The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-06-13
A FAKIR'S LUCK.
" Electric Bill" MeSmeriZeS ElktOnianS !;
Gets Their Cash and Then
Gets Out

in ElktOn on Friday night in which the crowd
was touched up to the tune of $3.50. 1t was
a case of ''hoodoo' fair and simple-and the
way that the swindler worked his scheme
even made the victims laugh--and who recoy-
cred from the hypnotic spell only after the
fellow had made his escape. About half past
six O'Clock that cvening-SOon to be cele-
bratcd-" Electric Bill made his appearance
upon Elkton soil, and in order to have his
face familiar. he secured II carriage and accom-
panied by Il small colored boy, drove through
the streets attracting the attention Of the
people by brandishinG IA large and evil look
inE knife over the boys head. to the lutter's
evident discomfort. In al entcinS voice he
invited his hearers to attend his lecture and
performance at 5 o'clock IN the Howard
House gard. When 9 o'clock came "Electrc
Bit was iu his glory mounted in Il buggy
standing beside II gasOllue burner which east
its SEARCHING; rays over the crowd and lighted
up the seemingly honest features of the cec-
trir man. Ioung, clean shaven, with II good
appearance and an oily tongue he began his
work under favorable conditions. and 10y
tolling three OF four hundred people about
him. Drawing forth Il large roll OF green
backs, he Haunted them in the crowds face.
and the eager ones pressed closer. Il don't
want your money said Bill. II want your
coniih"nce and don't want to have AIRY
dealing with Spectators
He then told them that he was there to aG-
yertise hi> goods corn plasters and electric
haltS hntL iufnlliIlp rurns for ,tnv ,iiGnuSo
Now said he. ''the price of my save is %
cents II box IF you want to buy do 50 at
the regular price" But you can have it for
any amount you can give, as am here to ad-
vertisc and if yor give me anything less than
a quarter | will throw il away Several
their money burning their pockets, and
others wishing to start the ball promptly
passed up niakcs and dimes: and srue to his
promise Electric Bill tossed the money into
the crowd, and the boys scrambled for il.
Corn salve was freely passed out. Il want
your confidence again cried out Electric
Bill Tomorrow, you Will all be talking
about me. and my wonderful cures. After
awhile one buyer. nervier than the rest,
handed up a quarter. THANK you." said
Bill "hut | am Il liberal advertiser and
he thereupOn handed back to the buyer his
quarter, another quarter and box OF salve.
That fred the buyers who bought freely.
"Bill' giving out his quarter premiums, and
tossing money into the crowd. Money was
no object 20 Bill, they thought and with that
unc0nqu"rable desire to get something for
nothing which overcame their judgments and
infamed their ambitions for greed, the vic
tins pressed forward.
l. Il quarter will make a quarter, dollar
will make a dollar, thought they, and when
Electric Bill brought out his dollar belts.
many hand went down for the dollar. IF
you give me less than dollar | will throw it
away, too said he; and when the people
gave halves and quarters, Bill passed out the
belts but threw the money away. "See what
| will do for those who have confidence in
me- he cried, blandly: II want to show you
that I'm liberal One man handed up a
dollar, which Bill wrapped with another
dollar note, around the box in which the belt
was, and passed it back to him.
Now buy and see what | will do for YOU"
Stlu Iilt StEtilll VI DuSfTS ITtSStu up
some got money back right away, and those
planked down their dollars ard received
only their belts, thought their time for reward
would come in II minute or two, and stood
anXiously around awaiting "Bil's" pleasure.
Money was coming in fast, and "Bilr kept
his presents of cash flowing strong enough to
keep the crowd in high hopes. People only
saw those who got prize packages and every
one thought he would be a prize winner.
One man bought five at whuck and although
at the time be got only belts he felt all right
until it WAS too late.
Watch the people that buy from me-
again yelled "Bill,' and those in the back of
the crowd looked on and smiled as the vic
tins kept taking the bait.
Lifting up Il belt he wrote upon the box
'thc last belt" "Now.' said he, who buys
the last belt? Watch the man who buys the
last belt ~ There was soon buyer who held
he "last belt as a tnismau Of great worth
well" said "BIl." seizing another belt
"this must be next to the last one' Who
wants it - But there was no taker.
With t. smile at his success so far. "Bill
got bolder ilnnd his very holiness was
the secret OF his success-for now he invited
ten people in the crowd to make him pres
ent of dollar apiece. 'I want to find the
liberal people, said he with patronizing
air, As he calmly gazed around upon the
many holding his belts. 'and you people see
what | will do for those patronizng me-
Bill kept on Il want ten people to give me a
dollar apiece. and then | want twenty people
to give me two dollars apiece Early in the
evening person who had given him dollar
was Literally rewarded, ard with this in mind
five people stepped up and handed him II
dollar each.
''Thank you, my friends,n said he, ''you
give mo this money as II free gift, do you?''
YES - said they. II promised you nothing
in return, did I?' said Bill "No," said they,
and with that "Bill'' dropped the money into
his big black felt hat, in which Il big pile had
already accumulated. By this time many of
the victims were 'Onto" the game, but their
pride seemed to keep down their protests, for
they said nothing, only gazed. The five givers
of the money waited.
"Now' said Bill; 'those men who gave me
the money step up" When they were near