Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-08-01
VOLUME III.
The Victim.

Bile property in the neghborhood OF Richmond Hi Tor
which short time before the occurrences we are about
relate he was offered forty thousand dollars He
happened TO think il worth more money, and held on
He had read in the journals OF the day the accounts OF
specula,ons in which in single day got millions,
and the demon of avarice was hunHing about his SOUL
like old humbug as he u.s.
"Why the fact is" said Mr.. X, in the simplicity of
his honest SOUL have got pretty little property
enough here but really shouldn't care if it as
large again The boys growing up, and Sarah and
Jane are good girls aud ought to be well provided for.
Forty thousand is but little among many People are
making fortunes all around me- and don't but my
chance is good any If make fortunes with
nothing begin upon surely with forty thousand dol
lars, must stand better chance"
Poor man, he did know that in a game Of hazard,
those who have nothing lose KAYE the better chance
With them all is gain while the chances against
MIN. He was precisely the honest credulous that
the sharks would be most likely prey upon
The spirit Of speculation avarce, gambling, swnd-
ngt but little which you call its the very
inspiration of the god of wealth. Mammon, who sits
enthroned above all the powers odarkness by the pre-
emnence ofhs power and the extent of his malgn niu
Under his control the inferior demons, and
there but few who do acknowledge his sway &c
The genius of Pestence rides upon the blast and
Yet what could Pestlence do if the god of wealth did
first assemble his votares in crowded cities for dis
and death to reve on?
The demon of war, once melted by mad passions,
only lets loose his thunder the call of mammon
Tis the love of wealth that the ensanguined field
with carcases.
Mr. X did not think of all this Nor did he say with
the ancient political economist, "Gve neither power
~ nor riches" But he had a laundering after wealth.
One aay when he had been reading of famous
ton in real estateb by which fortunate gambler became
suddenly possessed of an immense fortune when, as
the smoke from his pipe assembled round his head and
he painting upon the perfumed cloud castles OF airy
spendo Just that critical uncure some of those cow
ardly rascas TO whom straight forward honest high
waylnan is gentleman and man of honor came to
him with proposal to purchase his property.
" You have valuable estate here" said he. Per-
haps you would like to dispose of it,"
"Why yes if could get fair price for it, perhaps
might am getting along very comfortably and sup
pose might live well enough. But man must provide
for his family, you know and if any body would offer
good price, that could invest it advantageous
~, ! don't know but might SELL"
"Yes sir. 1t is a pity you should not be making
semethng-your money is as good as lying idle With
the price of this property invested in real in
having. There are plenty of places round the city
where YOU might invest with a certainty of making fit
typer cent"
Fifty per cent"
40 yes that is nothing extraordinary. Mr.. ID. more
tan doubled his money the other day, by single spe-
ration There are building lots be bought Brook
Jyn Wilamsburgh, Hoboken, New Brighton. In
either place you Of fortune but New Brgh-
ton property will be the best"
"Doyou think SO"
"Oh undoubtedly. A LOT sold last week for
thirteen hundred dollars thousand advance the
cost"
'You don't say SOL
Oh yes, an& the res, viii go the rate
Mr. X thought TO himself ooh if only had my
forty thousand dollars invested in lots New Brgh-
tSa"
Ills needless to 90 through the process by which the
sharpers came round the old gentleman and offered
him 900 instead of $4,000, and wheedled him in
10 linking New Brighton lots for pay and made him sign
agreement TO that effect
They got the agreement, however signed, sealed and
delivered in good order and well conditioned-well for
them, but sadly for Mr. X. as he found to his cost AT
Ter the thing was all done il occurred him make
some inquiry about the lots in question To his aston.
ishneut he heard hat they were mortgaged for
nj $1,000, purchased for particular purpose. and
was the only Of the kind for three weeks
that they had declined and now worth six.
pence.
The spectators day. "Well just make
those transfers if you please" said they.
n rather think shall decline said the old gentle
man.
"'Tis little too late now" said the Shylocks
But the lots at New Brighton are not worth curse
said the humbugged one.
We've got your agreemen, in black and white
and shall hold you t." said the swndling rascals
ooh OH oh dear what fool have made myself
cried the old gentleman.
Were this fiction, merely intended to illustrate III,
shirt of the tmes We should not dare to make ma,
do such foolish hing voluntarily fulfil such ras
cally contract but the circumstances real mster
ffaCt and known many Of our citizens we Civ,
.he,n as they occurred.
nis as true as appears strange that the good Mr.
X actually fulfilled his contract without going to Law
ar making an attempt save himself from ruin. The
c,;,ed wheeled threatened and ruined him.
Poor man II worked so hard upon him that he tool
to his bed and never from il. Medical assistance
was Of no avail. He worried, freued, pinned, and
died.
Who are his murderers9 oh, very respectable gen
,emen who ave made their fortunes by such fair bus