Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-27
New York Times. !

tacles, registered at o fashionable hotel on
Broadway as B. Ashley, of Abilene, Kan.
The stranger had just come in by the western
express from Chicago on the Erie road. His
garments were the product of ready-lnade
clothing store in Abilene, and they added
slightly to his general bucohc appearance
His hands and face were tanned, he walked
with the paTenthetical gait of one whose legs
had been curved by years spent in the saddle
and his bearing was in other respects irdica-
tive of the wild western borderman. Nj
Ashley speedily developed other tendencies Of
the prairie type. He insisted upon going out
for exercise on horseback every morning
shortly after day break, and upon these occa-
sions he employed his own rawhide bride and
| his well-worn Mexican saddle, which had
formed a part OF mis- luggage. His accent
was peculiar blending Of English and west
eTn types of speech. He had weak eyes and
was in consultation with a prominent physi-
clan here, while stopping for month in New
York on his way to Europe to put himself
under the care of the most eminent oculists
abroad. hr. Ashley seemed TO have very lit
| tie occupation beyond horseback riding at
unearthiy hours Of the morning, visiting his
man of medicine in the afternoon, and loung-
ing about the immense and richly gilded TO-
tunda of tie hotel in the evening. He was
bountfully supplied with cash, and he ex-
pended it with considerable hberality. He
smoked q good deal, but drank little, because
his doctor had objected 70 one habit and ab-
soluteiy forbidden the other, by reason of its
effects on the patients eyes. Many people
about the hotel drank at the expense of Mr.
Ashley, but he seldom INDUCED himself in
| more cheering beverages than lemonade and
vichy.
One Gay Mr.. Ashley stroiled through the
lobby of the hotel in the company of young
! man whose face is well known to the regular
| pronenadsrs Of Broadway. This young man
is always faultlessly dressed and clean shaver.
He has prominent features and peculiarly thin
| and compressed lips. He lives handsomely,
and always has plenty of cash. With his new
found companion, Mr.. Ashley, the weak-eyed
child of tie guileless west, occupied a seat in
the bar-room for some little time. Upon this
occasion Mr.. Ashley departed from his usual
! custom sufficiently to assist in the liberal abb
| sorption of champagne. When his Broadway
friend went away, Mr.. Ashley sauntered
! again through the Office Of the hotel he was
beckoned by one Of the clerks.
! "Mr. Ashley, how long since you ha-e
! been in New York; queried the gentlenlan
| behind the diamond stud.
Near eight year." responded that unin-
f. formed gentleman. Never was here afore,
! and never since"
"Do you know the person who Just left
you!"
| Eyes. Net him two nights ago at the
Madison Square. couldn't buy a seat, and
| he offered me one Of his Said his friend
| hadn't come and he would be glad to accom-
modate a stranger; so we sat together. Seems
| to be nice sort of chap
! 81 have no doubt OF that, continued the
! clerk with sight cir Of superior knowledge,
not unhlended with sarcasm. Chat young
man is Hungry Joe, one Of the most cele-
brated confidence operators in America
you don't say" drawled the western man
! slowly, and with some estonishment "WeH,
! I'm darned.n
| He went thoughtfully away That night
! the young man with the thin lips and the
handsome clothes called for Mr. Ashley after
dinner. As they came through the Office the
occidental innocent took out large pocket
book filed to rspletion with money, drew
! from its inner recesses about $1,000 and de-
posted the wallet, with the balance OF its
contents, in the hotel safe. His companion
viewed this proceeding with passive face
but cleaning eye, and the two went out
! together. Nr. Ashley returned to the hotel
just in time to take his morning ride on
horseback. He slept until about in the
| afternoon. Then he drew $500 from his
wallet and left
| "You are fully warned observed the
clerk, as he handed ever the amount, ssani it
! is your own fault if you lose any money to
Hungry joe"
Correct" responded Mr.. Ashley, stuf1ng
! the bills into his pocket
/ His next appearance in the hotel was lit
| tie after midnight, and this time he put $500
away in the wallet, with the declaration that
| the New York sharps might be pretty stiff on
| bunko, but they were little behind the times
on draw-poker. "In my country he ex-
! planned, two deuces and q bowie viii open a
/ jack pot every time"
Mr.. Ashley passed several days IN quiet and
seclusion. A full week went by before he
, drifted out again with his companion OF the
compressed lips The next day after that he
drew round 81, 900 from the safe. and
| seemed annoyed when the clerk smiled a
! bread and kreEing smile. 'sNo game
ever faxed me-" said Mr.. Ashley in
! a logged way, "and man who can
| hold up his end with cowboys isn't
going to bs sessed by any broa6cloth brigade
that was ever hatched-" There was a lull
of esgit OF tsn days in the proceedings, and
then Nr. Ashley drew another $1,000. a
couple Of days later he drew $3.50 more. That
afternoon ne went for drive with his gen
| tieranly companion. His face had been s11f-
fused with sadness all the morning, but it was
/ noticed that he seeIned somewhet brighter
/ whea he returned from the drive. That
evening Esngry Joe and two OF his well
known Broadway companions spent several
hours IL earnsss conversation with Mr. Ash
ley. That sensiemans weak eyes made it
| necessary TO wear his broad hat well down
over his forehead When the three young
| men went away the merest shadow of a smile
riayed about ne Eeuth of the western man.
From the table at which they had sat the
three young fellows went straight to the tel
egrash oHee, where they sent the following
dispatch:
POSTMASTER, Abilene, Kas.:
Do you ksow Benjamin Ashley, cattle
raisrs Telegraph full particulars, M ex-
pesEe.
r DIEsoE, Brewer house, New York.
The reply was evidently in all respects salts
factory, and within two days Mr.. Ashley re-
! ceiyed IN his rooms at the hotel a visit from
the thrive con6dsnce operators and lawyer,
who Is moro or less celebrated in this CITY.
Tie head porter Of the hotel was called I'D