The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-06
AN OLD SW|NDLING
 TRICK IS REVIVED Confidence Man Sends Out Let ter About Counterfeit Money ONLY GREENHORNS BITE Letter Contains Some Old Story of Ex- pert Engraving and How Big
 Money Can Be Made on
 Small Investment.
ONLY GREENH0RNS BITE

The open-faced manner in which coun- even advertising their business may be gathered from the foinv-' E circular, which was sent to a busin--s man of Birmingham several days ago:
 '(Confdential)
 My Dear Sir-Your name was sent to me by my son (who Is my travelling rep resentative) as shrewd, reliable and trustworthy man to cooperate with in your vicinity, and l therefore take the liberty of proposing a scheme to you that ninety-nine out of hundred up-to- date men would gladly grasp if they could personally examine my work, thereby convincing themselves of the ab- solute safety of my offer.
 'I am an expert engraver, having for twenty-two years been employed in the bureau of engraving, Washington, D. c. and for twelve years superintendent of one of the largest bank note companies in the country. Every moment of my leisure was spent in practicing the dupli- cation of the one, five and ten dollar notes, and these were the original de- nominations I had worked upon, you can believe me when I say they are perfect.
 Now, my dear sir, 1 am fully aware of the suspicion and prejudice that you naturally will entertain for my proposi- tion, and you will on first thought proba- bly, think the matter not worth your con sideration but if you will postpone your decision and look upon my proposition from business standpoint, you will cer- tainly give me credit for not being idiot enough to waste my time addressing man of your standing in the community on a subject, such as this, unless I could. beyond the possibility of a doubt, sub stantiate every word I write.
 There are swindlers representing that they can furnish just such goods as am offering you, because they know and take it for granted that the people in general know that there are hundreds of thousands of counterfeit dollars in cir culation
 Their various methods and schemes have been exposed from time to time in the newspapers throughout the entire country, and their inability to furnish the goods Is clearly demonstrated the mos ment they are requested to submit them to an examination.
 My proposition to you in plain terms is this: Would you be willing to cooperate with me in the disposal of my goods pro- viding that l prove to you beyond all doubt, that my work Is an exact dupica- ton of the originals and that 1t cannot be told from the genuine, even by experts. The almost impossible chance of detec- ton would occur only in case you should attempt to deposit In a bank one of the government notes and one of mine of the same denomination check-letter and num- Der, at the same time. A discreet man can avoid this. Understand I do not ex pect you to invest one dollar until you have examined my entire stock. from one to one hundred thousand dollars, com pare them with the genuine, and in fact, submit them to any test you see fit, then after you are satisfied on every point you can decide whether you will accept my proposition or not. To give you an idea of the profits of the business, I will say that an investment of $500 will give you an immediate return for that year s toll in your present business would do' and without injuring friends neighbors or your fellowman. To convince you of the safety of the business I will-upon receipt of telegram-as per enclosed note send you a sample of my work and will also appoint a place to meet you, so | that you can personally examine my en- | tire stock.
 "If for any reason you decide not to | cooperate with me, I trust as an honor- | able man, you will honor the protection | that the word Confidential ensures to all communications. burn this and let the matter drop. Trusting, however to hear | from you immediately. I remain, "Conf1dentially yours.
 "P. S-Enclosed please find clipping from Washington newspaper. which should assure you of the absolute safety of handling my goods"
 This class of confidence business Is as old as the hills and only dishonest green horns are caught by the swindlers.