REV. JOSEPH SPENCER,
80 Madison Street.
Manager of American Book Concern.
Dealer in Religious Books.
Chicago, Ill., July 26, 1905.
MR. O. W. ZINK,
Marshall, Mo.
Dear Sir:
For many years I have been a MINISTER of the GOSPEL and
during that time I have not only performed hundreds of
marriages, but have arranged many, and there are at the
present time among my acquaintances some half dozen wealthy
ladies, ranging in age from twenty to forty or fifty years,
one of whom is the handsome widow whose photo I enclose
herewith.
She is worth, in actual cash and negotiable securities,
fully $50,000, inherited from her worthy husband, who
departed this life a year ago and, as she is without
friends, relatives or children, her physician, a friend of
mine, has on account of her utter loneliness advised her
to marry, believing that marriage and change of scene will
prove for her a blessing in disguise, and naturally she has
turned to me, her spiritual adviser, in whom she has the
utmost confidence. I have several times talked the matter
over with her, and, knowing that she is very much averse
to advertising, I have undertaken to introduce to her some
gentleman who would make her a good husband, and to arrange
a marriage for her.
As her physician thinks it advisable for her to reside
elsewhere than Chicago, I have been somewhat perplexed as
to how to secure for her a suitable introduction and in my
dilemma consulted a matrimonial agency and, after several
conferences with them, I have decided to submit for your
kind consideration my proposition and manner of procedure.
I have studied the matter carefully, have gone thoroughly
into your description and instructions as filed with the
agency of which you are a member, and in my mind there is
not the slightest doubt as to you two proving mutually
suitable to each other. Of course, you cannot form the
proper idea of her from the small photo enclosed, but in
age, appearance, circumstances, etc., she is just what you
have been seeking in a wife.
She is in every respect a thoroughly good woman, unusually
bright and intelligent, but knows nothing of business, and
is in absolute need of a husband to look after her affairs,
but, TO BE CANDID WITH YOU, I am getting along in years,
and have a large family to support and as I only arrange
a few marriages at intervals, I must necessarily have
compensation adequate to the service I render.
Now, I can, by recommending you personally, cause her to
enter into a correspondence with you that will undoubtedly
lead to your marriage, if you are still desirous of such
a marriage, as I presume you are, from the fact that you
are registered with a matrimonial agency. I will, for the
consideration of $100, introduce you to her by letter and
after you have exchanged three or four letters, will have
you visit her at her expense, as you may mutually agree, if
you will follow my simple instructions.
I am not making you this proposition on the spur of the
moment, for I have spent much time and thought before
deciding to write you, and all I ask is that, AS AN
EVIDENCE OF YOUR GOOD FAITH and to cover the immediate
expense necessary thereto on my part (such as asking her
to dinner with me a few times in order that I may during
the good cheer that abounds at such times dwell at length
upon the matter without any unnecessary delay), that you
enclose me immediately upon receipt of this letter BANK
DRAFT, REGISTERED LETTER, or EXPRESS MONEY ORDER, for $10;
the balance, $90, you need not pay me until after you have
married her and assumed the management of her affairs.
Upon receipt of this small amount, $10, I will absolutely
guarantee your marriage to her within sixty days and, if
before that time you should feel that you do not care to
pursue the matter to a conclusion, I will positively refund
your money upon my honor as a MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.
My standing in my profession is such that I could not do
otherwise and, as I have stated before, there are several
ladies to whom I could introduce you, now that I have
really taken the matter up with you, but I consider you two
really suited to each other, so will not go into further
particulars. Trusting to hear from you AT THE VERY EARLIEST
POSSIBLE MOMENT, I am, with assurance of my regards,
Very respectfully,