The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-13
Buncoed the Bunco Man.


He came across the river from
Jersey. and looked so much like Dem
man ThoHpson's Josh Whitcombe that
you could hear the bees humming
around the old homestead. says the
Philadelphia Telegraph. HE was as
typical a farmer as ever broke through
the ferry house and showed the truly
rural agility in side-stepping the dray
and hack driving hogs on Delaware
avenue. Still, there was that look in
the cold eye that told that he had
been in more than one horse trade
and still had the best plug. He had
not proceeded far before he was ac-
costed by the usual dude dressed gent,
who held out his hand and, delighted,
remarked:
why. bless me If 1t is not my old
friend Jediah Dobbs from Shamong!
I'm awfully glad to have met you,
Uncle Jediah."
The man from Jersey looked at his
would-be friend moment, realized
that he was up against it and then in
a surprised tone replied:
You've got my autograph down all
right, young Teller; but blessed if you
hain't got the best of me-"
Now, stop and think a moment"
said the bunco man. Cant you re-
member where you saw me?"
1T maui hev been the Zoo" replied
the Jerseyman. Il was there nigh
on twenty years ago, but l KANT re-
member the names of all the ami
mails"
You remember Samuel Donovan,
who used to live in your town some
years ago?"
4" Pears to me do; left the place,
didn't he, to escape being introduced
to the Sheriff.
HE left because he was offered bet
ter advantages in this city. Well, 1
am his son William"
SO you are Willie. are you-the
little cub what used to steal my wat
ermelons and throw stones at the
cows. Well, Willie, I'm right glad
to see you, and / don't harbor no I'M
christianlike feelin' against your old
man, even if he wasn't just exactly
in the Methodist deacon class. How
somever Willie. hope you don't take
after him. What are you doin' for
living?"
Grating"
"Graftin', eh' Same as we call bud
din. although some people stick to the
old name. How many trees can you
do in day. and do you use bees
wax or the new-fangled stuff they are
sellin' at the corner stores?"
That depends on what I am graft
ing; but come, uncle, 1 want to in
troduce you to a friend of mine"
Hold your bosses. Willie, or they'll
pull you over the dashboard. This
yere's my pleasure, and consequently
my treat; but 1 just'got a check from
my commission merchant for fifty
plunks, and Ill have to get that cash
ed fust."
oh, don't worry about that, uncle"
said the bunco man, who already had
the coin cinched. II will cash it for
you and after you treat, if you wish,
we will go and meet my friend
I'm agreeable, Willie; got nothin'
else to do but go down to Dock Street
Market for short spell. Thanks,
Willie, you are just as good as a bank,
and not half so much fuss. Besides,
l don't have to feel sorry for them
fresh young clerks. Here's hopin' YOU
won't grow up like yer old man."
Same to you, Uncle Jediah"'
Excuse me a minute, Will you,
WINE? got a gravelstone in my
boot, an it has been hurting me like
thunder ever since I left home. 1
kinder hate to pull off thet boot right
mere atore all these people. You'll ex-
cuse me- won't you, Willie?"
Certainly, uncle. Just step in the
back parlor. There's no one in there
This the man from Jersey did He
did more. He kept right on stepping.
and the bunco man waited in vain for
boot.
GOSH" remarked the man from
Jersey, as he pushed through the
crowd and hoped on the ferryboat.
wasn't he the easiest ever? 1t was
his hide or mine, and faint no harm
to rob robber. Besides, l hain't got
1t half back yet