The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-29
BOY SWINDLER
BOUGHT JEWELRY
HE VISITED TWO STORES.
AS w. V. DAVIS "SON" HE SECURED
WATCH AND CHAIN.


At Van Neuren q Co. JuveniIe's
Strong Bluff Worked, but Watch
and Chain Were RecOvered-Pre-
tended to Telephone MIR. ShOtter
from DesbOuiIIOns-In Each Place
He Said 1t Was His Birthday.
With GOODNESS and nerve that would
have done credit to a swindler with
years of experience, a well dressed boy,
not more than IL years of age, visited
two jewelry stores late yesterday after
room and tried to secure jewelry.
In the place of Van Keuren & Co,
the boy got a watch valued at $40 and
a chain valued at S.. but both were
recovered before he had gotten three
blocks away. Under another name he
had been turned down at Desbouillons
a few minutes before, and MI. Van
Keuren received word from MIR. Des-
bouinons that the juvenile purchaser
was not what he seemed.
AT 1880 o'clock the youngster entered
the store OF Van Keuren & Co. Mr..
Van Keuren was in the rear writing a
letter, and was attracted by the boys
bright manner.
Il trust I'm not too late. Mr.. Van
Keuren." the boy began in a pleasant
tone. II am Mr.. w. V. Davis son
and to-day is my birthday. Papa said
that l might see you and buy a watch
and chain for myself but that it must
rot cost over $50. l suppose you know
my papa. He is with the Savannah
Trust Company"
The jeweler was attracted by the
boys manner and began to serve him
at once. Mr.. Van Keuren, however,
remembered how nicely the Diamond
Queen" worked her game on others,
and he took occasion to remark that
his customer was rather small to be
entrusted with making a purchase so
important as a watch and chain. But
the Juvenile didn't finch as he looked
over the watches and chains as they
were handed out. One was finally Sc
lected, and Mr.. Van Keuren asked the
boy where he lived.
Answered Questions Promptly.
"At No. 2S1O Bull street." was the
prompt rejoinder, You seem to doubt
! will go to papa and get an order
for the watch and chain"
The jeweler was sorry that he had
doubted. But something prompted
him to try the boy again and he start
ed back for the city directory to see
il the right address had been given.
You won't find that address in the
old directory, Mr.. Van Keuren," said
a
keuren thought he had the youngster
in a corner but he had reckOned with
out his host. The boy had posted
himself thoroughly and was prepar-
ed for the directory move.
Where did you live asked the
jeweler.
No 107 Thirty-ninth street, east"
was the response and the directory bore
him out.
And you mothers first name is
what said the jeweler grasping at
the last straw.
Her name is Winnifred," was the
answer ana once more the directory
gave testimony of the truth of the
statement.
But MIR. Van Keuren you embar-
rass me. You seem to think that /
am not what l claim to be- I'll just
leave the watch and chain until l can
get an order from papa in the morn
ing"
But the jeweler assured the young
customer that it would be all right.
Mr.. Van Keuren, however, started
back towards the telephone.
Boys Bluff Made Good.
I'VE haven't a phone at home and
of course papa has left his Office now"
bluffed the boy and he made good.
The watch and chain were delivered
and he went south on Bull street.
no hr,xv On1N
thorpe avenue when a messenger from
Mr.. Desbouillons ran into Mr.. Van
Keuren's place.
Did you let that boy have a watch?
He's crook. You've been sold. He
tried US but 1t didn't work.
These in rapid succession caused Mr..
Van keuren to bolt for the door and
move rapidly southwark on Bull
street. In Chippewa Square the boy
was stopped. He was made to deliver
the watch and chain, although he con-
tinued to insist that he had told the
truth and that he was very much Of
Tended. With an injured air he con-
tinued south and the jeweler returned
to his store congratulating himself on
his narrow escape.
Said He Was Young sbotter.
Then it developed that the same boy
almost worked Mr.. Desbouillons for a
watch valued at $50. But Mr.. Des-
bouillons suffered at the hands of the
Diamond Queen" and those in his
store are cautious when they make
sales and do not receive the cash. In
Mr.. Desbouillons' place the boy said
that he was son of Mr.. S. P. Shotter,
that it was his birthday and that he
had been given permission to buy a
watch to cost $500
He was told that there were no
watches in stock whose value was I'M
der $50. The boy selected a very pref
ty timepiece at that price and asked
TO use the telephone. He went to the
rear of the store and used the tele-
phone. The youngster pretended that
he was talking to his father. and stat
ed that Mr. Shotter said he could buy
the watch for $50. But Mr.. Desbouil-
Ions wanted to satisfy himself and
called up Mr.. Shelters Office. He was
informed that Mr. Shotter was not in
the city.
Got Grip i'm Morning.
When Mr.. Van Keuren reached his
home he discovered that Mr.. Davis did
have a telephone in his residence and
he promptly communicated with him.
1t was the second complaint that he
had received during the day.
Mr.. Davis informed Mr. Van Keuren
that during the morning some bright
youngster had palmed himself off as
his son and had secured a grip and
pocketbook from the Chatham
Trunk Factory. Then Mr.. Van Keu-