FREAK OF A LUNATIC.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2614, 13 April 1889, Page 5 (Supplement)

FREAK OF A LUNATIC.

Ax escaped lunatic played a good joke on prominent people at Hot, Springs Arkansas, the other day. Us entered the town representing , himself as a millionaire from California, and wanting to engage a dozen persons for (jfood positions at salaries from 4000 to 8000 dollars a year. This talk was eagerly swallowed by the people, and they became closely attached to the old man, who paid his name was Harper. A good supper was given in his behalf by about fifty men, mid there were flowers, wines, and mit.iio. At the banquet the old man said he wished to give his friends & genuine mark of his affection. He produced a armful of cheques. " These, friends," said ho, ' contain my cheques for various amounts and the only stipulation I make is that they may not be opened until to-morrow. Then there was more rejoicing-, and tlio old man was fairly worshipped. One woman could not stand the pressure and r.in home and opened her envelope. Sim found it contained the loaf of an did almanac wilh proverbs like this, " A fool and his money arc sonu. patted," ''All that flitters is not fold,'' &c. Boiling with indignation she returned lolhe banquet riinin* ar.d showed her cheque. Then 'hero was a simultaneous operiin,- of cheques and a sreno followed. All c>>nt'litied pieces of almanac jukes. Tin; old man w.'is put in jail on a charge of fraud. The specific charge was obtaining 1 80 dollars f ram Squire Witter. It devrloped that, the old mini was an escipcd hi-iutii: from .Jacksonville. Illinois, named Janus Sykes.