The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-06

touched up his horse and came on to tne
city. The MAGISTRATE, however, secured a
good look at Parker. whose stately,
handsome appearance impressed him
bit. lie said yesterday the man In the
prison cell and the tall, distinguishing
fellow he saw on the New North ROAD
was one and the same.
THE PRISONER RErIcENT.
When seen In his cell, Parker stated
that according Ia Instructions from his
counsel, Mir. l.. q. Wendenburg, he nad
nothing 10 say for publication. lie claim
cd 10 be innocent OF the charge. saying
that he had never had a transaction OK
any kind with Withers. though he was ac-
quaintod with him. Further than this
ne would say nothing.
Sergeants rcmtnson and Hall were TO
leave for LynchDurg yesterday evening
to bring to this city the two men VINO
were arrested In the Hill City yesterday
morning. IL was thought that one. Of
them was none othet than the alleged
john Williams. who played the part OF the
Arizona MINER ana the other the sup
posed indian. who iS-Well, nobody
knows anything about him. lie was
the mysterious man in the background.
IL is believed. however. that very little
indian blood fiows in his veins, and he
Is just a plain, ordinary Caucasian mem
Der or the cast.
In conversation with Mr.. Withers, he
stated that his head was perfectly clear
during the time he was transacting the
deal with the sharpers. 1t was, he in
sisted the most cleverly concocted
scheme he had ever heard Of. Whether
he Will recover any considerable portion
OF the money remains to be seen. II Is
quite doubtful. Men in that business
usually take good care OF the spotls.
IT is altogether probable that some
characters as yet not enumerated in the
cast may figure in the case before 1t
blows over.
A TREATISE on THE SUBJECT.
From one of the mems satchels was Sc
cured circular which gives little urea
tlse on the gold brick swindle. Here IT
Is:
'"rhe persistence of certain xmas OF
swlndles would be amusing, were IL not
that their constant success encourages
the criminal clement, and emDoldehs cum
ming rogues to prey on the community
Among these frauds ana snares FOR the
unwary is the gold brick swindle, as to
which IL seems that age cannot wither
nor custom stale its infinite variety. III
has existed. we may well believe. since
the earliest use OF gold as precious met
al. and blooms out year by year still,
with Ii perennial freshness.
'No explanation is needed OF the rudi-
ments of the gold brick swindle All the
requisite properties for the successful set
ting of this oft-repeated drama are an
imitation bar of gold. and an air OF mys-
terry, and the dramatis personae are two
rascally confederates and sucker. or
course. time and opportunity add TO the
chances of a successful presentation OF
the comedy, but they are generally taken
care OF by the confederates.
HIS WILLINGNESS.
USUALLY, in commenting upon the gold
brick swindle, the point is lost sight OF
that the defrauded victim con-
tributes very largely TO his own
discontinue by his willingness, If
not eagerness, TO buy the supposed
bar of gold at less than current rates.
The customary scheme, and the one that
has been found TO work the best for the
confederates is TO represent the par Oh
gold as treasure tToVe, or as the result OF
some crime which it would be dangerous
10 disclose. and to offer 10 sell, uhuer
a pledge of the most profound secrecy
for much less than the actual value OF the
bar. were it really gold. The greed OF
the sucker causes him to snap at this
hait and he swallows il. hook ana all,
never rejecting that If the bar were rear
~ gold ITS possesSors would NOT sell II at
a discount since they themselves coulu
turn 1t into money without the least FISK
or trouble. since gold bar with the as
sav mark or stamp erased, is no more
recognizable than plain, ordinary pulid-
ing brick would De. -
at is for this reason that the victim
nj the gold brick swindle gets very little
sympathy from the community. once IN
a. while. 1t is true. scheme is so care
fully and scientifically concocted that ~
would rise TO the dignity OF q criminal