Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-03-26
The Worm Turned.

the only tnlngS I'm AFRAID OIL at ALL
The Worm Turned.
[New York SUM-
Nobody can convince me- said the
Hon. Phil Wissig of the Bowery, in re-
lating how he had been swindled out of
S225, that the farmer jays and rubes
are not turning and getting hunk with
us city blokes We are getting to be the
real suckers"
Mr.. Wissig's recital of the swindle
which caught him was dramatic and
vehement. About week ago man who
appeared to be a well-to-do farmer
called on him in his saloon in Grand
street, introducing himself as Constable
John Hopkins, of Pittsfield, Mass.
II Jest come here to York. said he,
"ter see the sights an buy seeds fer my
farm. Ihev 200 acres of Their best land
in Berkshire. I amt putin up any
place particular, jest goin' tew different
PARTS o. town nights. heerd you was
somethin' of a politician deown here an
I tho't I'd come in ter see yer. wuz
in Their legislator myself years ago. Hev
a drink with me everybody"
Constable Hopkins produced roll OF
bills, treated literally and made friends.
He came back on the next day, treated
again, and took Wissig and his friends,
Charlie Wagner. the Grand street dry
goods man, and Louis Cells of the Han
field house, to Bowery theater, where
they occupied box, and he acted the
host in q manner which caused WissiS
to remark that he was a thoroughbred.
str nj
stories about fishing and hunting near
his home and Wissig. Wagner and Cells
accepted invitations to visit the farm
this summer and go fishing.
why, in two hours" said the con-
stable, you kin ketch 800 of the finest
pickerel you ever saw. Some of EN-
weighs at least ten pounds
Wagner almost tainted with joy and
insisted on being allowed to buy a bot
tie of wine.
It came out the next day that Mr..
Hopkins was expecting letters from
ehome and had directed that they be
sent to Wissig's saloon.
i've Jest bought a pair Of horses, !
said he, IAN sen hum for a draft.
expect it in day or two. wish you'd
put any letters fer me in the safe. You
can't be too careful in this yere city.
Certainly" said Wissig, they'll be
safe here"
Two letters came Friday addressed
to CONSTABLE John Hopkins, care of p.
Wissigs liquor shop, Grand and For
sythe streets" and bearing Pittsfield
postmark. When Hopkins opened them
Wagner was present.
"Ah, here's the Check said Hopkins
producing from one of the envelopes
what seemed to be check on Pitts
field bank for 1925, made payable to
John Hopkins. II got great boy" he
continued lest look at this letter he
wrote his dad" and he handed the let
ter to Wissig. 1t read:
Dear Pop: l got yure letter. went
down to the bank and got them to
make me out the check SO that would
MT have to spend the money. All the
folks is we'll. Send them horses along
soon as you can. We will need them
ploughin.' Hiram Ellis called down yes
terday and said he would buy that ten
acre piece near the pasture for th.. fig
ure you name. We expect you home
Monday. Your loving boy, Reuben"
Il WOHQGI WHEY i Soti SetsoA StA' III y
-check?'. remarked Hopkins when Wis
sig had properly admired this literary
effort.
Zach, will cash i'd righdt away said
Wagner.
ooh. no." said Wissig. Mr. Hopkins
is in my place now. Allow me to cash
it."
He handed over the money and Hop
kins after buying several rounds of
drinks, said he had to go after his
horses and departed. promising to call
again the next day.
Wissig sent the check to his own
bank for collection. He was astounded
several hours later when messenger
from the bank informed him that there
was no such bank In Pittsfeld as the
check was drawn upon. A telegram was
sent to Pittsfield and elected the re-
Spouse that Hopkins was swindler and
Wissig was not his only victim.
"Ach Vissig." said Wagner to the
Hon. Phil when he heard this. how
couldt you be such a sugger? You vas
a regular farmer yourself"
"Why you wanted to cash that check
Yourself" replied Wissig, Indignantly
"Ach, dot vas only a choke an
swered.