New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-12

on the road TO sell their stuff, like any other
man who has something to sell. and their vic
INNS are usually the men who are known to be
ciose and stlngy, and from whom it is difficult
10 get cent at any time Only a short time ago
man with all the outward characteristics of
Western miner introduced himself TO a farmer
to whom he pretended to have been sent by
mutual friend and confided to him that he could
put him in the way of making fortune The
Westerner wanted partner in his mining bust
ness. He his way to New-York to Sc
cure one, but if he could find q man nearer
home so much the better. BY the way he had
at his hotel a sample of the gold taken from the
mine The farmer saw ii and expressed a desire
to possess ii. The miner needed it to show in
New-York, but piece of it would do just
we'll, and his new friend might have the rest at
one-halt its real value. The clerk of the hotel
was asked If there a metal expert in the
town, and, to the joy of the farmer. it
earned that man who was on his way to one
Oh the largest mines in the country, where he
was employed as an expert gold. had regis
tered there a few days ago The man was
found and for a consideration was induced to
test the big chunk OF bullion and declared it
gold OF the finest quality. Well, the sale was
made, and you know the rest. The sham assayer
and the confidence man left the town and worked
There is one class of customers to whom the
gold brick fraternity pays attention that
requires great care in handling. These are the
people who form the exception to the general
rule in so far that they are come ons' They
come from Europe to buy gold bricks The gold
prlck merchant keeps posted the subject of
deaths among wealthy country people in Eu-
rope, and, selecting his victim. he writes to a
man whom he knows to be dead. but whose
estate is in the hands of others. He tells some
COCK ard bull story, usually something like this:
You will probably be surprised TO hear from
ne. whom you have not seen in so and 50 many
years. You remember that you did me a great
kindness then land here he may or may not go
into PARTICULARS, and l have an opp1r-
tunity to repay you. have discovered sold in
large quantities on my ranch bat there is more
on my neighbours property. which can ue bought
Tor a song. as no one knows Of my good fortune.
II YOU could come over or send a trustworthy
representative with little money you could
make a fortune ana would demonstrate my
gratitude FOR past fayors etc. etc.
Many Of these letters have the desired result
and fortune hunters come all the way across
the ocean to buy lump az worthless metal.
How 90 they make it pass for gold2 Why by
taking Il biz out in the presence Of thc victim
and handing st TO him t. have it assaycd any
where. The gold brick man knows very we'll
whore the bits OF good metal are worked into
the brick. and he make, no mistake about Civ
ins the good piece to thu buyer In some in
stances h is in cousi,n with an asyaycr and
in rare eases he really has a genuine article
which the victim thinxs ne has secured until
he reaches home. when he discovers that the
brick in his bag is not the same. No. tn gold