Part 45 (2/2)
Swindler number one takes the ball, examines it, and declares that it must be solid. The accomplice then presses the spring, and the centre drops out. He then unscrews one of the chambers, and reveals the paper to the admiring stranger and swindler number one. The accomplice's attention is here called away for a moment, and swindler number one, quietly winking at the stranger, abstracts the paper from the chamber, screws the lid on, and replaces the centre in the ball. Handing it back to the accomplice, he whispers to the stranger that he is about to win some money. He then bets the accomplice a sum which he thinks proportioned to the means of the stranger, that there is no paper in the ball. The bet is promptly taken by the accomplice. Swindler number one finds that he has no money, and asks the stranger to lend him the amount, offering to divide the winning with him. The stranger, who has seen the paper abstracted from the ball, is sure his new-found friend will win, and not being averse to making a little money on the spot, produces the desired amount, and hands it to his friend. The accomplice then opens the second chamber, reveals the duplicate piece of paper, and claims the stakes. The stranger loses his money, and is taught a useful lesson. He may apply to the police, if he wishes to do so, but the probabilities are that he will never see either his ”friends” of the safe, or his money, again.
POCKET-BOOK DROPPING.
This is a common occurrence in New York, and it is well for strangers to be on their guard against it.
A gentleman was once standing in front of a handsome show window on Broadway, gazing at the wares it contained, when he felt himself tapped on the shoulder. Looking around, he saw a well-dressed man standing by him, holding in his hand a well-filled pocket-book.
”Did you drop this, sir?” asked the stranger. ”I have just picked it up at your feet.”
”It is not mine,” said the gentleman, feeling for his own wallet, and finding it safe.
”Strange,” said the man. ”It was lying at your feet.” As he spoke he opened it, and revealed several heavy rolls of bills. ”There must be several thousand dollars here,” he said.
”What are you going to do with it?” asked the gentleman.
”I don't know,” said the man. ”I'm a stranger in the city, and I am compelled to leave town in a couple of hours. This pocket-book will undoubtedly be advertised to-morrow, and as the amount it contains is heavy, the reward will be large. Do you stay in town to-day, sir?” he asked, suddenly.
”Yes,” said the gentleman, ”I shall be here several days.”
”Then I will turn the pocket-book over to you,” said the man, after thinking a moment. ”You can advertise it. Give me twenty dollars, and take the wallet.”
”What do you suppose will be the reward offered?” asked the gentleman.
”Not less than fifty dollars. In that case you will make thirty dollars clear.”
”Why don't you keep the money?”
”Sir,” said the man, sharply, ”do you take me for a thief?”
”Not at all,” was the reply. ”I meant no offence.” The gentleman was thoughtful or a moment, and then drew out his wallet. The fellow, he reasoned, was evidently an honest man. The owner of the wallet would certainly reimburse him for the amount he paid the finder, and might offer more and the contents of the wallet would insure him against loss. He hesitated a moment longer, and then handed the man two ten dollar bills. The stranger gave him the pocketbook, and after a few words more, walked off.
At the first opportunity, the gentleman examined the notes in the wallet carefully. They were all of the denomination of ten dollars, and amounted in all to five thousand dollars, _but were each and every one counterfeits of the very grossest character_. He had paid twenty dollars for a lot of worthless trash, and the game was now plain to him.
This method of swindling is still very popular with the rogues of the city.
THIMBLE RIGGING.
The headquarters of this game are in the neighborhood of the City Hall and Printing-house Square.
”The 'little joker' is a very simple trick, and yet, from its very simplicity, all the more successful in entrapping the unwary. The apparatus is (occasionally) a small stand, three bra.s.s thimbles and a little ball, resembling, in size and appearance, a green pea. Often the former is dispensed with, and the crown of a hat or the knees used instead. The 'rigger,' in the most _nonchalant_ manner imaginable, places the ball apparently under one of the thimbles, in plain view of the spectators, and offers to bet any sum that 'it isn't there.' Our friend from the country who is looking on, an interested spectator--is astonished at such a proposition, and looks upon the individual making it as little better than a fool; for didn't he see the ball placed under the thimble, and therefore must it not be there still? His idea on this point is soon confirmed--a bystander takes up the bet, the thimble is raised, and there sure enough is the ball--just where _he_ knew it was!
”Again the ball is covered, and once more the bet is offered. Eager to prove his sagacity, our friend produces a 'V' or 'X spot' and covers the sharper's money. The thimble is raised, a moment of expectation, a single glance, and _the ball is gone_! A shout of laughter from the swindler and his confederates standing around, announces the fact that the gentleman from the rural districts has been 'sold.' Pocketing, not his money, but his loss, the victim walks away disconsolate, painfully conscious that he has been 'done,' not only out of his cash, but has had the wool pulled over his eyes in a (to him) most incomprehensible manner.”
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