Omaha daily bee., 1885-07-09

From time to time citizens OF OmahI
have received a certain class Of myster
lous letters, over which they have doubt
less puzzled in trying to ascertain thu
objects for which the mi.sives were
written. A prominent business man got
one through the mails the other day anG
turned 1t over to United States Deputy
Marshal Allan. 1t reads as follows:
New YoRK.
Dear Sir: No doubt when you receive thil
letter you will say il is some trap set for you
to get you into trouble; but such Is not the
case, 1 promise you this, as true as there is a
God in heaven, [ obtained your name through
q friend of mine who passed through your
place, and this is all l know Of you; and, on
my solemn oath, 1 speak the plain, candid
truth; and l swear, before the Almighty God
In heaven, my purpose is far from harming
should you make up your mind to answer this
letter, l will give you my word and honor,
that no person, man, woman or child, shall
ever hear from my mouth the least thing that
ever passes between us, and l will keep this
promise as sacred as l would my oath before
God in heaven,
1 will be plain with you. I am dealing in
articles, paper goods-ls. rs, 5s, los and 20s-
lido you understandI 1 cannot be palmer
until 1 know your heart is true to me; then /
will send you full and plain particulars that /
mean you right, and will satisfy and convince
you that I can furnish you with q fine, safe
and a profitable article, that can be used in
any manner and for all purpc-os, and no dan
ger.
Now understand me, fair and square: /
ask no money in advance, nor do l want it. l
want to give you plain and positive proofs
that, should you need my assistance, l can
and will help you out of any money or bust.
ness troubles you may be In, and no matter to
| what extent; and no person on the face of
| Gods earth need ever be the wiser for it, un.
less you betray me; and as my intentions are
| square and upright to you, and as L never
have or will harm you by word, look or &C
ton, 1 ask you, before heaven, as a man of
henor and principle, not to expose or betray
me. And If / have made a mistake in send
ing you this letter, i ask you to forgive me,
4 and let the matter rest where 1t is, for my in
~tentiens are as upright to you as heaven
Itself. For a man can have honor and princi-
Pile no matter what his business may be in
this world, So do not harm me. For my
motto in this life is, and always has been, if
you can't do q fellow being some good, do him
no harm, no matter what his calling may be.
Now a word of advice in regard to this bust
ness. There are some unpfinclpled men in
this city advertising goods the same as mine.
But before God and man they are far from it.
They will send you circulars and promise all
kinds of things, and should you be foolish
enough to send them money, that is the last
you will hear of them or you money. And
there are other firms here dealing in green
goods of q very poor quality, and not safe to
handle. Now l am not writing this letter
through malice or selfshness to get your
trade, but to warn you against them. Should
you at any time receive their circular las these
people have their agents going from one state
to another getting storekeepers. names
land in fact names of people in all kinds OF
business) and should you make up your mind
to write and placs confidence in me, with o
view of trading with me, l will take 1t as a
matter of honor and strict friendship between
US, if you will notify me If these people send
any consideration, trade with any person who
has anything to do with them, and time will
prove they are not reliable men TO trade with.
and this is the Almighty Gods honest truth, |
as / am the only person who can furnish you
with a safe and profitable article that will
stand a critical test, and will prove each and
every promise 1 have given you before L will
expect to receive one dollar.
Now q word of advice, if you receive word
from any person in this town about this bust
ness, let me know at once. and send me their
if you do not do this then / will not
sell you any goods. 1 am the principal deal
or, and if you trade with Others you will get
them from second hands, and they will cost
you more. Now bear in mind, l ask you as a
friend not to answer any letters or circulars
until you notify me; l will then inform you if
they are reliable men and If they are employ
I'd as my agents; this is important, if you
wish to trade with me, as you will find me
and honorable in business, but will
be responsible II you correspond with my
gents if you do not notify me and send me
heir letters.
I will, as a test of honor and confidence on
,our part, request the re \ n OF this letter. 1
Will know then you mean me no harm, for t
will not answe any communication unless i
8 returned to me-.
1 will not deviate from this rule and on my
acred oath and honor befo re God and man,
will return yours. Yours in honor and
friendship, w. r. ROBERTS,
147 Delaney street, N. Y.
This letter is one of a class of circular
etters which are constantly being sent
ut all over the country, and which are
mployed in the operation of M of the
nost clever confidence games known in
he ''roysl art" of swlndling.
A reporter VINO was talking, to-day,