Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-03-10
From the Pit.sburg Leader.l
Fool and His Money.

a Fool ana Ills money,
Johnny W. stoel, familiarly known as
Johnny Steel, and somewhat distinguished
as an 'soil prince" having for a considerable
| length of time enjoyed the princely income
of So 600 per day, fled in the United States
District Court, last week, q voluntary petition
in bankruptcy.
His indebtedness, as set forth in his peti.
ton, amounts to over 100000.
Steel is Pennsylvania by birth, and Is
now in the neighborhood of thirty>three years
of age. He has had but little education,
has no business qualifications or shrewdress,
and seems to be especially cut out by Dame
Nature 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 spraug upon him about the same
time. His interest in the famous NJ M'Chntock
farm and oil wells, in Venango county, be-
queathed him by his father, for u number OF
years yielded him an income of of about
5000 per day. This princely income-few
persons possess twas the means OF awaken
ing iu Johnny an ambition to seek other
fields and sources of amusement than those
offered in the wilds of Yenango. We heard
of him first by his lavish waste of wealth in
Philadelphia. Here he made the acquaint-
fame, and one of his first rash purchases was
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 these eccentric
costumes he added diamond breast pins of
the first water, and new suit of clothes for
each member Several members Of CaTn-
cross & Dixey's Minstrels, of Philadelphia,
were also favored in similar manner.
Another of Johuny's eccentric acts in Phil
adelphia is related as follows: walking along
Chestnut street one day with a friend, he
espied a beautiful span of horses attached to
splendid carriage, just turning down from
Second. To see was to envy; so hniling the
driver, Sam M, who as it happened was
also the owner, Johnny coolly asked him if
he would sell his establishment, Sam looked
credulously at his customer, wondering if he
was drunk or crazy, when Johnny again put
the question. "What will you take for the
whole rigY" Sam, with a wink, and while
knocking the ashes from his cigar, doubtless
thinking to frighten his unknown questioner,
replied, "Well, guess about seven thousand
dollars will take the lot" Johnny answer
ed by laying seven one thousand dollar lis
on the seat of the vehicle, and taking hold
of the reins, coolly said "hop out" and chop
out" Sam did, while Johnny drove off, leav-
ing Sam standing in amazement on the cor
ner. The day was spent in riding about the
city, and spending money lavishly; toward
evening he had employed man to drive, and
finally, while winding up the day, he reach
ed the Girard House; alighting on the pave
ment, he asked the driver as to his circum
stances and learning that he knew the grip
of poverty, "Johnny" made him present OF
the carriage and horses, telling the driver
not to offer thanks, "but to drive off quick"
While in Philadelphia, one of the eccen>
tricities Of his morning walks on Market or
Walnut street, was to watch for a man with
a shabby hat. He would then follow him
until he got in front of hat store, and then
with swoop, he would land the offending
hat in the middle of the street, at the same
time approaching the wearer, and asking him
into the store, where he would buy the best
hat he could get.
Johnny" never carried any baggage with
him while travelling, purchasing everything
as he required it. Having resolved one day
to stop at the Cincinnati Hotel, instead of his
usual retreat, the Girard, he was driven there
i'll company with friend, Mr.. VIM. By,
a noted merchant of our own city. Saunter-
ing up to the Office, he made known his de-
sire to " stop a while" The clerk asked
him as to the whereabouts of his baggage.
Johnny" replied that he had none.
Then" eaid the clerk, "you must pay
in advance; that's our rule"
"Johnny" cast glance at him and won>
dersd that he was not known. So, wiuking
at his friend B., he asked the clerk if the
proprietor was in receiving a reply in the
affirmative, the landlord soon made his ap-
pearauce, when a conversation OF the follow
ing tenor ensued:
J. S." You are the proprietor, believe,
sir-the responsible man 2"
Mr.. K.-'' Yes, sir"
J. SCI wanted to make a short stay
with you, but that gentleman (pointing to
the clerk) says | must pay in advance"
Mr.. k Well, sir 2"
J. S." How much do you consider your
whole house worth for day."
Mr.. k" About three thousand dollars"
J. S." I'll take it for twenty four hours,
anyhow, and see how it goes"
Johnny then counted out the money, and,
turning to his friend, says, Now, Bill, jump
in and play clerk"
Rumor says that this was 3. IS frs. and only
experience in hotel keeping.
There nrs many anecdotes related about
him, but the above will suffice to show the
general character of the man. When, more
recently, the avalanche of money had ex-
hausted itself, we hear of Johnny" acting
in the capacity of " door-keeper" for the
same band of minstrels, the members of
which he had given the diamond pins and
costumes.
HIS GREAT FEAR-There is now station
ed not far from Gotham happy, ruby faced,
LII