Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1879-07-12
WESTON,S WAYS.

WESTON'S WAYS.
"Reminiscences of the Great Pedestrian as
Reporter and Poker-player-His Ridic-
ulous Improyidence.
From the New York SUM-
When a man accomplishes feat Of
courage and endurance greater than
was ever known before in the world, men
turn to him with wonder and adpira-
ton, looking upon the man as hero;
and any thing relating to the hero's life
becomes a matter of interest. Edward
Payson Weston now occupies this posi-
ton before the people of two conti-
nents.
The first time saw Weston was in
the composing-room OF the Sun Of
fee about 10 years ago. He dashed in
with nervous haste, shaking hands with
the foreman, assistants, and compost
tors, and nodding q jerky =" How'd do?"
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 no miles in "a
hours, or something of that sort. Turn
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. Or. Hepworth, Prof. Doremus, land
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 a white
vest, London cut-away coat, nobby
Derby hat, and swished little gold
headed cane 80 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 a
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 a 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 luIls in the pedestrian fever,
when there was no money in the busi-
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
Guiding 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 suspicious character,
whom roundsman who knew Weston
came Up, saying, "Let that man goi
he's Weston, carrying news to the Sun" ;"
Weston frequently rushed into the
office about l a. m, dashed off few
PAGES of manuscript, handing it to the
night editor, who hurriedly 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
calculate:
"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 at
night.
During part of this time Weston oc-
cupied room in the Astor House. 1t
might have been the one where George
w. Kendall won money enough at poker
to start the New Orleans Picayuae. At
all events, Weston was fond of taking
part in the game. After the paper was
sent to press a party would sometimes
meet with Weston to have quiet bout
at draw-poker. As the Astor House bar
was closed after midnight the party
would stop in Sandy Spencer's and take
along a few bottles of Scotch or Bass's
ale. Although Weston is temperate
man in the general sense of the term,
he Is fond of glass of good ale or wine.
Weston Is a shrewd poker-player.
While his opponents are looking at their
hands to see what they hold, his keen
ewes sweep the circle like flash. II q
look of satisfaction or disappointment
appears on a players face, he notes and
acts on it. Coolly raising bet, his
usual expression is: "If 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 a cottage in West
chester County and bought a trotter-
time, I'LL. Weston was very hosplta-
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
more than it was worth on the other
side; beat the Englishmen on the saw
dust track, which he could do if he used
proper Judgment, and then return with
fresh laurels and chance for big money.
That he has won on "square deal IS
now matter of history.
HVLa4 Tbinns Nav Coma i'm nraamS