Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-24
PETER SAvEDHIS MONEY.
HOW BANKER JAMES OF ANAHErM
FRUSTRATED BUNCO MEN.
Colbnsi MAtier Of Fresno Just Misses
Making Rich Winning from Pla-
centia Hancher.

People from the rural districts, people
who carry hayseed in their hair, people
who are anxious to make something from
nothing, people who feel a capability in
their natures OF being chumps, had
better look out tor prosperous looking
man, who has the habit Of registering at
hotels as "Coloncl George Metler Of
Fresno" and who has suave way Of
introducing himself as land buyer.
He has operated little in this city, but
was warned off by detective firm, and
at San Bernardino he made few hum
dred out OF some confiding land owners:
The last time he bobbed up was at Pla-
centia, near Anaheim.
He went to Anaheim and registered
week, and casually mentioned that he
had $80, 900 to invest in lands. That was
the lump of sugar, and the flies, in the
shape OF landowners, were soon buzzing
about him.
Among others was Peter Hansen, of
Placentia. Peter had nice rancho at
that place, which he was willing to sell
at $500 an acre, and the colonel went to
look at the property and agreed to buy
twenty acres.
Peter was happy, and at the colonel's
invitation jumped into his buggy to go
to Anaheim to close up the bargain and
get his money. As they bowled merrily
along the road they were hailed by a
benevolent-looking man, who asked
them to look at little game he had say
ing that it only cost dollar to play,
nm Il hat txr, 4
lars to any one who could win twice.
The colonel frowned. He never gam
bled, he said to Peter. Peter replied
that he was of the same persuasion:
However, at last the colonel decided
dollar was not much. and just for fun
be would play once. He lost. Hetried
"just once more," and won ten gleam-
ing silver dollars. Peter began to be
ssif you win twice you get cool
thousand" called out the wayside
croupier.
Peter putiup his dollar, and won.
Let it stay and play for the thcus-
and, 4" whispered the colonel.
He let the stakes remain and 10! he
won again.. The perspiration broke out
all over him, and his voice Quavered as
he murmured, "Donnerblitxen, 1 be Elm
tousand tollhr aheit.''
The dealer counted out ten one hun
dred dollar bills-new ones, that
cracked Sweetly in Peters ears. But
first there was formality to 60 through
with. Peter must show that he had
thousand dollars. The game did not go
with men who had no money. OF course
Peter had a thousand with him. No?
Then he had it in bank? Yes? All
right, the colonel would drive him
to Anaheim. where he could draw the
money and return with it. The dealer
would wait for him. Peter jumped into
the buggy and she colonel after him,
and off the horse trotted to the Ana
helm bank. Peter rushed in and made
his check for a thousand dollars.
Cashier James casually asked what he
wanted such a sum for. Peter planned.
Cashier James gave long whistle and
then gave Peter some information
regarding q race of beings called
bunco men, and the rancher, thoroughly
mad, rushed out to give the colonel into
the constable's charge. The colonel,
however, saw that something was wrong,
whipped up his horse and disappeared.
Peter had narrow escape, but the
colonel and his sporting coadjutor will
still be heard, from. There are plenty of
men waiting to contribute to the support
OF just such fellows.