davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03

him this card Directly the ''steerer'
would manage to come in contact with
the stranger, pretending to recognize
him at once, and stepping up to him,
would say:
why, this is Mr.. Hampton, of Bat
tie Creek; don't remember me, do
you? Well, do you. Don't you re-
member, I was there several days Wis.,
iting a relative, Mr.. Joseph Smith, the
banker there? You know him, at least
he knows you."
ooh, yes," Mr. Hampton would say.
"Glad to meet YOU"
And flattered upon discovering that
he was so we'll known, he would con-
slider himself lucky to have met such
congenial gentleman with whom to
pass the waiting hours.
If Mr.. Hampton, of Battle Creek,
should happen to mention that he had
known Joseph for number of
years, then the ''steerer" would say
that he was nephew of Mr.. Smiths;
if. however: Mr.. Hampton should say:
well. Joseph is fine young man." or
Joseph and my son went to school
together" then the steerer would
say that Joseph was his cousin
Having ascertained the direction the
stranger was going, the ."steerer"
would announce that he was going the
same way and would suggest that they
take a walk. Leading the way, the
''steerer'' would go in the direction of
the shinele mill. and would begin dis
cussing the enormous quantity Of
shingles, manufactured in Howard
City, their superior quality, ETC., and
entering the shed would begin exam
ming the shingles.
Directly they would come upon a
tall man with SLOUGH hat and a long
coat standing over a bunch of shingles
on which he was throwing three cards
back and forth. The steerer and
stranger. somewhat curious, would
draw nearer to the tall man, who
would laugh, and say in his southern
dialect:
ION my way up from Kaintuck. with
a load of mules, a Teller won a ten
dollar bill from me. with three little
keerds, an l was jes practizing the
game maself."
The "steerer," somewhat interested,
would say: Lets see what it is
The Kentucky mule dealer would
pick up the three cards, and marking
one with cross in the center. would
explain that he was practicing the
holding the three cards between the
thumb and foreingers, and then
throwing them one over the other so
quickly that the eye could not follow
the card with the cross on it. He
would then say:
Nov you gentlemen try and watch
the card with the cross on, and see if
you can pick it out"
Throwing the cards he would say:
Now pick out the one with the
cross on it,"
The "steerer" would select the
wrong card, after which the "spieler"
would laugh heartily and say:
wall. you see, thet's jes' how / lost
ma ten dollars"
At this juncture he would be sud-
denly taken with fit of coughing. and
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03

while his head was turned, the "steer-
err would pick up the card with the
cross on it and turn up the very tip
end of one corner, making sure that
the stranger saw him do it.
After his; coughing spell the "spiel-
err would again throw the cards, and
pretending that he hadn't noticed the
turned up end, would say:
"Now, mistah, I'll bet you $500 that
you can't pick out the card with the
cross on it,
With this he would produce a large
roll of bills just received for a carload
of mules.
mo- the "steerer" would saw. 81
haven't got $500, but I'll bet you ten
dollars
"All right" the Kentuckian would
answer, I'VE will put the money I'D
in this mans hands," pointing to the
stranger
AS the "steerer' put up his money
he would say to the stranger: You
are in with this and then of course
he would pick the right card. AT
this 1uncture the ''spieler" would again
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03

step up to his man. ans extending his
hand cordially, say:
We'll. declare! How are you, Mr.
Brown? Glad to see you
Whereupon the stranger would say:
Guess you are mistaken, my name
isn't Brown
"Ain't you J. w. Brown. the coal
dealer of indianapolis, Indiana?'
mo. sir; my name is John Hampton,
of Battle Creek Michigan"
"Well, we'll! l never saw two men
look so much alike. OF course you will
excuse me, for really supposed was
addressing an old acquaintance"
Leaving the traveller. making sure
not to forget his name and address, the
"feeler" would go to a secluded place
and from small booklet, containing
the name of every United States bank
with the names of the bank officials.
he would write on card John Hamp-
ton. Battle Creek. Mich" then the
name of one of the prominent Battle
Creek banks and its cashier. $
Meeting the 'steerer" a few mo-
ments later, the ''feeler'' would hand
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03

cards, would deity turn down the cor
ner of the marked card and turn up
one corner of blank one, and while
doing this he would look the stranger
in the eye and direct his conversation
to him. Then he would again throw
that neither of them could pick the
card with the cross.
Having noticed that the stranger
had $50 or $50, the "steerer" would
say:
I'VE will bet you SIS that can
pick it,
''All right. I'll bet you-all SIS you
KANT pick it,"
Turning to the stranger, the "steer-
er" would say: II have SIS, you let
me have $50, and We'll bet him.
1t was usually sure thing that the
stranger would be eager to bet.
On picking the wrong card, great
disappointment was of course depicted
on the countenance Of the "steerer,"
who would instantly accuse the Ken
tuckian of being swindler, and
threaten him with arrest. He would
start UP town at once, accompanied by
the stranger, also indignant and crest
fallen.
Should the "steerer' know the victim
had bet his last dollar, he would first
say to the "spieler:
Don't you think you ought to give
us money enough to get out Of town
with? We are here among strangers,
and not cent in our pockets
Whereupon the "spieler" would hand
back enough to take them out of town.
On the way up town the ''steerer'
would declare that an officer must be
found and the swindler placed under
arrest at once.
AS they rushed along they would
encounter on the street corner large,
portly man, wearing marshal's badge
(another member of the gang) and the
"steerer'' would explain the incident
and demand the swindler's arrest.
After asking all sorts of questions
and getting a full description of the
swindler, the marshal would say:
"Well, I suppose you know the law
of Michigan about betting. It doesn't
make any difference whether a man
wins or loses. If he bets at ALL he
lays himself liable to fine and i'm
prisonment, and as you men acknowl-
edge that you have been betting shall
have to first lock you up and then look
for the other fellow. You may con-
slider yourselves my prisoners
Of course they would both protest,
each Offering to let the matter drop
rather than go to Jail themselves:
But the ''marshal'' would say: 81
can't afford to let you go. My fees in
case like this amount to at least ten
dollars
If the "steerer" was aware that the
victim had more than enough money
left to get him out of town, he would
begin negotiating settlement, assur-
ing the marshal that all they wanted
was to get out of town and escape jail.
When asked by the marshall" how
much they would give him to keep
quiet, the "steerer" would offer about
half the amount he thought the victim
still had. The "marshap' would then
agree to settle for just double the
amount, and the ''steerer' would ap-
peal to the victim, saying that lie him.
self was entirely stranded, and would
point out how necessary it was to
avoid exposure and disgrace.
Only too willing to settle, the stran
ger would offer to compromise. In
| making the settlement the marshall
was always generous enough to leave
them sufficient money with which to
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03
Not the Best.

Honesty is the best policy" re-
marked the old-fashioned man. Eyes"
answered the disconnected citizen.
But some of our big insurance com.
ranies haven't been writing that kind"
Washington Star.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03
The One Woman.

lie one woman.
II believe" he said, that for each
man a certain woman was created"
eyes," she replied, land the divorce
records show that he generally fluids
her sooner or later Record Herald.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03

copyright. 1905 by Joseph p. Bowles.)
When l was selling Yankee no.
tions at auction, one of my best towns
was Howard City, Mich. l managed
to make the town two or three times a
year and would always stay several
weeks.
On these visits invariably encoun-
tered, at the hotel, gang of several
"three-card monte" men. who were al
ways carrying on thrifty business.
AS to location the town was par
ticularly favorable to them, being the
western terminus Of short railroad.
running through several small towns
in eastern Michigan. People going or
coming between Grand Rapids and
these towns were Obliged to change
cars at Howard City and wait between
trains from one and half to three
hours. This wait gave the "steerer"
ample time to form acquaintance and
steer his proposed victim against the
''spielcr.'
The town had a large single MILL
and a quarter of mile from the
depot. near side track was an i'm
mense shed where quantities of
shingles were kept preparatory to
shipping.
The man known as the "spieler' af-
fected the style and manner of the
Kentucky mule dealer. He was tall
and angular and wore very long linen
ulster and SLOUGH hat
A few moments before a train ar
rived he would start for the shingle
shed and remain there in readiness for
business until it had gone. In almost
every instance some one would get off
to change cars, necessitating a wait in
the sitting room of the depot It was
the duty of man styled "feeler" to
size up the waiting traveller, and if he
looked good, to take the first step
toward fleeing him.
Entering the waiting room he would
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03
Get Bic Saiariea.

The combined salaries of the presi-
dents of the II leading universities in
the United States do not equal the
amount paid the head of one life in
surance company.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-03
Frown and Smile.

''Pop!"
: Eyes, my son." l.
what is a prohibitionist?'
"A prohibitionist is man who
frowns when other fellows SMILE MI
son. Yonkers Statesman. ts*
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07
GOLF AT PINEHURST

The nfth annual United States North
and South amateur championship tourna-
meIit ended today. when Fred Herreshoff
of New York. runner-up 10 II. Chandler
EPar I'm the amateur championship. and
Ir. l.. Lee Harlan OF the Columbia Golf
club OF Washington, will meet in the 36-
hole final round for the possession of the
Presidents or championship trophy.
In the first divis on consolation event.
{. !. Becker OF the Woodland Golf club OF
Auburndale meets Lathrop +. Baldwin
OF the Flushing Country club.
The day was ideal for golf and brilliant
matches were the features OF the days
play. conspicuous among which was Mr..
FcrIeshoff's match with Z s Armstrong
OF the Deal Golf club. New Jersey, and DR..
Harbans match with Allan lard OF the
Columbian Golf club OF Washington, both
OF which were won with the narrow mar
gin of 2 up and ! 10 play.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07
FOUND MORE
MONEY FOR
CREDITORS

Philadelphia, April 7.-More than Noo,-
900 worth OF real estate In West Phila-
delphia belonging to Frank c. Marin
and his wife was seized yesterday for the
benefit of the creditors of the Provident
Investment Bureau.
Receiver j. Hector McNeal OF that con-
Germ now has full possession OF the prop
erty, with power 20 collect the rents and
deal with the tenants
Should he be able to retain his hold,
the courts deciding that the properties
are 10 be considered part Of the general
assets OF the Provident Bureau, IL may
mean that the creditors will in time DO
paid dollar for dollar on all their losses.
George G. Holden, the postal inspector
who admits having accepted loan OF
sll00 from +. Ewart Storey OF the Storey
Cotton company In order that he might
satisfy rising stock bought on margin,
has been relieved OF his commission.
His resignation has not been accepted.
but his position has been taken away
from him and another inspector is filling
his place
Nevertheless, II Is said that United
State District Attorney j. w. Thomp-
son has forwarded a report on the case
TO the authorities at Washington, and
has found that no criminal charge can be
lodged against the Inspector. II Holden
is held he may be transferred 10 another
district and given another commission.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07
BOTHNER BEAT JAP

George Bothner. the clever lightweight
wrestler, took three straight falls from
Prof Higashi. the Japanese jiu jitsu ex-
rert, last night In the Grand Central Pal
ace
There was little doubt over the fair
ness OF the second fall. but the others
we're decisive enough TO satisfy the 5000
persons I'm the hall that Jiu-Jitsu as a
boz e-cracking, man-smashing art is not
all that it IL cracked up 10 be.
The professor from Japan was allowed
to use all the dangerous holds peculiar
u the mysterious j!u-jitsu, and just be-
fore the second fall succeeded IN throwing
BothDer over his head.
The American, who confined his work
10 straight wrestling. was up in minute.
re secured his fayorite leg hold on the
Jap and the latter went down, though
only one shoulder touched. Tim Hurst.
TIE referee, howeve-, awarded the fall to
Bothner
il had taken Bothner an hour and II
minutes to gain tho second fall, while the
first was obtained in II minutes 30 sec
onds, also by leg hold.
Bothner got 10 work at the Jap's legs
again for the third bout. and in IL minutes
20 seconds landed Higashi on his shoul-
ders for the third time.
The match was decided on the best
three out OF five falls, and Bothner's VIC
tory was enthusiastically received.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07
DOINGS At BROWN.

The team 10 debate against Johns
Hopkins at Baltimore Saturday night left
on the Fall River boat for New York
and thence 10 Baltimore last evening.
The team has been working faithfully
for the last two months for the debate
and are well prepared to present a strong
debate and are confident OF winning. The
question s: Resolved, That the political
and economic interests OF the United
States demand the retention OF the Philip
pine Islands" Brown will be represented
by Capt G. G. Sher. '0s; r. e. Hawkins,
'05: G. Hurley. '07, and L. l.. Falk, '06.
w. NJ. Rose, 0s was appointed yester-
day 10 the position OF manager OF the
second football team for the coming sea-
son. The object of this is TO obtain a
playing schedule for the second team.
At a recent meeting of the water polo
team A NJ. Burgess was elected captain
for next year.
The Brown baseball team will play
the College OF the City of New York
tomorrow afternoon. This will be Browns s
first game. as the game with Trinity was
cancelled Wednesday because OF the
weather. Brown has every indication OF
n strong team this year and expect a
very creditnble showing tomorrow. A
number Of season tickets have been sold
which make financial matters very salts
factory
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07
BRIDEGROOM
COMMITS
SUICIDE

New York. April 7.-County Physician
Mcbride OF Paterson, ~. j.. Investigated
yesterday the death OF Frank Fisher.
who had been married only a week. and
who shot himself at his boarding house
in Midvale. Fisher. who was station
agent OF the Erie railroad a. Midvale.
brought his bride from Canada a few days
ago after leave OF absence on brief
wedding trip.
Fisher had worried, IL is said, about
his accounts with the railroad company
being fnIddled, and this is supposed TO
have caused him to end his life.
He returned and there was nothing to
indicate that he contemplated suicide He
greeted his wife and then went 10 his
room on the upper f1oor. Mrs Fisher re-
mained In the dining room. While wait
ing for her husband Mrs. Fisher heard
a pistol shot and she and others in the
house hurried 10 Fishers room where
they found him on the floor. There was
bullet wound on the right side OF his
head. There was a revolver close by.
Fisher, who was 26 years old. was until
a short time ago station agent at Verona.
This station was destroyed by fire and
the agents books were consumed in the
flames At one time the company de-
msnded an accounting from Fisher. Pend
ing a settlement he was transferred TO the
Midvale station.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07
AUTO MEETING

At a busy and interesting meeting of
the directors OF the American Automobile
association held at the Automobile Club
OF America in New York yes
terday afternoon. the reorganized body
began it's first important work in bringing
order out OF the chaotic situation in
which the automobile racing has been
and made promising headway
\ meeting OF the racing bosr rd was
held prior to the meeting Of the directors,
in order TO have the revision OF the rules
ready for adoption. The racing board
meeting was attended by Chairman r L.
Merrell of New York George L. Weiss
OF Cleveland r. L. Lppitt OF Providence,
william wsllace Of Boston, r. H. White
OF Cleveland and f. T. Birdsall and A. l..
Riker OF New York. The changes made
by them I'm the rules for 1906 were ap-
proved and adopted by the directors
The first thing done was to combine
the rides for road racing with those for
track racing, making one set OF rules In
stead OF the two sets I'm use last year
The only important change made I'm the
rules for road races was TO stuplate that
no repairs may be made and no SUPP les
taken on by car while IL Is within the
limits Of control.
In the track rules n number Of I'm
portant changes were made, several of
which were those foreshsdowed IN the
Interview with Chairman Morrell. recent
ly published.
The voxing question of drawing a line
between amateurs and professionals was
dealt with In a clever. Yet unequivocsi vpy.
The term amateur was defined so that
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07
AT BENNINGS

One OF the best programs OF the meet
ing was spoiled by the heavy track at
Bennings yesterday, which caused a big
bundle OF scratches.
Boundbrook was the only absentee
from the first race. Ralbert made the
pace 10 the last furlong. when York
shire Lad took the lead and won by half
a length from Ninespot.
Miss Thelma Littlefeld's fllly Tickle.
which was made choice for the two-year-
old race, was returned an easy winner by
three lengths after making all the run
ming. Vendor got the place by three
lengths from the fsvorite, Pater. which
was badly shut off directly after the start.
Toscan. Finders and Orfeo were the
only starters for the third race. Toscsn
was made 2 10 3 choice and Shaw had
TO ride him hard 10 beat Finders a neck.
The fourth event went 10 Brush Up.
She lead all the way, winning easily by
six lengths.
Hylas won the steeplechase In time
which equalled the record held by n. 8.
Paget's horse. Pious Hylas was second
choice in the betting and was cleverly
ridden by Ray. The closing event was
won by The Yelled Lady. She Jumped
into the lead soon after the start and
stayed there TO the end.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07

tee on city hospital recommending
resolution to hire certain amounts for
city hospital and site for the same, was
not read when taken up, and the reso-
luton to hire S17b,000 for city hospital
for contagious diseases. and appropriating
s2l.e4 for the purchase OF a site for said
hospital was referred back TO the COM
mittee with instructions TO have a public
hearing thereon on motion of Alderman
Lowell OF the Tenth ward, seconded by
Alderman Presbrey Alderman Perkins
of the committee could see no advantage
in the hearing but said he had no OBJ
lection.
The communication from the superin-
tendent OF health relative to the location
of a city hospital was not read at this
time neither was the remonstrance OF
William Grosvenor and others; and Of
James McPhillips and others, objecting
to the hospital site for a city hospital
on Gladstone avenue, because of the
reference.
SUNDRY HEALTH ORDERS.
Petition OF Cresenzo Di simone. An
tonic Caputo and Charles Isabelle 10 keep
swine were granted.
sundry nuisance orders In form were
passed and petitions of sundry persons
TO collect swil and offal were granted.
the communication OF the superintendent
Of health recommending sundry persons
10 engage in the business OF removing
contents OF cesspools and privy vaults
was received Permits were granted to
Charles Landman, VI. c. Horton. Walter
r. Hines a. Co, Lawrence Mooney, G. r.
Crafts, H y. Hathaway, A. M. Crary'
Abraham Taylor, w III. Armstrong, j. A.
Mitchell. Thomas II. Early. w. IL. Cole
James Quinton and Thomas Gillese.
The weekly reports OF the Dexter asy-
! lum. ending March Is. Is and April 1.
1906; the quarter report OF the city clerk,
! and the quarterly report Of the supervis-
| ing engineer under the SISoke Nuisance
act were all received.
RECEIVED REPORTS.
| The board also received the quarterly
report OF the inspector OF milk. The
monthly report OF inspector OF steam
| boilers for March, 1876, was also received.
Alderman Cooke presented a resolution
| approprlating 5000 for removal OF the
| burnside monument In Exchange place.
/ which passed
TECHNICAL SCHOOL REPORT.
! The report OF the special committee on
/ Investigation or the Technical or Manual
| Training High school addition presented
| a report recommending concurrence with
! the common council
The committee suggested that the plans
/ already made by Fred Field. architect.
/ and paid for be used. that money paid
| therefor be saved.
Tho resolution passed in concurrence.
Alderman Perkins presented the petit
ton Of Alien Luigi for a permit TO build
a barn In the rear OF % Republican street
in the Ninth ward. which took the usual
course.
Alderynan Grant presented the petftton
Of r.. @. I,ongfellow 20 alter a building
used as a barn. which was passed under
suspension of tho rules.
Alderman Grant also introduced the pc
tltions Of Edward T. Smell for an sltera-
ton. Edwin a Briggs for a barn and Of
James r Anthony 90 move a harm. All
|sonf r1 page Five
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-07
Three Weeks Of Running Races at
Park for This Summer.
-Four Cities Met Here to Form Inter-
City Bowling League.

Cory & Reynoids--123s.
SILVER LAKE ALLEYS.
Syvester-1247.
Giralf's-l24s
INFANTRY HALL ALLEYS.
Congdon's-ll3l.
Howard s--ll99
BULLOCKS TEMPLE OF AMUSEMENT
~. II. Motive Power--lle7
n. III. Operating Dept.--il6l.
BULLOCKS TEMPLE OF AMUSEMENT
Rodenberg & Smith--lI9T.
r. l. News Co.-1ls1.
HOPE SPECIAL.
The News Utility team, which ran up
against an easy mark I'm the Stereotypers'
team last Wednesday night were met
and defeated by the Machine team OF
the composing room last night. The UtN-
ity team found tougher argument 10
deal with than In their previous game
with the Stereotypers. At the first OF the
game the Machine boys were a little wild,
which lost them the first string after
gallant rally. In the second and third
strings the Operators went at the Utility
men unhlnchingly and were rewarded by
administering a crushing defeat 10 their
opponents. Mcguire had the highest sim
gle OF a5. while Whalen also made
good showing.