cheme is merely a means of disposing quickly of an extensive
estate, or a building. Whatever may be the pretext, the object is always
to wring money out of the credulous, and the plan is substantially the
same. Generally, in order to evade the law against lotteries, a concert
is announced, and the tickets are sold ostensibly as admissions to that
amusement. Buyers are told that the result will be announced at this
concert. The tickets are sold at prices varying from one to five
dollars. Directories of other cities are obtained, and the mailing
clerks of the city newspapers are paid for copies of the subscription
lists of those journals. Circulars are mailed to parties in other parts
of the country, whose names are thus obtained. There is scarcely a town
or village in the United States but is reached in this way, and as there
are many simpletons in every community, responses of the character
desired by the swindlers come in rapidly. Each person to whom a circular
is sent is requested to act as an agent for the scheme, and is promised a
prize in the distribution if he will use his influence to sell tickets,
and he is requested to say nothing of the inducements offered to him, as
such knowledge would make others dissatisfied. The prize is represented
as of great value. The person receiving the circular is usually
flattered by being selected as the agent of a New York house, and is also
tempted by the liberal offer made to him. He sets to work at once, sells
a number of tickets, and forwards the proceeds to his principals in New
York. The money is simply thrown away. No concert is ever held, no
drawing is ever made. The scoundrels in charge of the swindle continue
the sale as long as there is a demand for the tickets, and pocket all the
receipts. When there is danger of interference by the police, they close
their office and disappear. In a short while, they resume operations
under a new name with an entirely new scheme, and repeat the same trick
from year to year.

[Picture: ATTACK ON A SWINDLER.]

The police are constantly called upon to break up these affairs. Not
long ago, a well-known Gift Enterprise manager was brought before the
Tombs Police Court upon the complaint of several of his victims. The
plaintiffs were unable, however, to make out a successful case against
him, and he was discharged. His victims--the court room was crowded with
them--then resolved to be their own aven