Year: 1873

the significant words-Be,oare of pick-
pockets He put his hand impulsively upon
his pocket to feel if his wallet was there
Finding it all right, then he leisurely
started up Lake street.


The busy hustle and noise of the town
confused and nearly deafened him; he
looked this way and that at the various
objects that were new and strange to him
At last he came to the front of an elegant
store where he observed a man engaged in
a sharp dispute with a truckman upon the
sidewalk.


- say said the truckman, "I was not
to leave these goods 'ere till you paid the
balance due on em."


He pointed with his whip to large pile
of merchandise that he had apparently
just unloaded from the truck.


Deacon David DulldoZar regarded the
men closely; perhaps here was chance
for a speculation; he was always ready to
get all he could for nothing.


" But tell yOu," said the well dressed
man, who was evidently the proprietor of
the fine store before mentioned, 1.-The
bank isn't opened yet, come round here
at ten O'Clock and I'll settle with YOU"
The man commenced to move the goods as
if he would reload them upon his truck.





DulldoZer moment and then pleasantly
asked:


Stranger, are you in much of hurrys''


mo, not pertickilarly," said the Dea-
con.


Could you lend me hundred dollars
for an hour? I'll give you ten dollars for
the use of it,"


Now how natural it is for man to take
ri ltap of no, Lo +i,I, h
in any particular strait. Here was a
sharp investment for the Deacon. He
would realize enough out of this little
his journey, but he wasn't TO be easily
caught.


Couldn't you make it fifteen dollars9"
he asked inditferently


Couldn't think Of such thing" said
the merchant shaking his head uneasily.


s. Say twelve, then; dollar or two isn't
worth disputing about"


The Deacon, still suspicious, COM
menced pulling the goods open; he
9 want going to be fooled with sawdust"
lie said (s0tt0 U0ce). He found them to be
of great value.


" But see here" said the Deacon. "If
anything should happen what have | got
to show for em? S'posin you just give me
bill O sale o these afore | give YOU the
money. I'll give it up when you redeem
EN-"


Nonsense, who ever heard Of giving a
bill of sale for an hour


" | don't keer, biZness is biZnessn


The truckman was getting impatient.
The merchant bid him wait and mind the
goods few moments and he would settle
with him.


They crossed the street and entered a
lawyers office; bill of sale was made out
conveying the goods to the Deacon. 1t
was signed, sealed and delivered, and the
Deacon paid over the money-one hun
dred dollars-to him. 1t was a considerable
sum but the goods were worth ten times
that amount. They returned to the side
walk where the merchant paid the impa-
tient truckman, who departed grumbling
at the delay he had caused him. At last
the merchant said: You wait here by
the goods until | 90 over to the bank |
will be back in three quarters Of an hour
and settle with you" Saying this, he
passed around the corner and disappeared


For awhile the Deacon strobe up and
down in front of the store.


He again examined the merchandise to
assure himself tAat he had not been beaten :;
at last he sat down on one of the bales
and patiently awaited the merchants re-
turn.


Presently stout man came out of the
store, dragging a heavy truck after him.


As he observed Deacon David Dull
dozer, he grutfiy said:


Get off n them goods.n


''These goods are minc" said the worthy
deacon, with significant inclination of
his head and an emphatic movement with
his green cotton umbrella.


The man broke into roar. The Dea-
con grew more puzzled than ever.


please get out of the way" continued
the man. Il want to move them into the
store"


But these goods are mine" repeated the
Deacon, persistently.


"Yourn. be you crazy? Why this is
that just came this morn
ing"


II know it." replied Deacon David
Dulldozer; "but I've bought en-


The porter put his head into the store
door and called out to some one within.
Presently pleasant-faced gentleman, with
gold spectacles and white necktie came to
the door.


''IIev' you been sellin' these goods to
this gentleman?" asked the porter


why. no, not that | am aware Of said
the newcomer.


II bought 'em of your partner, l
s'pose,n said the deacon, uneasily. Here's
the bill o sale he gave me-"


The old gentleman took it, glanced at
it and smiled.


My good friend" said he, "they have
been playing a confidence game upon
you"


Deacon David Dulldozer was astonish-
ed. The boldness of the game that had
been played upon him, was beyond a par
allel in his long experience.


lie was too sharp not to be soon con-
vlnced that he had been most cleverly
swindled, There was nothing left for him
to do but to return home, which he did at
his earliest opportunity, like Moses before
him, having to borrow money from the
merchant TO carry him there He was
singularly reticent about explaining the
cause of his sudden and unexpected re-
turn, though Moses Knapp strongly sus-
pected the cause. He ever after studiously
avoided Chicago, and Chicago investments
in particular


The moral of the foregoing is Do not
be too communicative with utter strang
ers, nor over jealous in getting something
for nothing-Oar Fireside Friend


A COUPLE appeared before a clergyman
in Sandy Hill, n Y, few days since
and desired to be united in the bonds of
matrimonv They were directed to place
themselves in position, and, just as the