The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-09-30
ROCUES IN UNIFORMS
Donned Official Clothes to Work
Their Victims.
CLEVER RUSSIAN SWINDLERS.

The Plausible Old Military Man Who
Made st. Petersburg Jeweler Whom,
He Robbed Act as His Aooompiiee.
The Energetic Police Agents.
Nowhere is a uniform more potent
than In Russia, and that fact has more
than once been utilized by swindlers
I'm their daring operations.
Some years ago jeweier on the
Nevsky Prospekt Of St Petersburg re-
ceived visit one sunny afternoon
from an old and decrepit officer In the
uniform Of general The old gentle
man was assisted from his carriage to
the counter by an attentive footman In
livery. The smiling jeweier received
him with the Difference due to his rank
and accommodated him with a chair.
The gentleman had come TO choose a
birthday present for his wife.
The tradesman displayed his most
valuable collars and ttaras. The vet
eran fingered over them lovingly. At
last he made choice of a costly suit
and intimated that It would meet his
purpose.
Tremblingiy the old soldier sought in
his breast for his pocketbook- He had
sailed forth without 1t. The disap-
pointment of both shopman and Gus
toner was acute. The general, how
ever, was not strategist without re-
source. With apologies he asked for
writing materials and essayed to pen
a letter to his home. The excitement
acting upon his palsied hands made his
writing illegible. The jeweler was in
despair. The old man sighed and re-
marked upon the sad consequences of
campaigns. The jeweler was touched
He had an inspiration
Twill your excellency permit me to
write the instruction to your dicta-
tionT'
The general was delighted and most
gratefully accepted the offer.
On the business paper Of his firm the
jeweler wrote the stumbling words of
the veteran:
Dear Anna have need OF money
Please take 5000 rubles from my safe and
return by bearer. Lovingly yours,
IVAN.
The generals own footman was dis
patched with the note. The old man
sat admiring the Jewels until In due
course the servant returned with the
5000 rubles- The tiara was bought
and paid for. The jeweler escorted his
distinguished client 30 the carriage and
stood bowling as he drove away.
That evening when the 5eweler re-
turned TO his home his wife asked why
be had withdrawn so large sum from
the family safe.
what sumY' asked the shopkeeper
In surprise.
.why. the 5000 rubles you sent for
this afternoon
Five thousand rubles! i don't un-
Heavens. here's your letter.
The wife produced the letter In the
jewelers. own handwriting upon the
jewelers. own business note paper, and
be for the first time realized that the
common name of Anna and the CON-
mon name OF Ivan were respectively
those Of himself and his wife as wen
as Of the paisied officer and his vision
airy spouse.
The jeweler had paid for the officers |
tiara.
or the same genre. though differing |
In detail, was another swindle perpe- |
rated upon a jeweler In St Peters |
burg. The mystery surrounding the |
of the secret service force |
Is the most effective. too, In the hands
Of the intelligent Russian criminal.
On the Grande Morskala is one of the
most magnificent jewelry stores in |
Europe. the house of Fauberge To It
one day drove up q splendidly ap- /
pointed equipage. In which were seat
ID two ladies. The ladies' descended
II Fauberge's and were received as
of distinction. The older
ady introduced herself as the wife of
/ well known statesman recently re-
.urned from abroad She explained
hat she had been authorized by her
to choose collar of dia-
nonds. The teweler spread before her
he gems of his collection
After much hesitation the lady pick
d one of the most expensive. but TO
Ter dismay the price exceeded that
by her husband The sales
nan dreaded TO lose so profitable a
Could not madam obtain
he consent of her excellency's hus-
and to the purchaser The lady medi-
ated and at length begged permission
o drive to the office of her husbands
distance was not great
o show him the collar and gain his
PERMISSION to buy It Her companion
would remain In the shop during her
bsence as a hostage. The jeweler was
with the suggestion.
The lady departed In. her carriage
lime passed-Quarter Of an hour. half
n hour. three-quarters of an hour.
Suddenly there flushed into the shop
wo police agents. who announced
heir authority and showed their Off
ial badges. They assured the aston
she'd Fauberge that he bad been
The jeweler trembled BE