Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1909-09-22
Sucker Bait.

i The letter published below wa
submitted to US for publication BY
Capt. W. H. Evans, OF Hopewell
who received it a month or NOR
ago. The story reads like .
romance (Which it is), and the OBJ
ject of it is to work on the sym
pathies and cupidity of the party
addressed with the intention o.
handing him a gold-brick later on,
We print the letter as written:
Castle Port of Alicante, July 90
1909.
Mr.. w. H. Evans,
Dear Sir and reIative:-Having
not the honor to know you, but
for the references which my dead
wife, Maria Evans, your relative,
gave me, who mentioning the in
dividuals of our family praised the
honesty and good qualities that
distinguish you, l address you
for the first time, and perhaps the
last, considering the grave state of
my health, explaining you my sad
position, and requesting your pro-
lection for my only daughter, Is
years old, that l keep as pension
er in the College of San Mateo.
Being secretary and treasurer of
| Mr.. Martinez Campos in the last
war of Cuba, and deserving the
confidence of such an illustrious
gentleman, placing my capital in
public funds transactions so that l
might make a brilliant position for
my daughter, whom love with
passion since her mother died.
Now my fortune increased fast,
have been happy had my protector
continued al the end of the cam
paign, as was no sooner replaced
by the General Weyler. that my
misfortune presented itself. AS
could not succeed in making him
company to Spain and not being in
my power to see Cuba ruled by an
adversary polite, l joined the re-
belion in behalf of the republic,
but as were victims of the greatest
treason l was obliged to emigrate
in English ground, taking along
with me my money, valued to
t32 900 sterling. After having
resided some time in London, | re.
ceived the sad news my wife had
died, leaving my dear daughter in
despair and without help. In this
sad situation l found myself in the
necessity of coming to Spain to
help my daughter, and bring her
in my company to your country.
Before starting, considering it
imprudent to take along with me
this respectable sum of money, |
decided to place it in the National
Bank of England, against a special
private contract and only as de-
posit as it appears in the security
document, payable to the bearer.
that the bank gave me as guaran
tee, which document l hidden in Il
concealed hollow of my portmau
teau, very we'll made, which the
most keenest eyes cannot find out.
Then very satisfied that the money
was in security l started for Spain
to help my daughter, where l was
discovered by the militar authori-
ties, brought Immediately before
the government militar of Carta-
gena, and condemned to IS years
penal servitude, destined to under
go my condemn at this castle,
where l bitterly suffer, deprived
of all communication from out
side. When l was sentenced my
equipage and the portmauteau have
been confiscated, this embargo was
made as guarantee for the pay
ment of the costs of my process,
but paying the costs this embargo
will be raised. l am only visited
by the chaplain of this castle who
besides being my confessor is my
best friend. Thanks to him that
seeing my grave state of health l
can write you this letter.
As | am strictly watched for my
political enemies, you do not re
veal to nobody the most inslgnifi-
cant detail of my secrecy, trust
in your discretion and induces me
the noble wish pretending your
protection for my daughter, who
perhaps l may not be able to see
again. If you are disposed to be
the protector of my daughter l
will call on Notary to make my
last will, appointing you her
guardian. l shall manage to send
the respectable reverend with my
dear daughter to your house, also
the equipages we will act then ac-
cordingly for getting my capita
will be granted to my dear Julia
in my testament, and a part be-
sides to you and your family as
Justly reward.
AS it is prohibited to me to re-
ceiye any public correspondence il
is dangerous You direct your letter
straight to me. for this reason, |
expect you will pnt your answer
in an ordinary letter and not
ror;stara1 with two enynIones the