The Opelousas courier., 1899-03-25
sWINDLE BROUGHT UP TO DATE.
cuban War Additions to an Old Trick OF
Sharpers in Spain.

>harpers In Spain.
4. q. Emerson, of the firm of Ener-
son q Hague, wholesale tinsmiths,
of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was in Of
tawa, Canada, recently on his way to
Spain. His journey ended there,
however, and he returned to the
prairie city a much wiser man. He
had a narrow escape of being the VIC
tim of an old swindle.
Mr.. Emerson is a Norwegian and
came to this country about twenty
years ago, leaving only two relatives
IN MS native country, a sister and a
brother. The latter became a private
IN the Spanish Army. He has never
had any communication with his
brother, but early last October he re-
celved a letter from one Augustin La.
fUente, dated from "Castle Fort Of
Falentia," Spain. The writer asserted
relationship by marriage with Emer-
son and requested protection for his
daughter. The letter in parts reads
as follows:
ST Am stfictly watched by my en-
emies. I hose you will reveal to no.
body the moA insignificant detail OF
this letter. 1Being a secretary and
treasurer Of Nartinez Campos in the
last war of Ci,ba, and deserving the
confidence of zach an illustrious man,
paying me parG of the money he made
on his transactions, my fortune in
creased, and I would have been happy
had my protector continued at the end
of the campaign, but no sooner was
he replaced by General Weyler than
my misfortune presented itself. I
could not succeed in accompanying
my benefactor to Spain, and it not being
in my power to see Cuba ruled by an
adversary, I joined the rebellion. But
as we were the victims of the greatest
treason, [ was obliged to emigrate to
England, taking with me all my valu-
ables and S185, 900. Shortly after I
arrived in London [ received word
that my wife had died, leaving my
dear daughter in despair and without
help. In this sad situation I found it
necessary to go to Spain TO help my
daughter and take her out Of the
country. Before leaving, I consid-
cred it imprudent to take along with
me so large a sum Of money, and de.
cided to place it in the Bank Of Eng
land. I then started for Spain, where
I was discovered by the military au-
thorities and condemned to ten years.
penal servitude. I ask you to become
the protector of my daughter. I will
give part Of the money to you, and
the rest to my daughter"
Mr.. Emerson came to the conclusion
that it was his sisters daughter on
whose behalf the appeal was made.
He therefore lost no time in replying
to the letter and asked for further in
structions. In time came a response,
giving Mr.. Emerson more details and
stating that the writer was fast near
ing the end of his earthly career, and
begging that his young daughter
should at once be taken care of. It
would be necessary for Mr.. Emerson
to forward $4,000 to secure from IN
other person the document on which
to obtain from the Bank Of England
the s1s5, 900. Mr.. Emerson decided
to start for Spain forthwith, but on
his way stopped off at Ottawa te pro-
cure a passport. For that purpose he
visited the Interior Department,
where he soon learned the deception
that had been practiced upon him.
Letters of the same nature have been
sent to several persons IN Ottawa.