Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-02-22
My Uncle the
BunkO Steerer
IOriginal.1

i was DOTH OH II IaTlu anu I'LL WAS
twenty-three years old had never been
to the city. Being of timid and nerv-
Gus temperament, what l read Of the
city made me feel that l didn't want
to go there Items in newspapers Of
country people being cheated in the
shops, robbed, bunkoed, made a deep
impression upon me. determined that
If ever | was obliged to visit the city
l would turn deaf ear to all persons
claiming to have known me before and
keep tight grip on my pocketbook.
All this was disappointing to my
mother. My uncle, Samuel Trask, an
old bachelor with profitable business,
lived in the city, and my mother was
very DESTROYS that l should cultivate
him, but resolutely declined to leave
my home, and my uncle was not likely
to come to the country in order that
should become favorite with him and
inherit his money.
However, one day news came Of the
failure of greengrocer in town who
owed us considerable money for farm
produce, and my mother shamed me in
to going to look out for our interests.
I was so reluctant and took so much
time in getting off that was not likely
to meet with much success in securing
my claim, but my mother was glad to
see me depart and would be satisfied
with whatever l might do.
Once in town my shyness left me, and
set about the business on which had
come with sufficient energy and
adroitness to secure the payment of my
claim within years time. had closed
the matter up and was sitting in the
rotunda of my hotel waiting for a
train to take me home when an old
gentleman Of very respectable appear
ance walked by me on his way to the
office and, seeing me, stopped and
looked at me scrutinizingly Then he
came up to me, putting out his hand.
"Well, upon my word" he said. 1T
seems to me as if was looking at my
brother instead of my nephew. Your
father wasn't much older than you
when he died, and you look enough like
him to be his twin"
I was considerably set up by my bust
ness success, so instead of turning on
my heel and walking away from a
case Of bunko l was emboldened to
play the steerer for awhile In order to
see how he would work me.
II don't play cards." remarked.
Cards? OF course not-that Is, not
for money" he said. with a puzzled
look which thought was very well as
sumed. How did you leave your
motherY'
"We'll leave my mother out Of the
discussion" l replied sharply, for I
adored her and it seemed a sacrilege to
permit the rascal to drag her in.
what do you mean?" exclaimed the
man. Then, breaking into a smile. he
added: 81 see. haven't explained. I've
forgotten that you don't know me. I'm
your uncle Sam"
Thinking that request for loan
might follow, l resolved to forestall the
man with his own impudence.
Il say, uncle, could you let me
have $40 to get home with? I'm q
greenhorn from the country and fell
into the hands Of a sharper this after
noon who took all l had at three card
monte"
The old gentleman fired up.
u 81, o,.v,Ixy VI
not Benjamin Trask?'
IT am"
"Then when I tell you that I am
your fathers brother what do you
mean by such talk? II you have really
lost your money, as you say, you are
welcome to all you need"
Every well, I'll take $40"
He looked at me curiously for q mo-
ment, then took out his pocketbook.
and selecting $40 bill handed It to
me, at the same time informing me
that my mother had written him that
would be In town. This satisfied me
and I apologized and returned bis loan
and consented to remain overnight
with him. He gave me a fine dinner
at restaurant, with plenty Of cham
payne, after which we went to his
rooms, where he produced more wine.
told him what had done In my deal
with the greengrocer and showed him
the papers, q check for $500 and notes
for 500 more, payable In monthly in
stallments. He commended me for my
business ability, and we went to bed.
The next morning awoke In a dingy
| room I had never been In before.
heard the putting Of engines, and going
to the window discovered that l was
near the railroad station at which l
had arrived the morning before. All
my papers were gone, and what was
worse all my money. l dressed and
went downstairs to be informed that
an old gentleman had left me there the
night before.
Well, telegraphed to my mother for
funds, but was almost starved for
want Of meal before received them.
went home, and on entering the
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