Gloucester County Democrat., 1903-08-06
ABE'S LITTLE
FLIER ~
By GRANT THoRBURN
Copyright, 1903, By 7. C. Mcclure


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For years he'd been a power in the
Flatbrook meeting house-not during
church time, to be sure, nor yet at
Sunday school, nor week night meet
ings, nor Epworth League 1t was at
other times he shone-at the fairs, and
candy sales, and donation parties, and
school commencements, for he was a
prestidigitator, and he was the regu-
lar thing at the village entertainments.
But lately his popularity had begun
to wane. The Flatbroohers became tired
! of the same old card and coin tricks,
! though Abe Hinchman, through long
and careful practice, was an adept at
them. They longed for the Indian box
| trick and the juggler's sword tricks of
the metropolis. They did not know that
down in the cities the blase members
of society, if they ever did attend a
sleight of hand performance, always
came in when the card and coin tricks
commenced and yawned and went out
when the Indian box trick came on.
Abe realized that his popularity was
on the wane. Even old Doc Clarkson's
daughter had grown bit distraught
and cold. So Abe made up his mind
He drew about two-thirds of his bank
deposit and started for New York. He
was determined to learn a few new
tricks, buy some new paraphernalia
and come back and astonish the natives
and old Doc Clarkson's daughter 1t
was early winter and there was no
farming to be done, so there was no
better time or opportunity, and he
went.
He occupied a seat in the smoker.
At a station near the metropolis well
| dressed young man boarded the train,
looked around for a seat and finally
took the one next to Hinchman. He
was sociabIe sort of fellow and en-
tered into conversation at once. Abe
told him all he knew and many things
that he didn't. The stranger was not
SO communicative and confined him
self strictly to fiction, although Abe
couldn't know that, of course.
"Now, look a-here," remarked this
man. Don't you go to any hotel. You
go to private boarding house. They
won't skin you. l know good one
where they'll treat you right You
come with me-" Abe went.
The place was situated in a rather
obscure street, but the rates were
cheap. Abes companion, by singular
coincidence, boarded there himself.
After supper they went upstairs into
the parlar. A caller was announced,
rather seedy parsonage. He wanted to
see Abe's new companion. They talked
together in one corner while Abe sat in
another. Then his friend came over to
him.
Say, Hinchman," he began, "do you
know anything about diamonds2 Any
judge Of thems" Abe glanced at the
other man out of the corner of his eye.
"Somepin," he replied "Was in a
iewelry store up home FIR awhile. Why?
What's up?"
"WhF, say.u continued the other,
s'here's a friend of mine In fix. He's
got some good diamonds and wants
me to loan about 5000 on 'em. They're
worth 5000 anyway. I've seen 'em.
Now, amt got 5000 or I'd lend it to
him. S'pose you do 1t. How much
have you got?" This was a superfluous
question, for he had discovered on the
train that Hinchman had just $3.50.
swell, now, here" went on the 9th
er, che says II he don't pay up In
week you can keep the stones, see? He
can't pay up, and the stones are the
real thing, sect And you'll be In the
difference between couple of hundred
and most a thousand, see?'
Hinchman saw. He thought it over
and concluded that it was a sound
proposition. provided the gems were
genuine He excused himself mo-
ment, went to his room and put 5000 In
one envelope and something else in an
other envelope of similar appearance
They had to go to the friends room,
a few blocks distant up a dark, dingF
staircase. The friend produced the
Jewels. Abe wouldn't touch them un-
less they went over to some Broadway
1eweler and determined their worth
and genuine character. This was fair,
and they went. 1t was really super
fuous, for Abe could tell By the merest
examination that the stones were the
real things. There were four of them.
The Broadway jeweler looked at them,
said they might sell for couple of
hundred apiece, but that he would give
$3.50 spot cash for each of them. Then
the three went back.
"Well, what do you think of itr'
asked Hinchman's friend Of Hinchman.
:sThey amt worth as much as we
thought, but there's good clear profit
in it for you in case my friend here
don't pay, and If he does you get your
money back, with good big interest and
bonus besides at the end of week
The diamonds were again produced
and once more examined. From that
time on Abe Hinchman kept his eyes,
not on the faces of his friends, but on
the diamonds.
"I'll do it," he finally announced. He
slowly withdrew from his pocket the
envelope containing the $3.50 and
small bag. He counted the money
in front of the two men, and they
put the diamonds in the bag at his
request. After he had counted the
money and replaced it in the envelope
and once more examined the diamonds
and replaced them In the bag, which
he did more Or less carelessly, keeping
Iup q steady conversation all the time,
be laid both upon the table.
"Now, gents" he concluded, "Tm
stranger here and rely on your honor
mot to do me- This here is fair and
square deal on my part. and s'pose It
IS on yours. Now, there's your money,
and here's''-
There was loud rap on the door,
and man broke In. He was not in
uniform. but he wore some kind Of
| shield, which he exhibited. Behind
him were two other men.
'Pon't mover he yelled to the three
men around the table, u arrest the
| whole gang for robbery
Hinchman's two companions sprang
| to the table, showed Hinchman aside,
grabbed the bag containing the jewels
| and fho opvo1ono containing fhn money