THE OATMEAL DODGE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 8698, 5 January 1907, Page 1

THE OATMEAL DODGE.

It reminds me of the oatmeal dodge, said tho detective. He was speaking of an ingenious swindle that had been worked successfully on a shopkeeper. The oatmeal dodge, he continued, was worked on a grocer in the suburbs. A man entered the shop and engaged the grocer in conversation. While they talked a youth came in. “Do you sell oatmeal ?” the newcomer asked. “Yes,” said the grocer. “The very best. How much ” But the man interrupted. “ I just wanted to know,” he said. “ Good day,” and he walked out. The grocer, looking a little disappointed, resumed his conversation with the stranger. In a few minutes a second youth appeared. '• Do you sel! oatmeal ?” he asked. “ Yes,” the grocer answered. “ Thank you. Good day.” And this young man also dis- 1 appeared. •’ Well, what the deuce ?” ex- ■ claimed the grocer. “ But, as we were saying," he resumed, and the interrupted conversation went briskly on. f

Soon a third youth entered the shop. He said, “Do you sell oatmeal ?” “ Yes,” the grocer snapped. “ Thank you. Good day.” And this young man departed—on a run. For the grocer, thoroughly enraged at last, had rushed upon him. He had, however, a clean pair of heels. The grocer was unable to overtake him. So, after a chase of a hundred yards or so he returned breathless. He found the first man gone. The shop was empty. So was the till. Once more the oatmeal dodge bad succeeded.