The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1907-01-25
RECORD HOAXES.



Remarkable SwindIes and "SeIIs"
That AstOnished the World.
Less than twenty years ago a report
got into circulation among the peas
ants of Bosnia that the great Viennese
banker, Baron Rothschild, had been
sentenced to death for treason and
was trying to secure substitute will
| ing for a handsome consideration to
undergo the extreme penalty in his
stead large number of peasants
banded together to furnish this substi-
tute by casting lots.
1t was not until the authorities had
posted in every village throughout the
affected districts a strong denial Of the
canard that the rioting and ferment
caused by the bankers apparent reluc-
lance to part with the 'blood money
was allayed.
On one occasion the Times itself fell
a victim to an extraordinary piece Of
journalistic humor A correspondent
sent a letter to 1.-The Thurderer'' de-
ploring the restitution prevalent in GER
tain parts of Italy consequent upon the
absolute failure of the macaroni crop.
Ignorant of the fact that this popular
article of Italian diet is not plant at
all, but manufactured from -four, the
Times published a leader on the sub
ject, suggesting the establishment of a
fund to assist the sufferers.
A hoax which nearly caused war be-
tween Austria and Roumania con-
vulsed eastern Europe less than dec
ade ago. The inhabitants of Restchuk,
in the latter country, were convinced
of the existence in their midst of a
| WEREWOLF man who is able at will
to change himself into a huge, fero-
cious wolf.
Men of science doubted the story,
and in a wordy argument with a local
resident the famous Austrian profess
or, Taublich, was killed for laughing
at what he had termed a 'tissue of
nonsense" Complications Immediately
arose between Austria and ROumania,
the former country demanding the in
slant execution of the murderer.
Just as Austria was about to present
an ultimatum the werewolf was shot
at and wounded, proving to be moth
ing more than a stupid practical joker,
whose folly not only cost a valuable
life, but had almost plunged Europe
into the horrors of war.
Danger, the we'll known American
actor of the early sixties had weak
ness for hoaxing his fellows. On one
occasion while resting in Minnesota
he was seized with a bright idea. He
secured a dummy, dressed it in Il suit
of old clothes and hid it at night in the
woods near the adjacent lake. Next
morning he hired a boat, got the dunn
my aboard unseen and rowed away
about half mile from the shore When
the beach was fairly crowded with peo-
pie he began gesticulating wildly at his
supposed companion. Next he pounced
upon the dummy like a mailman, and
fierce struggle which ensued threat
ened, to the excited watchers on land,
to capsize the frail craft Next they
saw Danger fight his companion down,
hurl him into the water and with re-
peated blows of All oar sink the body
in the lake.
Then the actor, chuckling at the ex-
opposite heavily timbered beach. A
minute later several boats filled with
armed men were in hot pursuit. The
supposititious criminal reached the
woods well in advance Of his pursuers
and got clear away while the whole
was searching for him.
Eventually, however, the fraud was
revealed.
A journalist once succeeded in hoax
ing many Of the leading London news
papers, and through them the provin-
cial press, at the expense of the great
abolitionist, Wilberforce. He was a
reporter in the press gallery in the
house of commons, and he pretended to
read to his colleagues from his notes
the following passage from Il speech
with which he credited the famous par
Had it been my lot to be born in
where my food would have
principally of the potato, that
most nutritious and salubrious root, in
stead of being the poor, infirm, stunted
creature you, sir, and honorable gem
tlemen, behold in me, l would have
been a tall, stout, athletic man, able to
bear an enormous weight"
No wonder Mr.. WHEREFORE read the
passage with establishment in the next
mornings press, for he had not adj
dressed the house at all for some
Answers.
Nearly every person who is subject
o attacks from the stomach suffers
rom morbid dread of a dietic treat
nent for relief, that is three-fOurths
tarvation, and One-fourth coast and
milk. On the other hand you can eat
IS you please and digest the food by
he aid of a good digestant. thus Civ
ne the tired stomach equally rs much
est Eat what you please and take
title KOdol For Indigestion after your
meals. 1t digests what you eat Sold
y John NJ. Taylor.