Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-28
HYPNOrIzED A RICH FARMER.
Old Mr.. Mafiett Was About to Sign Check
While Under the SHELL

Old Mr.. MaiIetf Was About to Sign . Checi
| While Under the Spell.
Everybody in Tasbua and for miles around
Bridgeport. Conn.,, knows Aaron Mallett. He
is hale old gentleman Of seventy-four years
and is one of the solid men OF that section.
Mallett owns farm of 200 acres and raises
| fine crops and cattle. weii-dressed stranger
drove up to Malletts place about July II and
introduced himself as the agent Of an agri-
cultural journal. He talked about Mr.. NAL
let's crops and incidentally inquired into the
financial status q the neighbors. Hc also in
quired with what banks they transacted their
| business.
In the course of this conversation the stranger
ascertained that most Of Aaron Mallett's
wealth, outside Of that represented by the real
estate, was invested in good dividend-paying
| stocks and other securities. The old gentle
man further volunteered the information that
he usually kept small change to the amount of
$500 to II 900 on deposit in the banking house
of James Staples Co. of Bridgeport. He also
kept similar amount on deposit with T. l..
Watson Co. Having reposed so much conf
dence in his guest it was not surprising that
Mr. Mallett should also tell him that his
daughter. Hiss Lille Mallett. transacted his
correspondence and kept track of his business
affairs,
With this fund Of information the sffable
Stranger expressed himself satisfied and de-
parteu Another stranger drove up to the
farm last Thursday. This time it was tall.
distinguished individual. who said he was
sam Baldwin fthe name of the president of
the connecticut National Bank.
why to be sure. So you are" said the old
sehtie man. greatly chagrined to think that he
naa the slightest difficulty in identifying a man
"nom he had known so many years.
but there seems to be a change in your ap-
pearance!' he added.
80 there is. l have had my side whiskeys
shaved of, was the reply
That's 1t. l knew there was something;
but 1t has made big change in you"
=, MI. baldwin said he had called to purchase
at bis broad acres. This was before noon, and
as he did not return at his daughter became
ALARMED She asked Selectman Orville Maliett
To search for her father.
Diaiiett started for Bridgeport, but met man
on horseback, who said the missing old gentle
man had returned home about pm.
Old Mr. Mallett arrived at Stepney depot on
the train from. Bridgeport. He Was reticent
concerning what had happened. tie admitted,
hoWever,he was hypnotized and suddenly came
70 ms senses. hiss Maiie:t said her father
would not have gone to bridgeport without his
dinner unless under the influence of a spell.
1he morning after his return she wrote to
his bankers III Bridgeport instructing them not
to honor any checks or drafts which might be
prese nted III her fathers name.
Sam had several accomplices. as two strange
teams were seen III the vicinity that day
lhey think that the gang were not successful in
their plans. and hence their failure to swndIe
MIR. Mallett.
Their plan was probably the old familiar one
OF each side posting II ,00j $1,000, to be for
felted In the event of either party backing out
OF the agreement MIR. Maliett's brother
stephen was swindled out of 81 600 in such a
manner two years ago, but recovered his
money through the efforts Of the birmingham
chief of police.
The description given of "Gentleman Sam"
taliles with that of the swintilar who three
years ago defrauded Deacon Banks of Green
field Hill out of $4,000. He then represented
himself to be President Samuel A. Baldwin of
the Connecticut National Bank. &c entleman
Sam drove to Joshua III s,buggy he had hired
at Edwards livery Stable under the name of
King. He left it at Donovan stable and tele-
graphed Mr. Edwards to send for it the next
day. He said he would return from New York
IN two days to settle. Edwards is still patiently
waiting for him