The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-10-21
Not So Green AS He Looked.

1t is, said that Horace Greeley was once
posting up new reporter on what was
to be regarded as good news, Keep your
eyes open for the things that are uncom-
mon," said the sage. IF you should see
a dog running down street with tin
kettle tied to his tail, that wouldn't be
worth line, but if you should see one
walking down the street under such cir
cumstances, write it up Taking Mr..
Greeley for an authority, it would be no
news should farmer be beaten by the
bogus check swindlers, but when far
mer gets the better of them, then that is
news, and certainly out of the common
way of such things, for someway the
average farmer seems.unable to learn that
a check isn't money.
Yesterday, Mr.. John H. Thompson, q
Vermont farmer, on the way from his
farm under the shadows of the Green
hills, to visit son who lives few miles
out OF Boston, struck this town. The
old gentleman is good specimen of a
Vermont farmer. with Horace Greeley
fringe of white whiskers below his chin
and look Of peaceful benevolence almost
beautiful to see. 1T was no wonder that
the bogus check men marked him for
their own, especially when they observed
his ancient carpet bag, suggestive of
lunches stored away by the wife at home.
They did mark Mr.. Thompson for their
own, and young fellow walked up to
him and warmly greeted him as Mr..
Smith
Mr.. Thompson explained that his name
was John H. Thompson, and then he
talked on in an easy way, giving the
young man many points he wanted. The
young man at first almost thought he
must be Mr.. Smith Of Houlton, Me-, and
Mr.. Thompson in order to convince him
of his mistake gave good deal of the
story of his life and surroundings. At
last the young man perfectly convinced
of his mistake, left, and Mr.. Thompson,
with far off look said to himself,
"There's another one somewhere bout
here, b'gosh."
He was right. In a little while the
second one put in an appearance, and
At first Mr.. Thompson wasn't able to
aplacep him, but the new conner said it
wasn't SO very strange. He only stopped
in his section few days while on a visit
among friends there. Where was Mr..
Thompson going9 70 Boston? He was
going TO Boston himself. The stranger
was delighted to think that he was to
have company, and such company as his
esteemed friend Mr.. Thompson. He vas
still talking when the third party came
up and said that the goods" had arrived,
and that the "billn was in his pocket;
only a little matter of $50, but he.hold-
er of the bill was about to leave Tor Lew
iston, and must have money.
A check for $50 was handed him, ex-
amined, pronounced A No. i, but the
holder of the bill had no money. Per-
haps the g other gentleman looking at
Mr.. Thompson, would cash it. 3It would
be great favor if you WOULD said the
man who claimed his acquaintance.
That was what Mr.. Thompson wanted,
and he sailed in He told them that be-
fore he left home his wife said, NOW
John H. Thompson, don't you let none of
them bogus check fellows get the better
of your and that he had been hoping for
Just such an encounter as he was then
favored with He assured them that he
had almost feared that he might have to
'go bout Boston a spell" before he
should meet one of their tribe, and was
more than pleased with his good luck in
Portland. The two scamps didn't even
protest that he had made mistake but
walked off, Mr.. Thompson shouting after
them, "Say, you fellers, I'm not as big
a fool as look" In telling the story be-
tween chuckles, the Vermonter said they
didn't stop, and he guessed had had
business somewhere else"