Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1877 — The Smuggled-Cigar Game. [ARTICLE]

The Smuggled-Cigar Game.

Veteran smokers are sold by shrewd swindlers, who are fruitful in devices. The commonest of these dodges is the sale of pretended smuggled cigars, and though it has been played times without number, and time out of mind in every seaport city of the globe, users of the weed are swindled ny it every week in the year in this very city of sharp pieople. The modus operandi is simple enough, but it takes a good actor to carry it through. The victim selected is always an inveterate smoker, who has been particularly marked by the swindler. The latter watches bis opportunity, and with a couple of boxes concealed under the pea-jacket which he dons for the occasion, he enters the counting-room of the unsuspecting man of business who is in the enjoyment of his third or fourth afternoon cigar. “Any cigars to-day, Captain?” he asks in a low voice, casting his eyes furtively around, as if he feared that he might be overheard. “ No,” is the curt answer. “ But these ain’t your common cigars, Cap’n; you can’t get none like v era at the Revere nor Parker Housc. See here,” lowering his voice. “ those cigars came from Havana, and there hain’t been no duties paid on ’em, neither. One of my own speculations. Had ten boxes, and sold ’em all but these two. They’re worth SSO a thousand. I’m beginning to feel a little resky, and my ship sails to-day, too. Let you have’em, if you’ll take both boxes, at half price.” “ Don’t want ’em,” saysthe merchant shortly, who is annoyed every hour in the day with all softs of applications for patronage. “Just try that, will you?” said the vender, nothing daunted, bursting the paper of one of the boxes, and taking out a cigar at random; “’t’wont cost you anything.” This is an appeal the merchant cannot resist. He takes the cigar, looks at it critically, smells of it, lights it. The first puff is enough. The man has told the truth. Such a cigar is hard to be had anywhere, and ne is conscious that it is worth even more than SSO a thousand. He can’t let such a chance slip, and yet he doesn’t feel that Tie ought to encourage smuggling. So he says, dissembling his eagerness: “That’s a fair cigar, certainly; but your price is wild. I’ll give you S4O for the two.” “You’re rough on a sea-farin’ man, Cap’n. Can’t you call it forty-five?” “Forty.” “Forty it is, then; but if my ship wasn’t goin’ to sail to-night vou couldn’t have them for twice that. Smugglin’ don’t pay for such small figures.’’ . The S4O are paid over, and the ownership of the boxes transferred; the swindler places himself on the other side of-the door as soon as possible, and seeks some other locality to repeat his clever operation. When the victim, full of anticipation, seeks his box for a seeond weed, he finds that he has purchased the vilest kind of a cab-bage-leaf article, which would be dear at fifty cents a thousand, the specimen having been a really fine, pure Havana cigar, used expressly as a bait. —Boston Journal of Commerce. The total nominal capital invested in all the railways of Great Britain is nearly $3,200,000,000. This is at the rate of $200,000 per mile of railway opened. More than $190,000,000 of capital pay no dividend; $270,000,000 less than 5 per cent., and only $25,000,000 more than 10 per cent.

Qrnimtt ««-»onmf evening. rvbil groaod *pio«-a m Kem i.. ViKngMptfln at Willis J. It.ue' Sffi* foßel fict. at WiHie J. eVfib and cigar cases i\ Willis J. T*>ea v drog store. Mia. Ira W. Ykomaw hn» returned frwm Ms R-crtern trip. A usos stock of Christmas sandy and nuts at Kern’s. A warn lot of ‘Writing desks at U'iHls J. Ime*' drug store. Kocstacbb cups and aaucera at Willie J. lints’ drug store. dim boots and shoes reduced in prices at Ludd Hopkins’. Tub best tea in town can be Willey & Sigler’s. Toys and holiday goods of every description, at C. -C. Starr’s. WeoMEM and willow ware in largerfusortmenis at Kern’s. Book*—The largest stock in town at Willis J. lines’ drug etoro. #ork, in endless variety, L Inies’ drng store, tlmse 25 cent silk bandit Willey A Sigler’s. t» stock of bronzed statfillis J. Inies’ drug store. vases— A splendid vari-

ety. at Willis J. lines’ drug store. jifc. pavin James has sold his h*tf*rwi4 store to Mr. H. V. Childera. Albums, finest a.enortment in the county, at Willis J. Imcs’ drug store. *ui *nrn f )jLx. Ktrx PmLLirs paid LaFayvisit the first of the. week. Card receivers, most handsome designs, at Willis J. lines* drug stere. Germantown yarns in great variety of colors, at P. J. Sears A C’o.’s. At Willey A Sigler’s is the jdaco to buy silk haudkerchiefs for 25 cents. " *F'‘‘ Jf: * Anew patterns of those lovely Polannaise goods left at F. J. Sears A Co.’s. Tots of every description, for thp holidays, at Willis J. lines’ drag store. Km Bo saei> alphabetical blocks sad dominoes at Willis J. lines’ drag Mora. Lamm* see those specie purses ai the New York Store, the neatgroceries as cheap as can be had in the market. CnsisTMAS and New Year’s gifts! Wonderful reduction in prices at Ludd Hopkins’. It will pay everybody wanting goods to call and see us at the Hopkins corner. Call at F. J. Sears A Co.’s and lock at those fine Irish poplins, only 40 cents per yard. Ewr jackets,, ladies’, children's. and misses', at* reduced prices, at Willey A Sigler’s. Fetal)—at the New York Store, a niee assortment of jewelry. Splendid holiday presents) Tiib aieest line of Germantown wool yarn, in colors, can be Fonnd at F. J. Sears A Co’.s. Con FficrroNkbv, the largest and best selected stock in town, at Willis J. lines’ drug store. . .

Photograph and autograph album*, an excellent assortment, at Willis J. lines’ drug store. Contractor llkgler, of the new Narrow Gauge, gave Tiib Union office a pleasant call Tuesday. Fanct chinaware, —Bohemian glassware and silver-plated ware for the holidays, at C."C. Stair’s. Finb gold and silver gilt perforated card board, in pink and other colors, at Willis J. lines’ drug store. Go 4o Kern’s grocery for glass asd qaeensware, pocket ami tablt cutlery, if you want to save money. Poetical, historical an«l biographical works, handsomely bound edition*, at Willis j. Imps’ drag •tore. Coffee, sugar, tea, rice, hominy, dried and canned fruits, cheaper at Kern’s xliaii any other house in the line of Hamburg edgings and embroidery, at greatly red need prices, at F. J. Scars «Ss Co.’s. Call and see them. Holiday goods. —The largest and/moet complete assortment ever Hroogbt to Rensselaer, at Willis .1. hues’ dwig atone. Tpte New York Store Las a very fin a display oT Christmas presents. No foolish trinkets but handsotiie an (I durable promts. It* nicest thibg fgy a holiday Erukaot is\pne of those all silk aadkerchiefo, only 7.5 cenu each, *t the New York Store. 4 hunt is being laid down on the ne’f narrow gauge'railroad, and prices on groceries are down at C. C. Starr’s new cash store. Nipr invoice of ladies’ cloaks, lateat styles, just at F. J. Bern St Co’.a. Call and see them. They art perfect beauties. It few large sized nllils, for ladies, which [>r leas than the goo<ls F. J. -Sears & Co. i ( New York Store and lapmere dress pattern i Christmas present, cents and sl.lO peri Ipacas at from 25 to j

Tiik holidays arc nearly at hand and C. C. Starr is rooeiving the largest stock of confectionery ever brougnt to this market. At Willis J. lines’ drug store is the largest stock of perfumery, stationery, soaps and hair brushes ever opened in Keuaselaer. Thk man that can’t buy at Willey A Sigler’s—enough to make him enjoy the holidays—should bring his wife to town with him.

For dried frnits go to C. C. Starr’s New Cash Store. He has instock peaches, apples, blackberries, prunes, currants, etc., etc. W k propose to invoice onr stock about January 10th, 1878. Until that time we shall sell all goods at marked down prices. Ludd Hopkins. County Treasurer Adams went to Indianapolis yesterday on bttai-i ness ot an official nature. Mr. Iloldridgc Clark is acting as his deputy. Fob confectioneries go to C. C. Stan’s; he hns the greatest vnriety of candy ever brought to the town. Also a choice lot of oranges just received, Onk of those buff linen table covers would make a splendid Christinas present. Call and see them at the New York Store. Prices $‘2.75 and 8a.50. Messrs. Wm. 11. A C. IItIOAPES have moved into their new quarters on the cast side ot Washington street. They fcoy liAvo one of the finest busincsswdipnts in Northern Indiana. V A full lins of Finzsr Bro.’s, Lorillard’s and other favorite brands of ping tobaccos, at C. C. Starr’s new cash-store. Also a nice line of fine cut tobaccos at from 50 to 80 cents per pound. RbMKMBEB the Sabbath school concerts to be given in the Presbyterian church to-inorrdw and Saturday evenings. They promise to be the best musical least Rensselaer has ever enjoyed. Gents fine shirts, cuffs and collars, cuff-buttons, scarf pins, bosom sets, scarfs, lies and hows in greater variety and nt lower prices than you can buy at any other house in town at the New. York Store. The largest etock of tea ever brought to this market oan be found nt C. C. Starr’s popular grocery, which is being sold at. bottom prices ‘■for cash. Cfrtl and examine his stock and learn prices before making purchases. Pockbt books, specie purses, fine toilet soaps, fine box paper and envelopes, linen and silk Itandkerchiefa, knit afooda for ohiUlrcn fmis.ves nnd Indies, nubias; facsinattirs,'kmtbbuds'Tdi andnumerous other goods which will be sold very cheap during Christmas times for presents at the New York Store.

Don’t fail to call at Willis J. lines’ drug store and look at his large and splendid stock of holiday goods. He his most everything that heart could wish, and is selling goods right down at lowest notches for cash. By all means examine his stock before purchasing holiday presents. You will save money by it. Mart. V. B. Warner was taken to Newton county last week on change of venue from Jasper county, to answer to the charge of complicity in the attempted bank robbery at this place last spring. lie was found guilty, fined S2O and costs, and sentenced to * term ot thirty days imprisonment. He was. taken to Fowler and is now in jail at that place. The Twenty Third Annual Meeting of the Indiana State Teachers’ Association, will be held in l’lymouth church, corner of Meridian and Circle streets, Indianapolis, December 26th, 27th and 28th, 1877- The railroads will carry numbers at about 'half regular fare, and hotels will entertain them at from 81.00 to $2.00 per day. A large attendance is expected. T*m meeting of the Jasper County Temperance Union held at the P«*fbyt*triaii church, fast Monday evening, was well attended despite the inclemency of the weather, and the exercises were of the most pleasing character. It being she last meeting in the quarter election ot officers to serve the ensuing quarter was held which resulted as follows: President, Mr. E. 11. Tharp; vice president, Mrs. R. 11. Purcnpile; secretary. Miss Maggie Hemphill; treasurer, Miss Emma Rhoades.

Don’t fail to witness the presentation of “The Fatal Glass” by “The 01.1 Thirteen,” at Starr’s new iiaii, Christinas evening. It is one of the best temperance plays ever written, and war have no tlonbt “The Old Thirteen” will do it justice. They will also present on Wednesday bv going, the beautiful and romantic drama entitled “Michael Erie,”., or “The Maniac Lover.” Remember, the proceeds arc to hr usetl for repairing tho old. eemetei y. W e bospoak for them crowdedttTnrsTticircircrmrng. ——— Pisimurr Lkk, of the Narrow Gauge railroad, was in town Tuesday. He reports work on tho line between Bradford and this point progressing as finely as could be expected under the circumstances. Notwithstanding the rain and mud lies are being delivered o»‘tke line of road and the work of, laying iron goes on. The grading is all done excepting one or two low places and these will be completed this week. If the ties could only be furnished as fast as needed the iron horse would reach Rensselaer by the first of January and usher in the new year by giving all our citizens a free ride. *

Y.AKutf stock of tiubias, searffc, hosiery, gloves, ties and etc., at Ludd Hopkins’. In looking nronnd for holiday goods do not.fail tooall at the New York Store and examine their goods, and you will bo astonished to see what a lot of uselul and valuable presents you can bay for so little money. From the Cimarron, N. M., News and Press of the Stli iust., we learn that Mr. Wm. 11. Terhune, aformer Rensselaer boy, and Miss Martha K. Jefferson, of Middletown, lowa, were united in wedlock on the 29th of last month. Speaking of tiie wedding the News and Press says: “The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride’s sister, Mrs. J. B. Dawson, and was the occasion of a wide-spread, oldfashioned hospitality. For the benefit of onr lady readers, who are always a little curious on this subject, wc will mention that the bride was dressed in a silver grey poplin, overskirt and basque, trimmed with shell trimming, and knifo-p I ailing,

lace scarf, and flowers, with a profusion of crepe lace, and dove colored veil.” The Union joins with the many friends ot the groom at this place in wishing himself and bride a happy and prosperous voyage upou the matrimonial sea. Tuft American people are shrewd and observant. They are not often deceived by sham pretentions, but when they arc they soon discover their error. If Willey A Sigler's boast of low prices for good goods Ltd been a sham-they would have long since discarded them and their goods, but finding there was not a claim put forth by them in behalf of their goods not justified the great consuming populace of 'Jasper county have given their emporium the preference. Scores of 6iniling countenances may be seen daily emerging from their door, warmed, clothed, and with their anus full of choice groceries sufficient formally days lienee, all for the small profits realized on pork sold at three and one-half cents per pound. A little money buys much at their store. The long time they have served the public only strengthens their popularity. They rank foremost among the mercantile philanthropists of the present day, and are endorsed by all close buyers. Their prices overcome and prevent the home furor and discord about big bills and bankrupt expenditures; the malarial discord of the home circle about Christmas presents is radically cured; it tones up the financial system; it banishes the dyspeptic despondency of hard times; it relieves the rheumatic cripple of high prices; in faet tbermrodo o£ business ha* a tendency to elevate the general wealth of community. Try the panaeea, and if one dose does not have the desired effect try again.

A party of onr citizens consisting of Messrs. M. L. Spitler, Willis J. Inies, Silas L. Swain, Dr. Ira C. Kelley, R. H. Purcnpile, Thos. J. McCoy, Charley Ensminger, Johnny Wambaugh, Bro. of the Sentinel, and the writer, *as jolly « lot of fellows as Rensselaer could muster, went ovor to Bradford, l»8t Sunday, on-a tour ot inspeetton of the new Narrow Gauge railroad. Arriving there about noon the first thing in order was to secure nourishment for the inner man, and food for the horses. This done, we wended our way down to the train, which, through the kindness of the company, was placed at onr disposal. It consisted of the beautiful new engine, “A. McCoy,” ar.d four flat about- IS(F of. The citizens of Bradford we boarded the cars, and it was not long until the engineer sounded the signal to start. It was only the work of a moment to put the train in motion, and soon we were whirling out of Bradford and rushing pelt mell through sand ridges and sloughs and over the prairie to ward Rensselaer at the rate of about twenty-five miles an hour. The first two miles of the road is Ballasted up and rides as smoothly as many of tho older' roads, hut when we reached the third mile, upon which the iron had just been iaid Saturday, and which had only been half tied, the engineer slackened the speed and we passed over it much slower than we did over that portion which is fully tied and ballasted. After passing over the line as far as the iron had been laid, the engine was reversed, and in less time almost than it takes to tell it, we were safely lauded in the busy liitle junction of Bradford, which point we had left only abot t an honr previous. It vis, indeed, a pleasant trip, and all were well satisfied that the Narrow-Gauge is just the thing, and that it will when completed supply the long felt want of cheap transportation. It will, eventually, be one of the best and most paying roads in tiie country.