New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1895-07-24
HANSKA BOYS ROPED IN,
Two Scandinavian Farm Hands Roped In
In Fake Auction Store.
They Get Even, However, Through the Aid
Of the Police.
The Stranded Father who Sold his "Gold
Watch" to Return Home Gets Left,


ley street was yesterday obliged to dis
gorge $40 which had been decoyed from
a couple OF ignorant Swedes by means
of the watch purchase trick. These fraud
ulent auction concerns were at one time
numerous. About six months ago they
were apparently forced out of the bust
ness. Recently, however, we'll known
auctioneer, Or jewele1, of this stripe
again resumed operations on Sibley
street. Within week the place has
been reported several times to the police
for defrauding strangers.
Thor johnson and Olaf Swanberg are
not native Americans. Their recent ad-
dress, however, was Hanska postotfice
Brown County, Minnesota. Being agri.
cultural experts, they were on their way
to 60 to work on a farm near Madeiia
Yesterday morning they purchased limi-
ted tickets from st. Paul to their desti-
nation, expecting to leave the city at 4
p. N. During the forenoon they dis
cussed the evils of the chinch bugs and
the merits of diluted alcohol over the
bar of modest hostelry on lower Third
street. A mild hammered compatriot en-
tered into the chinch bug discussion and
| developed views in such charming uni
son with those entertained by the profess
sors from Hanska postotfice that the lat
ter were fain to express their approval of
the stranger, assuring the barkeeper that
the former ''bain dem goot fallar." The
fact that the newly discovered bug con-
noisseur shortly proposed a walk up Sib-
ley street, and the further tact that he
became deeply interested in the vocal
singularities of the auctioneer in the
store referred to must be regarded as
purely accidental.
While the three blue-eyed companions
were watching with bateo breath the un-
paralleleel spectacle of merchandise be-
ing disposed of to all corners at reduc-
ton of 80 per cent from the manufac-
turers' list price, man, in heart break
ing excitement, tottered into the store.
The stranger gulped down a sob, pro-
duced from his vest pocket gold watch
of impressive richness and undoubted
value. and, handing it slowly to the auc-
tioneer, exclaimed, in broken voice
''Here's my watch, boss. She cost me a
round hundred, but you can have her for
| loan of fifty. Fact is, must have mo-
ney. My three little girls are dying in
Tacoma, and I'll leave town tonight if
go on brake BEAM"
The applicant is informed that an auc-
ton store is not pawn shop. Then he
offers to sell the watch. But an auction
store is not jewelry shop. The weep.
ing parent turns away with dazed anC
helpless look. One of the clerks now
approaches Thor and explains that 'sthe
watch is worth $50, if it's worth a cent
He suggests that Thor buy it. Says Mr.
Johnson, MA cote fem doler. Olaf hs
cote fem doler, too. Dare ba ALA pangs
wa gote."
The clerk is so desirous of assisting
the three Red Eriks that he ponders q
while, and then promises them that il
they will pool their assets and buy the
watch for $40, the cashier of the store
will be glad to give them $15 for it on
the spot. Thor calls back the mourning
refugee from Tacoma, and the transac.
ton is quickly closed-except the cash
ier's role. The latter is found unexpect-
edly discreet. What if the watch was
stolen? Did Olaf enjoy the personal &C.
quaiEtance of the Tacoma gentleman
No, he was sorry; but the clerk had no
authority. Olaf would have to keep to
his bargain.
But Mr.. johnson had not studied bug
ology at Hanska so specifically as to
be ignorant that every well-conducted
police station is provided with an infall1-
BILE remedy for the human chinch bug.
Chief O'Connor being called upon, ap-
piled little of the remedy through Off
Ger Newcome. Thor and Olaf were glad
to surrender their bargain in return for
their missing "panga." The auct1oneer
was not so glad to accept the watch, but
the chief induced him to simulate great
and lasting joy.
All sensuality is one, though it takes
many fo1ms; all purity is one.-Thoreau.