Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-06
CHRISTIAN TRAMP,
= coNploENck-MAN PLAYED IT
on 0Coo4LANc PEOPLE.



HocchlanA Courthouse u quaint little
VILLAGE about . hundred years old Of not
eA4cisnt numerical importance TO DO
Wc4tAy even Of passing mention In the
gecsnsly.compiled census reports. 1t
'oometimen affects Q doubtful kind of
GAysty, but Il Il nearly always dull. Yet,
~ foeson Of ite proximity TO metropolitan
Richmond, II has been popularity supposed
that its Inhabitants possessed little Of that
Vof9aucy which invites deception, ordl-
nnrily attributed TO moro rustic communi-
etee- Good doth much predominant here,
and the sinful ways of wicked men IN the
eot-o4 husy world are read OF in the
weekly newApapcrs, but seldom brought
houo 70 this little sleepy hollow
stirring episodes of the Cassigneul case
had AcAr0ely been consigned to oblivion
when right upon tine heels Of II came
the no less celebrated Jessie Miller mys-
tefy, the unravclhug Of the tangled
throAde Of which for long time baffled
the combined skill of Richmond's profess
DiOnal and amateur detectives. The hap
rear was no less exciting than they were
rare With US To-day bunco-mRn and his
exploits are tho talk OF the town. His APP
pfopriate name is William Beatty. and he IS
a EnRlishman. During the early part of
November last Mr., x. Lee Harris. trust
ID employee Of the Rev. w. ID. Mower,
our popular Methodist minister and post
master, while hauling bis Christmas wood,
saw . strange man sitting on the roadside
eating persimmons, which he seemed TO
enjoy like native Fluvanpian.
IN sEARcH OF WORK.
He inquired Of Mr. Harris II there were
any English families residing in the
nei9hboThood and being referred TO Mr..
Mower he sought that gentleman's resi-
dence, where he represented himself TO be
an Englishman but lately landed at Nor
folk, from whence be had come to Rich
moDd and thence on u Goochland IN
search OF work. He was hungry and tired
and willing to take any sort OF job save
farm labor. to which he was unaccus-
toned. With much pride he Wanted his
skill ~ q painter. Having on white
boiled shirt and stiff collar his appear
ance was not that of professional tramp,
and being impressed with his evident IN
telllgence Mr.. Mower in the kindness OF
his heart welcomed the stranger TO his hos
pltable home. The lean. hungry look that
Of first characterized him soon gave place
70 o sleek. rotuud appearance, thanks 10
Mr.. Mowers generous board, and the
seeming tramp apparently became nice.
looking, well-mannered sort of a fellow.
He proved himself useful and intelligent
man about the premises and the halls and
parlors of Mr.. Mowers house attest his
skill with the brush. Tor these he deco
rated In elegant design and artistic finish
and colorings.
DOING THE HIGH MORAL.
Exhibiting Christian spirit in his
habits and intercourse with the family,
he won their sympathy and confidence.
Il .I.t "a xrh Iau
used an oath. and displayed as profound O
knowledge of the Bible as IS usually
possessed by well.equipped Sunday
school teacher. The French language he
spoke fiuently without the Virginia ac-
cent, and in the German gutturals he was
at home. In matters OF art be protested a
thorough acquaintance with the works OF
toe old masters and laid modest claim TO
some skill in landscape painting on his
own account. His father. ne said, was a
retired general in the British army, and
after the manner of military men. was
fond OF luxurious living, SO that ut bis
death he, tine only son. was left compare
lively pennliess, and having been reared TO
4 life of ease and fashion he did not take
kindly TO work. BY. the aid of
wealthy relative he came to
America, but on board the ship be
was robbed By treacherous friend, and
on his arrival at Norfolk there was no.
thing left to him Of his former belongings
save numerous boxes and trunks contain
ing valuable clothing, DC, which were
stored In the custom house at Norfolk un.
til he could work aud make money enough
TO pay the duty on them. He sent ire
auent kilograms and wrote numerous let
tiers, II is said, about this baggage to the
ouatom-house officers, but none of 1t was
ever sent him. lie invited Mr.. Harris TO
accompany him to Richmond last Friday
morning, promising good time out OF the
proceeds of draft for 81 900, remitted to
him by his wealthy relative, which was in
the hands of the English Consul at Rich
{, mond Mr.. Harris took the train at sta
ton below Manikin for Richmond Friday
morning last, and Beatty boarded 1t at
Maidens en- route for the same piece.
TOOK STIFF DRINKS.
Before getting on the train Friday morn
ing his scruples about whiskey-drinking
disappeared. and he took four pretty stiff
drinks of MIR. fuckers best before break
fast, Harris did not SEQ MIN on the tram,
but on Friday evening last at the corner
of Twelfth and Nam streets he was warm.
ly greeted by Beatty. dressed In brand.
new suit of store clothes of the latest cut.
He then obtained loan of SIS from Harris
making with S5 previously borrowed from
him while at Mr., Mower's) the snug little
sum of $40. which he promised to return
two-fold as soon as the Gl,00O draft wa
cashed. The draft was stated TO be in the
hands Of the English Consul, upon whom
he (Beaty) had called during the day ano
received satisfactory assurance That II
would be in shape TO realize from on Mon
day Eight following.
SPLENDID CONSUL.
He insured Harris that the Consul was
splendid fellow and had treated him Will
great cordiality, and bad extended him AZ
Invitation, which admitted of no refusal
to dine with him on Monday evening, u
which polite invitation his friend Harri.
was Included. They took IN the town Fri
day night and during their perambula
sions the pseudo BrItisher pointed out the
Consul's palatial home where they would
be banqueted on the following Monday
and uckled his conhding hearers palate
with glowing descriptions of the elegant
menu which would probably be served OF
that suspicious occasion. Beatty swort
strange oaths and was frolicsome and hila
rious during the evening. This he had
never been guilty of before, but his FRIEND
did not suspect that barleycorn was get
ting ia his work. and attributed this state
of mind to unusual agitation at the pros
pect Of immediate good fortune, and par
doned him. Returning to the American
Hotel, they registered, and were assigned
Room IS.
GONE, BAo AND BAGGAGE.
Soon after retiring the Englishman com
planned of sliRhtlndispositon and left th'
room. He soon returned, however. and re
manned until ~ O'Clock, when the year 1879
WaG just one day old; he excused himsel
again to his friend and departed 10 return
no moro forever. Harris felt uneasy abou
! O'Clock snd he dressed himself anC
sought the genial night-clerk for informa
tion Of his debilitated roommate, an,
was informed that Beatty had paid fol-
lodging aud gone, bag and baggage. Mr.
Harris uttered not harsh word, but hi
chagrin, when II dawned upon him that h
was " in il" to the tune Of $40 hArd-earne'
money, can be imAeined--It certainly can
not be described. but he cut short his visi
In Richmond and retured to tho countT.
whence he came on Sunday morning, de
ioated, but wiser.
VISIONARY.
The boxes ana baggage in Norfolk wer'
doubtless visionary and the letters an.
kilograms concerning them probably ticti
tious. M. Mower Is reported TO have los
acme shekels by tho Alght Of this bird o
strange plumage.