This legendary conman's dog trick exposed human nature's dark side

Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil (1875-1976) was a notorious conman with an "uncanny knowledge of human nature." One of his classic cons was tricking greedy Chicago barkeeps into buying worthless dogs. He'd waltz into the bar, dressed in finery, and hand the barkeep ten dollars and a leash attached to a dog, spinning a tale about a priceless hunting hound and an urgent bank appointment.