The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-07-18


"Reminiscences of the Great Pedestrian -
Reporter and Poker-plsyer-ifis Ridtc-
nlous Improvidence.
From the New York SUM-
When man accomplishes a feat Of
courage and endurance greater than
was ever known before in the world, men
turn TO him with wonder and admira-
ton, looking upon the man AS q hero;
and any thing relating to the hero's life
becomes matter of interest. Edward
Payson Weston now occupies this posi-
ton before the people Of two CONT
/ nents.
The first time saw Weston was in
the composing-room of the Sun Of
flee about 10 years ago. He dashed in
with nervous haste, shaking hands with
the foreman, assistants, and compost
tors, and nodding jerky How'd doP"
all round, at the same time presenting
tickets and inviting all hands, with their
wives and children, to come up to the
rink and see him walk 10 miles in "a
hours, or something of that sort. Turn
l ing back with hop, as he was about
TO depart, Weston remarked to Mr..
Watkins, the foreman:
"Oh, say; I'm going to give dinner
after the walk. Horace Greeley, the
Rev. DIR. Hepworth, Prof Doremus, and
many other gentlemen have promised to
be there, and want you all to come"
Weston was in funds at that time.
His whale-bone legs were encased in
natty pantaloons, he sported white
vest, London cut-away coat, hobby
n.~k~ L,< o-I rx-s.Lrl l.e<yo ,-~1<@
headed cane as he walked. He was
blithe and clipper, his determined jaw
was in working order, his keen eyes
lighted up his sharp face, while his
smoothly combed, well-oiled hair gave
sleek finish to his spruce outfit. He re-
sembled a light comedian on good terms
with himself and all the world.
After this my relations with Weston
were intimate, his eccentricities often
affording amusement after hours of la
Dor. His money would flow through
his hands like water. Although sharp
on making terms during walk, he
possesses no calculation or management
as to the care of money after it is earn
ed. This trait has used up his profits
in England. He was declared bank
rupt there to the amount of several
thousand dollars some months ago.
During lulls in the pedestrian fever,
when there was no money in the bust
ness, Weston turned his attention to
cleaning city items for an evening pa
per through the day, and the Sun dur
ing the night. In this capacity he
would cover the east side stations from
the Harlem River to the City-hall, in
GLIDING pop into Ludlow Street Jail
in an hour after midnight. Disdaining
to take street-car, he would dash along
like phantom. Once a policeman ar
rested him as q suspicious character,
when roundsman who knew Weston
came up, saying, "Let that man GO;
he's Weston, carrying news to the Sum-"
Weston frequently rushed into the
Office about q. m, dashed off few
pages Of manuscript, handing it to the
night editor, who hurriedlv revised it
and sent it upstairs as the latest news.
Then Weston would lie back in his
chair, push his hat from his forehead,
throw his feet and legs over his desk and
ejaculate:
"By George, boys, we've got the
Herald sure this morning. Ripping
murder in Harlem" Or it might be an
important case in Ludlow Street Jail,
where the arrest had been made late It
night.
During part of this time Weston oc-
cupied room in the Aston House. It
might have been the one where George
w. Kendall won money enough at poker
to start the New Orleans Picayxne. At
all events, Weston was fond of taking
part in the game. After the paper was
sent to press party would sometimes
meet with Weston to have quiet bout
at draw-poker. As the Aston House bar
was closed after midnight the party
would stop in Sandy Spencer's and take
along few bottles Of Scotch or BASIS
ale. Although Weston Is temperate
man in the general sense Of the term,
he is fond Of q glass Of good ale or wine.
Weston is . shrewd poker-player.
While his opponents are looking at their
hands to see what they hold, his keen
eyes sweep the circle like fash. II .
look Of satisfaction or disappointment
appears on players face, he notes and
acts on it. Coolly raising bet, his
usual expression is: :" II you think there
is no hereafter, call me-" The pedes-
trian generally manages to hold his
own, although he has often risked his
last dollar on the uncertain draw.
After one successful walk at the rink
Weston purchased cottage in West
chester County and bought trotter-
time, 7:11. Weston was very Hospital
BILE, frequently inviting the boys TO ride
out with him and dine at the cottage.
He never made himself round shoulder
ed by carrying his money for any length
Of time, and when he departed for Eng
land he was advised by one Of his poker
companions not to play his hand for
mara than n was worth On the other