Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-04
The Devices of SWindIers.
1t was long ago that Butler wrote

1t was long ago that Butler wrote
Doubtless the pleasure ID as great
OF being cheated, as to cheat"
If the satirical rogue has lived to this
day ofkeen invention 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 aggregate enjoyment of the
cheater as the greatest. This coun,
try has doubtless brought the art Of
cheating to a higher degree Of perfec
ton than any other on the round
globe, and the city of New York holds
wicked prominence among all the
localities of the Western hemisphere.
It 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 house, there is more safety for ways
that are dark than the loneliest spot Of
the sporseIy peopled country Here
the birds of prey congregate, and levy
contributions upon the fools Of the
country. The United States mail and
the express companies, since the advent
of low postage and cheap transporta-
ton, have been made by rogues the
vehicles Of their traffic.
Who has not seen the gorgeous
lottery schemes, that promise sudden
fortune upon the investment OF a few
dollars ?-the dazzling patent lever
gold watch for the mavellously small
sum of ten dollars, cash in hand?
How many unsophisticated youth, and
old fools too, have sent their cash to
these receptacles, and waited with the
heart sickness of hope deferred for the
return that never came!
One of the most successful of these
bats for the unwary was the sender of
circulars offering for a small sum
"imitatlon greenbacks, so perfect that
no one could tell the difference be-
tween them and the genuine" In
many instances real greenback would
be sent, and the receiver finding it to
pass readily, would send the cash for
a large sum. OF course he heard no
more from the dealer.
A year or two ago the country was
flooded with circulars III sealed enve-
lopes, addressed to hundreds in each
town, making confidential disclosures
of plan for making the receiver rich
by selling counterfeit greenbacks at a
very low figure, The .rogues had
shrewdly calculated on the hidden
streak Of dishonesty that abides in the
natures of many men who's are accounted
upright--and that it is the fear OF ex-
posure and punishment rather than
the moral sense that keeps them from
evil. Postmasters and express agents
know to what an extent the slumber
ing depravity of mems natures was
by these offers, and how many rural
rogues went a wool gathering and
came back shorn. The scamps did a
perfectly safe business so far as the
penalties for counterfeiting were con-
cerned, for 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 counterfeits were 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 it,
stock was for sale at an enormous
discount. The truth was that lot
of cheap and worthless watches hac
been gotted together, and this was the
method adopted to effect their sale
Purchasers where asked to take theil
watches to well-known jewelers. and
have them tested, and the business was
carried on so boldly that the sales
were immense. Success, however
made the swindlers too bold, anC
having forged the trademark of {
number of American firms, they were
on complaint of the American Watcf
Company, served with an injunction
forbidding further traffic.
And SO the games go on. The
rogues are fertile in invention, and a
soon as one scheme is worn out another
is ready to be put in operation. No
dose the world learn wisdom in re
spect to them. No one with procllvl
ties to sin will be content with vicar
ious experience, but must have hi
individual fingers burned. The croI
of fools is perennial. 1t is safe to con
clude in any case that those who offe
goods at a tenth part the price Offered
} by honest dealers, or promise safe anc
certain ways to practice roguery, or t,
sell the literature of depravity fos casl
in advance-are setting traps 70
idiots, who will lose their money, a.
they deserve to- Belfast Maine
Journal.
AM sRIcAN HOMES for April is re
, ceiyed. and has among its content