davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02

step up to his man, and 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"
Amt you J. w Brown, the coal
dealer OF Indianapolis, Indiana?"
mo, sir; my name is John Hampton,
Of Battle Creek, Michigan"
"Well, we'll! / 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 secluded place
and from q small booklet. containing
the name OF every United States bank
with the names Of the bank officials,
be would write on card John Hamp-
ton. Battle Greek, Mich" then the
lame Of one Of the prominent Battle
Creek banks and It's cashier.
Meeting the @steerer a few mo-
ments later, the "feeleF7 would hand
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02

him this card. Directly the "steerer'
would manage 10 come In contact with
the stranger, pretending TO recognize
him at once, and stepping up 20 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. was there several days Wis
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 fiattered upon discovering that
he was 30 we'll known, he would con-
slider himself lucky to have met such
a oongenial gentleman with whom to
pass the waiting hours.
II Mr.. Hampton, Of Battle Creek,
should happen to mention that he had
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:
well, Joseph is a 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
GUESSING 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 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:
"On my way up from Kaintuck. with
a load Of mules. a Teller 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 practlcing the
holding the three cards between the
thumb and forefngers, 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:
Now you gentlemen try and watch
the card with the cross on, and see IL
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 iuncture he would be sud
denly taken with At of coughing, and
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02

People who suffer from tired feet
may note that a good deal of their
discomfort is caused by the fact that
they wear stockings that do not ft.
Indeed, the At OF stockings is almost
as important as that of shoes, and,
In order that they may at, It is neces-
sary that they shall have right and
left to the pair. They should have
Gs few seams as possible. as these
cause eorns. The feet should be bathod
at night, and this treatment is an ex-
cellent sleep producer. The water
should be sailed. The feet should he
scrubbed all over with a nail brush,
which will often prevent the formation
Of corns; while hard spots on the
poles may be reduced with a piece OF
ane emery paper or fine fle before the
feet are placed In water.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02

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 l mounted my
carriage to open my sale, there being
no crowd, one of these men said 10
the others: Come on, boys; let's give
him a 'front.' and they gathered
around, apparently much interested.
Soon a 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 were a little
slow.
Stepping up to the carriage, first one
and then another Of these four men
purchased a batch of handkerchiefs,
after which l 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 filled 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.
They used no profanity, drank no
liquor, were square in their dealings
with one another, and if one of them
were taken sick the others gave him
every attention. In all matters Of
charity each was always ready with
his share, and no more sociable and
companioneble men could be found.
Within two days had learned every
detail of their methods of operating.
When inquired why the authorities
did not interfere, / was told that they
were too much interested in the graft
themselves.
The member of this gang called the
"spieler," who manipulated the cards,
Kelly, by name. afterwards became
mentally deranged and was sent to
the Kalamazoo insane asylum, where
he remained until his death.
On one of my trips to Kalamazoo
visited the asylum, and l asked the
guide II he knew anything about Kel-
ly, the noted Grand Rapids confidence
man, who had been sent there a few
years before.
Indeed / do" he replied. He
makes US all kinds of trouble in play
ing his old game with other patients
in his ward. One day while taking
some visitors through / noticed, over
in one corner of the room, three men
entirely nude, and another man stand
ing over them gesticulatlng and talk
ing at a furious rate.
Approaching them, inquired what
1t all meant. Kelly laughed bolster
Ously and, pointing at a big pile Of
clothing IN the corner, I have just
won a million dollars from these men,
he said, See, it's piled up over there
in the corner, Yes. sir, a straight mill
lion dollars He had persuaded these
poor souls to bet their clothing, one
piece after another, until they hadn't
garment left"
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02

get out Of town. The swindlera, o.
course, being as anxious as their vic
tim that the latter should get out o.
the way as soon ~ possible
This game was what the CRATER
called: THE double cross"
On the evening Of my first visit e
Howard City l made my notion auc
ton sale from a carriage in front o.
the hotel During the day had noticed
that several prosperous-lOoking meE
were stopping at the hotel, and won.
dered what was their business. While
arranging my street lamps and pro
pairing my stock they gathered about
and in a friendly way inquired what
my name was. where l was from and
which direction I was travelling II
was plain that they were educated mer
of more than ordinary ability, but al,
addicted to the excessive use Of SLANG
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02
Mullins.

Warm a quart of milk into which
put quarter of pound of butter
sufficient yeast to make.,a batter, two
eggs, well beaten, and cup Of yeast
and a little salt; when quite light
bake in rings on a griddle; do moi
beat them after the yeast is in. They
will be light in three hours. Qf yeast
cakes are used, dissolve half an yeast
cake In half a cup of water)
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02
Apple Fritters.

Cut dozen large, juicy apples into
slices after pealing and coring them
Throw the slices into the batter Have
ready pan Of equal parts OF Isrd and
butter, boiling hot. Take the batter
up in ladle, allowing a slice Of apple
to each Of fritter. and drop into the
hot lard. Fry brown, drain a mo.
ment, and serve with powdered sugar
and nutmeg.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02
~ Prevant Onlda.

Many colds would be prevented Ii
every cold were regarded as infectious,
says a doctor. A person suffering from
cold should sleep alone, and il pos
sible in a separate room Towels,
soaps. etc, used BY the patient should
not be touched by any other person,
and kissing should be absolutely pro
hiblted.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02

cards, would deity turn down the cor
ner of the marked card and turn up
one corner Of a 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
the cards, and offer again to bet 900
that neither of them could pick the
card with the cross.
Having noticed that the stranger
had $50 or $50, the "steerer" would
say:
1--WE will bet you SIS that can
pick it."
IAN right. I'll bet you-all SIS you
KANT pick It,"
Turning to the stranger, the steer
er" would say: Il have SIS, you let
me have $50, and Wen 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 a 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 a cent in our pockets
Whereupon the "spieler" would hand
back enough to take them out of town.
On the way up town the "steeTsr"
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 a large,
portly man, wearing a 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 hpout pSNtAh6' ~ NSSHA
make any difference whether man
wins or loses. If he bets at ALL he
laws himself liable to a fine and inn
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: u
can't afford to let you go. My fees in
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 "steerer" would offer about
half the amount he thought the victim
still had. Tho marshal" would then
agree to settle for just double the
amount, and the "steerer" would ap-
peal to the victim, saying that he 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 tc
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02
Lunch biscuits.

one pound and a half Of -four, half
pound Of butter, three-quarters Of a
pound Of sugar, a teaspoonful Of soda,
dissolved. Beat the sugar and butter
together until thoroughly mixed, Their
add the -four and as much milk az viii
form dough, Roll into sheets, cut them
u cakes and bake quickly.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02
rhraadlne Maohin. nsadla-

when threading q sewing machine
hs artificial light ones eye Is some
times dazzied BY the reflection from
he metallic plate. This can be RENE
lied by covering the plate temporarily
with a piece Of dark clo.h.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02

Copyright 1906, by Joseph y Bowles)
When I was selling Yankee no.
lions at auction, one Of my best towns
was Howard City, Mich. managed
90 make the town two or three times a
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 we're al
ways carrying on a thrifty business.
As to location the town was par
ticularly favorable to them, being the
western terminus Of q short railroad.
running through several small towns
I'm eastern Michigan. People going or
coming between Grand Rapids and
these towns we're obliged to change
cars at Howard City and wait between
trains from one and half to three
hours. This walt gave the "steerer"
ample time to form acquaintances and
steer HIS proposed victim against the
"spieler"
The town had a large shingle MILL
and a quarter Of a mile from the
hNpOAt h0hl a oAht AldNhr was al llAl~
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 a 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 of
20 change cars. necessltating a wait in
the sitting room of the depot 1t was
the duty Of a man styled "feeler" to
size up the waiting traveller and II he
looked good. to take the first step
toward fleeing him
Entering the waiting room he would
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02
ChinaWOmen Uneducafed.

Nearly every Chinaman can rea6,
but about 90 per cent Of the WomsA
are entirely uneduented
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-11-02
A orHREE-oARp MoNTEo aRAFT

Confidence Game Played on Unwary
Railroad Passengers-"sized Up"
by the "Fseler" - "steerer" and
"spieler" Get in Their Work--Ap-
peal to Authorities CRATER in
7arb Of City Marshal Also Bleeds
7ictm-"spieler's" End in Insane
Asylum-Plays His Old Tricks on
other Patients.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-04
WHO CANNOT BE CURED.

Backed up by over 4 third of century
of remarkable and uniform cures, a record
such as no other remedy for the diseases
and weaknesses peculiar to women ever
attained, the propr;etors and makers of
DR.. Pierce's FavoTite Prescription now feel
legal money of the United States for any
case Of Leucorrhea, Female Weakness,
Prolapsus, or Falling of Womb, which they
cannot cure. All they ask is fair aud
reasonable trial of their means Of cure.
al was q great sufferer for six years and doc
tored all the time with number OF physicians
but did not receive any benefit" writes Mrs
George Sogden, of 64I Bonda Street. Saginaw
(South), Michigan. ~ had given up all hope OF
ever getting better; Thought would write to
you. When received your letter telling me
what 10 do commenced to take your Favorite
Prescription and follow your advice. have
taken ten bottles in all, also i've walls OF the
Pleasant Pellets Am now regular. alter hay
Ing missed two Year, and suffered with pain in
the head and back. was 50 nervous, could not
eat or sleep. Now can thank you for my
recovery"
Don't hesitate to write to DR. Rv Pierce,
chief consulting physician to the lnva III
Hotel and Surgical Institute, at Buffalo,
NY, If you want good medical advice from
. fully qualified physician as to your per-
soual good health. Such letters are always
answered free of charge and confdentially.
A medicine which has outsold all others
for women in the past third OF
century and being recommended by all
those who have used it, is good remedy
to tie to- DR.. Pierce's Favorite Prescrip-
ton is purely vegetable and does not con-
tain a particle of alcohol to destroy the
blood corpuscles and weaken the system.
Do not permit the dealer to insult your
Intelligence by suggesting some other com
pound which he recommends as Just a.
good" because he makes it himself.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-04
CARE OF LEPERS
Considered by House Committee on In
terstate and Foreign Commerce.

Washington. Feb. 3.-The care Of
lcpcrs in the United States and Hawaii
was considered, today. Ivy the Hous"
committee on Interstate and foreign
commerce. Two bills, one providing for
the establishment of Il sanitarium in
this country for all lepars in the Unit
ed States, ami another appropriating
$3.50. 900 to he used in Hawaii for the
scientific study of the disease. We're be-
core The committee. Delegates kalan-
ilnaole explained briefly the condition
of lepers i'm the Hawaiian islands.
He said Over A thousand persons We're
suffering with the disease there. The
territorial government spent 100000 in
their case in the la six years.
Surgeon General Wyman, Of the pub
lie health and marine hospital service.
explained the need Of the leprogarium
in this country. He said there We're
known to be 215 persons afflicted with
the disease in the United states. and
he estimated there We're 100 others
scattered through the states and terri
tories. He suggested to tn committee 4
sic in the arid region of the southwest.
The commit 20 authorized u favor
able report on 10th bills.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-04
UNEXPECTED HAPPENS.
L. II. Soper G. Co. Department Stor'
Damaged by Overflow of Water.

Tho department store of T.. H. Sopcr &,
Co. of this city, presented very uhcN-
pectcd appearance from the outside. Fri
day morning. as the doors were closed
and a sign hung before the curtains
thereof which practically said NO admis-
sion"
Charles johnson. one of the clerks, who
was FIRST to arrive at th,' store frlu;tS
morning, on opening the door lound that
The entire first floor showed eNldeICea
of having received thorough Wettln3
ON descending TO the basement Ali, J1hh-
son Immediately found himself ankle deep
in water while at the same time tlny
streams were pouring from tn" hasement
ceiling and even from the shelves along
the walls which were well stocked VIII
various ASSIGNMENTS OF men. IN" cAtis''
Was at once evident On gong 10 me
boiler room it was found that the valve
which regulates the flow OF water int"
the boiler had been left partly open dur
ing the night and for about l. hours wa
ter had been making it's way into the
pipes and had been circulated to IN" diff
terent radiators and was pouring nom me
air valves over the four floors OF the
binding.
The damage to the store itself Of
course. will be large as new plastcring
wherever tile water had come into con-
tact with the beautiful fIesco work the
effect WAS deriorahlr But the damage
thus caused is not to be compared To thai
to tn" stock. The display windows. wh!cu
We're filled with the most elaborate and
expensive silks and linen goods. arc d
rectly beneath radiators on the second
floor from which water poured in sIiii-
Gent quantities to work almost complete.
DESTRUCTION to every article displayed.
Plies of silk have since been laid on M.
counters, much OF which has become com
pictelN soaked, as the water trickiing
down the walls had rum along the hot
toms of the shelves.
TIL" damage done in the dress goods de
par tmcnt WAS not great /
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-04
Ar COLBY COLLEGE.
Basketball and Visiting Notes of In
terest,

Announcement was made. Yesterday
thHt the freshman rca!ing nriZa u-oIIIi
become available again, this wear III
though under conditions VARYING some
what from those under which the prjzn
has previously been awarded Form.rlv
IN" money was divided into an animal
lirSt ard second prize but the plan is
pow to Divide it into smaller prizes Ia
b" Offered each term in the college
YEAR Those desiring to compete for
Inc prize the present term. will be Civ
en- the opportunity at the last reci:a-
non Tor the term of the course kroWn
rs reading y. Tho contest is omen 10 All
members of the freshman class, hut the
selections Will be confined to the text
book which the class is at present US
irg.
The following members of the basket
ball team left on the sos train, Friday
afternoon, for Or0no. where thev met
I'll" University Of Maine team. Friday
night: Wiley, '06: McVane. 'OS: Thonn-
son. 07; Peterson, '07; Dewitt. 'O7:
Trihnu, 'OS; Phinney. '0S.
The members of tho Colby Youno.
Nnmcn's Christian ssociation gave an
ehJoNablH old-fdshiOned Sociable. Fri
day evening, in the First l;autist YES
try. musical program was rendered
ana scenes from "The Courtshfp Of
Miles Standish" were given.
The following men left. Friday after
noon. on the 30 train for Winihrop
where tn" musical clubs gave n concert.
F'id;'y evening: Dodge, 'OG. Gcaaerl:
k"nnison. 'oG, manager): Bean. 'O5:
let's. 20: Mixer. 'oS: Ray Jones, 'o$;
tnWall %, Gould. '02; Bradlrc, '02;
Eidc"ut. 'o7; Wnslow. 'O1: Mathews.
0A; Dunn, %; Written, 'OS; Bonney.
'o': Clark. '03; Whittcmore, '05, ana
Eurrell 'O0