An effort had been made to change the “one” to “five” on the “one” side of the new combined note, but it was done so clumsily that the fraud would have been seen at a glance, and the only hope of passing the notes as fives would have been to pass them over with the $5 side up and trust to the man receiving it not to turn it over before putting it away.  The doctored notes came to the notice of the writer through one of the Chicago banks, with the request that they be allowed whatever they were worth.  The government always redeems notes at the face value, and as the faces in this case were of a $1 and a $5 note, $6 was allowed.  It is not known whether the bank was caught on the split notes or not.

Another scheme for altering bank-notes is practiced with more or less success.  It is to take a one dollar silver certificate and by means of powerful acids and fine penwork the large figure “one” on the reverse side is split into two “tens,” and the intermediate portion transformed into a scroll.  On the other side the “one” over the representation of the silver dollar is obliterated and “ten” substituted, but the “s” is left off the dollar.  The single “1” figures in the corners are neatly eaten off and the figure “10” substituted.  The small “one” is changed to an “X” and a new series number is printed in red upon the face.  The bill would pass anywhere.  None but an expert would detect the fraud.

APPENDIX

INTERESTING WRITINGS OF VARIOUS KINDS FOR STUDY AND COMPARISON

FOUR ORDINARY SIGNATURES WITH DESCRIPTIONS

[Illustration:  A mechanical or artificial hand in copy-book style, lightly and delicately traced.

Characteristic signature, connected and rapidly traced letters expressing great animation and mental activity.

A natural hand, letters vary in size, written with great spontaneity and expression.

A restrained hand, letters slowly and deliberately traced, indicating a slow intelligence and perception.]

STUDENTS’ HANDWRITING—­CRIMINALS’ HANDWRITING

[Illustration:  The above is a comparison of the students’ and criminals’ handwriting, the selections being made from the records of each class.]

[Illustration:  The tremor of feebleness is shown in this signature.  This was written by a gentleman ninety-two years of age.  Writing of one who is ill or feeble is usually characterized by a light stroke.  The simulated tremor of a skilful penman is rarely successful in deceiving a trained eye.]

[Illustration:  This signature represents the tremor due to illiteracy.  The tremors and angular features shown are by no means indicative of lack of power, but the power is misdirected.]

[Illustration:  The signature of Ivan Wilson, herewith given, will serve as an illustration of the tremor almost inseparable from forgery.  The tremors of a simulating hand are never so numerous nor so fine as real tremors.]