The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-11
AN IMAGINARY MILLION.
Tho Youngest Confidence Operator on Re-
cord-A Pretty Girl In tho Csso-What
an Old Man Had In His
Eye"-"cheek " or Lunacy.

About two years ago ofilccr MathersOn, OF the
Twenty -nlnth precinct met lad on the street VINO
gave his name az John Brown and stated that no
was an orphan. seventeen years or age, who han
struggled and fought against poverty until be was
discouraged and in his present destitute and pennI-
less condition he d not know what To do. He was
hungry had not tasted food since the day before
ahd hal nowhere TO lay hts head that
night. The ohicer, who Is kind-hearIcd
man, having had similar experience in hts youthful
days syinpathzed with the boy only u person
could VINO has had TO battle against the worlo alone
ana single handed, and offered him the comforts OF
MS nome. the oner was gladly accepted 10y the
YOUTH VINO appeared 20 be intelligent and willing to
work provided he could ind any respectable employ
nent
lie remained at the house of the olllcer for six
weeks, ana mad been provided with comfortable and
suitable clothing, when 4 situation was obtained for
MN IN reai estate ONCE up town. where ne re-
NAMED Tor nearly year and a halL giving entire
satisfaction to his employers. About SIX months
since ne informed his employers mat he should DC
compelled TO leave them on account Of
FORTUNE o. one asiLLIoN DOLLARS
which had been left him by deceased aunt In ire
land, and he should be comp sed 10 spend some Time
In furnishing The necessary evidence TO prove he
was the rghtful possess0r OF the fortuna. lie also
told the same story TO his benefactor the olIlcer
giving dates, Incidents ana exhibiting letters rom
the Old country addressed 10 him SELF, when left
doubt IN the mud OF the oilcer that his story
correct and that he had been entertaining mil
honnalre unawares, and hoped TO reap handsome
fortune, which was promised MIA by young Brown
the moment he came into possession OF his property.
MArhEEsoN CONGRATULATED THE YOUNG MAN
upon ms good fortune. and was not lotl 10 intro
duce nm 10 us friends VINO took especial p-u5 10
cultivate the acquaintance OF the young million-
mare and make nlm presents OF money and many
selves that III short TINE they would be repaid ten
Iold.
Among the friends who visited Ma,nerson's house
was an Old and wel-to-do Irish gentleman. named
Peter McGarvey, residing ut lT2 Prospect street.
Brooklyn, Who upon learning OF young browns
'wind!al, y cordially invited him 10 his house
| spend few weeks until he should become possessed
OF his money. Brown visited Mr.. AcGarveys and al
ternated between there and MaiheIs sons Tor the
next three mouths, each day visiting his attorney IN
| Wall street reference the fortune when WIS
| daily expected. Every night he would report pro-
| gress IN the matter Among the acqualntances Of
YOUNG LADY OF ooMELy MANNERS,
who, also hearing OF the good luck Of Brown, con.
| stantly sought MS company, and from whom he
| borrowed q handsome diamond ring, lust 10 wear
for few days IN honor OF the young lady who was
One afternoon he visited McGarveys mansion
| much more elated tnan ever before, and informed
him that on the following day tine long sought for
| tune was to be his, aud he was ANXIOUS 10 make
| him his guardian and place the fortune under ms
control But there Was only one obstacle in Inc
way OF his appearing before his attorney, thar
| was the dilapdated condition Of his personal ap-
pearance, and he accordingly suggested good,
: Kind Old Mr.. Mcsarvey that he purch MIN SUIT
OF clothes and loan HIM his watch aud Chain, and
! he would never be the loser by IT, McGarvcy, hav-
1 ing the
| 1000, 0g0 IN HIS EYE.
readily acceded TO the proposition. and calling
fashionable tailor IN Fulton street soon had tho
Young man arrayed In purple and fine linen, ngura-
lively speaking, after which they returned u the
house, Brown remaining all night.
On The following morning. arrayed In his new suit
ana McGarveyB watch and cham his vest pocket.
he left the old man with godspeed TO take possess
sion OF his property, promising TO return IN tina
/ afternoon. This the iast seen OF Brown the
clothes, the watch, chain or the young ady's da-
l mond ring until Wednesday afternoon when oiilccr
| Matherson found MIN proving abo 10 the street in
almost as destitute condition rs when he met him
l first nearly two years aQo. He conveyed the
I station house in West Thirteenth atreeL. McCarvey
anu the young lady were made aware OF hts arrest,
| and yesterday morning the former appeared before
| Justice Cox at Jefferson Market and preferred u
complaint OF swindnng against him. He denied the
charges, but was sent on
THE ISLAND FOR SIX MONTHS.
Alter leaving MCGarvey's house he succeeded In
obtaining employment IN the Oiice OF David jack
son manufacturer OF knox's nutlng macnlne on
| Broadway and remained III his employ Tor some
| tme until lie was sent one day 10 collect bill and
forgot TO return with the money. Mr.. Jackson al 20
| appeared al court TO prefer charge against ham,
and stated he was OF The most uDmitigated liars
he mad ever met with. Several other complaints OF
q similar character are charged against him, and II
| Is expected the victmzed parties VAL shortly ap-
pear and prefer their chorres