A cautionary tale from the Minneapolis Tribune:

MATCHING BILLS IS SUCH FUN!

Sightseer Misses Bus,
Gets Taken for $500 Ride

William Priebe, 25, missed a trip on a sight-seeing bus in Minneapolis Tuesday. Instead, he got an expensive view on how some of the city’s sharper citizens operate.

The Michigan City, Ind., man was approached by a stranger in the bus depot. Learning Priebe was going to Lake Louise, Canada, on a fishing trip, the stranger said, my, my, isn’t that a coincidence, so am I.

MISSES BUS

While discussing fish lures, sucker bait, etc., Priebe missed the bus which would have taken him on a nice tour around Minneapolis lakes.

The stranger said to never mind, he would show Priebe the city. Outside the bus station, by another coincidence, the stranger picked up a friend.

Afternoon coffee is a Minneapolis custom, the strangers told Priebe, and what fun it is to match for the bill.

Priebe matched coins with the men, getting free coffee.

The matching continued until the second stranger and Priebe each lost $500 to Priebe’s bus station friend. The second stranger paid up immediately and insisted that Priebe do the same.

COUGHS UP $500

Priebe cashed several traveler’s checks and handed the winner the $500. Just then, a motorcycle policeman came by and the winner hastily pocketed the money.

“We better scatter. I think he knows we’ve been gambling,” said the stranger. “I’ll see you later in the bus station and we’ll resume our fishing trip.” But, Priebe sadly told police, his fishing companion never reappeared.

The Union Bus Depot on North Seventh Street in Minneapolis in April 1950. Look familiar? (Photo courtesy mnhs.org)

This entry was posted on Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 12:17 am and is filed under Crime, Main. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.