Page 50 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1424, 15 June 1899, Page 50

A SMART SWINDLE

“A new form—or is it a revival?— of the ‘old fiddle’ swindle is reported from Vienna. Some days ago a young fellow carrying a fiddle under his arm entered a ham and beef shop. Having made his purchase, he discovered lie had not enough money to pay for it; so he begged the tradesman to take his fiddle, which he was going to hav e repaired, as security, whilst lie went home and fetched the balance. He had scarcely left the shop when a welldressed gentleman stepped in to make a purchase, and cast his eye on the violin. After a few minutes’ inspection he exclaimed, ‘This is a fine instrument, by one of the old masters; I’ll give you 150 florins for it.’ The shopkeeper explained that he could not sell it without consulting the owner, and so the connoisseur went off, leaving 5 florins to secure the refusal of the treasure. Presently the original customer came back, and being informed of the offer, agreed to a deal, provided he had 80 florins down. The sum was at once paid by the innocent middleman. Needless to say,” remarks the “Daily Chronicle,” which tells the story, “lie has never seen vile virtuoso again, and the value of the fiddle turns out to be os.”

A presentation of a purse of sovereigns is to be made to Mr J. H. Love, who is about to sever his connection with the Government railway service in order to join the Poonah Mission.

INDIGESTION SPEEDILY CURED BY Condy’s Fluid. Book of Directions and Physicians’ Reports on every liottle. Jold Everywhere. Insist on buying “COWDY’B FLUID.” CDNDY & MITCHELL, of LONDON, ENGLAND, are the Sole Manufacturers. *