Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-12-06
HUNGRY JOE'S DEFEAT.
New York Times.

express from Chicago on the Eric road. His
garments were the product of a roady-ma"e
clothing store in Abilene, and they added
slightly to his general bucolic appearance
His hands and face were tanned, he walked
with the parenthetical gait Of one whose legs
had been curved by years spent In the saddle,
and his bearing was in other respects indica'
tive OF the wild western borderman. MIR.
Ashley speedily developed other tendencies OF
the prairie type. He insisted upon going out
for exercise on horseback every morning
shortly after daybreak, and upon these occa-
sions he employed his own rawhide bride and
his well-worn Mexican saddle, which had
formed part of his luggage His accent
was peculiar blending Of English and west
ern types of speech He had weak eyes and
was in consultation with 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. Mr.. Ashley seemed to have very lit
tie occupation beyond horseback riding at
unearthly hours of the morning, visiting his
man of medicine in the afternoon, and loung-
ing about the immense and richly gilded no
tunda Of the hotel in tho evening. He was
bountifully supplied with cash, and he ex-
pended it with considerable liberality He
smoked good deal, but drank little, because
his doctor had objected to one habit and alb
soiutely 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 day Mr.. Ashley strolled through the
lobby of tho hotel in the company Of young
man whose face is we'll known to the regular
prome.mders of Broadway. This young man
is always faultlessly dressed and clean shaven
He has promnent features and peculiarly thin
and compressed lips He lives handsomely.
and always has plenty of cash. With hisnew-
found companion, Mr.. Ashley, the weak-eyed
child of the guleless west, occupied II scat In
the bar room for some little time. Upon this
occasion Mr.. Ashley departed from his usual
custom sufficiently to Assist in the liberal alb
sorption Of champagne. When his Broadway
friend went away, Mr. Ashley sauntered
again through the Office OF the hotel. He was
beckonod by one Of the clerks
'tMr Ashley, how long since you have
been in New York; queried the gentleman
behind the diamond stud.
Near eight year." responded that unin-
lOTlDeu HouCeiiltAl. X>oNoI Woo uOAO >Aosos
and never since"
''Do you know the person who just left
youl"
Yes Met him two nights ago at the
Madison Square. l 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; 50 we sat together. Seems
to be q nice sort Of a chap"
II have no doubt OF that" continued the
clerk with slight air of superior knowledge,
not unhlcnded with sarcasm. THAT young
man b Hungry Joe, one Of the most cole
bra:ei confidence operators IN America
"You don't say" drawled the western man
slowly, and with some astonshment- "Well,
TIN darned."
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 tho
occidental innocent took out large pocket
book filled to rapletion with money, drew
from its inner recessses about 5000, and do
posted the wallet, with the balance OF its
contents, in the hotel safe. His companion
viewed this proceeding with a passive face
but q cleaning eye and the two went out
together. Mr.. 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 $40 from his
wallet and left.
"You are fully warned" observed the
clerk, az he handed ever the amount, "and it
Is your own fault If you lose any money to
Hungry Joe"
Correct, responded Mr.. Ashley, stuffing
the bills into his pocket
His ncxt appearance in the hotel wax lit,
tie after midnight, and this time he put 900
away in the wallet, with the declaration that
the New York sharps might be pretty stiff on
bunko, but they were a little behind the times
on draw-poker "In my country" ne ex-
planned "two deuces and bowie will open
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 $1:OOo from the safe, and
seemed annoyed when the clerk smiled
broad and knowing smile. "No game
ever faxed me-" said Mr.. Ashley in
q dogged way, land a man who can
hold up his end with cowboys isn't
going to be bested by any broadcloth brigade
that was ever hatched." There was a lull
of eight or ten Days in th' proceedings, and
then Mr.. Ashley drew another 5000. A
couple of days later he drew $3.50 more. That
afternoon he went for a drive with his gem
tlemanly companion. His face had been SUI
fused with sadness all the morning. but 1t was
noticed that he seemed somewhat brighter
when he returned from the drive. That
evening Hungry Joe and two of his we'll
known Broadway companions spent several
hours in earnest conversation with Mr. Ash
Icy That gentleman's weak eyes made it
necessary to wear his broad hat we'll down
over his forehead. When the three young
men went away the merest shadow of smile
played about the mouth of the western man.
From the table at which they had sat the
three young fellows went straight to the tel
egranh office, where they sent the following
dispatch:
POSTMASTER, Abilene, Ka2S
DO you know Benjamin Ashley, cattle
raiser! Telegraph full particulars, my ex-
pense.
r. DICKSON, Brewer house, New York.
Tho reply was evidently in all respects salts
factory, and within two days Mr.. Ashley re-
crived in his rooms at the hotol visit from
the three confidence operators and lawyer,
who Is more or less celebrated in this city.
The head porter Of the hotel was called up
into the room after the visitors had been
there an hour or longer, and was requested to
append his signature to certain document
in the capacity OF witness to the signing
thereof. This done, and the papers signed by
Mr.. Ashley. large sum Of money was paid
over by the gentleman with the thin lips, and
the porter retired with a fye-dollar bill out
OF the pile. The visitors shortly withdrew
from the hotel, and Mr. Ashley deposited
that night the sum of sl4, 900 cold cash in the
Office Of the hotel. Two days aftcrward he
took passage on a Guion steamer for Liver
pool, having explained to the hotel clerk that