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-23
sToRYoFA "BANKr OFFICIAL.
A Swindler's Scheme to- Cheat a
Gambler.


A Swindler's Scheme to, Cheat a
Gambler.
"When holiday times come around
they make me think OF clever swindle
that was played on the bank | was en-
gagged in seven or eight years ago.
1t might be as well to mention the
fact that the speaker was an ex-nan-
ager Of a prominent faro bank which
once existed near Broadway and Four
teenth street
"You pencil-slingers, continued he
to the reporter, don't hear about all
the fly movements or ingenious opera
tions of crooks. Here's story didn't
give away at the time it happened. |
was too much ashamed of myself To
'squeal.'
1T was Christmas eve and we had
an awfully 'swell' crowd in the house
give you the names? What do you take
me for? Ii there's honor among
thieves there should be at least de-
cency among gamblers; no, no names.
We'll, | was saying We had as tine a
blue-chip racket AS | ever saw spread;
it beat Old-time Saratoga. Three or four
of the party stacked right up to our
two-thousand- dollar limit, and the game
was making big money deal after deal.
''Just before IL O'clock there came a
ring for admittance; the porter perped
through the slide and suddenly signaled
me to 20 to him.
"Who is it?' ! whispered.
Policeman he gaSped, his face
showing that elephant-skin sort OF
hue which a genuine Africans face as
sumeS when he's really scared.
81 muttered something that you'd
better not print; ii the officers visit
meant the notice of a raid, which we
sometimes got in friendly way, or an
order to close up for the night, why, up
went our magnificent game. Besides, l
disliked to let the stylish CHESTS present
feel that they had been jeopardIzrd-
bad future advertisement for the place.
So | told the porter TO give bluff to any
body who inquired about me in the
room, and slipped outside to interview
the cop in the dimly-lighted ve>tibule.
He was one could not remember AS
belonging in the neighborhood and that
gave the visit serious tinge.
"What's up?" asked nervOusly.
"He smiled, and, with a slight Irish
accent, replied: oh, just nothing at
all; yer needn't get yerself ratified in
the least. The captain has the prisint
of Christmas check from some of the
big stOrekeeperS in the ward, but it
didn't reach him until about an hour
ago. He's going to Boston on tie mid
night train to spend Christmas. end he
wants to take the cash with him. SO he
STINT me to ask if you will Oblige him
with the currency for it, He's writ his
name on the back of It, and the man,
handing me neat-looking check drawn
for $3.50, bearing leading merchants
name as signer and Capt. IS in
dOrsement.
II can assure you the explanation
and request put more cheerful color to
Jne affair. | lost 10 time in diving into
my inside pocket and drawing out five
crisp fiftleS handed them to the POI
licema with the check as well. Tell
the captain said j, Pm glad to ACCOM-
modate him; that he may return the
money at his own convenience, and that
| prefer that he should hold the check,
as his Endorsement to me might cOmpro-
mise him. This was diplomacy, and
would help to strengthen my pull
make things more solid. See?
"'All right said he, turning to go
out.
"'Let the porter bring out drink for
you,' | suggested He declined with
Thank we, don't want the Old man to
smell liquor Oh me: I'll have cigar,
though
Il gave him one out OF my case, he
lighted it, and took the peculiar stroll
ing gait of a cop toward the --th pre-
cinct.
son the morning after Christmas l
got an express package. 1t contained a
police uniform, helmet and all, dark
brown wig and full dark sandy beard;
also, note, which read: j apologize
for again intruding upon the palatial
jungle of the Royal Bengal, cd Eel, but,
if you will kindly return these things to
the costumer whose card Is inclOsed,
you may keep the SIS deposit / LETT on
them OH the Oath inst. Nothing mean
ahont me -