The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-18
PAID THE So, But The $40.
Scheme Of an Alleged Theatrical Agent
kipDed in The Bud.
HI "R0BDED PETER TO PAY PAUL. ;"
He Promptly Handed Over Half Of
That Jnst borrowed From the
Other-iIe Has Gone,

When tho train from Norfolk pulled into
the station In this city Wednesday even
ing a gentleman aighted therefrom and
proceedod TO Murphys Hotel. and within
ten minutes from the time al which the
gentleman appeared upon tho scene his
name. In beautiful red letters. had been
inscribed upon the pages OF Mr.. Murphys
register to this effect: "Frohmans Glcr-
lana Company. Dave Woods, Agent"
Mr.. Woods Immediately set to work
making himself square with the clerks.
Lell boys and hangers around he hotel
10y presenting each aad every one Of them
with dead-head uckots 10 tie show.
which would be in the city New Years
week. he said
VIEWED THE SIGHTS.
After doing the grand thing I'm this
manner he went out TO view the sights
of the city. urs. engaging one Of the
best rooms In the hotel and having his
grip. an anlir Of some six hv tour by
twelve inches sent mp 10 the ROOM First
he located tho Academy of Music and
sized up Tom Loath. then he went around
TO Sweency's livery stable and patted that
gentlemen on tho back. Then he went
his apartments and thought some most
intense thoughts
Early yesterday morning he went 10
the stable and engaged Mr. Sweeney 10
carry ag trunks and two carloads or
scenery. and the contracts were signed.
Then he induced Nh Sweeney TO lend
him nyc dollars on the strength Of the
deal and he went his way From Mr..
Sweeneys place he went over 10 the
Academy and tackled Phil. McNivin.
TOO MANY PEOPLE.
lie wanted TO make dates Tor the great
"Gloriana" Company which, he said. car
RED forty-two people ana two horses.
Mr. McNivin. however. had seen Froh-
mans "Gloriana." and knew that only
dozen people were necessary TO produce
the play so his suspicious were aroused,
and hc stated as much to Mr.. Woods.
"But this Is a burlesquo.' said Woods.
"Oh" was Mr.. McNiVin's reply. but he
told the man 60 wait and see Mr.. Leath.
Wood then went up TO his hotel.
ln the meantime Mr.. Sweeney dropped
into the Academy and casually mention
"a the fact OF his big contract. Mr. Nc
Nivin gave Mr.. Sweeney the laugh, when
the latter grew uneasy about his five dol
lars. and entered search for Woods
whom he found M Murphy's. where he
had borrowed ten. dollar bill from the
Colonel himself on the strength Of his
two hundred trunks and two carloads
OF scenery.
PAID TIE s.. BUT THE $40.
Mr. Sweeney asked Mr.. Woods for the
five dollars, and Mr. Woods smn!ngly
| handed over the tcn-dollar bill he had just
received from Colonel Murphy. Both gem
tomen proceeding 10 the bar. whore the
! bin was changed. and hr. Sweeney rock-
otod his money. and went back 10 his
stable
Since that time Mr.. Woods has not been
seem neither have the two hundred
trunks nor the two carloads Of scenery
| lecn located But Detective John Han has
"a description of Mr. Woods. and IL Is very
| likely that he will be located. and the re-
turn Of Colonel Murphy ten dollars be-
sides tho hotel bill he made, even n II
! has 20 be taken out In trunks ana seem
cry.
m is believed that Mr.. Woods has work.
ed the Same racket on other people here
! and elsewhere.