St. Tammany farmer., 1905-11-18

with? We are here among strangers
and not a 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, 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
a case like this amount to at least ten
dollars"
II the "steerer" was aware that the
victim had more than enough money
left to get him out of town, he would
begin negotiating a settlement, assur-
ing the, marshal that all they wanted
was to get out of town and escape jail.
When asked by the marshal" how
much they would give him to keep
Quiet, the 'ssteerer" would offer about
half the amount he thought the victim
still had. The marshal" 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 marshal"
was always generous enough to leave
them sufficient money with which to
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 to
Howard City made my notion auc-
tion sale from carriage in front of
the hotel. During the day had noticed
that several prosperous-looking men
were stopping at the hotel,s and WON
dered what was their business. While
arranging my street lamps and pre-
pairing my stock they gathered about.
and in a friendly way inquired what
my name was, where | was from and
which direction l was travelling. It
was plain that they were educated men
Of more than ordinary ability, but all
addicted to the excessive use of slang
phrases. l 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
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 a little
3low.
Stepping up to the carriage, first one
md then another Of these four men
purchased = batch Of handkerchiefs,
utter which had 2 fine run on hand
kerchiefs, and thereafter they would
oe among the nrst to purchase every
aew article offered.
After closing the evenings sale, and
while STRENGTHENING up my stock. the
Whole gang gathered around with their |
pockets and arms filled with goods.
Iaying:
sWell, Johnston. didn't We plug |
1ow game III right IL right3'