“No,” replied Joe, “for I have been there and seen it with my own eyes, and if you do not find it is so when we get there, I will bind myself to be your servant for three years.”

By oaths, asseverations, and fair promises, Lawrence was induced to believe in Joe’s assertion, and agreed to go with him; and as Joseph was out of money, Lawrence had to defray the whole expenses of the journey.  When they arrived at Harmony, Joseph was strongly recommended by Lawrence, who was well known to the parents of the young woman; after which, they proceeded on their journey to the silver mine, made a diligent search, and of course found nothing.  Thus Lawrence had his trouble for his pains, and returned home with his pockets lighter than when he started, whilst honest Joe had not only his expenses paid, but a good recommendation to the father of his fair one.

Joe now proposed to marry the girl, but the parents were opposed to the match.  One day, when they happened to be from home, he took advantage of the opportunity, went off with her, and the knot was tied.

Being still destitute of money, he now again set his wits to work to contrive to get back to Manchester, at that time his place of residence, and he hit upon the following plan, which succeeded.  He went to an honest old Dutchman, by the name of Stowel, and told him that he had discovered on the banks of the Black River, in the village of Watertown (Jefferson County, N.Y.), a cave, in which he found a bar of gold as big as his leg, and about three or four feet long; that he could not get it out alone on account of its great weight; and if Stowel would frank him and his wife to Manchester (N.Y.), they would then go together to the cave, and Stowel should share the prize with him.  The good Dutchman consented.

A short time after their arrival at Manchester, Stowel reminded Joseph of his promise, but he coolly replied that he could not go just then, as his wife was amongst strangers, and would be very lonesome if he quitted her.  Mr. Stowel was, like Mr. Lawrence, obliged to return without any remuneration, and with less money than he came.  I mention these two freaks of Joe Smith, as they explain the money-digger’s system of fraud.

It would hardly be believed that, especially among the cunning Yankees, such “mines and treasures” stories should be credited; but it is a peculiar feature in the U.S. that the inhabitants, so difficult to over-reach in other matters, will greedily take the bait when “mines” or “hidden treasure” are spoken of.  In Missouri and Wisconsin, immense beds of copper ore and lead have been discovered in every direction.  Thousands of poor, ignorant farmers, emigrants from the East, have turned diggers, miners, and smelters.  Many have accumulated large fortunes in the space of a few years, and have returned “wealthy gentlemen” to their own native state, much to the astonishment of their neighbours.

Thus has the “mining spirit” been kept alive, and impostors of every variety have reaped their harvest, by speculating upon the well-known avidity of the “people of America!”