Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1899 — Don't Bite. [ARTICLE]

Don't Bite.

For several weeks the newspapers of the country have been carrying an advertisement for the New York Star, headed “A S4O Bicycle Given Away Daily.” The Democrat never carries an ad that is not “straight” and reliable if it knows it, but in this case, like nearly all other papers, no doubt, the prospectus sent out with the order for the advertising led us to believe that the advertisement meant exactly what it said. It seems, however, that there is a “catch” to it. One of our readers who sent the 24 cents for trial subscription with a list of words, received notice that he had been awarded a “special daily prize, which will be forwarded on compliance with the rules governing the contest.” The “rules” it appears, require the “lucky” individual awarded the “prize” to send $2.50 more in cash for two yearly subscriptions to the “Star” and to pay for boxing and packing the “prize.” The publication referred to would hardly be taken from the postoffice by most people if sent them free gratis. The Democrat has dropped the ad of the “Star” and advises its readers to have nothing to do with* the concern. A whole armload of old papers for a nickel at The Democrat office.