Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-09
KING OF THE FAKIRs.
Gets "a HatfuI of Money and CooIIy
II rl... L.L.... n.l....

Gets Hntful of Money and Coolly
Drives Away from His Dupcs.
One OF the slickest articles that ever
struck this town held forth one night at
the corner OF Broad and Pine streets re-
lates the Nevada City Herald. He had a
team from one Of the local livery stables
and the usual gasoline torch and valise.
With the voice OF a Midway Plaisance
"spieler" he began by announcing that he
was an honest man and would rather
throw his money in the street than take a
dollar that did not belong to him Instead
OF leaving In disgust at hearing this shame
less assertion the crowd drew nearer, anX-
ious to have a good look at such a freak.
They drew still nearer-they wedged in tight
and blocked the street and they were hisn.
He offered some trumpery for sale and
threw all the small change he received into
the street for the boys to scramble for. It
took. They liked 1t, and hollored for more.
He sold some triing "galvanic batteries"
at dollar apiece and then gave the pur-
chaser back his dollar.
The crowd grew quite enthusiastic and the
fakir grew bolder His next move was to
boldly ask who would give him a dollar out
right to throw away, get drunk on or spend
as he pleased \ couple OF men timidly
pushed their way forward and actually of
fered him dollar each. He took the silver
and chuckled with glee. Then. pretending
to repent having begged anything. he called
the donors up and returned each mans
dollar, and gave them dollar beside as a
reward OF merit.
The crowd began to cheer. and were dis
appointed when the fakir again offered the
electric belts" for sale. But it was only
for few minutes. and then he again asked
who would give him dollar outright, and
expect absolutely nothing for It," The crowd
fell over each other in their haste to reach
the fellows buggy and make their contri-
buttons. He would take n dollar from some
one. add few more dollars TO 1t and then
wrap the whole in a greenback. making nice
little rolls. which he put into his hat. They
came so thick that he was obliged TO ask the
people to wait until he could get their Christ
mas presents wrapped up. When the dol
lars finally ceased pouring in the hat was
full.
He placed the tile where all could see 1t
and began Song and dance" about what
good people they we're and how much he ap-
precated getting into such a liberal town.
He would not be outdone in generosity He
would make each one of them a present OF
one Of his famous galyanic belts. Yes, he
would. by ginger!
He talked so rapidly that few could catch
the drift of his proposition, but they all
stepped up and took the packages he Of
fered them, thus accepting value for their
money. Then they fell back and waited
until the gentleman threw the hatful of
money out into the crowd.
But he did not do It?
No.
Instead he said, Now, suppose you were
in my place. What would you do with all
this money!"
Some one on the edge of the crowd an
swered, Keep it."
That's a good suggestion" said Mr..
Fakir. and In a thrice he had dumped the
hatful of money into his yalise and snapped
the lock.
He paused a moment and coolly lit cigar
in the flame of his torch, and the crowd hes
itated, paralyzed at his nerve. In that mo-
ment of hesitation they were lost Tor their
money was) for the fakir suddenly seized
the reins and drove swiftly around the
corner.
He did not leave town, though, and ap-
parently had no fears for his personal safety
While he was skinning the town a con-
federate did the same thing in Grass Val
ley and the two went away together several
hundred dollars richer for their visit to the
mountains.