The Portland daily press., 1892-12-23

ALTON lnOuEnG l. I1dEu LuCh W ldtO
Door Slammed in His Face by the
Man to Whom he Had just Lent Four
Sovereigns-Two Bunco Steerers Play
Their Game successfully.
Yesterday was bitter cold day for Robert
Alton, an aged and unsophisticated but
thoroughly honest and oblgng citizen OF High
land Creek, Ontario, Canada. Mr.. Alton had
come to Portland and engaged passage on the
Allan steamer Numidian which is to sail at 8
O'Clock this morning. He has business in the
old country. and means to return to Canada in
a few weeks. Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Alton
was arranging the booking of his baggage on
the wharf He wore over his overcoat check
ed shawl, and his honest face, set off by iron
gray whskers of the Galway variety, was
cheering to all who saw him. Among those on
the wharf at the same time was man OF forty
five years or less gray bearded, whose strong
Scotch accent made sweet music for the ears OF
Robert Alton. The stranger seemed interested
to assist Mr.. Alton, and the latter was much
pleased thereat. 1t soon developed that the
new acquaintance was a cheese merchant. He
said he had ten tons of cheese on the Nnmidian
and had taken passage for the voyage. Mr..
Alton was much pleased at this, and the two
agreed that their acquaintance would be very
pleasant after the first quams of the voyage
should have subsidized
After Mr.. Ailton's baggage was properly
looked after the new acquaintance, he of the
broad and honest Scotch accent. asked the
former if he did not wish to look the town over
a little. Although the north wind was bitter, it
was nothing like some winds Mr.. Alton had
no hills of Hjphland Creek,
and he readily agreed that it would be pleasant
to take look at the town. So they drifted
along up the vicinity of Market street, the
cheese merchant making himself a very pleas
ant fellow.
Presently young fellow about twenty years
of age, with smooth face and dark clothes
and carrying valise, stepped up to Mr.. ALL
toms companion.
Here is your valise" said the young man.
who then demanded that the cheese merchant
settle his bill then and there.
The grey bearded man with the Scotch accent
and the delightful ways, took out his pocket
book to pay; but found that the larger part of
his money was at the steamer. "You help me
out Alton" said he, land will pay you back
when we get aboard"
OF course Alton would help him out. A man
who wouldn' thelp another in such circumstances
would be considered mean in the Highland
Creek settlement. So Alton handed over four
sovereigns and two bank notes in all about $50.
1t was all Mr.. Alton had, and he was somewhat
distressed in his honest mind lest it might not
be enough to meet the temporary need OF his
Scotch friend. But the latter said it would do.
took the money and invited the young man
into neighboring entryway on Market street
to pay over the money. eve will step in here
moment and you can wait for u.s. said the
cheese merchont.
ooh can just as well go with you'' said ALL
ton, 81 have plenty of tlme.'
"Oh you needn't mind to- said the two men,
who throughout the whole affair hus far had
manifested the utmost Difference towards Mr..
Alton.
The two men then stepped in the entryway
which happened to be the rear entrance to the
Printers Exchange block. Mr.. Alton arted
to follow as a matter of course, when the door
was slammed in his face, and voice in that
insinuating Scotch accent informed him that
he wasn't wanted there and could gang awa'."
This Mr.. Alton had to do. He went to the
police station and told his story to Deputy
Marshal McCalum who sent Officers Flaherty
and Norton to investigate. They made
thorough search, but in such cases it is almost
absolutely impossible to catch the confidence
men.
Market street seems to be favorite resort
for the Bunco gentry. The Printers Exchange
block has entrances on both Market and Ex
chant streets. with a connecting hallway. The
large printing offices of the PRESS and Argus,
besides several large job printing and book
binding establishments are in this building, and
a large number of people are constantly passing
through this hallway. A stranger is not noticed
The bunco men got rid of their victim on the
Market street SIDE and hurrying through the
hallway. probably walked out OF the Exchange
street entrance as if nothing had happened.
One or two similar cases have occurred in this
locality.
A Novelty in candy-Sunshine Cuts at ''ShaWs. !"
Appealed the Decision.
In the Circuit Court Yesterday morning be-