davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

get out of town. The swindlers, OF
course, being as anxious as their VIC
tim that the latter should get out OF
the way as soon as possible.
This game was what the grafters
called: "The double cross"
On the evening Of my first visit 10
Howard City made my notion auc-
ton sale from carriage In front OF
the hotel. During the day I'had noticed
that several prosperous-lookine men
were stopping at the hotel, and won
dered what was their business. While
arranging my street lamps ard pre-
pairing my stock they gathered about
and in a friendly way inquired what
my name was. where l was from and
which direction l was travelling. II
was plain that they were educated men
of more than ordinary ability, but all
addicted to the excessive use OF slang
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

UOur minimum tariff must be one
sufficient to accord us the full meas
ure of protection. 1t must be the basis
upon which we are willing to trade
with every nation. It must be under
stood that we will not cut under this
minimum, for to do so would virtually
bring us into free-trade relations with
the country to which the further con-
cessions were granted. Countries that
will not deal fairly with us on our
minimum basis should receive the full
force Of our maximum duties. Spring
field Union.
UThe Dingley tariff continues to
spoil the arguments of free-.raders, in
Guiding that of threatened deficit In
government receipts.-St. Louis Globe
Democrat.
DJudge Parker is now drawing
100000 year as attorney for rapid
transit company. He showed no quail.
ifcations for the rapid transit class
last year.-Washington Post.
U"What is the democratic party
going'to dor" inquiries the Washington
Post, That's easy. Try to keep tn,
republican party from doing anything
Of course. That's all 1t ever does.--
Kansas City Journal.
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

step up to his man, and extending his
hand cordially, say:
"Well. 1 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, Tndiana?"
mo, sir: my name Is John Hampton,
of Battle Creek. Michigan"
swell, well! never saw two men
look so much alike. or 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
nfeeler" would go to a secluded place
and from a 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 ore of the prominent Battle
Creek banks and Its cashier.
Meeting the "steerer' a few mt
ments later, the "fecler" would hand
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

be taken with a coughing spell and
meanwhile the stranger would pass the
stake over to the "steerer."
Hold on here" the latter would say;
"half of what won belongs to you"
and he would hand back ten-dollar
bill, saying: "Just give me five dol
lars and keep this"
The object of this move was two
fold:
First, In making the change, the
steerer was given an opportunity 10
ascertain about how much cash his
prospective victim had, and second,
his liberality in dividing his win
nings would, in n way, place the
stranger under obligation to him,
when IL came TO the last joint for
the coin" as they call 1t.
BY the time the ten dollars had been
divided the "spieler" would have
ceased coughing and, picking up the
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

while his head was turned. the steer
err" would pick up the card with the
cross on 1t and turn up. the very tip
end OF one corner. making sure that
the stranger saw him do 1t.
After his coughing spell the spiel
er" 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 carload
of mules.
mo" the "steerer" would say. 81
haven't got $500, but I'll bet you ten
dollars"
"All right. the Kentuckian would
answer, I'VE will put the money uI
in this mans hands," pointing to thu
stranger.
AS the "steerer" put up his money
he would say to the stranger: "Yo,
are in with this" and then of course
he would pick the right card. A
this juncture the "spieler" would agaiI
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21
NOTHING MORE TO BE DONE
The Tariff Is Safe in the Hands OF
the Fifty-Ninth Con-
gress. !

1t seems to be as good as settled that
reciprocity and tariff revision are not
to be had at the hands of the Fifty-ninth
congress. That is welcome prospect,
says the American Protectionist. Not
until the reciprocity and revision forces
shall have captured the congress district
conventions Of 1906 will industry and
production and trade and labor have any
reason to draw tighter the lines OF enter
prise and activity.
1t would be we'll If definite assurance
of, determination to let the tariff
alone during the life of the Fifty-ninth
congress were to be given by caucus
action, as is foreshadowed by the
Evening Post. Such course OF pro-
cedure would be square and manly 1t
would tell the business community and
the wage earners just what to expect
and what not to expect for at least two
years to come. 1t would relegate the
tariff ripping issue back to the people
| where 1t belongs. 1t would give the
| American Reciprocal Tariff league fail
| notice and an Invitation to make Its
fight on clearly defined lines. 1t would
| give to the great producing Interests
and to the millions who earn and spent
high wages solid ground on which tt
make their stand for continued pros
perity, continued protection, continued
tariff stability. 1t would make reel
procity and revision an open question
inside the republican party. 1t woul'
bring the matter to q show Of hand
next year. To that It must come q
last. Therefore 1t would seem the par
of wisdom and good politics for the re
publican majority of the house Of repre-
sentatives of the Fifty-ninth congres
to settle the controversy by definite eau
Gus action at the earliest possible stage
pledging the republican party to lie
the tariff alone during the life of tn
present congress.
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21
NO NEED OF RUNNING RISK
why Tamper with Tariff That Brings
Good Times and Con-
tentment.

In an interesting letter from wash
ington to the American Economist Al
fred J. Dodge shows that while certain
elements in both the republican and
democratic parties are trying to break
down the tariff wall In this country
other nations which are witnessing the
astounding prosperity that is every
where prevalent. in the United States,
are crying for the adoption of protec-
tive tariff policy so that they and their
people may also enjoy the blessings
happiness and contentment that
strong tariff measure like the Dingley
law brings.
1t is passing strange, indeed, In the
light of the unprecedented prosperity
that abounds in the United States, that
anyone would even suggest, much less
urge and fight for, change in our tar
iff laws, and, on the other hand, 1t Is
only natural that other countries that
are not enabled to enjoy the fruits OF
beneficent legislation such as brought
the United States out Of industrial
darkness into the glorious light OF
prosperity and peace should wait with
eagerness for the day when they, too,
shall have a system of protection
which means so much for the manufac-
turer, for the laborer and for the me-
chanic.
II every mill and factory in the coun.
try wasn't running to its full capacity,
and in many cases working overtime; !;
IL every man who wants work was not
employed at better wages than he ever
before received; If we lived In soup
house era, as we did from 1894 to 1897;
in short, IL everybody wasn't busy and
had no reason to complain, there might
be some excuse for a revision OF our
tariff laws, there might be reason
for trying some new experiment; but
in view of all the facts in the case
what earthly reason can there be fol
a change at this time or any Other
time until conditions are less favora
BILE to all classes than they are now
You may talk about your revision ol
the tariff, you may talk about your
reciprocity, you may preach dual tarin
or you may rant about free trade, bu
what for? Isn't everybody happy ant
prosperous? Nobody denies 1t. Then
| II such is the case, why not let wei
enough alone? Or, in other words, VIII,
not stand pat?
Tinkering with the tariff is sure II
be followed by the loss Of confidence
the closing of factories, unemployed la
Dor, hard times and the opening o
soup houses. This has been the seque
Of all attacks upon our system OF pro
lection, and a word to the wise is sui
ficient.
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

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, 90
you? Well, | do you. Don't you re-
member, was there several days vis-
iting a relative, Mr.. Joseph Smith, the
banker there? You know him, at least
he knows you"
"Oh, yes" Mr.. Hampton would say.
"Glad to meet you."
And flattered upon discovering that
he was SO well known. he would con-
slider himself lucky to have met such
a congenial gentleman with whom TO
pass the waiting hours.
II Mr.. Hampton, of Battle Creek,
should happen to mention that he mad
known Joseph" for a number OF
years. then the "steerer" would say
that he was a nephew of Mr.. Smiths;
II. however, Mr.. Hampton should say:
"NNell, 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 shingle 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
lining the shingles.
Directly they would come upon a
tall man with slouch hat and long
coat standing over 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: ~
"On my way up from Kaintuck, with
a load of mules, a feller won a ten
dollar bill from me. with three little
keerds, an was jes' practizing the
game maself."
The "steerer," somewhat interested,
would say: Lets see what 1t 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 forefngers, and then
throwing them one over the other SC
quickly that the eye could not follow
the card with the cross on It, Ht
would then say:
"Now you gentlemen try and watch
the card with the cross on, and see i
you can pick it out"
Throwing the cards he would say:
Now pick out the one with th'
cross on It,"
The "steerer" would select tn
wrong card, after which the "spieler
would laugh heartily and say:
wall, you see, thet's jes' how los
ma ten dollars"
At this juncture he would be sue
denly taken with fit OF coughing, an
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

phrases. asked the landlord who
they were, and he said they were all
from Grand Rapids, and were nothing
more nor less than confidence men.
That evening, when / mounted my
carriage to open my sale, there being
no crowd, one Of these men said to
the others: "Come on, boys; let's give
him a 'front.'" and they gathered
around, apparently much interested.
| Soon large crowd had gathered.
made my Introductory talk and opened
the sale. AS is always the case, on
the first day in town, one waited for
the other, and things we're little
slow.
Stepping up to the carriage, first one
and then another of these four men
i purchased a batch of handkerchiefs,
after which had a fine run on hand
kerchiefs, and thereafter they would
be among the first to purchase every
new article offered.
After closing the evenings sale, and
while Strengthening up my stock, the
whole gang gathered around with their
pockets and arms filed with goods,
saying:
"Well, Johnston, didn't We plug
your game all right all right?'
On meeting these men no one would
ever suspect their calling.
2 They used no profanity, drank, nc
4 liquor, were square in their dealings
, with one another, and If one OF them
were taken sick the others gave hin
d every attention. In all matters ol
!. charity each was always ready with
= his share, and no more sociable ant
e companionable men could be found.
r Within two days had learned ever,
detail Of their methods of operating.
d When inquired why the authorities
2, did not interfere. | was told that the.
e were too much interested in the graf
70 themselves.
y The member of this gang called tn
"spieler," who manipulated the cards
Is Kelly, by name. afterwards becam
lie mentally deranged and was sent t
the Kalamazoo insane asylum, wher
W he remained until his death.
u On one of my trips to Kalamazoo
m visited the asylum, and l asked tn
he guide ii he knew anything about Ke
a. ly, the noted Grand Rapids confidenc
Il man. who had been sent there a fe'
III years. before.
'k Indeed / do" he replied. III
n makes us all kinds of trouble In play
ing his old game with other patient
st, In his ward. One day. while takin
op some visitors through 1 noticed, ovt
in one corner of the room, three me
! entirely nude, and another man stan,
In ing over them gesticulating and tall
en- ing at furious rate.
Approaching them, inquired VIII
ne 1t all meant. Kelly laughed boiste
ey ously and, pointing at big pile
Id clothing In the corner, I have ju
lr- won a million dollars from these mel
ed he said. See, it's piled up over the
III. In the corner. Yes, sir. straight m
NV lion dollars He had persuaded the
ep poor souls to bet their clothing, o.
ut piece after another, until they hadi
Inn a garment left"
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

that l was laid mp
four months. I
had night sweats
and fainting spells
and dropped to 90
pounds. The urine
passed every few
minutes with in
tense pain and
looked like blood.
Dropsy set in and !
the doctors decided
/ could not live.
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

NY wife got me using Doans hluuey
Pills, and rs they helped me took
heart, kept on and was cured so thor-
oughly that I've been well three years.
Sold by all dealers. 80 cents oox.
Foster Milburn Co., Buffalo, n, X.
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

cards, would deftly turn down the cor
ner of the marked card and turn up
one corner of blank one, and wniie
doing this he would look the stranger
in the eye and direct his conversation
to him. Then he would again throw
the cards, and offer again to bet $ooo
| that neither of them could pick the
card with the cross.
| Having noticed that the stranger
had $50 or $50, the "steerer" would
say:
"We 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 a 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, ant
threaten him with arrest. He woult
start UP town at once, accompanied b!
the stranger. also indignant and crest
fallen.
Should the "steerer" know the victim
had bet his last dollar, he would frs
say to the "spieler:"
Don't you think you ought to Civ
us money enough to get out OF tow
with? We are here among strangers
and not a cent in our pockets
Whereupon the ''spieler' would han
back enough to take them out OF towr
On the way up town the ''steerer
would declare that an officer must b
found and the swindler placed unde
arrest at once.
AS they rushed along they woul
encounter on the street corner larg
portly man, wearing marshal's badf
(another member of the gang) and II
"steerer" would explain the incidei
and demand the swindlers arrest
After asking all sorts OF question
!. and getting a full description OF Il
swindler, the marshal would say:
well, suppose you know the la
of Michigan about betting. 1t doesr
make any difference whether a ms
wins or loses. II he bets at all,
lays himself liable to fine and II
prisonment, and as you men acknov
edge that you have been betting shs
have to first lock you up and then lo'
for the other fellow. You may co
n slider yourselves my prisoners"
D JOf course they would both prote
each offering to let the matter dr.
r.. rather than go to Jail themselves
he But the marshal would say: :,
In can't AFFORD to let you go. My fees
at case like this amount to at least t
dollars"
=, If the "steerer" was aware that t
"A victim had more than enough mon
he left to get him out Of town, he wot
begin negotiating a settlement, ass'
at ing the marshal that all they want
he was to get out of town and escape js
when asked by the marshal h
oe much they would give him to Ike
"a ouiet. the "steerer" would offer abe
half the amount he thought the vict
az still had. The marshal" would tn
an agree to settle for just double
amount. and the "steerer" would
ia peal to the victim, saying that he hi
nm self was entirely stranded. and wo'
he point out how necessary 1t was
avoid exposure and disgrace.
lev Only too willing to settle, the stri
ou Eger would offer to compromise.
rse making the settlement the "marsh
AT was always generous enough to lea
AIN them sufficient money with which
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21

Copyright 1905, by Joseph i. BowlesJ
When / was seIling Yankee no
tions at auction, one of my best towns
was Howard City, Mich. managed
to make the town two or three times
year and would always stay several
weeks
On these visits invariably encoun-
tered, at the hotel, a 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
"spieler."
The town had large shingle 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 tc
shipping.
The man known as the "spieler' af
fected the style and manner OF thu
Kentucky mule dealer. He was tai
and angular and wore very long liner
ulster and slouch hat.
A few moments before train ar
rived he would start for the shingl
shed and remain there in readiness TO
business until 1t had gone. In almos
every instance some one would get OF
to change cars, necessitating walt II
the sitting room of the depot. 1t wa
the duty of man styled "feeler' t
size up the waiting traveller. and II h
looked good, to take the first ste
toward fleeing him.
Entering the waiting room he woul
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21
A Modern view Of It.

How much of an estate did he ieaVef
1T appears that he died neither ricn
nor poor. They estimate his estate ~
about two millions. Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21
RAISED FROM A DEATH-BED.
Mr.. Pitts, Once Pronounced Incurable'
81. Has Been Well Three Years.

E. e. Pitts, 90 Hatha way st., Show
hogan, Me-, says: "Seven years ago
nv back ached and / was SO run down
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21
Chinawomen Unecucated

Nearly every Chinaman can rcac
but about 30 per cent. of the worer
are entirely uneircnted.
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21
Frown and Smile.

"Pop!"
"Yes. my son."
what is a prohibitionist?"
"A prohibitionist Is man who
frowns when other fellows smile my
SON. n."-Yonkers Statesman. n
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21
Save Newspapers.

Save the newspapers. Use them 10
wipe of the stoves and to put under
your carpets.
The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-10-21
A "rHREE-cARD MONTE GRAFT

Game Played on Unwary
Railroad Passengers-"Sized Up"
by the "Feeler" = "Steerer" and
"Spieler" Get in Their Work-Ap-
peal to Authorities CRATER in
Garb of City Marshal Also Bleeds
victim-"Spieler's' End in Insane
Asylum-Plays His Old Tricks on
Other Patients.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-17
Consolidatinq the Decaturs.

The consolidation of Decatur and New Decatur is a matter of more than local interest, because the proposed plan would give the Tennessee valley an additional city of considerable strength and population.
 If the two Decaturs are consoli- dated there is no reason why the new city should not emulate Huntsville, that other city of the great valley fin northern Alabama, in the manufac- ture of cotton At present the two De caturs do not hold single cotton mill, and capital could readily be attracted there for the establishment of dozer mills.
 Consolidation would promote mill building in the Decaturs, for two towns can pull stronger when united than they can while acting separately. Cheap fuel and even water transpor- tation are at the command of the De- caturs, and consolidation and mill building should go hand in hand in that central and choice locality.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-17
Finances of the City.

The revenue of this city is steadily increasing and its expenses are as steadily decreasing. The first six months period of Mayor Wards ad- ministration has elapsed, and the clean gain of that period was $59,S76. This is a creditable gain-so creditable In fact that it gives rise to the hope that this city will soon ge, on it's feet, and become consistentT forehanded.
 The city's revenue was increased in the May-October period to the extent of $42,91S, while the expenses were re- duced by the amount of $16,958. This plan of pushing up receipts and cut ting down expenses cannot be long maintained without handsomely rais- ing the credit of the city.
 In the six-months period the revenue of the city was s275,415, and it's ex- penses were $16S,923. The next six' months period will not be so favorable because October Is a month when property taxes are freely paid, but the hope is entertained that the deficit will be kept within $5O,oO0, which is the charter limitation.