308 A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



started for an officer. Thinking he was only feigning, Peter 

 told him to go ahead, but, seeing him in earnest, he called him 

 back and agreed to refund the money. He was going to deduct 

 the " usual commission of two dollars and a half," but threats 

 of another sally after the police brought him to his senses, 

 and he gave back the whole amount and ordered us away. 



Repassing in a few moments we saw the machine in full 

 running order again, stool-pigeons and all, and with the 

 requisite amount of raw material lying around for working 

 up. They seem to separate and get together by magic. 



Such is the experience of two persons who prided them- 

 selves on their knowledge of the world. The truth was that 

 we were completely under the influence of the Peter Funks, 

 as was shown by the sequel. If those cognizant of their tricks 

 are thus swindled, why wonder at the number of uninformed 

 strangers who are duped by these knaves ? A kind of spell 

 seems thrown around you, and forgetting all former advice 

 and experience you unconsciously allow yourselves to be 

 drawn into the snares set for you, to come out shamefully 



swindled. 



* * * * 



Enjoying the hospitality of New York for two nights and a 

 day, as I could not leave sooner, I left on the morning of May 

 30th, and before noon came in sight of the Delaware River — 

 a stream familiar to me from my earliest recollections, but 

 which I had not seen for thirteen months. A ride of twenty- 

 three miles and old landmarks around Lumberton became 

 visible, and with the depressed feeling, which we sometimes 

 experience more when nearing home after a long absence in 

 distant lands than when leaving it, I came in sight of the 

 old mill, river-landing, lumber-yard and quarry, and all 

 which made up the little village where I passed my life. 

 Soon traversing the winding valley of the Cuttalossa, which 

 the sinking sun was fast throwing in shadow, my old home 



