To the Editor of the Nommu-Curva Dany News"
Sm—I take the liberty in request-Jing space enough to voice my dis-Jgust with a certain institution, flourishing in Shanghai at the Jpresent time. Their business is run Jon the principle, that Barnum was fright: "A. sucker is born every minute." But. let me state my experience, 'A few days ago I received a letter jin Russian (a language I only master to a certain degree) from a (as the letterhead showed) interior decorator. They thanked me for my letter, and jin regard to my apartment would I please call at once at their office. Was I Surprised? You bet! for Iwas quite certain that I had written Ino. letter and did not want any Interior decorating done. Being of Jan inquisitive nature, I went. In a singular little office I was met by fan elderly gentleman, who explained that his business was "house-selling" fand not interior decorating, that he had seen an advertisement' of mine in a local Russian morning-paper, in which he saw that I was looking for a buyer for my house. Well, he had a purchaser, how much did I want, now many toms, 7% per cent., commission, ete. etc, and so on for more than' half an" hour—and_ then came the "catch" in the whole business: "$2.00 registration fee."
'But Barnum was' for once wrong!
From something this enterprising} /gentlemon said during our interview, [know for certain that, far from having a buyer for my house, the first time the business of selling my house entered his mind, was when I Jentered his office (and it's a question if he thought of if even then); the absence of any refer to interior decoration made me wonder.
Tf this letter could make the right Jauthorities wonder also, half its purpose would be fulfilled, the other half being for those authorities to step in Jand do something about this "easy-money" "concern, whose name and address tam willing to furnish to the Fight parties upon request.
Tue Nexvous Werck. Shanghai, Oct. 19.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.