Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-12-30

NoUe-1rleS the Game Once Too
often.
Copyright 1905. by Joseph q. BowIes)
When was engaged in the fire in
surance business. at Clyde, o., a hand
some weil-dressed young man, about
% years of age. came to the Nichols
house where / was stopping.
He was establishing agencies
among the farmers, for the sale OF a
horse hay fork. 10 be used in the un-
loading OF hay by means OF a horse.
His method was 10 appoint farmers as
his sub-agents. and sell them each doz-
en- forks outright. for which. If neces-
sary be would take their notes. payable
six months from date.
He spent three or four DAYS recon
noitering before visiting the farmers.
but when he finally started out. he aid
"a lively business. In order to make
his territory last longer, he allotted
usually one. never more than two.
townships TO each agent
He travelled with the finest carriage
and pair OF horses which he could
procure in the town. and for several
days in succession reported the ap-
pointment OF one agent a day. with the
sale 70 each OF one dozen Of the hay
forks. lie had plenty OF money. was
thoroughly up TO date. very sociable,
and good mixer"
Very shortly. all the boys in town
were his friends. and soon many OF
them were regretting having intro
duoed him into their set Of girls. as his
curly locks. and winning ways. were
capturing them right and left.
How he could find so many farm
ers, ali eager TO buy a dozen forks.
and give their notes with interest,
was problem hard TO solve. How
ever. he seemed TO have no trouble in
doing so.
When he had about so or co notes.
all due on the same date, he began
negotiating with the dinee mt money
loaners and note shavers in town.
After disposing of $4,000 or $4,000
worth, he suddenly left town. and no
doubt located for a few weeks in some
other section.
AS soon as each farmer was notified
that his note for $3.50 and interest
was at the bank for collection. Wig.
orous protest was raised all over the
county. In every instance the dupes
declared that they had simply signed
a contract, acknowledging the deliv-
cry Of one dozen forks and agreeing
20 pay the agent $50 on December 1
provided they had succeeded in selling
$50 worth OF horse hay forks before
that date; otherwise. they were to
pay nothing. and the contract would
be null and void.
OF course they could not deny their
signatures. and when they were con-
fronted with a plain promissory note
Tor $3.50, drawing seven per cent. in
terest and with a clause. acknowI-
edging the delivery OF the one dozen
forks as the consideration, they could
do nothing but pay the notes.
The manner in which the notes were
drawn, and their clean-cut appearance.
caused those who purchased them
from the CRATER 10 suspect nothing
irregular about them, and as il was
generally known that he was deliver
ing hay forks no inquiries were made
by the purchasers.
The following summer I made a trip
into Wood county. O., and called
upon farmer relative whose home
was at small town, called Freeport,
and whose farm of several acres was
very near the place.
The day following my arrival made
a visit TO Bowling Green, the county
seat, and there l encountered our
horse hay fork man and made up my
mind to find out the method of his
graft.
therefore made no reference to the
complaints of his victims in San
dusky county. but talked as though I |
believed in him. ! gave him the name
OF my relative at Freeport and as
sured him that he was not only per
fectly responsible financially, but
would be quite likely to take the
agency for his forks.
He asked whether | intended re-
naming with my uncle for any length
Of time. and when told that l did not.
he agreed TO go over to Freeport and
interview him. requesting me to
speak a good word for him.
On our way back 10 Freeport that
evening I explained matters to nv
uncle and asked him to help me get
on the inside Of the scheme, which he |
promised 10 do.
He was to let the CRATER make out
the contract, and after carelessly read
Ing 1t over, TO sign il. and then hest
tate. put 1t into his pocket and re,
mark: Before / give you this docu.
ment, want TO have my lawyer look
Il over"
The next morning / went farther
west in the county. promising to re.
turn in a week. when hoped ia would 4
be In possession Of what l wanted.