Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-07-03
A Scheme Which Worked Seattle.

celve very little sympathy wherever
it is known that they were lately VIC
Tins to the tune OF about $4,000, by
the wiles of spick -and-span, paste
headlight operator, who claimed that
he was advance agent OF a prominent
circus that is expected to perform on
route extending to this coast, in the
near future. His manner of operation
was, after registry at the best hotel
with a big flourish to his name, to
sally forth with a fragrant Havana,
between his lips, and search for pigeons
to pluck in the leading supply houses.
He always sought the head of the
firm and TO him embodied a proposition
for mutual benefit. For instance he
told the market man that he wanted
1000 pounds of meat for Ringling's
Circus; that the contract would call
for eight cents per pound to be col
lected OF the circus owners, but that
the real compensation for the market
man would be six cents and the diff
ference would be paid to himself on the
q. t. as negotiator. All the prominent
meat firms of Seattle, it is is said,
readily bit at the bait and agreed to
become accomplices in working" the
agents employers. The hay and
grain men we're subjected to the same
operation; and the restaurants and
hotels we're not forgotten in distribu-
ton of favors in assignment of the
" best people" OF the snow, those who
eat pie and pudding. He worked the
Wholesale grocerymen for train sup
plies and retail dealers for local furn-
ishings.
He then tackled the realty owners
for grounds upon which the Biggest
and Best Show on Earth" was to per.
form. Obtaining a map of the city,
be sat down in the privacy of his
room, and studied up location OF va
cant lots. Then calling upon their
respective owners, he dickered for the
grounds, for 5000. and produced
contract which stipulates that $1,000
should be paid as rental, and from the
cloudy nature of the transaction,
which was not concealed but made
with charming frankness, it was neces.
sary for the difference, $500, to be
paid at once to the negotiator. By
this plan he succeeded in locating the
circus grounds ON several desirable
tracts, securing his bonus in each 10.
stance with . cheerful alacrity which
betokened clear understanding of
minor details.
The result of the visit OF this con-
nubiator was that the lively people OF
our liveliest town got a move on for
contracts that was simply wonderful,
and the CRATER left, it is said, with a
sack containing at least $4,000 OF
"bread" cast upon the waters to return
after many days.
But as always happens, sometime,
in the life of the trsnsgressor, his work
became too bold, when he wanted to
contract for two thousand pies at Spo.
kane, where the pie.man, happening to
be an ex.bareback rider and knew 1t
once that pie is never found beneath
circus tent, as it is regarded by the
Ringliugs and Sells as too rich for
the bareback riders blood. He tele-
graphed to Kinglings and Immediately
received a reply, He is dead-beat
fire him out" When, however, the
pie-man sought his game, it had de-
parted 5000 richer with Spokane
money.
The best way to do with such
grafters is to insist upon paying the
bonus after the bill is liquidated in
full, although this plan may not pre-.
sent the simplicity of operation as
that outlined. 1t would, at least, be a
sure way of avoiding chagrin and dis.
appointment when brought up against
the Sure Thing.