The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-26

A BEAUTIFUL. SWINDLE-How THEY Do
Tive have thought that the frequent expose
of the various swindling organizations now
abounding in the country would deter others
from entering into such schemes. But it seems
we are mistaken. In the universal desire to
get rich fast, these fraudulent concerns are en-
gendered. There are of course some gifts enter
prises that are not only legal and proper, but
laudable for their benevolent objects. 1t is 0y
taking advantage of the fair name of these that
the swindlers hope TO succeed in pushing their
nefarious schemes through.
We had the pleasure of receiving specious
looking document last evening, postm arked
Williamsburg, New York. On opening it we
could hardly refrain from outward signs of
pleasure at finding the fcke goddess was once
more to prove propitous to us. Owing to some
lucky thought or philanthropic impulse on the
part OF the directors OF a Gltt Enterprise they
had selected us as the fortunate recipient of their
tayors.
The scheme was as follows:-"S4OO, 900 worth
of rich and elegant iewelry" would be distri.
buted amongst the iavorites of fortune, ire
speCtive of the intrinsic value of the several
pieces Tor the low price of So each. The usual
toTmality of paying twenty-five cents to know
what You wanted had Of course to be gone
| through first. Accompanying the list of prizes
| was a carefully worded circular as follows:-
sir:1Wo would like to increase our business IN
your vicinity, and make you the following offer
We know that in order for you to sell our certificates
that it necessary tnat YOU should have some good
prize 10 show arOuno, and lnfolm the people where
! and how you rot it. We have enclosed three small
envelopes, sealed which will EMIT you TO three of
| the articles our list BY sending the amount
named on the certificate (which is two dollars each.
besides the postage and packlng), tor each article.
We will send the articles bv return mail to YOU We
have picked out these envelopes at random, SO that
all can have tair chance. After You have received
The articles, YOu will be kind enough to show them
around amo ng lyour friends and neIghbors, and say
10 them YOU get them Tor two dollars each from us
COu can then sell our certificates and keep thirCy
per cent on all orders amounting t. one dol an and
upwards for your trouble, and can thus make three
dollars TO five dollars day easv as most of OuI
agents are now doing. Hoping to hear from YOU
| soon, etc etc
l.. S.-Please let us know when you send for the
articles il you are willing to as our agent and h
YOU are, We Will enter your name on our books a,
| our agent Tor your town.
Both OF the circulars were gotten up in mos
eXecrable TASTE ana did not even possess tht
merit of having decent typographical appear
ance. The getter-up did not evidently care tC
spend much in the printing of his documents
all his spare capital being doubtless exhausted
in the purchase of 'eirgaut rosewood pianos
gold huntngcase watches,n etc.
But the cunning attractions were the thre,
mysterious envelopes referred to. We opened
them with trembling. The first one we opened
contained a certificate reading as foilows:-
JEwELRY CERTIFICATE.
On receipt Of this certificate ana two dollars an'