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magic and real detectives-第7章

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During the flush times that followed the war; immense fortunes were

suddenly acquired by a class of cheats who operated on the

credulity of the public through gift enterprises; lotteries; and

other kindred schemes。  Most of the large concerns established

their headquarters in New York City; flooding the entire country;

particularly the South and West; with lithographic circulars;

written apparently with the pen for the exclusive benefit of the

recipient; and showing how fortunes could be securely made by

remitting specified sums to the houses in question。  Some of the

bogus firms simply pocketed the cash of correspondents without

pretending to render any equivalent whatever; while others; no more

honest; but a little more politic; sent forth worthless jewelry and

other stuff by the bushel。



One of the most villainous and at the same time successful devices

was built up on the offer of counterfeit currency at a heavy

discount。  In substance; the circulars; emanating from different

parties; and from the same parties under different names; were all

alike。  They usually began with an insidious compliment to the

person addressed; to the effect that from trustworthy sources the

writer had heard of him as a man of more than ordinary capacity and

shrewdness; and; emboldened by the high estimate placed upon his

abilities by persons well qualified to judge; had selected him as

the very individual to aid in securing a fortune for both with

〃absolute safety。〃  The circular usually goes on to state that the

writer is a first…class engraver;indeed 〃one of the most expert

in the United States;〃while his partner is a first…class printer。

Hence the firm possess unrivaled facilities for imitating the

national currency。  The recipient is particuarly cautioned to

beware of a class of miscreants who infest the city of New York and

advertise throughout the country the goods that he manufactures;

but send nothing except rubbish。  The 〃original Doctor Jacobs〃

excoriates unmercifully the whole tribe of swindlers whose

rascalities debauch and bring odium upon the trade。  He exhorts the

gentleman of great reputed 〃shrewdness and sagacity〃 to observe the

utmost caution in conducting operations; and gives him explicit

directions how to forward the purchase…money。



Several years ago a preacher of the gospel; stationed not far from

the northern frontier of the republic; received by mail one of the

seductive missives of Ragem & Co。; of New York City。  The douceur

opened with the usual complimentary references to the peculiar

personal fitness of the clergyman for the proposed enterprise; and

went on to state that; in exchange for genuine greenbacks; Ragem &

Co。 would furnish in the proportion of fifty to one imitations so

absolutely perfect that the most experienced bank officers could

not distinguish the difference。  Rev。 Zachariah Sapp;for such was

the euphonious name of the preacher;after an attentive perusal of

the flattering proposal; deposited the document in his coat…pocket

for convenience of reference。  Having pondered the subject for a

day or two; he decided to write to Ragem & Co。 for more explicit

information。



Divining with the peculiar instinct of the guild the character of

the fish now nibbling at the naked hook; the cheat resolved to risk

a little bait; and accordingly sent by return mail a genuine one…

dollar note; with a written invitation both for a reply and a

personal conference。



Never before did the Rev。 Zachariah Sapp subject a piece of paper

to such scrutiny。  Both with the naked eye and with a microscope;

a relic of collegiate days;he studied the engravings and filigree

work。  Detail by detail he compared the supposed imitation with

bills of known genuineness without being able to discover the

slightest point of variation between them。  Paper; printing; and

engraving seemed to be absolutely perfect。  While the study was

progressing; the imagination of the clergyman soared through the

empyrean of dazzling expectations。  Why continue to toil hard for a

small pittance when the golden apples were hanging within easy

reach?  Why drag out an existence in penury when wealth and its

joys were thrust upon him?



Zachariah; however; was prudent and thriftyindeed rather more

thrifty in the estimation of parishioners than befitted one who

held by right of faith a title…deed to mansions in the skies。

Almost as soon would he risk his future inheritance as peril on a

doubtful venture the few hundred dollars snugly saved up for a wet

day by prudence and economy。



Not willing to rely entirely on his own judgment; he rather

reluctantly decided to call on a banker in an adjacent town; with

whom he enjoyed a slight acquaintance。  In thinking the matter over

he was greatly perplexed to determine how to introduce the subject。

Of course it would not answer to allow the cashier to fathom his

secret purpose; and yet he was oppressed with a vague consciousness

that only a translucent film hid his thought from the world。  Once

or twice; in driving over on the unfamiliar errand; weak and

irresolute he half resolved to turn back; but greed finally

prevailed; and he kept on to the village。



With a strong but unsatisfactory effort to appear at ease; he

sauntered into the bank。  After the usual interchange of greetings;

he nervously remarked; 〃Brother Hyde; as I was coming this way to…

day to call on Brother Tompkins; I have taken the liberty to drop

in to ask you a question on a matter in your line。〃



〃Very well;〃 replied the banker; 〃I shall be happy to serve you。〃



〃I had a transaction a few days ago;〃 resumed the clergyman; 〃with

a peddler;an entire stranger to me;who; in making change; gave

me a number of bills which I have reason to suspect are

counterfeits。  I desire your opinion。〃



〃Please let me see them;〃 said Mr。 Hyde。



He took the one…dollar note from the hand of the unfaithful pastor;

and after scanning it a moment; inquired; 〃What is the matter with

it?〃



〃Is it good?〃 queried the anxious owner。



〃I wish I had my safe full of the same sort;〃 answered the banker。

〃There is nothing bad about the bill。  What makes you think so?

Perhaps you have shown me the wrong one。  Let me see the others。〃



〃I must have left the rest at home;〃 replied the preacher; fumbling

among the compartments of the pocket…book。



Having accomplished the object of his mission without perpetrating;

as he thought; any disastrous blunder; Mr。 Sapp brought the

interview to a close with a few commonplace remarks; and hurried

away to enjoy in solitary self…communion the thick…crowding visions

of future affluence。



With the last doubt satisfactorily overcome; the plans of the

prospective millionaire rapidly took shape。  He could raise five

hundred dollars; which at the proposed rate of interchange would

purchase twenty…five thousand of the 〃absolutely perfect

imitations。〃  The sum seemed vastincalculable。  His imagination;

hitherto bound down by the narrow circumstances of remote rural

life; staggered while trying to grasp the conception of so much

wealth。  Like the mysteries of time and space; it appeared too

grand for comprehension。  Then his reveries strayed into another

channel。  What noble fellows were Ragem & Co。  Why; among forty

millions of people; did they pick out him; an unknown clergyman;

living in an obscure place hundreds of miles from the metropolis;

to be the favored recipient of untold wealth?  Surely; this is a

special Providence。  Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without

His knowledge。  He watches over his own。  Suddenly the erring

clergyman feels a terrible pull at his heart…strings。  What right

has he; about to betray a sacred trust; and engage in operations

branded as infamous by the laws of the land; to claim the watchful

care of Providence?  Will not the all…seeing eye follow him?  Will

not the omnipotent hand strike him heavily in wrath?  The poor man

wipes the cold perspiration from his forehead; and wonders if it

will pay。



But he has paltered too long; and now the devil claims him for his

own。



Returning home; Sapp wrote to Ragem & Co。; stating the amount of

his available resources; and saying that upon a given day and hour

he would meet them at the appointed rendezvous。  On the following

Sunday the congregation were startled at the close of the afternoon

services by an extraordinary announcement from the pulpit。



Before pronouncing the benediction the pastor said: 〃I take this

opportunity to communicate to you collectively a piece of personal

intelligence which I have hitherto kept secret。  Under the will of

a relative who recently died in the State of Michigan; I inherit a

large sumto me; with my humble wants; a very large sum。  By

appointment; I am to meet the executor of the estate this week in

New York City to receive the first installment of the legacy。  I do

not propose to leave you;
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