The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-10
GOODS RACKET
in BIRMINGHAM

The old green goods game has again been
worked successfully in Birm ngham.
Ordinarily one would imagine that in this
enlightened age and city to work the green
goods game and sell an intelligent man
strips of paper for money would be an i'm
possbil ty. Such is a fact, nevertheless.
Tie trick was planned and worked in one
of the prominent hotels of Birmingham,
and the victim is a gentleman whom every
one thinks is an up-to-date business man,
Though the plan is little different from
the old scheme of send ng letters through
the mail, it still bears a tinge of the
ancient fraud.
Not more than a week ago a well dressed
young man approached a guest at one of
the hotels and confidentally related to him
a scheme by which a large amount of
money could be made. IT know a man,
said the young fellow, who has s., 500
worth of Confederate moneYXwiIich can be
purchased for $685. and really think it a
good thing. Here is ten dollar bill of
money!" he continued, as he produced the
supposed counterfeit, (which looks like it
is perfectly good, but it isn't" The guest,
who was a business man, inspected the
money closely and said he believed 1t would
pass. The young man then proceeded to
try it on the First National bank to be sure
as to whethe it would pass The couple
then went to the bank, and as the money
was really genuine, of course it passed.
The hotel guest seeing how nice the trek
would work began to study the matter
seriously, and finally announced that he
would go in the scheme. Now was the
time for the young man to get in his fine
work.
You see," he said, 81 haven't but $685.
but am SO sure of our success that will
go broke on it, If you will furnish the
other $40
The guest finally acquiesced and went
away to get the money, the young man in
the meantime consulting with the owner of
the counterfeit bills. A meeting was ar
ranged and shortly after the two buyers
had arrived the seller came in. After seat
ing himself he very tersely asked in a bus
mess like tone:
well, do you gentlemen (of course he
was a perfect stanger to the young mani
want to accept my proposition"
He was told that they had decided to do
so. and the necessary $500 was produced
Now, gentlemen" said the seller, Il
wont take your money myself, neither will
I hand you over the counterfeit in person
as don't know whether you are officers or
not, but I will send it you in few min
utes'
With that he left the room, presently an
other gentleman knocked on the door and
when admitted stated that he had the
money. He drew a large bulky envelope
from his pocket and laying 1t on the table
asked for the $500. This was given him,
and he departed Immediately. After TAX
ing a drink over their success the two
buyers cut open the envelope and 10! and
behold 1t contained nothing but blank strips
of paper. The young man became furious
Wanted to kill the scoundrels. After ours
ing and saying all kinds of vile things
about the men who cheated him, he left
on search for the thieves When our of
sight of the real dupe he Joined his two
pals and the trio went their way rejoic-
ing.
It is said that this scheme has worked
twice within the last week. The gentlemen
who were caught are trying to keep the
matter quiet as they cannot afford for the
matter to become public.