The New York herald., 1873-08-05
MYSTERIES OF MONTE.

the Brooklyn Police COurt-Valcntine,
''thc ChOw-Chow Man," in Tight
SpOt-His Last Victim Rises TO Ex-
plain-The Dealer for Eighteen Years
Now Dtsgusted-He Relates His Misfor-
tunes.
AS the Brooklyn City Hall bell struck twelve
yesterday at noon Stout rubicund-visaged man.
with mutton-chop whiskers OF brownish hue
brlskly entered the Police Court in that building
and took seat among the spectators inside of the
rail- He was apparently about forty-ive years OF
age. and wore welLcut, dark suit OF fine quality.
AS he removed his hat, brown felt
one, he disclosed bald head which
glistened as the light from window near which
he was seated struck 1t. This was Edward Valen-
tine, alias the "Chow.Chow Man." the greatest
threecard monte dealer at Concy Island. Many of
the trequenters at ''the tight little island" know
the parsonage very well. They formed his &C.
quaintance In their endeavors to win few dollars
at game which Will beat any nine times out OF
ten-yea, ninety-nne times out OF hundred
whenever the dealer wishes (and dealers always
do 30 wish it), but which to-day claims more vic
tins than have ever before been sacrificed by it.
And at this game the "Chow-Cnow man" is and
has been for years considered SO expert that he
has earned the title Of the ''kingpn" dealer at
the Island. His alias of the ''ChOw-Chow Mani
is derived from the fact that he was formerly en-
gagged in the manufacture of that deectable CON-
position. But
VALENTINE ON THE BEACH,
as manipulation of the cards, is very dii-
ferent from Valentine as he appeared yester-
day. At the Island, as he strOlls along the
sands, occasionally stopping TO entertain some
greenevs at the expense of their watches and
loose change he appears in poor mans clothes
t,nt tl,,
sun on the sand is to strong for 'the old mansr
eyes ana ne must wear the specs. He has very
glib tongue and can talk man into risking ana
losing his dollars on card better than any other
of his fellow dealers aC the Island. As soon as he
makes hit he pulls up stakes and IS away Tor
other parts.
appearance OF reputable business man whose
object in seeking the temple where Judge Walsh
administers justice was different from what it
really was. He had hardly been seated before six
men equally well dressed but differing In age also
entered and took seats outside the rail. These
were some friends OF valentine whom he had sum-
moned as
WITNESSES IN A LITTLE MATTER
which he said was about to engage the attention
of the Court. One was short, lat, Jolly looking
man, with a merry twinkle IN his eye. Another was
tall thin man in White @ anek pfanda pants and vest
showed that he had not been shaved Tor week.
with delicate mustache and smooth face. He is
no stranger at the Island. The other parties were
OF the type known rs ''SpOrtS." TnlS group was
shortly afterwards joined by red-aced man.
wearing huge speCtacles. who bore a faint rescm-
bance to Valentine as the latter appears when at
work.
Edward Valentine !" cried Justice Walsh and
the renowned monteman stepped up George W.
Arlington. OF 70 Bridge street, charged that Val
had swlndled him out Of q $50 watch and S5 on
the 9th OF July. Arlington Is
MILD-MANNERED YOUNG MAN,
with pale features and long, black hair. He re-
lated his experience, to the great amusement Of
the audience. On the 9th OF July he went with his
Island, and, while sauntering about, met valen-
tine, who wanted to bet him $40 that he colud not
turn up certain card Arlington had never heard
OF or seen this game before and, thinking he had
chance to make stake offered to put up his watch
and $5 against the $40 Of the dealer. He had but
"a, but his friend McGrayne loaned him 81 to make
up the required amount. Then Valentine began to
talk. "He bet with me" said Arlington, ''that
could not turn up the ace OF hearts. He bet 500
against my watch and S.. IL was a silver watch,
but not pure silver"
'Did you win them Y' inquired the Justice look
ing innocently at Arlington. The people began to
mo, sir, lost them," replied George looking
very sheepishly, whereat everybody laughed.
"Did anybody mark the card for you ~ continued
"Well, now ! was thinking the card was
marked, y said the victim, confidently; "but (after
DIDN'T TURN THE RIGHT ONE UPr'
NaughterJ lie then proceeded to explain that
Valentine returned him his watch before he left the
Island, but Kept the IS, and had since offered to
refund the money.
Counsellor James CornWell, VINO defended the
"Chow Chow Man, took the witness In hand and
gave him raking over, but without much effect.
It appeared from the cross examination that
Georges brother insisted upon taking a chance at
the game also, and, as a consequence, lost SO.
George told him he was foolish to do anything OF
the kind in view Of the loss of the watch; but
Thaddeus, the brother insisted upon being foolish.
This Is the whole story briefly told.
It seems that complaint was also made against
Valentine by Thaddeus but the former stoutly de-
MED having won 1t, ana INSISTED that the watch
was won by New York dealer. AS Thaddeus
was absent from the city yesterday the hearing OF
his case could not be neld The SIX well dressed
men and the man with the huge specs were
witnesses In that case, and when IL was announced
that 1t would not come up they filed out of the
Valentine offered no testimony in the matter OF
the complaint under investigation, and Justice
Walsh held him to bail In s., 800 to await the acton
OF the Grand jury He gave his age as iorty-elght,
his residence No 102 Concord street. and occupa-
ton as that OF 'specuatOr." The bail was iur-
nlshed.
reporter OF the HERALD met the monte man in
the court room. Valentine was very indignant,
and complained that the other charge against him
had not been heard first
"Dld you ever hear of such an outrageS' said he.
"Now, I'm giving this to you on dead square
level, and you know wouldn't tell you lie,
don't your Well, / never took that mans watch
No, sir; it was taken by one Of the New York
gang. There are three or four tables beside mine
chaps from New YORK is down there. al" some e"e Of
them fellows got that watch. I'm giving 1t to you
on the dead square level and you can believe what
| say.n
''How long have you been dealing at Coney
Island, Valentine ?' inquired the reporter.
eighteen years, sir; and want you 10 say In
your paper that lately I've been
TERRIBLY PERsECUTED BY THE PAPERS.
It's all prejudice. I've been awfully prosecuted.
whenever man loses his watch playing at the
Island they raise great shout about the Chew
Chow Man, Just as II was the only dealer there,
and get all the blame. But tell you what 1t is
and I'm giving you this mind you, on the dead
square level-l'll not have them blaming me any
longer. III stop playing at the island; won't go
down there any more. Pm going into the chow
chow business again and In five years can make
fortune"
''How is it, Valentine, that the police, never ar
rest any other Of the dealers 9' asked the HERALD
man.
.'Ohi it's all prejudice. It's wrong. There's
some one backcapping me, but don't know which
IT, I'm no more guilty of taking that other fellows
watch tdo you understandN than that policeman,
and I've told the Judge SO, The sheep
AMT so BLACk AS HE LOOKS,
and wish you would say so IN the paper. get
blamed too much. Do you understand When
fellow loses watch or his money he taxes 1t Tor