The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-07-26
Tho Folly Of Being SwlndIed.

There IA an entire class OF confidence
games that appeals not exactly to our
dishonesty but TO our ayarice; TO our
desire TO make money faster than by the
ordinary "slow.coach" ways-to make
money by going little out OF our regi-
lar line OF business, by agencies OF some
kind, instead of farming. For example,
about half of the farms in n certain
township in Ohio were sold under mort
gage few years ago, and society and
The church were conyulscd and almost
DISRUPTED, as follows: A fine, ministerial
looking gentleman came 10 town anu
lectured on temperance. lie was
GOOD talker, and won the hearts OF the
good, religious, temperance people IN
that rich and moral farming township.
+ lie staid in the region some time, no one
seemed TO know, or at least say, why.
In a strictly confidential way he ap.
preached one after another OF the solid
farmers, making each think he was the
only one TO have chance at the bonan-
IA. It was this: He was indirectly in
terested in patent for the manufacture
OF an improved spring bed or mattress,
far superior to any other. County and
State rights we're sold for its manufac-
mre. 4 rery fen Western States were
still unsold II Mr.. A. wanted certain
county in Iowa for $50, with the refusal
OF the State nj the same rae pcrcounty,
ne could have it, and the chance to 60
out and prospect on the ground. Coun-
ties would sell readily at 5000 to $3.50
each The thing must be kept strictly
quiet and confidential, or so many would
rush in as to swamp the thing.
SO farmer a. buys county or two at
800, payment on his return, prortted he
sells. No possible chance for a swindle.
All perfectly plain and clear. He had
best not let il be known why he goes
West, or even that he goes at all, if pos
sbIe. "The still SOW eats tly3 corn"
you know. So he goes, readily finds II
purchaser for his county at $500, comes
home with 5000 profit, mortgages his
farm and buys the whole State at 500
per county; one hundred counties at
$50 cost S. 900. One hundred counties
10 he soH at $3.50 viii bring $4,000 ;
profit Of the transaction 100000. 80
after n few weeks, his arrangements
are all made and he sets forth TO sell the
rest of his counties dW fadS no 6HycF
The man who bought bis "irial county
al $3.50 was n opal" Of the ministerial
temperance lecturer who sold IT to him
for $50, and didn't ask hi, pay until he
had sold. And ii developed .lowly that
nearly half the farmers in this Town had
bought counties, States, or parts OF
States, or had discounted notes given
by others in payment Of county or STATE
rights. "T The man, had taken leans
notes, money, mortgages, anything II
payment, and before the final COLLAPSE
and expose had turned I'LL into wha
ready cash they would bring, and lief
the region.
Here the appeal was made 10 ih
avaricc of these farmers. They lief
their regular business OF farming
which they understood, aud went int,
doubtful outside speculation whicI
they did mol understand, in the hopes q
sudden wealth or competence. The
found the scripture true: "They tina
| MAKE nHSuc W Uc IlCH lfiii lito q oHuio.
AS q rule, it is best to avoid outsld
speculation, even agencies of an agrl
cultural character; to have nothing Il
do with the wonderful, the astonishing
high.priced seeds, plants, agricultur;
or horticultural discoveries, blight
! proof pear trees, curculio-proof plui
trees, Russian apple trees that bear a
years or in all climates (and sell at :
u piece Bohemian oats that will max
us all rich--and the seed sells at 81
per bushel, under an association whic
you are urged to join.
Then there are agencies offered
YOU as "the most influential farmer
town." and on which you are sure
make enormous profits. You are
sign an order for so many wagon jac(
or patent cultivators or "Revised Ne
Te5taments," Gor this is one of Il
latest and most pious dodges) or "far
diaries or what not "to be paid ft
when sold" That "ordcr" turns up
three months or so as Judgment no
for $500, which you have to pay. 81
be paid for when soldh means when "a
are sold. n-COr. RnIui Mem lorkGr
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