CONFIDENCE TRICK

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1920, Page 4

CONFIDENCE TRICK

THE LATEST VERSION

The ways in which the unwary may be “taken down” in this busy, bustling world are many and varied, (says the

“Otago Times”). The latest “take down” spoken of in Dunedin is really so strikingly simple that it is a wonder that anyone could be gulled by it. Probably jlioweyer, its effectiveness really lay in its simplicity. The story goes that a “shepherd” from the country bad been having a right royal time at a Dunedin hostelry. Indications began to point to the fact that the land-lord was beginning to grow restive under the repeated injunctions to put it on tho slate.. I’ll-square up when I leave. It was then that the landlord was called to the telephone and told that the head of a leading stock and station ■ agency was speaking. The landlord was asked if , tlie° shepherd, was staying at his hotel, and answered in the affirmative. The landlord was then told that it was time the shepherd was getting back to his station, and that he might do his very best to get him on the express for tho north next morning. and give him a £lO note to see him home. He, the merchant, would square up everything. The landlord next morning used his utmost persuasion to get the shepherd to the station, and succeeded, and finally pushed a

£lO note into his hand. Conscious of dclv faithfully fulfilled he later in the morning rang'up the merchant to tell him of his success in getting the man away It was a staggered landlord who a minute or two later hung up tho receiver. The merchant liad wanted to know what he was talking about—what shepherd?'—what £lO note? He knew nothing about it It was with a savage glint in liis eye that the landlord resumed his work in the bar.