The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1891-10-30
THE FOOL AND HIS "roAoskiNs."
rwO BunkO sharps Tackle the Wrong
Man and Are Sadly Disappointed.


Two Bunko sharps Tackle the Wrong
Man and Are Sadly Disappointed.
Tuesday forenoon Erastus y. Moul-
throp, u well know farmer, who lives a
little distance west of the Shepaug de-
pot. received call from we'll appear
ing stranger, who introduced himself
~ "Mr. Chase" an officer of the Wa
terbury Clock company, who said that
he had $40. 900 which he had decided
to invest in real estate, and would like
81 look over Mr. Moulthrop's farm,
"hich he had heas was for sale. "Mr.
Chase" had horse and carriage, which
he had hirel 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 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 81, 900 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 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 a 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
cards were shuffled again of course
Chase" picked out the right card and |
won. Then Moulthrop was requested
TO put up some money and try it, but
ne refused. saying he had no money,
md despite the urgent request of the
.ellows he refused to bet. Finally
Chase" suggested that they might as
veil leave the simpeton and return;
'ut he and Moulthrop had not driv-
N far on the way to the latter's
louse when the alleged "Chase" said
hat it was not right to leave such
oolish fellow with such large sum of
money. and that they ought to see that
was safely deposited in the bank for
i'm. and he turned to drive back, but
loulthrop decided that he had seen
bout all of the gentleman's company
nat he desired to, and left him.
Whether benevolent ''Mr. Chase"
as successful in his effort to induce
le poor, foolish fellow"'to put his
oney in the bank is not known, but
. evidently thought he would look
for farm, as he drove Mr..
rats horse to Cornwall bridge and
it 1T to be returned by the stage
river. From some inquiries he made
reviously about the road to New Mil
,rd, perhaps he is thinking of pur-
hasing in that town. What has be-
ONE of the card man with the toad
xins" is not known, but it is certain
nat he got hold of the wrong sort of
ian when he tried to pluck Assessor
[oulthrop. Waterbury American.