The San Francisco call., 1899-06-20
ROBBED BY A
A SWINDLER IN
SAILORS GARB
Clever Scheme Of a
Bunko Man.
AN ATTORNEYS SURPRISE
WANTED TO MAKE HIS WIFE A
PRESENT.
He Purchases Six Yards of Supposed
Contraband Goods for Eighteen
Dollars and Finds He Is
Duped.
WANTED TO MAKE HIS WIFE A
PRESENT.

Attorney Becsey was CleVerly Swindled
out of SIS several days ago by a smooth
confidence operator. Dressed in the garb
of a sailor the swindler visited Becsey's
office in the old Supreme Court building,
and after swearing him to secrecy up-
folded package containing six yards Of
dress goods. He represented that the
goods were worth $40 per yard and that
he had obtained them in foreign port
and Smuggled them into this city. He
begged BeCSey not to say anything about
how he had come into possession of the
contraband goods. as he feared that the
captain Of the ship on which he is en-
ployed might hear of 1t and turn him over
TO the United States authorities.
The unsuspectng attorney, evidently
believing his yarn asked him how much
he would take for the stuff. The swindler
demanded $40. claiming that he had been
offered that amount by a saloon keeper
with whom he had done business some
time ago.
Becsey, after admiring the cloth and
thinking what a nice dress it would make
for his wife. finally agreed to give the
sailor SIS for it. The he swinder ii after ter
offer. but cautioned the attorney not TO
tell his better half from whom he had
bought the stuff. After being handed the
amount the swndler left the office
With the package under his arm and
his face Wreathed in smiles, Becsey sub
sequently. appeared at the door of his
home and was met by his anxious wife.
What is in the PACKAGE" inquired his
better half, evidently divining that he had
present for her.
"You couldn't guess in a hundred
years" smilingly replied the happy at
torney. placing the package on a table
and ordering his wife to open it. She
hastily united the string that bound the
package and to her disgust she found that
It contained a remnant of blue serge val
ucd at about 81 p.
When told that he had been swindled
BeCsey fairly swooned away. After re-
covering from the shock the now thor
oughly maddeued disciple of Blackstone
buckled on his trusted army revolver and
sailed forth to find the swindler. deter
mined to do him or die in the attempt.
law office expecting to present him with
another gold brick, Becsey repaired
thither and nerVOuSly awaited his COM
ing. After pacing the floor for some time
and as the sailor" did not reappear the
irate attorney went to police headquar-
ters and told Captain Bohen the story Of
how he had been swindled
you've appeared for just such fellows
In the Police Court, remarked the Vete-
ran detective. trying to suppress a smile.
You ought to be on to their various
tricks by this time"
He looked like a Woodworking man. -
explained Becsey, driving his fist into hi3
stomach as if to appease his anger, land
] concluded he was on the square.
But wait, captain" roared the angry
attorney, punching holes in the air. ''Iil
teach him a lesson if it costs me every
cent ! have in the world
The head of the detectives assured him
hend the sailor" and Becsey left his Of
fee in an easier frame of mind,