Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-11-06
Fraud That Defes the Law

account OF one of the many ways resorted
to by sharpers to get money out of simple
minded people:
81 will take one of these circulars and
follow it in It's course. John Smith gets it.
He is farmer perhaps, and not averse to
increasing his capital suddenly. He be-
heyes the opportunity for passing it is good,
SO he ventures to write for better descrip-
ton of the articles. Now, Mr.. Sharp feels
nlbble, but he is too old fisherman to
pull in sprat where he might land a whale.
MI. Smith receives Il letter with news
paper clipping enclosed. The letter is an
account of an arrest made in New York
city of person charged with passing coun.
terteit money. The prisoner is arraigned
in court and boldly denies the falsity of the
money, and upon Il strict examination the
money is declared to be genuine and the
prisoner discharged. The clipping never
was part of a newspaper, although the imi-
tation has been carried to such perfection
that the slip includes letters apparently
forming part of words of the columns on
either side, and has advertisements on the
back. The letter enclosing the clipping
explains to Mr. Smith that through the ac-
cldcnt described in the newspaper clipping
the writer has been compelled. from fear of
discovery, TO suspend his business for a
time. He calls the attention of Mr.. Smith
to the excellence Of the counterlcits (his
own manufacture which could pass SO rigid
test, land declares that the arrest was
caused by gross carclessness on the part of
the prisoner in attempting to pass sums as
large us 50 1000 at one time. In conclusion,
the writer agrees to inform Mr.. Smith when
he may renew negotiations. Now, it is
only natural that this enforced DELAY
should make the would-be knavc more
than ever anxious to get some Of the green
articles so that when he receives another
letter in few weeks saying the way is clear
he sends on his cash and receives in re-
turn block OF wood or bundle of neatly
cut paper.
Go back to the last letter, and you will OBJ
serve pressing invitation from the conf
dencc man to Mr. Smith to call upon him
at his place Of business and inspect the
notes before purchasing. He recommends
him TO certain hotel: and gives number
by which he is to be recognized. Now, we
will suppose that Mr.. Smith, being rascal
and naturally ola suspicious mind, decides
upon going on and examining the notes. in
stead of sending his money through the
mail, and trusting to the honesty of the
'boodler.' Shortly after his arrival at the
hetel he receives Il card, and IL faultlcssly-
dressed gentleman of fine appearance is
ushcrcd into his room. The password .36'
is exchanged and they are soon engaged in Il
pleasant conversation. He calls for him
the next morning and conveys him in a
carriage to 4 large business block, and up
several flights Of stairs, into neatly fur
nished Office. Behold the abode of the
'boOdlers.' 1t does not look so terrific: a
few fine desks, a couple of clerks, q large
safe, and communicating room. All is
business now; the gentleman is introduced
to the clerks, the safe is opened and negoti-
ations begin. Drawer after drawer slides
back. disclosing great piles of crisp, new
notes, ,ofditlerent denominations Mr.. Smith
knows a good note when he sees it. and he
declares that the counterfeit is perfect. SO
it is, says the narrator smlinoly; so it is
for the notes are genuine Treasury bills.
The amount desired by the purchaser is
counted out and wrapped up, under his
watchtul eyes, upon table; or he is al
lowed to wrap up the package himself.
Now, while this is going on, let us
look into the second room. The door
stands slightly ajar, and reveals number of
small hand-satches exactly similar appear
ance. confederate stands within this
room and hearing the amount Of the pur-
chase named, proceeds to wrap up bum
die OF cut paper of a size corresponding with
the package then being made in the adjoin-
ing room, and encloses it in one of the satch-
els. As Smith finishes wrapping his parcel,
one OF the clerks presents him with q satchel
and the package is placed in it, the satchel
locked and the key safely dropped in Mr..
Smiths pocket. At this moment Mr.. Sharp,
who has been idly drumming with his fin
gers upon the window pane, starts back
with an exclamation. There is that officer
again, and he hurriedly explains to the
alarmed victim that q private detective is
'shadowing' the house. 1t would never do
for him to nab you here says Mr.. Smith.
1T would ruin my business and send YOU to
the penitentiary. We buy these fellows
BODY and soul, but they would follow you
and arrest you as soon as You got out of the
nelghborhood.' 4 short consultation is
held, and one Of the clerks comes to the
rescue with suggestion: The express office
is on the next block. Let Mr.. Smith ex-
press his satchel TO his home, and YOU, Mr.,
Sharp, who have subsidized the detective
so with him and carry the satchel.' The
victim is already in mortal fear of arrest
and jumps at the idea, which is to him like
straw to a drowning man. Now. watch
this piece of neat rascality, where one
rogue overmatches another Mr.Sharp picks
up the valise and partly opens the door
Just at this moment clerk calls him sud-
denly. The exclamation causes both the
sharper and his victim, who is following him
to look back into the room. As the hood
ler' turns, his hand carrying the satche
swings out of the partly opened door ant
the confederate, who stands outside holdins
| the duplicate satchel, makes an exchange ir
the twinkling of an eye, and slips bacl
through the hallway, into the second room
| The whole transaction occunies less than .