, 1884-12-13
HUMAN VAMPIRES
WHICH AWAIT THE ADVENT OF THE
IMMIGRANT.
A Benevolent Society sadly Sceded-Bogus
American Railway Tickets-counter-
felt Money - swiKdiinE Land
Agents - The Procurcss.


Aktht~ Inc IFoCufr-~.
Boston Cor. Pioneer Pressl
OF the dozens upon dozens of charitable
and benevolent societies IN this city, there IL
not one, 10 my knowledge, which gives any
attention to the poor and ~friendless immi-
grants who land here by thousands each
year from all parts of the earth. Such u so
ciety is sadly needed Mt this port, which is
the second principal one OF the country for
the landing of immigrants A stranger in n
strange land an immigrant most certainly is
when he leaves the steamers side and steps
upon the wharf. To he sure, the majority
OF those arriving are through-t icketed 10
their destination, and are sent 10 IL without
stop or trouble. But there are many who
are not, and these fan prey TO the sharks
who are always ON hand 10 deceive and rob
the unprotected. Some OF them nav boon
made victims before leaving their native
shores, and these prove more susceptible TO
the deceits OF the human vulturos who
pounce upon them and fleece without con-
science or mercy.
BOGUS TICKETS.
Il Is very well known here that bogus
Americ an railway tickets are printed in this
country, and even in this city, and sent out
for sale In all the important ports Of Europe
by a band Of INSCRIPTIONS rnscals who have
nccomplices abroad. Hundreds Of poor pco-
pie havo purchased these tickets at reduced
rates. across the water, and have been
landed at this port almost if not quite penni-
less with these bogus tickets in their possess
sion, expecting 10 reach points in the west
upon them. Fricndless, and helpless, they
fall into tho clu tches OF the human birds OF
prey, who offer what they call projection
and advice" and ara duly robbed OF what
little money they nave aud their baggage.
Absolutely destitute, nearly starved, they
eventually come 10 the notice OF the police,
who turn them over 10 the STATE agents
They are then cared for, some being sent
back to their native land and some 10 their
destinations.
Tho amount Of suffering these people I'M
dergo can hardly be realized, and It is ox-
asperating TO think that it might all be
avoided through tho efforts Of n few, II they
chose TO make II their business to look after
them. The state provides an Inspector or
two. but his duties are TO SEQ that no pau
pers, imbeciles or those likely 20 come under
the care OF the state are landed. As To the
scoundrels abroad, the law has rarely ever
reached them. The Identity OF many Of those
connected with the American branch Of these
scoundrel swindlers is known 10 the authori-
ties, but the trouble is that nothing can be
proven against them. Many who come have
nothing but counterfeit American money
with which to pay their way in the now
world. know OF one instance where an i'm
migrant landed with n select aud worthless
collection OF Confederate money, sold 10 him
on the othcr side. The counterfeit money
disposed Of abroad to immigrants, l an told,
Is sent out from New York
OTHER VAMPIRES.
The swindling land agent is another spider
into whose net the ignorant foreigner drops
He does his work here MS wen a. abroad.
These meanest Of mean confidence mon aro
always on ham when a steamer arrives.
There arc no regulations or arrangements 20
keep him from his prey, as in New York and
Philadelphia, and no one on hand to balk his
little game. He circulates freely among the
new arrivals, and, by his suave manners and
engaging conversation, soon gets n victim
generally the head OF some fnmily who has
saved n little money to buy a farm 10 settle
down upon, finally selling him farms and
lots in various states OF the west which have
no existence except in his Imagination and
upon tho gaudily colored maps he ostenta-
tiously exhibits. In addition to these there
Is always a swarm OF clearinghouse run
ners, policy-shop steerers, skin gamblers,
pickpockets and econ" men lowering about
in search Of human game.
But the most dangerous OF all aro the fe-
male vampires, who lie in wait for youth
and innocence They have a clear field, and
work 1t for all it Is worth. Grandly they
ride down in their carriages, hired for the
occasion, and move about among the women
immigrants on tho lookout for pretty faces
and fine forms. A young woman has come
alone 10 this country. expecting 10 join
fnther, brother, or sister In some distant
state. Good looks and innocence are seen
upon her face. Theeye Of the richly dressed
procuress rests upon her, and ualess God has
pity on her, for the harpy has none. she is
decoyed TO ruin. Hundreds OF poor girls are
thus lured away. Ruine and disgraced, In
despair they live on in their life OF shame,
while their relatives wonder what has be-
come OF them. That such outrageous doings
arc permitted TO DO carried on in this city is
a deep disgrace, and l hope what l have
written about IL will come to the notice of
some one who will exert his Influence toward
the formation of some society which will
remedy these evils.
THOSE WHO GO BAoK.
Speaking of immigrants brings to mind
ths fnct recently brought to my notice that
large numbers OF immigrants are returning
to their native lands OF these. a few went
laIller lnAn n lew miles Outslue TINS city
upon landing, while tho majority have never
seen any other place. Satisfied that IL thoy
once set foot ON American soil they would
flourish, hundred OF men and women, old
and young, annually scrape together just
enough to bring them to Boston. Upon ar
irving thoy soon find that there is no search
~ OF lhborers in all branches of industry,
and that work Is not 70 easily obtainable
as they thought it would be. They
find that they are not the only people
who havo sought Boston for a home
and fortune, for their numbers nle exceeded
by Canadians, who have overrun New Eng
land to say nothing OF tho people here be-
fore them They find that tho influx OF
labor exceeds the demand, and that to real
iEe their hopes they should have journeyed TO
tho west They nave not the money with
which TO take them there, and. becoming dis
Outraged, they practice frugality until
money enough Is saved to take them home in
the steerage. Many manage 10 get back
who would romain here a long time IL they
had to wait until they had laid up enough TO
pay their way. These persons place them
selves in the hands of the state board Of
charities, and as It is cheaper to send them
home than to support them here. a return
ticket is furnished. and they 90 back in the
next steamer.
A Very Cautious Man.
New York sun1