The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-29
SERVED HIM RIGHT.
One Crayon Agent Sc
cured His Deserts
in Clinton.
HE GAVE THE DOLLAR BACK.
Local Man Can Shave, But
Viii Not Be Shaved by
Picture Men.
HE GAVE The DOLLAR BACK.

Clinton, Aug. 2S.-Joseph Brown, whc
owns one of the largest barber shops in
town, doesn't need the police to protect
him in his rights, where crayon por-
trait canvassers are concerned.
He read The Spy's story this morning
of the methods of the gang that has
been doing people in Clinton, and de-
terInined, as Chief Bates had no rem
edy to offer, the law not providing any,
to take the job of regulating the
crayon portrait business into his own
hands.
Three weeks ago a soft spoken fellow
called at Mr.. Browns nome. Mrs.
Brown was in the house; Mr.. Brown
was not. The fellow had samples Of
crayon portraits with him. They were
cheap things; merely solar enlarge
ments with enough crayon rubbed on
TO take part of the curse off.
The canvasser saw picture of Mr..
Brown on the table, in the room where
he was admitted.
He remarked that Mr.. Brown was
handsome, and that Mr.. Browns pic
ture was the first one he had seen in
town that was suitable FOR advertising
purposes.
He proposed to take the photograph
and make a crayon of it. I'VE want the
crayon TO advertise our pictures with, .
the willy canvasser said. We will give
you "a picture free for the use Of the
photograph"
Mrs. Brown acceded. She heard no
more of the matter until Saturday,
when two men called. They had a
gaudy picture frame with them and an
alleged hfe)ike representation of one of
Clinton's leading BARRIERS.
They wanted to sell the gaudy frame
to Mrs Brown for 81. AT this price the
beautiful crayon of Mr.. Brown would
be thrown in free of charge. The price
of the frame was finally reduced to 81.
The men became angry when they
failed to sell the frame at 81, and said
to Mrs. Brown:
''You must give US 81; you've got to
do that"
Their manner was so full of menace
that Mrs. Brown hastily gave them
what they asked and they went about
their business, saying that the money
would be considered an installment up
on the picture.
When Mr.. Brown came home from the
barber shop, Saturday, he heard of the
transaction, and determined to recti-
fly it. He learned that some of the
gang were stopping at the Oxford
House. This morning, bright and car
ly, he had an interview with the men.
They were inclined to give Mr.. Brown
jeers at first, but when he told them
that he would have them arrested for
extorting money they were more willing
to listen to him. Mr.. Brown delivered
an ultimatum to the effect that the dol
lar was to be repaid before noon to-
day.
Inquiry at his barber shop, gained
the information that the crayon por-
trait fellows had been headed off il
their little game. Just before noon to-
cay, two very silly looking crayon por-
trait men knocked at Mr.. Browns door
and said when the door was opened,
Here's your dollar; we don't want it;
we wouldn't take it, anyhow.
As the situation stands the Browns
have their photograph back, as well as
their money and that is more than some
people who have dealt with the crayon
men can say.
The story in The Spy this morning
put many people on their guard Here
after it is expected that the path of the
crayon portrait swindler will be hard
eF to tread.
In the past few days persons have
received circulars from a crayon por-
trait firm in Kingston, N. Y The cir
culars are to the effect that, in look
ing over stock, the firm has discovered
a picture and photograph, belonging
to the person addressed.
The photograph is no doubt, the cir
calar says, that of some person dead
and beloved, and is perhaps the only
such photograph in existence.
will you not" the circular con.
cludes, Uniform us why this crayon has
not been delivered? No reasonable
offer refused"
This firm is said to hold several pie
lures procured in town, some Of which
are in truth of persons dead, of whor
the photograph is the only one in ex
istence.
This firm canvassed the town Il
March. They did business in a fairei
way than the fellows who have recent
ly been working here. They informed
each person from whom they procured
a picture, that the picture would cos
SO. If accepted.
They fairly begged for photographs
The right to accept or reject the pic
lures remained in the owner Of TIL
photograph. This was true, but tn
photograph remained in the possession
of the Kingston house.
The circulars are a notification tina
the photographs are held for ransom.