The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-10-04
SUCKERS TAKEN IN
BUT THE FAKIR WHO DID IT HAD
TO FACE A MOB
lie had Glib Tongue and Sold Spoons at
men OF the Land-They Proved to be of
Doubtful Metallic Pedigree and were
Hurled at His Head Like Antique Eggs
at . Weaver Meeting in Georgia-Res-
cued by the Sheriff from the Infatuated
Mob.

Just in the rear Of the grand stand,
mounted upon a crude pla tforn1, was a.
young man Of medium height with
smoothly shaver, handsome features
and f1uency of speech that would have
made Colonel Mulberry Sellers emerald
with envy. Before him upon a box was
a grip sack full of bright, glittering
silver spoons, butterknives and gold
rings. while around him stood a throng
OF Kansas yeomen who had come to the
fair to seek pleasure and profitable
investments. The "fakir'-for such he
proved to be-harrangued the crowd.
extolling the excellence of his silver
ware, ever and anon interfering the
assurance: Now, gentlemen. if you do
not find these spoons as represented,
you may fling them at my facet To
further clinch the proof of purity
ne snatched up a timers shears and
clipped several spoons into fragments,
tossing the pieces out for the crowd
to examine the newly cut edges. As
additional inducement to purchasers ne
announced that a number Of those who
bought set of spoons would be pre-
sented with gold ring prizes, and again
aAN tOOh oP tic anu tlGpptu d
ring into fragments to show that the
yellow stuff was really worth l to 16.
And. gentlemen" he shouted. while
the pitiful sum of fifty cents will pur-
chase these beautiful and useful arti-
cles, remember if they are not as rep
resented, you may hurl them at my
face" The purchasing began. Men
crowded forward, rendering their mon
ey with outstretched arms, tip-toeing.
straining to obtain spoons lest the sup
ply should be exhausted before they
secured a bargain and a possible prize.
AS the sales finally began to slacken
and flag, the fakir took a pencil and
on each set of spoons he made a cross,
saying to the purchaser: "Now, now,
my dear sir, you will consult your own
interest by carefully preserving the
number with the cross mark upon IL.
Thank you-thank youi Now who, in
all this aggregation of appreciative in
tellectuality desires another set of these
beautiful silver spoons? Just think of
il for moment, Two round of treats
in Wichita joint-the price OF four po
tations of Missouri corn juice, vile stuff
that stings the epiglottis like an adder
and makes the lining of the stomach as
crimson as a mountain sunset. the
price of four drinks, the insignificant
sum of fifty cents, will purchase set
of these useful articles that will make
the wife gladstone, thankful and hap
Ply, and the sweetheart lean lovingly
on the bosom of a gallant lover,'
More spoons were sold with crosses on
the wrappers, and another luli in sales
came, but a burst of eloquence brought
up a few more half dollars. and the
fakir issued tickets to the purchasers.
saying: Now, you gentlemen stand in
line just here to the right-that's it,
that's proper; keep in line and hold on
to your tickets.
After he had made sales until he had
quite a platton of MALTA recruits in
line, he began to make direct appeals
to certain individuals, like profess
sional revivalist at a camp meeting.
Leaning forward, extending a set of
spoons to an individual, concentrating
his penetrating gaze, he said in most
impressive tones: 81 tell you. sir, as a
man of honor, if it is the last fifty cents
you have on earth hand it to me and
take this set of spoonS"'
The man shook his head and gruntei.
'Uch- a fellow over on the lett
shouted: "Ill take EN-
NO, no: ! want this gentleman to
have them," said the fakir, and ne made
another impressive but fruitiess appeal.
$50 you will not take them, then?"
he said with elevated brOwS. lis
strange-'tis passing strange that men
will not be benefited through fear of
trickery." Here he turned aside, drew
forth five dollar note. carefully wrap
ped it around the particular set and
put the package gracefully in his hat
beside the satchel. Now gentlemen,
who" He was interrupted by pur-
chaser who frOwned and exclaimed:
''See here, mister, how about the dis
tribution Of prizes TO US fellers who've
boughten spoons? It's all sell, sell and