Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1880 — Tumbled to It. [ARTICLE]

Tumbled to It.

There are games and games that the Chicago sharper plays on the unwary granger, and the latest of these isn’t the poorest kind of game in the world, if ho don’t pick up tho wrong, man. Passing along tho streets, any one looking like a holiday visitor may meet with the following experience: A man with a big ulster on, one pqgket of which, if closely noticed, is bulging, passes him at an O’Leary gait, gets right in front of him, stoops suddenly, and apparently picks up a small paper box. If you have passed him, he doubles up alongside of you and manages to open the psreel just alongside of you. “Halloa, I’m in luck to-day.” “What is it? ” “Just picked it up. Nice ring ain’t it?” “ Yes, it is.” He then tries it on his little finger; it is too small; pulls it off and glances inside. “Halloa! Can you read this for me? I’m short-sighted.” Somewhat poorly engraved within is “C. A. to Alice,” or some other such inscription. “Poor devil! He’s lost his girl ’siing—a New York ring, too. See, here’s the bill along with it.” : To Tiffany & Co., Dr. ; ; Deo. 3, : : New York. : : To one solid gold ring $9.50 : : Received payment. ; : a. b. c. : “That’s so.” “Well, it ain’t any use to me. Dash my luck. Wish it had been big enough, and I’d ha’ kept it. Suppose I can get $4 or $5 on it anyhow.” “What will you take for it?” “Well, seeing as how I just picked it up, I’ll let you have it for $3. But mum’s the word.” Now, if the party of the second part Bhould happen to be from the country, and unacquainted with the particular brand of ring that retails along with a pair of sleeve-buttons, a set of sbirtstuds and a diamond pin, “all for 25 cents,” he might pay the money and get the ring. Bat, unfortunately for the enterprising party of the first part, the man addressed “tumbled ” to the game. “I’ll give you 5 cents.” The party of the second part disappeared up the first flight of steps.— Chicago Tribune.