THE EXPERT FENCER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2171, 2 September 1920, Page 2

THE EXPERT FENCER.

HOW IFF EARNED £IOO IN ONE DAY. Taihape, August 51. There strolled into the town of Taihape a harmless-looking gentleman, who was dressed’befitting the calling lie professed to follow —a

fencer. He was bearded, and wore a, red handkerchief about bis neck. Strolling into a bank, he informed (lie officials that he intended to open an account.

He deposited £f, and asked lor a cheque-book. This Avas supplied, and the fencer quietly proceeded to stroll round town and make a few purchases. He was methodical in his methods, and had taken I he,, precaution of ringing several linns up last week and pricing various goods. When lie presented himself lie was Avelcoined eagerly by the simpkeeper to whom he had already introduced himself over the ’plume. He gave out that he had been fencing for Mr F. J. Lysnar, of Gisborne, who recently purchased the Waionrn station, and had earned good money. His purchases ranged from a .-nit of (dollies to a clock, and in each instance he tendered in payment a cheque for £lO hearing the signature of F. J. l.vsnar and endorsed

“Fencing.” Altogether the quiet and unassuming fencer visited some ten tradespeople, and in each instance paid for the purchase with an identical cheque for £l(i bearing the signal are “F. J. ■Lvsmuv'

In one shop the cheque wa> taken to the office by the salesman. “He’s all right,” smilingly declared the manager, “He’- just bought Waio--11 rii station.’’

()lie Chinese fruiterer was fleeced of £l.l, and the fencer, as he did in. ■most instances, asked that the goods he sent on to him. The only instance in which loss Avas prevented was in the ease of the manager of Mr T. F. Thomas’ Taihape branch. Mot being at all satisfied regarding ,tbe bona tideof the stranger, this manager rang' up the banj<.

He got Ihe reply i tin 1 the money was not -there yet, hut would he'deposited the following' morning. The mu ran his man to earth, and (old Idm that there were no funds at (he hank to meet the ehef|ue. “There should he/’ replied the fencer. "However, I have some money on me which does not belong (o me. 1 will let you have your money out of that.”

The fencer did so, and strolled out of town the richer by about £IOO, and some valuable goods.

There are about a dozen wiser bufy sadder business men in Taihape whom it is not safe to even whisper the subject of fencing. The forgeries wen; very cleverjy done, each cheque being written in clear legible characters, and the figures tilled in in business-like fashion.