The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-12
AN INGENIOUS SHINDLE.
Packer a. Co.'s Model Wholesale Grocery
and Mythical Continental MiiIs-s6.5O
for Nine Match Boxes-A sun Reporter
Politely shown IA Map Of New York.

Packer a. Co.'s Model Wholesale Grocery
and Mythical Continental Miils-s6.JU
for Nine Match Boxes-A sun Reporter
Politely shown Map Of New York.
For some time past an advertisement has ap-
peared in The WEEKLY Sun and other journals OF
large circulation calling for country AGENTS for q
wholesale grocery firm in New York, and signed j.
Packer q Co, Continental Mills, 3S+ Bowery. We
have received Of late many letters from Platte City.
Mo; Lawrence, Kansas Nebraska City, Iowa, and
other Western points, IRON subscribers who have
answered the advertise nent, ana have received
plies which seemed 10 them rather hshy, the
plies called for an advance Of too for the samples
which were " be supplied
The hrm OF J. Packer a Co. write 10 say that the
| favor OF the letter has been received, and that
| the firm 10 satisfied with the qualifications and re-
| spectsbiity OF the applicant; that they will give
$500 year salary, with . commission OF ave por
cent on gross sales, and handsome travelling allow
ances, and that as protection 10 themselves since
! so many strangers have procured supply of their
goods free under the guise ofappcaion for agencies.
they receive the $3.50 in advance but this sum
will be returned after the FIRST month. The appli
cant expected to deduct bis salary. his expenses
| and his Ave per cent. from the amount which he
| collects and he will remit the remainder with any
suggestions he may like 10 oner in the interest Of
| the Wholesale grocery business. The card OF the
| arm Is enclosed.
A SUN reporter found ssa Bowery to be q small
tbree-story house. between Fourth street and Astor
| place The nIm occupies back room on the ground
floor. The reporter entered tile once Of the Con-
tnental Mills, and fou nd the clerk and two appli.
| Giants waiting to see one OF the principals who
| were all absent. On table In the centre Of the
| chamber, spread on white paper, were samples Of
cofees and teas. There were also the sample boxes
liaN,, ha To nppliaa fpi nf
| 1880. These were made Of cardboard and con
tanned nine little cardboard boxes about the size OF
| those generally used for matches. There were also
piles OF the papers which accompanied the answers
| to applications and price lists unmarked on coarse
yellow paper, One or two ricfetty tables we're Nrou
the dngy walls, but the clerk sat q! The only ser
yiceabe one, which gave the notion that when the
firm returned from Change It probably did not use
pen and ink, as there none on the other desks.
the clerk, who was DESTROYS OF learning whether he
had answered the application, and II he could sup
ply him with any information; bli on Lls deslrlns
TO see the principals be said that they were always
| st the mills or on CHANGE; seldorap In the
onice, The reporter, he thought, might catch
would be sure to ind them in the mills in the
early morning. These we're situated At me corneI
good to point out the exact locality on the
map OF New York, which hung over one OF the
On going down there the reporter found no :" Con
tinental Mills, but the Metropolitan Mills OF Irns
fss passsT With but with
evident desire TO laugh outright One OF these gen
| temen said, ~ have no knowledge OF the person
but II he OF any of his employees give their address
as that Of the Continental Mills, he does so Tor pur
poses OF deception, and is in all probability fraud
| We have been here fifteen years, and we neye
heard OF this firm, and know nothing Of them a
I grocers, save that during the last few weeks a
many as twenty inquiries have been made abou
| them In this once"
b Whereupon the reporter informed the gentlemen
| that he belonged 70 THE SUN, and that his objec
| was TO fathom the swindle II possible.
Mr.. Trusdell said he was glad Of II, though he d
: | not think that this scheme novel as II was, wou
| make much money for the spectators, as no ma
could possibly accept an agency, except downright
| idiot. without knowing much more Of the hrm tina
b employed BIN than such as he could obtain tlroug
an advertisement and letter, But az tie reporter
during his brief stay at 34 Bow cry saw the expires
man deliver seven packages to the clerk, he think
| that M, Trusdell may DO ni-'.h-.