The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-01-22
SLY FRENCH SWINDLERS.
One Smooth Operator Who Used the
Telephone to Ensnare His
Victims.


But how easily the swindler can
play upon the cupidity of his dupes is
best shown in the two cases that have
been filling the Paris papers, says the
London Express. Boulaine, the Paris
banker, whose escape on Wednesday
| from the police officers is supposed to
! have been conniyed at, conducted his
operations in the most open manner
! He had four banks in Paris, one of
which had Offices in Lyons and Mar
| seiles. When he started in business
he was not merely penniless, but quite
! illiterate. He could hardly read or
write. He dazzled people with his
splendid style of living, and excited
their cupidity by suggesting that they
! could become as rich as he.
Boulaine understood the Importance
of paving cash to tradesmen, land
lords and those from whom he bought
property. "Swindle your friends,
but pay your tradesmen," was his rule.
BY very simple contrivance he al
lowed it to be understood that he was
on very familiar terms with the great
fnanciers of the world. When a eli
ent called Boulaine received him, seat
ed at a large Office table, on which
were two telephones. They would
talk business. Presently a telephone
would ring. Excuse me minute
he would say. Hello, who's there?
D. &c pnn1aina All
right put me through" And he would
explain to his client how Baron Koths-
child wanted to speak to him privately
but you need not leave the room"
Then, turning to the telephone, he
would continue: "Good-morning, my
dear baron. All right-four millions.
Only three, you say? That is unfor-
tunate. / understood you to say four;
that must have been a misunderstand-
ing. Yes, we will talk it over. That's
all right; dejeuner at one. Good
morning"
When it was not Rothschild it was
minister or an ambassador with
whom he conyersed.
The telephone was dummy one.
lie rang it himself by pressing a but
ton with his knee under the table. The
conversations were purely imaginary,
but they hardly ever failed in the de-
sired effect. Boulaine had collected
around him a number of directors of
good family. When his victims began
to press for repayments of their loans
IL l.. q, 1, 10, Il Rnin
brilliant conversationalist and pos
sessed of charming manners, he had
little difficulty in inducing them to
postpone the time for repayment.
"De Lanccy's Ancient Pine"
There is an interesting pine tree in
Bronx Park, close to the entrance of
the Geological gardens, that is worthy
Of greater honor thanis usually accord
ed it, 70 few old-timers who remem-
Der the locality before it ever became
q part of New York this old tree goes
by the name of De Lancey's pine. A
poem has been written about it, set
ting forth the virtues of "De Lancey's
ancient pine" The tree is by far the
ldIltSU IoI ouiih, anu
its lower branches have been badly
treated, a towering mass of green
boughs surmounts the majestic sur
vivor of the days when the old De Lam
cey family owned large portion of
the estate now in the Bronx park do
main. The old De Lancey house, that
was the scene of many gay parties in
pre-revolutionsry days, was burned
down about 80 years ago The tall
pine is supposed to be closeto $50 years
old at the least, and its present condi-
tion is favorable for at least another
century Of life.-N. Y. Times.
what Uncle Reuben Says.
When yo' see new moon shinin'
in yO'r face ober a blue gum tree. il