Connecticut western news., 1884-02-27
CHECK-RAISERS.
Devices Used for Removing Ink md enn-
 ceiling Figures.

Oheck-rnlslng ls Betting to be one or the lost arts," said m old detective,
 "and as checks are prepared now-a- days they are pretty safe. There arc some of the crooked men, however, who know all the tricks of removing ink.
 l was once curious enough to learn
 how it was that they could SO success fully alter n check. Different forgers use different methods. One successful stock-forger used equal quantities of lapis calaminaris, common salt and rock alum, which he boiled for hnlf m hour in white wino in new pip kin, or he used fine sponge shaped like pencil, which he dipped in equal quantities of nitre and vitriol distilled. As he passed this point over tho ink it came right out. Sometimes equal quan- titles of sulphur and powdered saltpe- ter, both distilled, were used. For a long time the police did not understand what use was made of q little ball that now and then was found in the possession of Q prisoner. This turned out to be mndo of allSali and sulphur, and was used for removing ink. It is hard to find an ink that will not dis appear under ono plan of treatment or another. knew q check-raiser who had small laboratory. He kept bot ties of acids of all sorts and case of camcls-hair brushes. With n small quantity of oxalic or muriatio acid, somewhat diluted, and camsIs-hair pencil he could paint out my number of ink spots. One or two applications, followed by the uso of q blotting-pad, would restore tho paper to primitive purity. It requires skill and m ao- curate knowledge of chemicals to use any of tlese plans so as not to iniure the texture of tho paper or discolor it. If the paper is injured it is not SC easy to writo upon it again, but, by the use of iinely-powdered bounce, rubbed in lightly with the finger and burnishod with m ivory folder, the pa. per can be repaired. Common writing ink, however, is best removed by the use of oxygenatod muriatio acid.
 "But the new styles of check, with the amount cut through tho paper with a die, are hard to alter. Hero is check with revenue stamp in old-gold colol in the center, and broad lines of red ink arc drawn close up to tho amount writ
 ten in. Thore is another broad line oI red ink after the name of tho payee. UT in the left-hand corner, where tn, amount is in figures, you will see that the figures arc also cut through tn, paper. On tho reverse side of tho check just over these figures, is pasted pinl strip which brings the cut figures out ir such relief that they cannot bo altered without detection. The only way tc alter that check is to take out the first written word in the amount in the body of the check and the amount in tho l cOIucT, huuB h1tSA ANHA1SAhb bhShh WILL the raised sum, to inlay piece of check paper in the place of the cut figures. This inlaying process requires great care, and only one or two men in thit country are able to do it. The cut fig
 ures must be carefully cut out by . sharp razor-like tool, and cut in such ( way that the edges of the opening will be beveled. Then a fresh bit of check
 paper must bo shaped to the size of tho opening and fitted in, with its edges also beveled. The edges must be held to- gether with paste made of flour and strained resin and carefully pressed. Some bounce rubbed over tho lines will conceal the patch, unless there is a strong light, and then, with the same die that the bankers use, raised figures can be inserted. The work is delicate, and is not often attempted, as it involves the risk of running the check for the amount for which it is good. York Sun.