The evening times., 1899-07-24
A NEW eREEN-GooDs TRICK.
Only n Happy Chance Saves Farmer
Orr From BEING Fleeced.


Wolcott n. Y. July PA young farmer
from northern Cayuga county, who re-
fused to give his name, but is said to be
John Orr, came very near bsing fiesced by
a new variety of the green goods and
gold-brick game near here Saturday
Early this week a prosperous looking
stranger called at Orr's house and won the
farmers confidence by presenting what
purported to be letter from the lat
ter's brother, a Philadelphia commission
merchant.
The stranger gave his name as f. II.
Ridgeway, and said he was promoter
He limited that a former resident of that
locality had put him on to- good thing,
a mineral spring that was located not far
away, he didn't know just where, but Orr
could doubtless help him find it, quietly
buy the farm it was located on, and he
(the strangely would pay him $500 for his
trouble.
Ridgaway then began describing the
spring and it's surroundings, when his host
interrupted him by exclaiming:
why, that's the old sulphur spring on
the back part of my place..
The Philadelphian looked rather sheep
as I've given the snap away, you'll prob
ably make $500 all right"
The next morning they drove together
to look at the spring. with which Ridge
way appeared perfectly satisfied, though
he paid little attention TO ii, inspecting.
instead, with great care, the rock ledge
above and behind it, Ito see its source,
he explained.
AS he clambered up the rocks Orr was
SURPRISED to see a second man leap from
the other side and plunge into thicket,
as if to escape Ridgeway's observation.
On the way home the visitor offered Orr
$1,000 fer his eighty acre farm, saying that
was double the price he expected to pay,
but since the seller was on it would be
useless to offer less.
Orr did not see much in the spring
himself. and after pretence OF consuita-
tion with his wife and some haggling
closed with the terms.
Ridgeway then gave Orr check for
S5, coo to bind the bargain, saying he would
have to return home for more funds, but
would be back Saturday with the full
amount in cash, when Orr could return the
check and draw the papers.
The Philadelphian left, and the next
morning a second stranger called and,
without word of preliminaries, demanded
to know what Orr asked for his farm.
I've sold it,. said the farmer. Ito q
man named Ridgeway."
MY God! Then he's got it," ex-
claimed the man, stamping wildly about.
When he had calmed down little he
told Orr that there was on his farm a de-
posit of building stone worth fully $500.O
He said that former Cayuga county
boy named Olcott, now a geologist In the
employ of the United States Government,
knew of it and had casually mentioned the
fact in Philadelphia. where it had come to
the ears of rival promoters, namely, Ridge
way and himself, John H. Lawson. Each
must have started. he supposed, without
knowing of the others intentions, for Ca
yuga county.
When Lawson finally offered Orr $25, 900
merely fer a half interest in the farm, he
was ready fer any plan to back out of his
first bargain. Lawson said he was sure
Ridgeway. could be bought off, If he was
kept in ignorance Of his rivals share in
the scheme.
He asked Orr how much ready money
he could raise, and the latter said 0,0G0.
That ought to be more than enough,
said Lawson, 'and III go halves with you
in buying the old schemer cut.
"TIl telegraph my agent in Philadelphia
to express me like sum in currency, and
Wen pool the s20,CC0 to get rid OF Ridge
way.
He went away and was not seen on the
farm again till yesterday morning, when
he appeared with small hand satchel
containing the money in an express
package.
Opening the package he showed Orr
many sheets OF what appeared to be brand
new bank notes, not yet cut apart. AS he
waved sheet in the air he suddenly stop
ped and began to swear with great en-
phass:
"The - fool" he exclaimed. my
! agent has sent me new money from the
First National Bank OF Philadelphia. II
cid Ridgeway should get his eye on it he'd
smell mouse in an instant. Ten thous-
and dollars has got to buy him, that's all
! Here, you give this tFyour wife to put
away till after you'veLfnished with Ridge
way. You can drayI your money to pa,
him and this will Hefdefi 20 divide after
ward, so it will be alb the same -S5. .00t
api:ce-and less if yql can hammer him
down; which doubtasss
He handed the package to the farmer
and then bolteds fonothey back door, fol
Ridgeway was even than5 approaching the
house sd; d
Ridgeway storIaed when Orr broachet
| backing out. hut finally agreed to call tn,
! deal off il given back his check and $aO,-
| coo. - s,4sal
The two then started ito drive to VOL