The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-05 00:00:00

NO TEL MODE OF SWINDLING.

Some months back a peculiar system of
swindling, invented in America, and practised in
that country on persons in England, was detected
and stopped. The plan was to send letters to the
address of individuals whose deaths appeared in
the obituary of the London papers, purporting to
come from some youthful protege who had fallen
into misconduct and been sentenced to prison, and
who, in terms of the deepest repentance, solicited
his old and "kind benefactor" to transmit him £lO
to some United States post-office. Many executors
upon opening these communications were led
to comply with the appeal under a desire to
act in accordance with any possible wish of
the deceased person ; and there is reason
to believe that the trade proved very lucra-
tive. It was completely brought to an end,
however, by the publicity given to it. The parties
have, therefore, been driven to new expedients; and
their new plan is to transmit letters to the address
of deceased persons, purporting to come from a
woman whom they have deserted, and who claims
aid for a dying child. This has probably brought
more success even than the former plan, since it
has awakened the fears of families and a desire to
avert scandal. About a fortnight back two of these
communications reached the hands of mutual
friends. Each subsequent mail, however, has
brought a fresh supply, all worded in nearly the
same manner; and it is therefore desirable to re-
move by further exposure the pain they may have
occasioned. Annexed is one recently received. The
writing is apparently that of a man who has as-
sumed a female hand :
" Lockport, Niagara County, New York,
United States, Sept. 29, 1859.
" Dearest, best Friend,—Why, why have you
not sent the usual remittance ? Poor Tom is dying,
and we are in extremest want. You requested me
not to write, but after waiting till I am penniless I
am, at this moment of crushing misery, compelled
to do so. Your poor dying son sends his fondest
love ; poor dear fellow ! he has never known a
father's care. Still from a boy I have taught him
to pray for and love you. Little did I think when,
years ago, I discovered all and fled that you would
fail me in this hour of terrible affliction. Yes, that
ou might be free and happy with those so dearly
loved, I left all, and fled with my poor fatherless
boy to this distant and strange land, and daily since
have we prayed for blessings on you and yours.
" Dearest, only friend, unless you send soon your
poor, afflicted, unoffending son will starve to death.
I am now unable to do more than wait upon him,
and cannot much longer bear up against poverty,
sickness, and your unkindness. But you are not
unkind; you must have sent, and the letter mis-
carried. God knows I would not cause you a
moment's pain, or take your attention from those
you love. No, in this world my duty has been to
suffer ; still I cannot tamely see my beloved and
idolised son die in misery and want. Do send me
by return mail a £lO Bank of England note, for I
am now miles away from where I could get other
funds changed. 1 came here for the benefit of poor
dear Tom, but fear it has done him no good. We
are now among strangers, and in the most abject
want. Your good, kind heart will not permit you
to let him die in want. When he is gone I will
trouble you no more.
" For God's sake send without an instant's de-
lay, and pay the postage of your letter to me, or I
shall not be able to obtain it, for I am selling every-
thing to live. On my knees I beg of you, and for
your dying son's sake, send to me immediately, or I
shall go mad. God bless you and yours. May you
be supremely happy, bless you. In mercy send
soon, and so farewell. May God bless you is the
fervent prayer of your unhappy but true friend,
" MARY A. STANHOPE."

CAD VERTISEMENT. Mr. Thnson, Ludgate-hill, has
just published a new illustrated pamphlet on watches (free
by post for two stamps). It should be read by all who are
about buying a watch, as it contains prices and important
information as to—What watch to buy I where to buy it I
and how to use it I

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