The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-01-14

II has iust leaked out that a smooth
confidence game was worked on one Of
the wheeling banks recently, In which
the banker came out $40 In the hole.
The story Of It runneth thus
A man OF good address, coOl and per-
6uasive, with just the slightest air of in
noconce about him, entered the office Of
q leading attorney and, deposItlng his
vaMse, handed the Wheeling man his
card, which introduced him as the rep-
re5entauve Of a New York electrical
company. One of the suburban roads
around Wheeling was shortly to be run
by electricity, so the stranger said, and
he was In wheeling to close contract
with the railroad company. He had
some money to deposit during his stay
In wheeling, and he wished to be refer
red to safe bank for It's deposit. He
was perfect stranger, knew no one
hence his inquiry about safe bank.
The lawyer mentioned one, which 50
pleased the stranger that he gave his In
formant a ten-d1llar bill. This was re-
fused, but the stranger insisted, saying
that Il was for the advice received. An
other refusal followed with the reply
tiat no advice had been given. II was
met with;
''oh. Keep Il as a retainer. Wen have
lots OF business to do in Wheeling from
now on, and as I'm a stranger and know
no one, you can help me ont The cons
papy viii engage you as our attorney
within a few days"
He then left the law Office and going TO
the bank. deposited $50 In cash ana q
number Of checks, aggregating several
hundred dollars. A day or SO AFTER he
said to the hotel clerk:
II think I'll leave town for y few days,
and as II Is, against your rule 10 cash
checks / will sc 10 the bank ana cash
one / have for SOS. have no ready
cagh about me, and as Pm a stranger in
the city, l Will so to the bank ana get
the check cashed."
The bank cashier refused to cash the
check, saying he did not know him well
enough. He acknowledged the deposit
made, but thought 1t risky to cash II.
unless It's holder could produce some one
who knew him.
THAT would be hard to do" was the re-
ply. for Pm u stranger in the town; the
only persons know art the hotel clerk,
boothlack, and Mr.. So-2nd-So, the law
yer NY NhAAAhhAAg mao ."EAAh AAAN -
wheeling, and I've just received orders
TO 20 10 New York. I'm sorry II you
can't cash the check, because was re-
ferrsd to this bank by Mr.. So-and-So."
He walked out OF the bank with his
check for S225 uncashed. but returned
within an hour. The cashier In the mean
time had telephoned the attorney II he
knew the stranger. and was told that all
was well, thai he represented New
York electrical company. Hence the
cashier was willing to cash the cheek as
soon as the man came in. But the man
had torn 1t up.
II have here draft for $500 on my
firm. viii you cash that?"
why, Wen cash your check"
1--WE torn II up, but II You don't mind
I'll write out another cheek for $500 I'M
stead Of $22J. as I'm In need Of that much
money"
To this the banker assented.
wen do all our banking with you"
said no y few moments later, as he
counted over the three centuries" and
politely bidding good day, went out the
door.
His trouble cost MIN $40 for the at
torney. and the $50 he deposited in the
bank. He Is probably employing the $3.50
now. The affair has been kept quiet.