Following the lead of Edgar Allan Poe, you might try "diddling."

dennis eddings
On Sep 26, 2013, at 8:09 PM, Arianne wrote:

> Thanks!  I still feel entertained by the possibility.
> 
> Arianne
> 
> 
> On Thu, Sep 26, 2013 at 2:10 PM, Robert E Stewart <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> I checked California newspapers up to 1870 (cdnc.ucr.edu) and find lots of
>> hits on "confidence man" but none for any abbreviation thereof: con man,
>> con  job, &c.  Bob Stewart, Carson City
>> 
>> 
>> In a message dated 9/26/2013 1:43:55 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
>> [log in to unmask] writes:
>> 
>> Are you  familiar with the pseudonym for a writer in the 1860s for the
>> St.Louis  Republican, Hans Patrick Le Connor?  I wonder if the "Le Connor"
>> could  be in the spirit of "Josh" and "Snook."  Were there references  to
>> con-men in those days?
>> 
>> Am grateful for your contributions  here.  Thanks
>> 
>> Arianne  Laidlaw
>> Sacramento
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Arianne Laidlaw A '58