Evening star., 1906-03-11

T7A
weary months in Mexico. This, II y
at last was New-York and as
the ferry boat plowed across
the river l leaned over the rail and drank /
scene: the towering skyline with the pei
and plumes of steam and smoke waving tror
lofty structures; the broad river and the gle
bay alive with their shipping; and over all
Of the magnetic touch of the rushing. thro
life of working millions.
Despite my preOccupatiOn, felt that some on
looking at me, and turned to find portly P
ewing me intently. He was considerably past
die age, of florid complexion, and his whole ma
suggested that he might be one of those men
make it their business to welcome new arrivals
to New-York. l smiled grirnly at the thought
of an old New-Yorker like myself being
chosen as a possible client, and met my
friends gaze with the most innocent look
could assume. The idea of a possible adven-
ture appealed to me-
Ny assumed innocence must have been
successful for presently the stout man moved
nearer, and out of the corner of my eye
could see that he was reading the tag on my
travelling bag. The bag was present received
the day before from dear sister at home
who had written on the tag, as a reminder
she said, that l did not belong to New-York
alone, " lanes c. Knowlton; Clayville, n. :"
OF course I was prepared for what followed
Mr. Knowlton of Clayville ! believe?"
said my portly bunko-steerer blandly.
The same l replied with equal urbanity.
"Ah, glad to meet you. My name is
Smith-Sylvester Smith. Lived in Clayville
myself when l was boy. Knew your father
well. How are all the folks in the old town."
We shook hands cordially and | assured
him that Clayville was as happy and as pros
porous as could reasonably be expected since
it had been deprived of his citizenship.
had heard that lists of names o: families
living in rural towns and villages, procured
at much trouble and expense, formed the most
valuable asset of your enterprising, up-to-date
bunko-nan, and my corpulent friend had
evidently procured a complete schedule of the
older families in Clayville He ran over long
string Of them, claiming half dozen his
relatives He really amazed me by his reten-
tive memory. He was evidently in the front
rank of his profession. | led him on, help
ing him over rough places and what he did
not know about Clayville and its people before
he certainly did not when we dropped the
subject; for | told him tales of that quiet
burg that caused him to gasp with astonish-
1nent and did credit to my inventive powers.
The situation amused me immensely and |
was determined to see the adventure through
to.the end 1t was my first experience with the
and | was curious more especially as the
Sylvester seemed to be a bunko-steerer from WI
might expect to learn all the latest methods
busness-one in short who would try to sWind
in the most gentlemanly and polished manner.
Would | take luncheon with him? To be
| would and a frst-class luncheon we ha
treated myself, at his expense, to the most
1y dishes on the bill Of fare, seizing the 0
tunity to make up for my long period of
living and high thinking in Mexico. Durin
meal we discussed finance, subject upon whic
new friend displayed great volubility.
When the luncheon was finally over cam
expected invitation to Run down with n
my office" Did l ever invest? We'll, yes,
in a while" admitted Covly With a knt