The Telegram. — 1895-08-06 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

THE CONFIDENCE TRICK. AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST VICTIMISED.  An American journalist on the staff of a New York daily journal is one of the latest victims of the confidence trick. He came to London a short time ~go on business, and stayed as a hotel ntlYst the St, and, where he meta man who said he hailed from Brooklyn. The pair fraternised together, and ultimately went to the Crystal Palace to enjoy themselves. They there niet an Irishman, who insisted upon treating them te champagne, and confidently explained that an uncle of his had just died in America, leaving him an enormous fortune. The only drawback, he said, was a condition that a certain aim should be given annually to the poor of Brooklyn and Chicago. He said he was rather pleased to find that his dear old uncle had been so charitable ; all that troubled him was to find someone to distribute the money. The supposed American (who was, of course, a confederate of the Irishman) suggested that he and the journalist could distribute the money without any difficulty. "A capital idea," said the Irishman, flourishing what appeared to be a corn. her of bank notes ; "let us have some more champagne." In the afternoon the trio returned to town. Standing in Ludgate Circus, the Irishman said, as though the thought had suddenly occurred to him, "But how do I know that you are responsible people—men to be trusted with money ?” "Thai is easily proved," said the confederate, producing what appeared to be a circular note, "I will go over to Cook's office and change it." He forthwith walked iuto the office of Messrs. Cook, tourist agents, and soon afterwards emerged with what appeared to be a bundle of hank-notes in his hand. The New 'York journalist, not to be outdone, produced a circular note, which happened to he a genuine one, and cashed it at Metiers. Cook's. After the trio had strolled down the Eninankumnt and obtained refreshment at a publichouse, the supposed American entrusted his Irish confederate with his money and jewellery. The latter and the journalist went for a stroll, the Irishman retaining possession of the money and 1 valuables. He told the journalist that he had formed a very favourable impression of their frieed. On their return to the public-house, he confirmed this by making the American a present of a bank note, at the same time returning his money and jewellery. Then it came to the journalist's turn, and without hesitation he parted with £7O, together with his watch and chain, with which the confederates at once walked off, saying, "Good-bye, old fellow, we shall be back in a few minutes." As soon as they had gone it dawned upon the journalist, who had heard and read ot the confidence trick, that he had been victimised, and he rushed out of the house in search of the swindlers, whom he was unable to find. He at once gave information to the police at Bow Street, but up to the present the Irishman and his confederate have not been arrested.  Prince Pignat.lli committed suicide at Naples on Friday, yshooting himself with a revolver. By the collapse of a river bank in Nebraska many dwellings were carried into the river, cod 10 persons were drowned. - •  Lily Wiggett, another victim of the explosion at the cartridge factory, Edmonton, died on Friday. This makes a fifth death. Under the will of the late Mr. George Woufinden, of Kenwood Bank, Sharrow, Sheffield, bequests amounting in all to £120,000 have been made to charitable institutions.