I have during my professional career arranged many marriages for ladies of means, and at the present time have among my clients some ten or twelve wealthy ladies, ranging in age from twenty-five to fifty years, desirous of marriage, one of whom is the charming widow whose likeness I herewith enclose.
She is worth $60,000 ($25,000 in ready cash, the balance in high-class tangible property inherited from her mother, recently deceased). She is alone and childless and her physician, on account of her bereavement, has recommended a marriage and change of scene, and in her dilemma she has consulted me, her legal adviser, and I, in turn, without her knowledge, appealed to a matrimonial agency with which I have for several years had business relations in a professional way.
Out of the several names submitted to me I have, after much thought and deliberation, selected yours, and I beg that you will consider carefully my proposition and the fact that I am not in business for my health, but for revenue, together with a desire to please my clients and to give them value received.
This lady, while unusually bright and intelligent, knows little of the ways of the world, and nothing of business, and, to be candid with you, needs a husband to manage her estates, and I can, by recommending you personally, cause her, through me as her attorney, to open negotiations with you for a marriage; so if you desire a wealthy wife, as I presume you do from the fact that you are registered with a matrimonial agency, I will, for the consideration of $100 introduce you to her, have you visit her at her expense, as you may mutually agree, and will absolutely guarantee your marriage to her within sixty days, if you will follow my instructions to the letter.
All that I ask is, as an evidence of your good faith and to cover the immediate clerical expenses necessary thereto, you enclose me immediately upon receipt of this letter, BANK DRAFT OR MONEY ORDER for $10, the balance ($90) to be paid after marriage, and when I have caused her to place in your hands, or under your control, a goodly portion of her worldly possessions.
Now, if you wish to accept my proposition, enclose me immediately the small retaining fee ($10) and promise me that you will follow carefully my instructions; otherwise do not write me, as I positively will not enter into further correspondence until you have engaged me as your attorney upon the lines I have laid down.
If before the end of sixty days you feel that you do not care to pursue the matter to a conclusion I will refund your money. My standing as an attorney is ample evidence that I will faithfully carry out my contract. Remember that I have among my clients, as I have stated before, ten or twelve wealthy ladies to my certain knowledge desirous of marriage.
Awaiting your immediate reply, I am
Sincerely and professionally yours,
Edward Morris.
Edward Morris, Attorney-at-Law.