The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-05-15
THREE HUNDRED OUT.

Miles from Portland Coos to Now York
To Deal with the "Green Goods" Men,
and Returns With an Old Brick in His
valise.
A storekeeper, who lives not an hun
dred miles from Portland, is considera-
bly, wiser than he was a few days ago,
but his wisdom has come high. Several
weeks ago, he received from New York
one of those confidential circulars
wherein the writer says that he is in pos
session of counterfeit that cannot be
detected, and that for 5000 in good mon
ey he will furnish enough of this coun-
terfeit money to make the purchaser
rich for life. The circular always in
vites reply by telegraph, after which
reply an interview will be arranged. Tho
storekeeper made the reply, and in re-
turn soon received letter which began
as follows:
Special Observation-Disclosures No Mistake.
The day before you start from home 20 to the
Post Office and see if there is any further word
from me. II not, follow the instructions below.
say; "All right-will invest three hundred Cor
WnaIever amount you expect to buy. If you
are going to invest four hundred, or six hundred
ana nifty or more, say SO--in order that may
not delay you, and have the goods ready when
you get here. See the point? Then go to your
nearest large town and buy through ticket, if
stop at Mansion House, Bound Brook New
Jersey. Understar d?
vd caution you not 70 disobey any Of my orders
actly as requested. Were It not imperative and
absolutely necessary for the safety of all con-
cerned especially YOU, would not make the
When you are about half way on the road,
send me the enclosed telegram No. 2, stating
about what hour you will arrive at the hotel.
aos s sd ro paes and I'd I reman
til you see or hear from me. Should you arrive
atnight, you may not see me until the next day,
DuG don't get uneasy, as will surely see you II
you will wait. If necessary, wait ali day.
Warming!
Beware of strangers around the depots or on
the trains VINO may claim to know you. Have
nothing to do with any man on earth until you
aae On IN your room hotel The
called on IN your room you will be given the
password and handed your telegram; then you
VIII Know you are with the right party.
enclose sample of my goods to show you
now absolutely perfect they are. 81
The samples enclosed consisted Of three
one dollar bills, and pleased the store
keeper greatly; and well they might, for
it has since turned out that they were
real money. The letter of instructions
was quite explicit, cautioning the recipi
emit to come dressed in clothes looking as
much like city clothes as possible, and
especially warning Kim against familiar
strangers on the trains who might adj
dress him as ''Old Man" In such cases
he was instructed to say, 81 do not un-
derstand what you are talking about;
you go away from me or will blow the
top of your head off,
The letter of instruction was signed
'Your friend, L. Livingston and a
blank telegram enclosed gave Living
ston's address as 1888 West 127th street.
New York city.
The Maine man had friend equally
anxious to get rich, SO the two made up
$500 and started for Bound Brook. AS
they neared the place they sent on the
telegram specified in the letter, and on
arriving went at once to the Mansion
House and took a room. They were
much excited, and waited with great ex-
pectation for the money dealer. AS it
grew late and he did not appear, they
went to bed and, after time, fell asleep.
About 4 o'clock in the morning they
were awakened by rapping at their
door. Getting up and going to the door,
one of them heard the long expected
password, Exchange ESQ.,"
They hastily opened the door, and ad-
mitted young, well-dressed man of
about Is years of age. He babe them
dress and follow him. Ordinarily the
'green goods men are said to be care
full about dealing with two men at a
time, but in this case the two Maine men
went together.
They were conducted some distance
and taken into a room in what was ap-
parently another hotel. In this room
was a venerable appearing, gray-headed
man, whom the young man addressed as
father
The trade was soon struck. The two
Maine men paid over their $500, and then
the old gentleman counted out $40. 900
into box which sat on the table.
sHow much shall we allow our friends
for expenses in coming here,n said the
old gentleman to the young man after he
had piled the $4,000 into the box before
the gloating eyes of the Maine men.
"Oh, give them a thousand, = replied
the younger.
"All right" said the old gentleman, as
he carelessly threw another large bundle
of bills into the box, which he proceeded
| to close.
just as he was closinglthis box, the at
tention of the two Maine men was at
tracted for moment by the younger
man, who stepped up to them suddenly
and, shaking his finger, exclaimed forci-
bly,: ssYoung menr' Immediately he
| began to give them instructions for get
ting their money home and passing it.