The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-07-16
ACONCEALED FORTUNE
OFFERED FOR A THIEF's FREEDOM.
Surprise Of an Honest Philadelphia Shoe
Dealer at Being Let Into Great
secret-Some Very Proper
Doubts.
Philadelphia Record.l

Philadelphia Record.l
Mr.. John Armstrong is quiet, unas-
suming shoe dealer, whose place Of bus
mess is at No. 1881 Frankford avenue. He
takes life easy. and, like every one else,
expects some day to retire with compe-
tence; but when he received letter few
days ago, in which the writer proposed to
give him the one-third of SPAS, 900 for per-
forming slight service for him 1t rather
took the shoe man by surprise. The sum
of So, 900 was dazzling prof er, but the
method by which it was to be obtained
was such as to set Mr.. Armstrong thinking
that all was not right. Moreover, he had
no acquaintance with the writer of the
communication, and how it came that he
should be selected out of the thous ands of
residents OF this great city, and of the
millions in the entire country, was puz-
zler.
On the morning OF the 10th inst. the post
man handed in letter addressed "James
Armstrong, Esq, 1881 Franckford av.,
Philadelphia" The envelope had on it a
Cuban postage-stamp, and was post
marked Havana, June B. Upon the back
was the stamp denoting that it had been
received at Philadelphia June 8, p. m.
The directions were correct with the ex.
ception of the first name. However, the
receiver opened it and read the contents
with much astonishment. 1t was as fol.
lows;
HAVANA, ROYAL JAIL, June 8, 1884.
Mr.. John Armstrong:
DEAR SIR-Without having the honor of be-
ing personally acquainted with you, but trust
ing on the good name of your probity and
honesty, 1t moves me to write the following,
with the end of communicating to you q
business of the most high Importance, on
which depends my prompt liberty and our
mutual wealth.
Twas cashier of the Spanish National Bank,
and by special circumstances, that in some
time will inform you, was short of the cash
in my custody. This naturally forced me to
run away. | did 1t, taking all the money
could, amounting to $237 900 In bank notes
| and $ll,0J0 gold; then sailed to United States
| from where l could easily go home SPAIN,
but soon as arrived there was informed that
private employe Of the bank was after me-
and being afraid of losing the money had
with me, 900 and S1l,0J0; resolved to
bring it. For this purpose found good
place, of which l took detailed plan, and
with ribbon made the exact measure of the
point where this box was, keeping both things
In secret place of my trunk only known tc
me-. Thanks to such an opportune fdea,
saved my small fortune, for the next day
was detained, put in prison and re-embarked
| tn, trhn.. oil
the trunk, was embargoed by the judge.
To-day, nearly starving, with no money tc
subsist on, and by other means desiring to re
cover the fortune that costs me so much,
have determined to throw myself on you
honor, and propose to you the way Of getting
it out with no danger to you. This money
once Yin your power you can easily protec
me, and perhaps return to me my lost free
dom.
For such an immense favor kindly be,
you to accept the third part Of it, in the in
telligence that this gift is spontaneous, an
you will cause me great pleasure by &C
cepting.
No doubt that this is very important maj
ter for both of us. You must be very care
ful. by not saying q single word of wha
this contains to any one, even to your owl
relatives. The prison authorities don't inter
fere with the correspondence here.
To avoid misfortune in case of mail los
here sign your name "Thensville" )" the sam,
that will use.
Anxiously awaiting your answer believ
me, dear sir, yours most truly,
A. PEREZ.
Direct letters to Sor. Don Antonia Perez
Sala Distencion, Real Carcel, Havana, Cuba
After perusing the epistle, and havin,
visions of thousands of dollars floating il
his mind for time, Mr.. Armstrong be
gan to study what to do. He did not know
Perez, or any Cuban or Spaniard, and wa
fearful least some trap was being set
catch him. He carried the letter to Mr.
Thomas L. Huggard, cashier of the Shack
amazon National Bank. That gentlema
knew nothing of the writer or of the ban
named, and not wishing to engage in an
side speculation directed Mr.. Armstrong
confer with Post Inspector Barrett Th
latter was mystifed, and declared he ha
, never heard of any thing of the kin
before His impression was that the fel
, low desired to obtain money from Arm
, strong, and that this was but his first NOV
/ in his game of swindling. Inspector Bal
: rett was ofthe opinion that other letters {
, a similar character had been received b
, persons in this country, although none ha
I been brought to his notice. But how th
writer came to single out Armstrong was
I mystery that could not be fathomed. Th
: receiver of the epistle concluded not to il
vest in the scheme, and is on the look OF
. for accomplices of Perez, who, it is bt
t lieved, reside in the city.