The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-01-27
BY II. M. EeBERT

| he had purchased. The recipients
were naturally inCensed, and many
turned these communications over to
their lawyers before the truth was
learned. But 1t was this incident
which seemed TO show that the writ
er was rather engaging in these
pranls for his own amusement than
out Of any desire to levy blackmail.
| However, he soon disclosed an
other purpose, for he sent letter to
pr. Dix informing him that nll further
persecution would cease upon pay
ment Of $1,000. DR.. Dix was instruct.
ed that, In the event of his accept
ing this proposition, he should insert
a communication in the personal col
umn OF the New York Herald, adj
dressed to Gentleman Joe" saying
"AlI right" BY the advice Of the po
lice, Dir. Dix did so, but on the follow
ing day Gentleman joe was made
the recipient OF three personal mott.
fcations in this column. Whether he
had inserted two OF them himself, or
whether the other two came from
other victims, was never determined,
but at any rate no response was elici-
ted. and the scoundrel now gave the
rector couple Of weeks respite,
The persecution began again upon
ST. Patrlck's day, when DR.. Dix re-
ceired letter demanding the sum
of $t,50O, enclosing a name and adj
dress to which the money was to be
sent. No notice was taken Of this
communication, and on the day Which
gentleman Joe" had mentioned in his
i communication u member Of n we'll
known firm Of lawyers arrived at the
rectory, having received letter pur-
porting to come from Mrs. Dix stating
that she desired 10 consult with them
regarding divorce. Other lawyers
called during the day on the same
errand; besides these there came an
agent of steamship line, carrying
with him two tickets to Havana, and
number Of persons who had adyer.
tised offering rewards for lost or stol-
en- property, and bad received notice
10 call at the rectory and bring their
rewards with them.
One of these callers had advertised
reward Of 500 for the return Of two
thousand.dollar bonds, and, not being
aware that the house in question, was
f; the residence of Dr.. Dix. had brought
4 private detective with him. The
arrangement was that il the bonds
were turned over, the gentleman was
10 leave the house scratching his leg,
whereupon The private detective, who
WINS stationed IN ZIG street opposite,
4wass to rush in NaItd arrest the man
who had received Che reward. All
these callers felt particularly foolish
at having been made the victims ola
prank that had been so extensively
advertised in the newspapers.
On the following afternoon Mrs. Dix
received pair OF soiled stockings,
with the intimation that new pair
would be placed at her disposal when
these had been sufficiently worn.
Gentleman Ioe," having apparently
exhausted his resources in providing
i himself with amusement, now achiev
ed his most daring coup, About 10
o'clock one morning, shortly after the
! last of these occurrences, the rectofy
/ bell was violently ruhg. and the selv-
ant who opened the door was con-
| lronted by Accommodating man
carrying cane.
| rs DR.. Dix at horac!' he demanded
sharply.
Eyes, sir" replied the servant, sur
missing that her masters visitor. was
probably the victim of another hoax.
I What do you wish to sec him about
TITS none of your business what I
want to see him about" the visitor
returned grufiy. Tell him to coue
down Immediately"
| The girl fed in alright and in.
formed her master, who descended the
stairs and approached his visitor with
his customary urbanity.
what can I do for you, slr?" tie
rector asked.
The stranger looked the rector over
from head to foot and then burst out
into a torrent OF profanity and abuse:
"You sanctimonious old rascal you
make a fine minister of the Gospels"
he exclaimed threateningly. Don't
you dare to open your mouth until
I'm through with you, or I'll call an
undertaken"
"My dear sir, what is the matter?"
inquired DR.. Dix.
'Matter?" shouted the stranger. do
you mean to say you don't know what
the matter is, you internal liar? Now
! tell you what mea1fto do with you.
l ought to take you out into the street
! and cane you in the presence of the
public, but I'm going to be lenient
and thrash YOU In your own house In
stead. Don't you dare to yell for help
or 1t will 50 all the worse with you"
MAY inquire why you propose to
! thrash me?" demanded the rector
The stranger, who had already
, grasped the clergyman by the collar
and raised his cane in q threatening
,rarner stnrnd nj him and released