The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-31

That all the fools are not yet dead is
we'll illustrated bya case recently tried
before one of our local justices. The
parties, who are both we'll known in
this community we will call Tom and
John. The former for some time back
had been receiving green goods" cir
culars from Jersey City sharpsrs.
inviting him to purchase their goods
He finally asked Johns advice on the
matter and was told to invest
that it seemed to promise to be
good thing Not satisfied
with this, however, Tom decided to 60
down to Jersey City to examine into
the proposed investment. He, there
fore, teIegraphed as per the instruc-
tions given in the letters sent him that
he was coming. As directed. he left
the train at Bound Brook and went to
a hotel, at which he registered under
the name which his letter of instrue.
tion had directed him to assume.
Very soon he was accosted by we'll.
dressed, substantial and respectable ap
pearing young man, who, using the
name under which the Pittstonian had
registered and giving the one that had
been signed to the letters, invited him
to go to Jersey City and examine the
goods. The Pittstonisn and his new
acquaintance went by a circuitous
route to a house situate in the outskirts
of the latter town. There the would-bs
purchaser of green goods" was shown
Il large amount Of perfectly new bills;
ones, twos, tives, tens. and twenties,
which he was informed was the
goods"
THE BAIT EAGERLY GRABBED.
These he was invited to and did ex-
anime most carefully TO see whether he
could find in them any imperfections or
defects that would prevent their ready
circulation or make their handling
dangerous. He was assured that it was
impossible to detect these counterfeits,
as they had been made from plates that
had been stolsn from the bureau of
engraving and printing at Washington
many years ago. The Pittston specu-
lator was thoroughly satisfied with the
prospects of sudden and easy riches
that he saw thus opened to him, but
explained to the Jerseyite that he had
not brought any money with him to
pay for the "goods," but would 60
home, get his money and return to
make the purchase.
To this the Jerssyite assented,
cautioning the Pittstonian to not say
anything to anybody about the intend
ed purchase. When Tom arrived in
Town he fastened to call upon and tell
his friend John Of the easy road to
great riches which the Jerseyite had dis
closed. John was so we'll pleased with
the prospects that he gave Tom 800
to invest for him. The latter with
$500 Of his own money hastened back
to Jersey City as fast as steam could
carry him, Once more he met
the Jerssyits and was taken to the
room in which the goods" were. There
before his eyes, the Jerseyite gathered
up So. 500 of the goods, "(the $500 being
added to make good measure and to
compensate the purchaser for his extra
trip. which after being carefully wrap.
ped in newspaper were deposited by
the Jerseyite in a small iron caskst that
was securely fastened and then given
to the Pittstonian with the strictest in.
functions that it should not he opened
before he reached home.
AN AFFECTING PARTING
The Jerssyite instructed him, more.
over, when he reached home to have
weak solution of coffee made and to dip
the bills in 1t. thus browning and Civ
ing them the appearance of age. The
Pittstonian, 80 far as not opening the
casket was concerned, followed strictly
the instructions that he had received.
When he reached home it was neces-
sary to force open the casket by using
. hammer and coal chisel. When this
had been done in it was found the
newspaper package, which, when
opened, disclosed common, every day
brick. Nor was this the end Of
the speculators' misfortunes. When
he attempted to explain to his friend
and fsllow-speculator. John, how they
had been done" out of their money.
The latter grew incredulous and sus-
picious and demanded the return OF his
$780, This not being forthcoming,
John hastened to the Office of nearby
justice and had summons issued for
Tom.
The case was heard and judgment
given against Tom, who now finds him.
self not only minus his own $500, but
compelled TO make good the 800 which
his fellow-speculator had embarked in
the Rcane