It is with no small satisfaction that we
give a record of the following exploit:
On Friday last, being the term day and feeing market at Huntlv, a party
of six thimblers rigging gentry commenced plying their vocation on the
turnpike road about a mile from town. They were not long in finding an
excellent dupe to experiment upon. A farm servant who had just got his
wages paid him (£6) chanced to pass and induced to take an intrest in
the game played amongst the thimblers themselves; and was soon prevailed
upon to stake £l, and then £2, and then another £2 — which, having lost,
he would play no more. He came into Huntly, but was advised to go in
pursuit, which he did with some companions. The "birds had flown,"
however, and they were just deliberating, about the propriety of giving
up the chase, when they were joined by a woebegone looking person, from
the Glens of Foudland, who communicated the sad news of his having been
also duped of £4 by the thimblers, near Newton Gerrie Inn. Enraged at
this intelligence, they then and there agreed to proceed in a body by
the Defiance coach in pursuit. They were not long in coming up with tho
gang, when down they got from the coach, and to the infinite amusemonl
of the guard, driver, and passengers, demanded instant restitution, or,
failing which, immediate annihilation! The whole of the money, £9, was
given up, after a scuffle, and, to crown the business, the pursuers,
being the strongest party, insisted on the necessary expenses being made
good, when, with some reluctance. the thimblers paid, the amount claimed
being £1 for coach hire, etc. Were these scoundrels to get served out a
few times in this fashion it might make their calling anything but a
profitable one, and we should soon hear no more of them. "Aberdeen
Journal." May 31, 1854. |