The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-05
COLLEGE SPIRIT
SWINDLE CLOAK
Fathers Of Undergrads I'M
posed Upon by Plausible
Tales.
MANY VERSIONS ARE USED

coIitt VI III EsdSttlh NolltbtE VI
sending warnings to fathers Of the
incoming freshman class about GER
tain confidence men who operate in
and around the large cities. Last au-
tumn, 1t Is said, the FRESHMAN green
goods game resulted in a large haul
for the swindlers who carry it on;
and so many were the complaints
to one college or another from VIC
timized parents that steps are being
taken. this season to prevent a repe-
tition OF the frauds and wherever pos
sible to arrest and convict some OF
those responsible therefor.
The fact that this swindle is not new
seems TO have no effect on its increas-
ing success. and the success Is based
on Just two elements Of human ma
ture-pride in ones son and sympathy
for other mems sons. To show how
the game 10 worked, take as a definite
example one of the larger New Eng
land colleges. with an incoming fresh
man class OF 800 young men, n OF
whom Is Bill Jones of New York,
whose father is we'll to do. and mighty
proud Of Bill.
Well. a few weeks after Bill gets
TO college, the annual register Is
printed. containing the names and ad-
dresses of all the students: and some
Of the earliest copies are snapped up
by the confidence gang. The leaders
Of the rang distribute the freshmen's
names to their subordinates according
to territory. One OF those assigned TO
work" New York city for two or three
colleges has quietly visited the towns
where these colleges are located: he
has mingled with students at the early
football practice, and elsewhere. He
ascertains, when possible. the personal
characteristics OF the more promising
freshmen-promising from his "
standpoint. OF course.
And then, some day in mid-October.
RIl Jones's father. receives. at MS or
ace. a telephone message from some
body who says he's Jimmy Brown. a
classmate OF Bills. Jimmy's In the
CITY for a day. and thinks perhaps
RilI,s father would like to hear how
nil ia getting on. Nine chances tc
one Mr.. Jones telephones back IA
hearty acceptance OF the susees'ioh'
perhaps inviting Jimmy Brown 10
lunch at his downtown CLUB; AT any
rate telling him TO drop in at the OF
Ace And sooner or later Jimmy does
so. ~ pul
ue IL greeted cordially. Tor BIZ
ror.s,s father Is very proud OF Bill
and wants the fellow freshman ~
know that Bills father Is no slouch.
Jimmy looks like q freshman al
over-from dinky little college cap
straight down to his shoes. lie KNOWS
which dormitory Bill's o Is In, ne
has heard that Bills long suit In atm
letics is high jumping-which Is a tact
and he confidently assures ei.'s
father that IL Bill doesn't make the
freshman track team he. Jimmy
Brown, will be willing TO eat a stone
monument.
Mr.. Jones is tickled half to death
with his young caller: II he himself
was a college student a generation
ago this little visit from Jimmy brings
hack "A flood OF recollectiOns. II he
isn't a college mar he's all the more
interested in the chatter. And then,
lust as Jimmy rises TO take his leave,
he hesitates, but finally blurts out:
Look here. Mr.. Jones, ] didn't come
10 see YOU altogether on your account
or on Bits. I'm going TO tell you the
truth. I'm pretty nearly broke. and
can't get back 20 college unless
you'll lend me Ave dollars
Mr.. Jones considers Jimmp, and
Jimmy stands his ground, with I'M
winking eye.
How long have you been in town."
asks Mr.. Jones.
"Since yesterday morning, sir. |
had enough TO get back with, but last
night | was fool enough to blow 1t in.
I'd telegraph my folks. up in Boston,
but they're awfully strict, and II they
knew Id wasted money on the theatre
and had blown in more on bcer-wel,,
I'd have to quit college and go TO
work, that's ali. You know how aw-
fully straitlaced these Old New Eng
landers are, Mr.. Jones. know I've
made a fool Of myself, and I've learned
my lesson. All ] need is So. I've got
enough eft over for supper in a lunch
room before I take the night train,
ard ! don't need a sleeper"
Jimmy doesn't know anybody else
n New York, he adds. this is the
trst time he ever was here alone.
Again Mr.. Jones considers. He's
inclined To think Jimmy may be--just
possibly, may he-a swindler, but on
the other hand. suppose his own boy,
Bill, should get into such a scrape.
and go to some classmates father in
a strange city, and confess like a man
that ned blown in his money, and had
learned his lesson. 1t would he pretty
tough on Billy II the cd curmudgeon
refused to help him out And II Jimmy
Is square, and gets back TO college
somehow, ard tells the boys hal Bil
Browns dad was such a skinhint thai
he wouldn't lend a fellow even s. when
he was up against it-whv. This
wouldn't do Billy a whole LOT of
good either, Might help queer him
for a fraternity, or a track team. mr.
something; anyway, 1t would be tough
on Billy.
We'll the net result is, that seven
times out of ten Jimmy Brown gets
the money he has asked for, and fro
quently more, so that he can take n
sleeping car berth, and have a SQUARE
meal on board instead of lust a bite
al n quick lunch counter, He prom
lees To return the money ns snnn o.