“I will not go into details in this letter, but if you will send me $2, I will send you samples of money representing $50, also complete confidential instructions, lists of prices of various denominations of money. “The above will enable you to get a proper start, and if you go into the business on a large scale, I will arrange to pay your expenses to Boston, where we can have a personal private conference and make negotiations. “I enclose a strong envelope, addressed, in which you can place your $2, and it will reach me safely. Rest assured I shall deal with you fairly, Mr. ----, and I expect the same treatment in return. “P. S.--The samples of money that I will send you are printed from original government plates, therefore, are not counterfeit (or imitation) money.” It is necessary to read the letter twice in order to appreciate the fine points of composition, the seductive tone of the epistle, and yet, the clever way in which the writer avoids making any damaging admissions. The opening and the general style is that of the regular “green goods” letter, but it differs in two important points--its tone is not so secret as those epistles generally are, and the address of the sender is given. Furthermore the customer is not required to answer by a secret telegraphic message. The postscript is particularly inviting, as the writer guaranteed to send money from original government plates, and not counterfeits. This is Literally True, but the writer forgets to state that the government which is represented on the money went out of existence about 30 years ago. Confederate money is what will be sent, and the agreement will be literally carried out so far as the amount specified goes. If the customer “kicks,” he is bound hand and foot, so to speak, for he has made himself a party to the fraud by sending for the article advertised, and which is really much worse than what he receives. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Counterfeit Money, by Anonymous