The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-09-12

you'll make yourself comfortable IN
send over to the bank for the money"
Reuben eyed the handbag with close
attention. He knew that 1t would fig
ure in one of those lightning change
tricks which are the basis Of what is
called the sawdust game.
AS yet he knew not the exact nature
of the game that would be played, but
he was sure that money would be put
into that bag in his presence and that
then another bag OF similar appear
ance, but quite empty of cash, would
be substituted.
'By ginger" said Reuben to himself,
chat bags the liyin image of the one
I've got IN my grip. If there's goin to
be any substitutin, why shouldn't
take hand in 1t myselfT
The thought made shivers run up and
down his spinal column, but his face
remained as impassive as a piece of
meat, and he was able to converse in
the most agreeable manner with Mr..
Stanton while another member of the
combination was supposed to be going
to the bank with the little bag.
In 20 minutes or more he returned,
and Stanton, in the presence of the
other, who posed as an accountant Of
the Leland establishment told off the
satchels contents. There were II
81, 900 bills and ten one hundreds. STAN
ton returned them to the bag and snap
ped the lock. Reuben watched sharply
for trick at this point, but saw none.
NOW" said Stanton, "Ill go and get
the deeds"
The accountant had already left the
room. Reuben was alone. This cir
cumstance fitted too well with his de-
sires for him to question the appear
ance of it. With rapid hand he chang
ed the bags. They were not precisely
alike, but the resemblance was close,
and Reuben took the chance.
"Here are the Deeds" said Stanton,
re-entering.
Reuben looked them over. They were
very carefully got up and seemed to
provide in a perfectly regular manner
for the transfer of q small piece of New
York real estate in the borough Of the
Bronx from John Atkinson to the Har-
lem Surface Railway company for $751;
600, Warren Leland acting as counsel
for both parties.
The man who had played the part Of
the accountant now acted as q notary
and commissioner, and Reuben's sigma
ture as John Atkinson" was duly at
tested
Stanton glanced att
ut was your daughter who used to
conduct your correspondence with us,
wasn't itY' he asked, and Reuben, who
had no idea what the other was driving
at, answered that it was.
81 suppose you'll put this money in
your safe deposit box temporarily"
said Stanton, eying the bag somewhat
anxiously.
yes" replied Reuben; IT thought of
doin 500
He was drenched with the perspira-
ton Of impatience, yet he maintained
an outward calm. 1t was evident that
the moment for springing the trap,
whatever it might be- must have arriv-
ed. AS yet Reuben had not been asked
for a cent Of money, and his roll of bills
was still safe in his pocket.
by the way" said Stanton, there IS
Mr.. Leland's bin for legal services. OF
course there's no hurry about it. Still,
it might be well to close up the whole
transaction, and
Certainly, certainly" cried Reuben,
and he took the bin, which footed up
almost 1000.
OF course he understood the game by
this time. The bag into which Stanton
had put the money was a mere trick
bag. 1t could only be opened by one
understanding the springs. The victim
was expected to try to open it and fail