The San Francisco call., 1898-05-08
TRICKS OF THE MAN
 WITH THE MEXICAN CIGARS

I Beg pardon, senor," he said with a
 courtly bow, as he bit the end off a
 huge cigar after he had kept step with
 me for dozen paces, "but may I
 trouble you for light?''
 I saw the burning lamp of a cigar
 stand not ten feet from us, and recog-
 niZed his game at once I've had a
 vast experience with confidence men. I
 held my half-burned cigar toward this
 stranger, he accepted it with another
 bow, lit his own cigar, then fumbled it
 awkwardly and dropped my cigar. 'Diablo! How stupid of me. A
 thousand pardons, senor. Accept one
 of mine, do,'' he urged. | l took it, a cigar of good flavor and
 ample proportions. pungent and strong
 as the Mexican product commonly is
 lighted it from his and smoked a puff or
 two with ostentatious satisfaction. The
 manner in which I met his advances
 assured him I was easy game. His eyes fairly sparkled. ''Ah Senor, you are fond of e-ood Mexican cigar?"
 T prefer them to any other" said r anxious to lead him on
 Then allow me to do you a favor, my friend; l will show you where to get them at half price. A friend of mine is steward on a steamer just in from the Mexican ports and he always brings a few boxes like the one you are smok ing; gets them in without paying duty. you underStand-I know you will nOt mention it-that is why he can sell them so cheap. You would like a box or two?
 ''Yes," said I, 'I wouldn't mind if they don't come too high"
 oh. mere trifle, my friend. a mere trlte, said he, "$3 50 for a box of 100, and they are worth $7 in the market wholesale. Come this way"
 An, my friend is out" said he when he received no reply to his knock, but It does not matter; I have d key and can serve you as we'll" He opened the door and led me into a stuffy but we'll furnished apartment, his own bed room without doubt A box of cigars fine ones as I could see at a glance, and from which two or three had been taken, stood open on the table
 Examine them, senor," said he pushing the box toward me; you are color, the quality, the workmanship, and inhale the exquisite fragrance, senor''
 Yes" said I. "they are fine. I'll take a box"
 Only one, senor? Take two or three; you will regret it if you do not
 No, only one, my friend, and by the way, we must be quick about it." said l, glancing hastily at my watch. T ought to be up town by this time; I have to meet a friend.
 'Ah! I am sorry, my dear friend; should be charmed to make your better acquaintance" and opening cup board showing a row of boxes similar to the one on the table he began to wrap one in paper for me.
 Hold on," said I, Tend me your opener moment; want half dozen to smoke to-day"
 "Oh, now you offend me, senor; do not think of opening the box for that: help yourself from the table; a dozen; a pocketful."
 stubbornly, you are too kind" and with my pocket knife I popped the lid off the box. Phewl burnt cabbage leavesI They were the poorest, cheap est. vilest smelling things ever made in Chinatown, worth not over $1 50 a box and dear at that. But he grasped the situation in a twinkling and proved himself equal to it.
 Bah! horriblei" he gasped, smelling one of the reeking rolls. 'fI am so glad we discovered the mistake. These are some cheap things my friend keeps to give away to the porters and hackmen. should never have forgiven myself if you had taken them. Here Is the kind" the box away and taking down another, which he placed beside the one on the IdDIe, that l might see that the brand was the same.
 "All right" said I, nervously con- 5ulting my watch. Great Scottl I haven't moment to spare, but I must nave the cigars; here you are; I'll take the opened box and save time.'' and throwing the s 50 on the table I ;natched up the box and bolted for the loor.
 Stay, senor, stopi" he cried, thrust ng the other box toward me, .I can lot rob you so; that box is half smoked: ake this box"
 "Oh, bother the difference; I can't vait," I shouted back, and scuttled Town the stairs followed by a volley of Spanish paths.
 I never enjoyed a box of cigars more md could not light one of them without aughing again at the knave's discom- iture. I have seen the fellow, at a dis ance, many times since, and he must To a thriving business.