for fear of a prosecution for swindling. But the list
below began with the words "the oil lands _to be conveyed_ to the
Company are as follows:" "that's exactly it" quoth Rolleum--"no lie
there, at any rate. They _are_ to 'to be conveyed' to us--if we
choose--just as soon as we can pay for them." And then the list went on
from "No. 1" to "No. 43," giving in a row all those memoranda which
Rolleum had obtained in Venango County and the region round about, of
the descriptions of the real estate which the landsharks up there would
be glad to sell for what they asked for it.

The Prospectus said the capital of the company was one million dollars,
in one hundred thousand shares at ten dollars each. But _in order to
obtain a_ WORKING CAPITAL, twenty thousand shares are offered for a
_limited period_ at five dollars each, not subject to further
assessment.

And it added, though with more phrases, something to the following
effect: Hurry! Pay quick! Or you will lose your chance! In conclusion
the whole was wound up with many wise and moral observations about
legitimate business, interests of stockholders, heavy capitalists,
economical management, and other such things; and it bestowed some
rather fat compliments upon the honorable Abraham Bee and the Trustees.

Having concocted this choice morsel of bait, they set it in the great
stream of newspapers, there to catch fish. In plain terms, with some
cash and some credit--for their means would not even reach to pay in
advance the whole of their first advertising bill--they managed to have
their advertisement published during several weeks in a carefully chosen
group of about thirty of the principal newspapers of the United States.

The whole web was now woven; and Rolleum and Digwell, like two hungry
spiders, squatted in their den, every nerve thrilling to feel the first
buzz of the first fly. It was natural that the scamps should feel a
good deal excited: it was life or death with them. If a confiding
public, in answer to their impassioned appeal, should generously remit,
they were made men for life. If not, instead of being rich and respected
gentlemen, they were ridiculous, detected swindlers.

Well--they succeeded. So truthful is our Great American Nation--so
confiding, so sure of the truth of what is said in print, even if only
in the advertising columns of a newspaper--so certain of the good faith
of people who have their names printed in large capitals and with a
handl