The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-02-14
heir contents, accompanied by proper ex'

| tneir contents, accompanied Dy proper ex-
planatIon.
In nearly every instance, the dodge had
been successful. The six shillings, or that
amount IN postage stamps, were duly en-.
closed; and, in some instances a dollar, to
make even change, with directions FOR for.
wardlng the mysterious package.
Such an unexpected notice had no doubt
given rise in many cases to sundry visions
Of heavy fees, which were 10 flow in upon
the fortunate correspondent of Joliet, for
conducting the business of some wealthy
capitalist of the old world, who, attracted by
i his professional fame, was about 10 confde
TO him matters of great weight and import
ance-perhaps some complicated lawsuit,
the successful issue of which would bring him
wealth of reputation and money, essnpared
with which the outlay of six shiIlings was an
item too contemplate 10 be regarded.
Or some sanguine individual might have
sent out a legacy in the package from Liver.
pool.'
People were dying every day in England,
Nuooo houo hFCu tulo COuuuJ. II was hOi
very unusual for persons 10 inherit immense
fortunes from those whose names they had
never heard II might make the difference
Of thousands of dollars 10 man whether his
name was Brown or White, when some pos
SCISSOR of one or the other name came to leave
his property behind him. And it would be
pity TO lose the chance Of securing hand.
some property for ones self, or The oppor-
luniiy of acting as agent for somebody else,
though the whole affair might prove but
hoax, and the chance of thus finding for
tune rather less than the prospect of drawing
prize in "gift lottery"
1t was amusingto peruse the letters which
the Agent received from those who lad been
swinded, acknowledging the safe return Of
the letter and money which they had sent 10
Joliet. Most of them were ''wel satisfied"
when they sent the money, "lhal il was all
hoax" but then it was small sum that he
applied for, and they thought they would
send ii TO the fellow for The ingenuity he had
displayed in "raising the wicd p All, how.
ever. seemed very glad 10 get their money
again, even at the risk of allowing such tai
ent to go unrewarded.
Some wary old heads, loo acute 10 be caught
by such chaff, took the precauton 10 request
Joliet 10 call on their friends in New York,
leave the package, and get the six shillngs.
Another directed that il should be left al the
Express ONCE, una expensee paid .hSye, and
when the parcel arrived, the entire charges
would be promptly met.
Two or three, not content with informing
Joliet that he had taken them in, INDUCED
ence. The following are two specimens of
this kind of reply: .....
P, Feb. 2, 1856
Mr.. VIM. H. Joliet,
Sir:-I am in receipt of note from you,
informing me that you have in your posses
sion package for me from Liverpool, Eng.
land, on which there is charge of 6s. ster.
ling, and which you will send to me on re.
ceipt Of the above sum.
Sir, cannot but think il little strange
that my large circle of friends and cores
poaden,s in Liverpool Ia circle which may
be represented thus, o. should have thought
i, necessary for parcels which they send me,
pass through your hands, unless you have
some connection with the friends aforesaid,
unknown 10 me. Before send you the ster.
ling money, should like answers of The like
quality, to some or all of the following inter.
rosaiories:-
1s. Who are youl
I'd. Who knows you?
Sd. Who do you know!
4th. Is "Wm. H. Holliel" the name Civ
en- you in baptism?
9th. Wouldn't you receive less than six
shillings, if you could ge, il? n
9Th. Do sou think you have taken me in?
7lh. After reading the above, please in.
form me whether Tou remain Jolly get.
g. Not your victim, 4,.
JOHN s..
il, Jan. 81, 1855.
Sir:-I know | am ambitious. have my
aspirations. My fame may be extending -
Perhaps il is. had thought it was local /;
confined 10 this county, certainly 10 the State.
But il seems that ain known abroad, and
you wish me 10 pay the moderate sum Of
seventy. FIVE cents for verifying the fact. Sir,
am an Anslo-Saxon. rejoice in it. Aud
don't doubt that some where between Ad.
ANS time and mine, some of my progeniiors
have inhabited England. But believe they
have all died or moved away. So you see
i, isn,'t likely that have any relations 10
Liverpool, whence came the package. you
say in your hands. q
In the next place, sir, living as do in an
inland town, know little Of those "who 60
down to the sea in ships" David, Psalms,
Cap. 1919 And all my particular friends are
in this country, according to the best of my
knowledge and belief. But no Others than
the individuals have cited, would be likely
10 send me packages from foreign lands. 1t
therefore follows, sir, ,hatthe aforesaid pack
age is not IN rerum natra. shall be hap
py 10 receive from you any facts which may
viiaie this eonclusion.
Penning this. remain yours, &C.,
@ a8-a Ed. B..