The Republican journal., 1872-03-21
The Devices Of SwindIers.
1t was long ago that Butler wrote
Doubtless the pleasure is as great

If the satirical rogue has lived to this
day of keen inventions, for living on the
labor of others and enabling men to reap
where they have not sown, he must have
changed his mind, and set down the az
gregate enjoyment Of the choater as tie
greatest. This country has doubtless
brought the art of cheating to higher
degree of perfection than any other on the
round globe, and the city of New YORK
holds wicked prominence among all the
| localities of the Western hemisphere. 1t
is there that the professors of the hidden
art have their retreats. In the security of
its numberless Streets by-ways and the
bewildering similarity of its houses,
there is more safety for ways that are
dark than the loneliest spot of the sparse
ly peopled country. Here the birds of
prey congregate. and levy contributions
upon the fools of the country The Unit
ed States mails and the express companies
since the advent of low postage and cheap
transportation. have been made by rogues
the vehicles of their traffic
Who has not seen the gorgeous lottery
schemes, that promise sudden fortune up
on the investment of a few dollars 2-the
dazzling patent lever gold watch for the
marvcllously small sum OF ten dollars,
cash in hand How many unsophisticat-
ed youth, and old fools, too, have sent
their cash to these receptacles, and wait
ed with the heart sickness of hope defer
red tor the return that never came,
One of the most successful of these
bats for the unwary was the sender of
circulars offering for small sun ''imita-
ton greenbacks, so perfect tina; no one
could tell the difference between them
and the genuine" In many instances a
real greenback would be sent, and the re-
ceiver finding it to pass really, would
send the cash for large sum OF course
he heard no more from the dealer.
A year or two ago the country was
flooded with circulars in sealed envelopes,
addressed to hundreds in each town, max
ing confidential disclosures OF a plan for
making the receiver rich by sci ling coun-
terfeit greenbacks at very low figure
The rogues had shrewdly calculated on
the hidden streak of dishonesty that abides
in the natures of many men who are &C
counted upright-and that it is he fear OF
exposure and punishment rather than the
moral sense that keeps them rom evil
Postmasters and express agen:s know to
what an extent the slumbering depravitv
of mems natures was awakened by these
offers. and how many rural rogues went
wool gathering and came beck shorn
The scamps did a perfectly safe business
so far as the penalties for coultcrfeiting
were concerned, tor those Who were
tleeced could not make complaint without
at the same time accusing themselves Of
seeking to deal in counterfeit money.
For the money paid at the express office,
no counterfelts We're delivered but only
box of sawdust, carefully sealed and
directed.
One of the most successful OF the recent
swindles was that of the Geneva Watch
Company, representing that the Watch
Company of Geneva, Switzerland. had
failed, and that its stock was for sale at
an enormous discount The truth was
that lot of cheap and worthless watches
had been gotten together, and this was
the method adopted to effect their sale.
Purchasers We're asked to take their
watches to well-known jewellers and have
them tested, and the bushes was carried
on so boldly that the sales were immense.
Success, however. made the swindlers too
bold, and having forged the trademark
of q number Of American firms. they were
on complaint OF the American Watch
Company served with an injunction for
bidding further traffic
And so the games 60 on. The rogues
are fertile in invention, and as soon
as one scheme is worn out another
is ready to be put in operation Nor does
the world learn wisdom in respect to them
No one with proclivities to sin will be con
tent with vicarious experience, but must
have his individual fingers burned The
crop of fools is perennial. 1t is safe to
conclude in any case that those who offer
goods at tenth part the price offered by
honest dealers, or promise safe and GER
tain ways to practice roguery, or to sell
the literature of depravity for cash in adj
vanee-are setting traps for idiots, who
will lose tteir money, as they deserve to-