The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-12-19
SWINDLERS ARE At WORK !
A Bold Operation in Jewelry Store
Thwarted.
RESTITUTION SPEEDILY MADE !
Two Men Make an Unsuccessful Attempt
to Substitute Paste Jewels For Dia-
monds While Making an Inspection
Under Pretence to Purchase.

bold swindling game was attempted at
/ Strouse's jewery store, ON Main street, yester-
/ day and would have been success but for
the sharp eye, cOolness and presence of mind
of the proprietor.
Two tall, well dressed men entered the
store and accosting Mr. Charles Strouse, who
stood behind one of the display cases, asked
to be shown a variety of diamond rings The
men had the appearance of wel-to-do sporty
commercial travellers and assumed an air that
would easily disarm one of suspicion
Mr. Strouse withdrew tray of rings from
the case at which he stood and placed it on
the glass top before the strangers. who at
once became interested in the selection and
entered into dicussion of the merits of this
and that ring. Several minutes passed and
number of rings were handled, but Mr.
Strouse observed that each taken up by the
| strangers was carefully replaced in its proper
| position. Finally one of the men intimated
that he desired to see other rings. For a
moment or two Mr. Strouse's attention was
diverted from the rings under inspection and
he drew forth another tray. As he did so
one Of the men said carelessly, Never
mind, do not think | will make a selection
now Well call again"
lntuitively Mr.. Strouse eyes scanned the
| first tray and he observed that one ring ap-
/ peared to have been hurriedly placed in its
place ON the tray. He picked it up and saw
at glance that the ring was paste diamond
substituted for a Sl25 ring. The strangers
had by this time passed to the door and were
/ going out as Mr.. StrOuse exclaimed, Excuse
me, come back a moment" The men
hesitated and exchanged glances with each
other as if they were undecided whether a
| dash or a parley was in order. They
were evidently misled by the jewelers.
| coomess and returned to the case
with inquiring glances Mr.. Strouse
had edged to the end of the case so that he
could easily pass around to the open space in
which the men stood but he did so in such an
uncOncerned manner that they did not seem
to observe it and stood before the case in
evident expectation that the icwclcr i'll
tended to throw out inducements 10 make a
sale
If such were their impressions they were
very much deceived. Strouse eyed them
critically for an instant and then sharply
said Give me that diamond; | don't want
your paste" At the same time Strouse
threw the bogus ring upon the glass top Of
the show case A painful expression passed
across the face Of one of the men, while the
other remarked to him in undertone, It's
all up; shell out" Strousc followed
up his demand with a short and effective
story committed to memory for such emer-
gcncies setting forth the efficacy of a secret
button which would bring a coupe of officers
to the store before a fugitive could get ten
yards from the entrance and one of the
strangers produced the stolen ring. at the
same time forcing S25 into the jewelers. hand
with plea to say no more about the matter
and promising to give him no further trouble
They also promised to return and make the
gift $50 and left the store with as much speed
as they could without sacrificing their
assumed dignity Of bearing. They have not
returned with the other $50 and Mr.. Strousc
has not seen them since. He says the men
were entire strangers to him. One of them
incidentally remarked before the trick was
discovered that they came from Jersey City
but Of course no faith can be pinned to that
This case will serve as a warning to the
merchants to beware of swindlers. The
holiday season brings them out in droves in
all cities and towns and confidence, shop
lifting and him-fam games can only be
avoided by diligcut Watchfuness.