Skip to main content

Scamish [ Scam Amish ]





Inspired by true events.


Amish. A word that says a lot.

A culture. A religion. A way of life. And even a cult according to some.

This people holds more fascination over people than probably any other in the 21st century. Maybe it's because they look like they belong to the 1800's.

The thing is most people know absolutely nothing about the Amish. That's right. Nothing. All those books and movies out there portray a false image of Amish.

So much that some people that shouldn't, get mistaken for Amish.

One such man is named Lawrence Miller.

He knows a lot about the Amish. And even has the same mutual fascination for them as most people.

Only difference is he actually knows them.

That's why he isn't one of them.

Still, being an Amish man can have its ups. And it is rather awesome.

So, pretending to be Amish is what he does. And he fools just about everyone.

He lives on a small farm with his wife and five small children all under eight. The kids are homeschooled and have big grins - two factors that people use as proof that they are Amish.

They raise all sorts of animals - cows, goats, sheep, chicken, peacocks, Muscovy ducks, horses, turkeys and even dogs and cats. I'm sure they have even more, but that's all I've seen myself.

Mr Miller does construction on the side - something a lot of Amish will do. But mostly he's a farmer.

Unlike Amish, he does have internet and a house phone. He loves Craigslist and advertises his livestock, eggs, milk and produce as well as other things.

One day Mr Miller gets a call from a real Amish man wanting Muscovy ducks.

"I didn't know any Amish lived that a ways!?" He's pretty excited. He gets along with them pretty well.

The man - Benjamin Masher, assures him there are Amish there, then makes arrangements to meet him. "Just as soon as I can get someone to drive me down there," Benjamin says.

Amish do not drive cars, but horse and buggies. If they need to go some where far they hire someone to drive them.

Lawrence says nothing about being Amish himself. He never actually tells anyone that he is Amish, people just assume it. But he never tells them that he's not.

The next week Benjamin comes out to buy the Muscovy ducks.

Lawrence is all ready and waiting when the car pulls up.

Benjamin - a plump man with a short beard - gets out from the front passenger seat.

Lawrence tries to hide a smile a smile as he looks at this man. He's wearing regular "English" denim jeans and a pair of suspenders over an old faded t-shirt. An old straw hat sits upon Benjamin's head and it isn't in the Amish style. His hair has a slight Amish cut. That is all.


Benjamin is not an Amish man.

Benjamin stammers when he introduces himself to Lawrence. It is evident to Lawrence that Benjamin knows nothing about Amish.

"Oh. I didn't know you were Amish."

Even though Lawrence's outfit is not genuine Amish it is closer than Benjamin's. His beard is longer. His hat is the real deal. And he has the Amish bowl haircut.

Lawrence laughs a little. He shows the ducks to Benjamin. Benjamin gives the money to him without complaint.

Normally he would jew a man down, but Benjamin isn't in the mood.

After his embarrassment subsides a little, Benjamin starts asking more questions about how Lawrence does things.

Depending on the question, Lawrence answers some according to how he does things and some to how the Amish do them.

Benjamin was fascinated.

"Wow!"

He would have talked all day, but his driver honked the horn, impatient.

"So, you don't drive?" Lawrence asked curious.

"No, its another one of those things that tie you down, ya know."

"Yeah." Lawrence smiled inwardly. He drove. He'd rather be tied down in that way than obliged to another person.

"We'll, thanks for the ducks. Can I come visit the community some time soon?"

"Yep. Sure can!"

"Thanks." Benjamin shook Lawrence's hand then climbed into the car.

As Lawrence watched Benjamin drive away he started laughing. He laughed so hard, his voice could be heard over the whole farm.

He'd have some story to tell tonight. Benjamin still didn't know that Lawrence was no Amish man.

Lawrence had tricked the tricker without even trying.


~ Keturah Lamb

Comments

  1. Hey, I just wanted to make sure that you are aware of the fact that the term "jew a man down" is derogatory and can be taken offensively. Aside from that, I liked your story. (After you've given it some thought, feel free to remove this comment or don't let it show up in the comments- I don't really know how blogs work.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for letting me know, but its not meant to be derogatory but artistic. It is a common phrase in a lot of cultural stories including the Dear America series. :)

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!! That is really funny!!!!! People still ask us if WE are Amish and we SOOOO aren't!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haha! Enjoyed the post Keturah!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Living Like The Amish: Interviews With Three "English" Families PART I

Many people are obsessed with the Amish. I know at one time I was as well, and to a degree I still am. But my perception  has changed with experience. It started a long time ago when my family went to an Amish-held auction (no, it's not a place where you can buy Amish children, but a place where you can buy things from the Amish). I was eleven years old and enthralled to be surrounded by so many Amish. I loved the cockscomb flowers they sold everywhere. I bought a whole box for $2 and dried them for seeds so I could plant my own. But then I experienced my first reality shock concerning the Amish. I had assumed since they lived a simpler life everything about them was completely old-fashioned and natural. Imagine my horror when I saw Amish walking around with soda cans and store-bought ice cream. " Mom ," I said. "He's drinking soda!"  Left to right, back row: Jonny, Jonathan (Dad). Front row: Jacob, Keturah, Rebekah (Mom), Jonah (on Mom's

How Bad Can I Be?: Lyrics That Make You Go "Wow!"

How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just doin' what comes naturally How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just following my destiny How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just doin' what comes naturally How ba-a-a-ad can I be? How bad can I possibly be? Well, there's a principal of nature (principal of nature) That almost every creature knows Called survival of the fittest (survival of the fittest) And check it this is how it goes The animal that is has got to scratch and bite and claw and bite and punch And the animal that doesn't (well the animal that doesn't) winds up Someone else's lu-lu-lu-lu-unch! (I'm just saying') How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just doin' what comes naturally How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just following my destiny How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just doin' what comes naturally How ba-a-a-ad can I be? How bad can I possibly be? Well, there's a principal of business (principal of b

Peace During Patience

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” - Philippians 4:6 My family and I were sitting around the breakfast table several months ago. Mom had just read this verse. One of the kids laughed incredulously, “What is it saying? Be careful for nothing – live recklessly?” “No,” I answered quickly. My tone was very matter-of-fact, blunt, as if I were all-knowing. “It means do not worry.” The kids all nodded among themselves and life continued on for them. But for me life paused at my words. I had heard this verse soooooooo many times. I had always known what it meant. But now? Now it really meant something . “Do not worry.” This path I've chosen. I can not see it. I can not feel it. I do not know where I am. I have chosen to follow God, and no other. But why did He hide the light from my eyes? I must take a step forward. But I do not want to. How long w

Inside The Land Of The Free

Hello. My name is Greg.  I have a lot of time to think. Too much time. Sometimes I think about my life - why I am sitting in prison. I wonder what I could have done different - my life plays before my eyes. "If only..." But even I know that no amount of good works would have stopped tyranny from finding fault with me. It is cold. My clothes are thin. My stomach is empty - occasionally filled with food of no sustenance.  I hide my face in my knees - as if that will somehow protect me from the horrors of this dark cold dungeon.  They keep it cold to freeze me, this I know. It is a part of their game - to drive a lesson into me. As if I have a lesson to learn solely because I was convicted. Convicted, but not  guilty. Years.  68 years for standing against injustice. How many years have I sat in here? I have forgot. All I know is this question, "Was I fated for this? Did God grant my birth