Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1896 — A Smooth Swindler. [ARTICLE]

A Smooth Swindler.

One of the most daring operations oil Francis J. Alvany, the ex-convlct, who has Just finished serving the legal part of a nine years’ sentence lu the Maryland penitentiary, was his swindling of the late Hon. Samuel J. Randall, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Randall was sitting In the room of the Ways and Means Committee in the national Capitol one morning—so the story goes—when a “Mr. George YV. Childs Drexel” was announced. Mr. Itandall told the attendant to show in the son of his old friend, the Philadelphia banker, at once. “Why, how do you do, my boy?” said Mr. Randall as a young man entered the room. “How do you do, Mr. Randall? I’m awfully glad to see you, but I don’t believe I’d have had time to come to see you had I not wanted something. I only stopped over in Washington to attend to some business for father on my way South. I sturted to leave and I found that I didn't have any money. I’ve got a check, but I need to be identified. Will you identify me?” “Why, certainly,” was the reply, “but I'm very busy here and I hate to leave. Won’t my cheek do as well? You can get that cashes] at my hotel. How much do you want? “One thousand dollars will do,” wasp the answer. The great Pensylvanian drew his cheek, gave it to the young man, and the latter went out. Not until the next day did Mr. Randall know that he’d been swindled by “Hungry Joe.” Then the real George W. Childs Drexel called and was promptly shown the door. The mistake was finally explained, and Mr. Randall said that he was not sure that it wasn’t worth what it cost to know how easily lie could be swindled. Ho said Alvuny's make-up was perfect. Consider the glorious possibilities og a man with such attainments.—Philadelphia Times. Stick to the sheep If wool is low. The sheep will come out on top yet