SAN FRANCISCO SHARPERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5372, 15 June 1878, Page 3

SAN FRANCISCO SHARPERS.

Tho following is a true talc of tho experience of a New Zealand resident who fell among sharpers in San Francisco. His story is a simple ono, told in plain language : “The day after my arrival I went on board the for the purpose of receiving the package containing my purse, which was in charge of the purser. I put it in my pocket, and was returning to the hotel, when I was accosted by a man who, calling me by name, said he was Mr. Henry, land once had the pleasure of being a fellow-passenger with mo from Honolulu to San Francisco. He then asked if Captain was on board the , and I refilled I thought not. He expressed regret at this, saying he had some splendid specimens of quartz, which he wished to show him, and ho asked me if I would favor him by taking charge of the specimens, as he was leavin" town for Arizona, and would not have an opportunity of seeing his late friend the captain. I answered in theaffirmative, when he said, ‘ Would it bo troubling you too much to 'step tho distance of a block with me to the hotel where I left the specimens. It being the middle of tho day I did not hesitate to accompany him, and we entered a building in street which had the appearance of a first-class hotel. Mr. Henry asked tho barman in tho saloon for the specimens ho had loft in tho morning, and tho barman replied that a gentleman hail just called for themtohavo.thoin assayed. Henry immediately appologised for taking mo so far for nothing. At tho same time another sharper—l can call them nothing e ] se camo up, called mo by name, proffered his hand, and commenced a conversation about our voyage, &c. A third man, who appeared intoxicated, came rolling up and asked if wo would not have a drink, as bo had just returned from tho diggings with 30,000 dollars. Ho wanted to shout for all hands. I refused of course (Mr. is a total abstainer). I chanced to put my hand into ray pocket, ami missed ray pocket-book. 1 looked round and saw tbo man who bad pretended to bo under the influence of liquor pushing into his pocket something which I uuspected to be my purse. I at onco perceived that Henry had induced mo to go to tho ——— Hotel for tho purpose of robbing mo, and I charged him and tho others with theft, Before I could have them arrested, they escaped. I wont to tho Inspector of Folipo and gave him a description of tho men, and took a detective to the hotel, I having offered £lO reward for tho recovery of tho money. At 7 o dock the same evening tho detective called with tho purse and its contents just as it had boon

taken out of my pocket. Of course I had to pay the 50 dollars reward which I had previously offered.”' v . .As tho sum lost was about £IOO, it may ho imagined that the 50 dollars would he paid gladly. The other side of tho story, that of the thieves, would bo a more exciting tale than tho above, which has the merit of being true, and unadorned by sensational additions evolved from the fancy of the owner of tho purse, ' '