The New York herald., 1870-01-22
PLAYING ON PLAYERS.
Barney Williams Offered sl63 for 81 Sl-A
Confidence Game SpOiled-The Artist in For
gerry ''Goss For" Billy Florense-Deitat
and Flight Of the Unfjrtlnate Youth
Scene at the Fifth AytlIe Hotel,

Scene at the Fifth AytlIs Hotel.
On Tuesday evening last knock was heard ae
the door OF Mr.. Barney Williams residence. IN
East Fhirty.eghth street. and servant at 0nco
admitted young gentleman who bore letter for
Mr.. Williams. lie wanted an answer In the shape
OF 81 "a currency. In the absence OF Mr.. Williams
Mrs. Williams took the letter, and opened 1t at the
suggestion OF the visitor 1t was literally as folows-
BosToN Jan. 10, 1870
have at last found tao Error or which you spoke
In your last Letter aud therefore Enclose Check
aIng. TO $4,000 drawn To your own personal Order
only, and sent 1t through the d. II. A for which you
B. W. THAYER, Manager Boston Theatre
b. W. THAYER
The check was numbered $3.50, dated New
York, January Is, 1870, and was rather peculiar IN
CERMASIA BASK,
lS5 BowEEy, NEAR DELAscsY STREET.
Pay TO Barney Williams only $483-
s463. Due, 81 "a. b. w. THAYHR.
two cent revenue stamp was on the corner.
bly, 1t was this omission which excited the suspi.
cions OF Mrs. Williams. She told the young gentle
man, who stood twlriing his fingers ana looking
unuttcraole things ut the costly ornaments which
adorned the tables or the parlor, that Mr. Williams
was not at home but that she would give him tho
letter and enclosure v hen he returned: then n the
cheek was All righr-and she knew hothing about
IL herse f-he was perfectly good for the 'dues" The
visitor objected TO tins mode OF doing business. but
the lady insisted. Then the young man, seeing thag
any lur,ner decay on MS part would be prejuoclai
TO the Interests OF his employer hastily put out his
hand for the cneck. Mrs Williams however saw
lhat II the piece oil paper was good Ior anything sue
had rgnt 10 keep IT; for was IL NOT enclosed to
Mr. Barney Williams, and therefore his propertyf
THIS sort VI reasoning was too much Tor the young
| man OF business, and he accordingly took hts de-
| parture. Wnen Mr.. Williams returned home the
was 4hn fA nf htlr. fann xArfh
| less. He mad no money transactions whatever vita
, Mr.. Thayer, VINO, by the by Is not manager OF the
Boston theatre out one OF Its propretors The ior-
| gerry OF Mr.. Thayer's name, however, was pro-
nonnced pericct, ana certainty was worth more
| action was that The sklful lorger was out 70 the
tune OF two expended IN q portrait OF the
| Father OF his Country IN a revenue stamp.
| A FRIEND FROM LuNAUN.
1t Is rather strange that alter this failure the young
man should "try 1t on" again with another actor.
But Whatever doubts he may nave entertained con-
corning the suliiDllty Of Barney Williams he had
none whatever OF Biz Florence. Deceived, no
| 1ilthy ucre displayed by irish gentlemen on the
stage-as SO admirably delineated oy these distln-
cuished actors-he probably thought that though ne
liied IN diminishing the excheguer OF Mr.. Williams,
he would surely tap the pocket OF Mr.. Florence.
| But he look different way or attempting 1t. 1t
must stated in this strange, eventiul history
that IL Is taken for granted that the young gentleman
who offered MS st65 check for the miserable compen-
saLlon OF 81 s4 10 Mrs. Williams was also The genius
who attempted to relieve Mr. Florence of his loose
greenUacSs.
there, as here, hosts OF friends. Among the most
valued or these the British metropolis ls John
OXeniord, dramatic critic oil the Times. Now, any,
body coming iron MIR. Oxenford Mr.. Florence
| would he sure Of n warm welcome. Thus Thought
the young gentleman mentioned; but lie dldnt
think the matter out, or perhaps the want oil the
81 S4 rendered him unable TO carry out his ideas
| proper fashion. lie procured sheet oi note paper
(ruedl and yellow envelope, ana WITH pen and INK
| at threw himself lnto The throes OF compost.
tion and produced the following letter.
| Mr. w. D. FLogrsoH New York "
DEAR sirThs wl be handed 70 by my nephew. Mr..
extended 10 nun will De duy appreciated by friend
Mr.. bishop may require little assistance while in Ams-
rea u YOU VIII confer favor ~ extending TO hun what
j. oxENFoRRp.
Armed with THIS document the young man pro-
ceeded to the Fifth Avenue Hote and asked for Mr..
Florence and IN due time was ushered into tho
apartments OF That gentleman. With u bow worthy
or Chesterfield ne removed his hat aud handed the
letter. Mr. Florence read the episte twice and
looked sharply at the youth several tunes, Then
there was an awful pause. Looking at mirror OPP
1 posite the youth Observed with dsmay. that big
drops were standing on his forehead and there waa
something remarkable in the conduct OF the room
II turned round so. Doors banged behind him omin-
0usly, and the intellectual brow Of Billy was cloudcd
DER with anger. II was curious letter. Thought
was the elegant John Oxeniord, you know, asking
| nim-on ruled paper In yellow enveiope-to lavish
MS floating capital on young gentleman travelling
| In America for the purpose Of studying republican
| institutions, without cent In his pocket.
What, no, It can't bel ltisl No, 1t isn'tl Ah.
accompanying these alarming thoughts produced
terrible effect on the youth and he momentarily
| pected header" and glanced nervousy around
Tor supernumerary shillelans. Az last Mr. Florence
broke the silence. and III doing dashed the high
hopes OF the youth TO the basement floor.
"1Oung man, he said. II hardly know whether
to give you the money or send Tor policeman
From the appearance OF things 1t seemed that the
latter course would be preferred the lrate actor
prevent such terrible result the youth accordingly
| tried to explain matters ana to that the
amount OF money re Intended TO ask OF the friend VI
his friend Oxcnford was so miserably small that
| therc would be no occasion for any unioward pro-
Cecdng Ike that alluded 70 In the closing remarks
| or the last speaker But while he was In the midst
or most touching appeal Billy wreathed his hand
! some face In smiles and walking up to within an
inch or ns yaitor's face gent murmured the TAILS
| manic word s'Scout ~ and he did
The broad stairs OF the Fifth avenue not favor.
| aDle TO loose running. The brass stair rods don't
agree with nailed boots, and strongly suggest the
| proprety Of easy carriage and dIgnifed stepping.
| Nevertheless, the youth made the quickest time on
| tnat stairway IN the memory or the Oldest mailman.
lie got his second wind when AZ the door, few
ward Sixth avenue ana struck fire out OF the cobbe
stones at every bound. Of course he got away, and
OF no old the tale OF hS disappointmcnts to
| all mis- friends. But for fear that nc may have MD
his chagrin in his bosom the foregoing written. so
tnat every artist IN the profession OF thieving may
| know that playing on players is played out game.
NEWARK.