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Show A MANITOBA SPECULATION. Angus Macdonald was a farmer from Charlotteburg, County of Glengary, who arrived in Winnepeg a few days ago. Angus, in his own estimation and in the estimation of his friends was a shrewd man. He was hardly in the place before an old acquaintance of his ran up against him, slapped him on the back in a friendly way and said: "I'm glad you've come up. I was just going to send for you." After the greetings were over he continued. "By the way Angus, you own a farm out near Minnedosa?" "Yes." "How much will you take for it?" "I don't know," said Angus. "I thought of settling on it myself." "Well, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll give you $6,000 for it." Angus thought before leaving Glengary that if he got $2,000 for it he would be doing well, but he was now in the land of booms and so he asked for it $6,500. "Well, here's $50 on the bargain and we'll sign the papers tomorrow." And the purchaser rushed off. Before two hours had passed Angus ran against another old acquaintance. "Glad to see you, Angus, glad you came up. There's a splendid chance for you. By the way, I see you registered as owning a farm near Minnedosa. How much do you want for the farm?" "I've just sold it." Said Angus. "How much did he give you?" "Six thousand five hundred dollars." "The dickens you did. Why, I'll give you $15,000 for it. You go to the purchaser and get him to release you and I'll give you the $15,000." Angus wished that he was back in St. Raphaels or anywhere else since he made such a fool of himself. However, all he could do was to try and get the farm back. So whom does he run across within fifteen minutes but purchaser No. (Number) 1. Says Angus - "I'm sorry I sold you my farm. I'd like to, get it back. Here's your $50, and we'll be back where we were." "Oh, I can't do that. I bought the farm and will have the papers ready tomorrow." After further haggling Angus offered him $500 to break the bargain. With great reluctance the first purchaser takes the $500 - 100 new 3 Y's on the Bank of Montreal - and gave back to Angus the temporary agreement of sale. Angus was happy again and set out to find buyer No. (Number) 2. He found him but No. 1 (Number) 1 and No. (Number) 2 were pal confidence men. Angus was the sucker from Ontario, and $450 was the net amount that they stung him for. |