The morning call., 1893-06-14
HE WAS SMOOTH.
'sSignond Micheles' Easy
Way of Living.
A Trunk in Pawn and Threats of
Suicide Are Used to Obtain
Money.

There is a young man sojourning in
| Southern California, where. II he be the
least bit wise, he will continue to remain
instead of steering his course toward this
port. as it is rumored he intends doing.
Hs is Sgmnnd Micheles, and just Il few
days ago the telegraphic lines which con-
meet this city with the land of citrus fruits
and weak-lunged people were burned in
conveying a story of his trials and tribuia-
tons northwafd.
The story was very pathetic one, but,
like Dickens story of the mystery of Ed
ward brood, 1t came in an incomplete
state.
There is lots more to tell than was then
told, but ii cannot be said that IL will add
10 Mcheles' reputation as good citizen of
the commonwealth.
The dispatches from Los Angeles told
of how MicheeS had entered a drugstore
and endeavored to purchase deadly
poison. When asked to what use he de-
sired to put it he explained that he lad
become so completely submerged by mis-
fortune that he felt as though he could nc
longer hight ife's unequal battle, and de-
sired the deadly drug 10 end his pains.
OF course he didn't get it and of course
the drug clerk to whom he told his tale
immediately became filled with pity for
Now this was what the youth was play
ing for and he Immediately jumped a the
offer Of assistance and the same time ex-
planning that ii would only be temporarily
accepted as he had in pawn in San Fran
cisco trunk containing jewelry and other
stuff of sufficient value 10 permit him TO
repay all that was loaned him.
When the story became known the Jew
ish residents of Los Angeles. for Micheles
IS OF that faith. Immediately collected IL
purse for the unfortunate. Instead, how
ever, of turning it over TO him it was given
in charge of the Chief of Police TO use as
he saw fit. He did so aud in the endeavor
TO obtain the trunk from the pawnshop,
he stumbled upon the young mans game
and found that be had worked it in many
other cities on the coast just as be was
trying TO work it on Los Angeles.
Oakland. Sacramento, San Diego and
San Jose had at different times been
moved to tears by Micheles' tale of misfor-
tune ana gathered purses to tide him over
temporary difficulties, but it WAS in this
city that he played his star engagement
and made his greatest strike.
It was in the bleak November of last
year that Micheles first honored San Fran
cisco with his presence.
Arranged in a neat appearing suit of
clothes he called upon Phil l.. Lii;enthal,
the president of the Jewish Benevolent
Association, and explained to that genile-
man tnat having Striven long and earnestly
to obtain fish for food without Meeting
with success he mad finally determined to
offer himself as food for fish, but before
doing so he deemed it advisable to call
upon Mr.. Lilientbal and inform him of
his intentions, so that later on when in
quiries for him were made they could
readily be answered.
should have been moved by the recital.
and he volunteered To render Micheles all
the aid within his power, promsIpg him
that work would quickly be procured.
Moved by this display of kindness. the
young man, after much thought, con-
ciuded o permit the fishes to remain hun
cry for time, and to avail himself o; his
new friends offer.
Work was obtained for him In the store
of a prominent cutlery firm, and of b s
career there Simon Blum, under whom he
labOred, can best speak.
WHEN Lilenthal sent the young fellow
to me-" explained Mr.. Blum last evening.
Il engaged him at once. thinking l had
surely found a prize. Well, l did find
one, but not Of the sort for which | was
playing.
He was continually running to me with
stories Of the dishonesty of his fellow
clerks. when | honestly believe he was the
dishonest one. i guess wheE the truth
becomes known some of the stuff found in
his trunk can be identified as the property
OF our company"
1t is not because he may have been dis
honest as a clerk that Micheles is advised
TO make the south his permanent home,
however. but on account of the manner in
which he succeeded in working his bene-
factors
When not engaged in selling knives or
raZors he spent his time in going among
the prominent Jewish families and telling
tale of woe, which included penniless
father in Poland, a sickly friend some
where else and a salary too small to live
on. In consequence of these stories col
lectious for his benefit were made and
something like $500 was given to him.
This money. it appears, he spent in living
on the tat of the land.
Micheles also succeeded In victimzing
several landladies and restaurant-k ke epers
during the short time he spent here, and
they are also quite willing to make affairs
warm for him should he come within their
range. One of these. woman, who keeps
clearinghouse on Taylor street. not
| only amenls tue loss of rent, but also of
many borrowed dollars. When Micheles
left the woman says LIE allowed his trunk
to remain as security. but upon opening it
she found it con ntained only few pieces of
soiled lineu
Micheies is about % years of age and o IA
ompiexion almost as dark as his ways.