The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-12
BUNCOED OUT OF $4,000.
JOHN FRENCH OF BROoKLYN GETS
INTO 4 LITERARY LOTTERY
Pratt, So lie Thinks-Boy Loses $4,000
-"Oh, NV Motherl what n Disgracci
Please Lend Ne $4,000" He Cries.
md Mr.. French Say. MCertninIx.n

JOnn french FORMER brooklyn Alderman
and one OF the oldest and best-known resi-
dents Of that borough. was buncoed out OF $5.-
600 last Friday morning. by two young men.
who worked on him one OF the oldest conf
dence games known to the police There were
certain variations TO the familiar methods.
made to III the case. and Mr.. French succumbed
to them. Tho most inexplicable part OF 1t all
Is that person like Mr. French. a newspaper
reader and man who has been In public life
for over two-scorc years. should be so easily
Rullcd. He Ia NJ years old. but his mind has
always been clear. AMI hc has never needed any
assistance In the management OF his affnirs.
Yet the two young men who got his money
actually induced him to go n mile to his bank
to get 5000 after they had informed him that
he owed them that amount and for fifteen
minutes Of that time he was alone with ample
opportunity to think the matter over. But the
idea that he had been buncoed did not occur to
him until twenty minutes after he got home.
He then nut the case In the hands OF the police.
but II was too late. Tho swindlers had de-
campcd and the Brooklyn police are still look
ms for them.
Dr George +. Little. Mr. French's grandson.
told the story Of the swIndle last night after an
Inaccurate account OF 1t had appeared In
Brooklyn evening paper, As long "a the fact
that Mr. French had been made the victim OF
bunco steeters was out. the family decided to
tell the true story
Mr.. French left his house, at Clinton and
Gates avenues at IL o'clock Friday morning.
TO 90 To the Mechanics Bank at Court and
Montague streets He walked slowly over TO
Fulton street. which Ia only one short block
away. AMI was standing there waiting for n
trolley car when we-dressed young man
walked up to him and. grasping his hand. eI-
claimed
well. Mr.. French. I'm glad to see you
again"
Mr. French looked the young man over. but
couldn't recoect ever having seen him be-
fore He is u good natured man, however. so
he merely said:
I'm sure don't remember you. sir"
"Oi course you don't. ot cours' you don't"
said the youth. vigorously pumping away Mt
Mr. Frenchs arm. Il didn't expect you would.
Why. Alderman. the last time YOU saw mo
was a little codser Can't YOU guess who
ann
Il give It up" said Mr. French. aud then the
young man said:
why. I'm Harry Pratt. the son OF your old
friend"
Mr. French and Charles Pratt. the late mil
lionaire oil man OF Brooklyn. were close
friends and the thought that he was shaking
hands with the son OF Mr.. Pratt pleased the old
man nightly
We'll. well. my boy. I'm very glad to see
you" no said My. how you're grown. I'd
never have known you
Young Mr.. Pratt said he was going to walk
down Fulton street few blocks. He wanted
10 know II SIR. French wouldn't accompany
him. II was a pleasant DAY. he said. and the
walk would do Mr.. French good. Mr. French
thought so. TOO. and the two men started down
Fulton street. Mr.. French asked many ques-
lions about the Pratt family and his companion
answered them readily. He had such an int-
mate knowledge OF the family affairs and
talked 80 arTectingly OF his widowed mother
that the suspicion OF his being IN imposter
never came to Mr.. French. When they got
near Cumberland street, young Mr. Pratt said:
"Oh. by the way. Mr. French. my meeting
you solves q little problem for me. \ short
time ago | ordered new universal history
from a man down here aud 1t is to hc ready for
me to-day. It's something unusually line aud
induced friend Of mine to order one. too.
My friend told me the other night that hs
didn't want tho book. as h. couldn't AFFORD TO
pay SO for IL. | ordered the two so I've got TO
take them. viii you accept one Of them from
me? | don't know any one Id rather give
II to-"
Mr. French Ia n man OF literary tastes. and
his com panon's account OF the new history in
tercsted him. He thanked Mr. Pratt for his
kind offer and accepted II. but said he'd rather
pay for It himself. But Mr.. Pratt wouldn't
hear Of such n thing. Nothing would please
him 80 much IA to make this little gift to his
fathers old friend
Tho two had passed Cumberland street by
this time Suddenly Mr. Pratt stepped up to
a door between two stores and. reckoning to
Mr. French. said:
see the book. I'll have II sent TO you. but I'd
like you to see IT,"
Mr, French thinks he went up one flight Of
stairs. but h. isn't sure. He knows. however.
room and that inside. seated At a desk, wa'
another young man. up 70 his neck In business;
I"zen Biz Hs" wer" on op the
desk. and the man behind II was scribblng
away At some letters as II his life depended on
the two callers walked In. then banged away at
a hall on his desk and called out:
Boy, hoy hurry with this cable. Excuse me
a moment. Mr. Pratt" he continued gancing
at that young man, but that boy'll drive me
He banged at the hell again. but as no boy
appeared, no threw down his. papers and with
a sigh OF resignation turned TO hts visitors
you about those histories. hut I've got TO,
They came last night, but found ind, 50 9. many de.
iees n me Ing to ina, n soht
I'm awiuy sorry about this but / couldn't
give you an interior article. =.
"Oh, it's all right" said Mr.. Pratt. hut did
want Mr. French to see tho book Well. I'll be
in tomorrow, Good day" and he started for
the door. Mr. French following, They were
out IN the hall and Mr. Fronch was closing tho
door. when suddenly the man at the desk
called out:
Mr.. Pratt como here moment"
Mr.. Pratt and Mr. French returned. The
man at the desk told the former to be- sure and
bring his coupons when he came after the
books
why. I've got them now" said Mr.. Pratt,
II thought they were only receipts Must /
present them in order to get the hooks?"
why. didn't the company write YOU about
the premium otfer2' asked the man at the
desk. Didn't YOU notice the numbers on the
couponsp"
Mr. Pratt hauled two strips OF cardboard, on
each one. OF which was q number. out Of his
pocket He remarked that those were tho
coupons sent 10 him. but said he hadn't heard
of any premium offer Thereupon the man ut
the desk opened drawer and took out box
In which plumber OF similar cards were
",The company arranged its premium offer
on the style ~ lottery, although, OF course. II
Isn't lottery" he said, III you're each going
to take book you've each got q draw" he
continued; You may as we'll draw now" and
he held out the box
Mr.. French said he didn't, care to draw. as he
was not buying hook. so Mr., Pratt drew two
cards and with laugh tossed them over to the