Amador ledger., 1903-08-07
ABE'S LITTLE
FLIER ~
By GRANT THoRBURN
Copyright, 1908, by 7. C. Mcclure

Copyright, 1908, by T. C. Mcclure 4
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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
prestidigitator, and he was the regu-
lar thing at the village entertainments.
But lately his popularity had begun
to wane. The Flatbrookers 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
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 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 sociable 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 a 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, Abe's companion, by singular
coincidence, boarded there himself.
After supper they went upstairs into
the parlor. 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 diamonds? Any
judge of them?" Abe glanced at the
other man out of the corner of his eye.
"Somepin," he replied "Was in a
jewelry store up home FIR awhile. Why?
What's up?"
"Why, say" continued the other,
'ihere's friend of mine in fix. He's
got some good diamonds and wants
me to loan about $500 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 it. How much
have you got" This was a superfiuous
question, for he had discovered on the
train that Hinchman had just $3.50.
well, now, here" went on the 9th
er, "he says if 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, see? And you'll be in the
difference between couple Of hundred
and most thousand, see?"
Hinnhman saw. He thought it over
and concluded that it was a sound
proposition, provided the gems were
genuine. He excused himself a mo-
ment, went to his room and put 5000 in
enc 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, dingy
staircase. The friend produced the
jewels. Abe wouldn't touch them IN
less they went over to some Broadway
teweler and determined their worth
and genuine character. This was fair,
and they went. 1t was really super
fluous, 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