Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-05
The Gold Brick Xender.


finarciers," the public has been 100
| much disposed to focus its afternoon
uron the "big fellows" and to leave
out Of sight a group of smaller oper-
| ators whose methods are vastly more
nefarious. The big financier VINO
takes a small and successful business
ENTERPRISE, issues upon it its credit,
stock and bonds far in excess OF It's
actual worth, unloads such. stock and
bonds upon a conhding public. and
quietly drops out OF the whole enter
prise is, morally a thief, even though
his k,avery has been conducted with
in the technical limits Of the law.
There should be some way to reach
and punish him. and it is gratifying
to note that means for reaching such
men through the courts are constantly
increasing. There is one thing to be
said. however, for this class of finan-
ciers. his victims still have the origi-
nal business with which he started
| upon his money making career.
But there is another kind of finan-
cier who does not see the need Of any
substantial business enterprise TO start
with. He regards it fully as easy, and
considerably cheaper to capitalize a
bubble, dream, hole in the ground,
patent. most anything that can be
talked up and then fatten his
pockets by unloading it's stock upon
the public. This man is known as "a
gold brick vendcr.' Success in his
calling demands certain kind of
genius. He must be what is commonly
known as "a bird"-sauve, insinuatinS
loquacious, persuasive. He must have
no scrupleS, 10 heart and no con-
science, for they would certainly pre-
vent his success in his chosen calling
In beginning his operations the gold
brick vender. almost invariably works
among his friends for the reason that
he finds it easier to victimize them.
He doesn't go after large amounts, for
the reason that he does not want any
ono loaded beyond the grin and bear
it" point when the denouement
comes His stock is issued in small
blocks, has paid constant dividends,
usually from previous sales. and is
bound to make everybody connected
with it rich. AS 4 personal favor the
vendor is willing to let a few of his
close friends into the good thing. Hav-
their names rs potent lever, moves
| out UPON the public in general. He
first gathers in the funds Of the
widows and orphans. persuhding his
victims that the high dividends paid
| by his enterprises will enable them to
| enjoy in greater degree the comforts
and Injuries of life. He is mcrciless
in his methnds-the aged. the inflrn
the sick, the suffering are all held fast
prospers and wakes fat. Then comes
| the crash. His enterprise is found to
have been wind There is nothing be-
hind it, His victims have been
swindled and robbed; but they are
conscious of their folly, and most OF
them suffer in silence. Some of them
&C to the vcndcr, To inquire about it.
What" lie says calmly ''arc you in
| that yet? Why. l sold out my hold
ings a year $50" and then he proceeds
to unfold to them new investment
scheme SO glittering that it quite
throws all former ones in the shade,
and. strang2 perversity Of human IA
ture.-hc not .nfrcquently catches
them second time. a skilled vender.
i'll the height of his success, is always
something Of a wonder.
| But. if he stays too long in one place.
the reaction is sure to come. People
| look nj him askance: they no longer
enthIae over his enterprises; many
whisper uncomplmentary names be-
| hind his back, and few toss them in
mis- face. He feels vaguely that the
people are on to him; that they have
sized him up; that he no longer enjoys
their confidence or respect; that he is
in fact on The toboggan, The descent
| is rapid. He clutches wildly at every
! thing iii sight which he thinks will ar
rest Ills descent; but there is 10 per-
| manent hope for him; he secures only
temporary iespites; his general course
is down, and he ultimately lands.
| where he properly belongs, i'll the mire
OF public obloQuy and condemnation.
lc has passed from the stage. This.
| in general way. is the career of the
gold brick vcnder. Occasionally he
gets out of the ruts. He retires on his
profits" and dazzles his neighbours by
the wide swath he cuts; but such in