Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-09-30

| VAN
 woman would be likely to pick up a
 newspaper, he would thus be able to
 give her a magnifying glass. Should
 she remark that they were not just
 right, he would say that he was sorry and would place them back in his pocket. Then suddenly reaching to an other pocket, he would bring forth. an other pair, either weaker or stronger, and say:
 See here, I believe these glasses are all right for you; suppose you try them again. Perhaps you were little nery- ous when you tried them before" And he would continue to make these shifts from one pocket to the other until the woman imagined, at least. that she could see all right, and then, if pos sible, he would close deal.
 On the other hand, should the trans action take place in the street, he would introduce pair of what are known as plano lenses, which are noth- ing more than ordinary window glass. With these no matter what her age a woman could see of into the distance, and often bought them on the spur of the moment, believing they would also enable her to do close work
 All was fish that came to this graft CTS net. The spectacles cost him s275 per dozen. The material was Roman alloy" which will tarnish and get black within three days after coming in contact with the face.
 This man declared that he had for years been working on what he con- sidered paltry salary. His father, who had been well to do, had recently died leaving his estate so entangled that it would cost more to unravel it than 1t was worth. As a result the son had grown desperate and had started out to make killing"
 The following Saturday evening, while at the theater, saw this "grafter" enter one of the boxes with a party of society people. He wore full-dress evening suit, an elegant silk-lined overcoat and diamonds. Happening to spy me in the parquet, he placed the thumb and forefnger of each hand together, and laughingly held them up to his eyes, in manner to suggest spectacles.
 Two weeks later I opened a store under the Great Northern hotel.
 One Saturday afternoon this graft CT" called on me. He told me that for the past three or four weeks his profits had averaged $200 a week. On this occasion he was dressed in an up-to- date business suit, fine derby hat and low-cut shoes. and had the appearance of well-to-do professional or business man.
 U. P.," he said, although always take a vacation on Saturday, never theless clear ten dollars or more. Not that I particularly need it," he went on, but just to keep my hand in"
 So saying, he took from his pocket half dozen pair of nose glasses, of the same quality as his spectacle stock. As we stood looking from my store window, he said: I'll just watch for my man and show you how easy it is to make a dollar" Then he gathered some mud from his shoes and rubbed l 1t over a pair of his eyeglasses.
 There comes my man." he cried, an instant later. Now watch me-"
 Darting from the store, he quickly stepped into the gutter, in front of This man." and, reaching down, took par ticular pains to attract the mans at ! tention. He rose with the pair of nose l glasses in his hand
 Of course the mud and clay clinging | to the glasses gave them the appear anee of having lain for some time in the dirt.
 The man was at once interested and, putting them on his nose, he took some printed matter from his pocket and began reading. saying: They just fit me"
 We'll. said the 'grafter,' give me five dollars and you may have them, and I'll bet they never cost less than ten dollars"
 No" said the man, 'I wouldn't do that, but I'll give you two dollars for thep.''
 Make it three dollars and take them along" urged the grafter.
 No" hesitated the victim, but I'll split the difference and give you two dollars and half for them"
 All right" laughed the grafter, tfsaka Fharr along. shawr 2 to ne."
 The man paid the money and passed on with a satisfied smile.
 The grafter laughed immoderately at his success and declared that there was always something ridiculously funny in every deal of this kind.
 In selecting his dupe, he kept his eyes open for well-dressed man, of business-like appearance, and of about 50 years of age. The glasses were of the proper refractive power to magnify the letters for such a person. They cost him less than 20 cents per pair.
 Twenty minutes later the "grafter' bade me gOod-by. Meeting another man not three rods away, he played the same trick on him, and landed" aim for two dollars inside of five minutes Looking toward the store, where myself and clerks were inter { ssted spectators, he held up two fn- { gers, indicating the amount of cash received. II last heard of our college graduate l, zrafter two years later. read a full [