Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-07-29
A FOOL AND HIS MONEY.

|
ed as an /" oil prince. having for con-
siderable length of time enjoyed the prince
Iy income of $4,000 per day, filed in the
United District Court, voluntary peti-
ton in bankruptcy.
MANY Of our readers will remember his
romantic exploits iu the East, published
sometime ago, during which is reported to
have spent several hundred thousand dol
lars. After having g sowed his wild oats
and losing his oil farm, he found himself
in rather Strengthened circumstances. and
was recently compelled to earn living by
driving an oil team. His Indebtedness,
as set forth 10 his petition, amounts 10 over
100000.
Steel is a Pennsylvania by birth, and
is now IN the neighborhood oftwenty-three
years of age. lie has but little education,
has no business qualifications or shrewd-
ness, and especially cut out by Dame Ma
ture to attest the truth of the proverb that
A fool and his money are soon parted"
OF his early youth we know very little
manhood and riches sprang npon him
about the same time His interest in the
McClintock farms and oil wells, in Venan-
go county, bequeathed him by his father,
for number OF years yielded him an in
come OF $4,000 per day. This princely
income was the means of awakening in
Johnny" an ambition to seek other
fields and sources of amusement than those
offered in the wilds of Venango county
We heard OF him first by his lavish waste
o. wealth in Philadelphia, Here he made
the acquaintance of Messrs. Skff Il Cav
lord, of minstrel fame, and one of the first
rash purchases was an entire new outfit
for the minstrels. composed of velvet coats
and vests, and plaid trowsers. Many of
our readers will remember the troupe in
this uniform. To those eccentric cos
tunes he added diamond breastpins of the
first water, and a new suit of clothes for
each member for the street. Several mem
bers OF Carncross & Dixey's minstres, of
Philadelphia were also favored in the
same manner.
Another OF Johnny's eccentric acts in
Philadelphia is related as follows:
Walking down Chestnut street one day
with friend, he espied a beautiful span
of horses attached TO splendid carriage,
just turning down from Second. To see
WAS to envy so, hailing the driver, Sam
NJ, who as it happened was also the
owner, Johnny cooly asked him if he
would sell his establishment. Sam looked
credulously at his customer, won dering if
he were drunk or crazy, when Johnny
again put forward the question, &" What
will you take for the whole rig? ?" Sam
with wink, and while knocking the ashes
from his cigar, doubtless thinking to fright,
en- his unknown customer, replied, "WelI,
guess about 81 900 will take the Iot.''-
Johnny answered by laying down seven
one thousand dollar bills on the seat of the
vehicle, and taking hold OF the reins, he
cody said, shop out; :" aud chop out
Sam did, while Johnny drove off, leaving
Sam standing in amazemeet on the corner.
The day was spent in riding about the
city, and spending money lavishly. To-
ward evening he employed man to drive,
and finally, while winding up the day, he
reached the Girard House. Alighting on
the pavement, he asked the driver as to
his circumstances, and learning that be
knew the grip of poverty, Johnny
made him present of the horses and car
riage, telling him not to offer thanks, but
&" drive off quick
While in Philadelphia, one of the &C
centricities of his morning walks on Mar
ket and Walnut streets, was to watch for
man with shabby hat. He woold then
follow him until he got 10 front of a hat
! nd hap hn ,,lJ
land the offending hat in the middle of the
street, at the same time apologizing to the
wearer, and asking him into a store, VIII ere
he would buy him the best that could be
had.
johnny never carried any baggage with
him while travelling, purchasing every
thing as be required it. Having resolved
one day to stop at the Continental hotel
instead of his usual retreat-the Girard-
be was driven there in company with a
friend, Mr.. Wm- By, a noted mer-
chant of that city. Sanntering up 10 the
office, he made known his desire to stop q
while" The clerk asked him as to the
whereabouts of his baggage, Johnny rcpli
ed that he had none. "Then, said the
clerk, you must pay in advance that i:
our rule"
| Johnny east a glance at him, and Won
dered that he was not known, So, wink
ing at his friend B., he asked the clerk i
the proprietor was in. Receiving reply
in the affirmative, the landlord soon made
his appearance, when a conversation ol
the following tenor ensued
You are the proprietor, believe, si
the responsible man ?"
Yes, sir"
l wanted to make a short stay with
you, but that gentleman { pointing to the
clerk } says must pay in advance"
Well, SIR
How much do you consider your
whole house worth for day ?"
About $4,000"
"I'lI take it for "a hours, anyhow, ant
see how it goes
Johnny then counted out the money
and turning to bis friend, said: 'Now
Bill, jump in and play clerk"
Rnmor saws this was BIS first and only