Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-26
ARMENIAN FRUIT DEALER
INA FL|M-FLAM GAME
Loses $175 Which a Supposed
PhiIanthropist Had Induced
Him to Put in Tin Box.

Martin NakaShian, an Armenian, who
sells fruit at 1442 p street northwest,
came to grief last week when he became
too friendly with man who had declared
he was a special envoy of the Swiss gov
eminent sent to Washington to distribute
money among the poor. The heart of
Martin. who has never had previous ex-
periences with special ENJOYS, warmed to
this benefactor from the Alps, and the re-
suit was that he is now out $40. Martin
told the police, and last night detective
headquarters sent out description of the
good Samaritan and his pal.
About two weeks ago man about
thirty years of age called at the fruit
store and bought an orange in: order to
get acquainted with his intended vic
tim He heard the dealer speak French
to a member of his family, and the
patron expressed himself as delighted to
meet some one with whom he could con-
verse in French.
From that time until Thursday night
the stranger frequently visited the fruit
dealer. and their friendship seemed to
be genuine. That night the patron
asked the dealer if he could accompany
him to market Friday morning The
dealer had no objection to his company.
and bright and early the next morning
the other was on hand. He went with
Nakashian to the vicinity of Center
market, and later to a wholesale grocer.
About the time the men were ready
to board q street car to return to the
street store another man appeared
and asked for directions. He, too.
spoke French, and said he was a Swiss,
like Martins friend.
Looking for Two Honest Men.
II am looking for the consular. officer"
cof1 SHN
Nakashian and his supposed friend. 81
want him to direct me to some re-
sponsible men, as ] have some Swiss
money to distribute to the poor"
His declaration about distributing
money to the roor sounded good to the
fruit dealer, and gave the man good
standing at once. He declared that 1t
was his object to find two honest men
to distribute the money. Nakashians
companion suggested they would under
take the job. .s----- ---------- ----
Following the method Of swindlers
who pretend they want to place ap-
plicants in good paving positions, the
stranger suggested that the two men
show some money. just to show that
they had some standing in the COM
niunity.
The Swiss envoy said he did not want
to carry his money about the city ana
thought It would be well to get TIN
box to put 1t in. Then. he said, the fruit
merchant could take 1t home and keep
it until he called to make arrangements
for its distribution: - - -
Money Put in the Box.
Nakashian's pretended friend thought
1t would be a good thing for the two to
put their money In the box as an evil
dence of good faith The tin box was
procured and into. it the money was
put. The two men failed to appear at
the p street store. alter, as they had
agreed to do, but the fruit dealer paid
no particular attention to the omission,
thinking they would be on hand yester-
day.
But there was no sign of tho chart
table man and the pretended friend OF
the dealer yesterday. The box was
opened. 1t contained only a few pieces
Of valueless paper Inspector Boardman
was then appealed to by the Armenian