The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-01-10
TOO MUCH FOR HUNGRY JOE.
The Prince of Confidence Men SwindIed
by Cowboy.

the Prince of Confidence Men SwindIed
@ by Cowboy.
4 few weeks ago man arraved in
store clothes, s1ouch hat and blue
spectacles registered at a fashionable
hotel on Broadway as B. Ashley, of
Abilene, Kan. The stranger had lust
come Ia by the Western express from
Chicago on the Erie Road. His gar
mentswere the product of ready-made
clothing store in Abilene, and they ad-
ded slightly to his general bucolic ap-
pearance. His hands and face were
tanned, he walked with the parentheti-
cal gait of one whose legs had been
curved by years spent in the saddle,
and bis bearing was in other respects
indicative of the wild Western border
man. Mr.. 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 occasions he
employed his own rawhide bride and
bis well-worn Mexican saddle, which
had formed a part of his luggage. His
accent was a peculiar blending of En-
giish and Western types of speech. He
bad weak eyes and was in consultation
with prominent physician here, while
stopping for month in New York on
bis way to Europe to put himself under
The care of the most eminent oculists
abroad Mr.. Ashley seemed to have
very little occupation beyond horseback
riding at unearthly hours of the morn
Ing, visiting his man of medicine in the
afternoon, and lounging about the i'm
mense and richly-gilded rotunda of the
hotel in the evening. He was bounti-
fully supplied with cash, and he ex-
pended il with considerable liberality.
de smoked d good deal, but drank 1T
tie, because his doctor had objected to
one habit and absolutely forbidden the
other. by reason of its effect. on the pa
aents eyes. Many people about the
hotel drank at the expense of Mr.. Ash
ley, but he seldom indulged himself in
more cheering beverages than lemonade
and Viehy.
one day Mr.. Ashley strolled through
the lobby of the hotel in the company of
aToung man whose face is well known
70 the regular promenaders of Broad
way. This young man is always fault
iesslY dressed. and clean shaFen. He
nas prominent features and peculiarly
,hin and compressed lips. He lives
aaldspmelY, and always has plenty of
eash. With his new-found companion,
MT, Ashley, the weak-eyed child of the
guleless West, occupied a seat in the
oarFoemfor some little time. Upon
nis occasion Mr.. Ashley departed from
als usual custom sufficiently to assist in
,,l me liberal absorption of champagne.
~ mhen MS Broadway friend went away,
mr; .s Ashley sauntered again through the
once OF the hotel. He was beckoned
" one OF the clerks.
-. Mr, Ashley. how long since you
nave been in New York;" queried the
gentleman behind the diamond stud.
Near eight year. responded that
uniformed gentleman. Never was
aste aIore, and never since. !"
l.. Do you know the person who just
eftyou?p 81
les. Met him two nights ago at
Me Madison Square. l couldn't buy a
seat and be- offered me one of his
sald ms friend hadn't come, and he
aOala De glad to accommodate stran-
81 g we sat together, Seems to be
salee sort of chap"
j pave no doubt of that" continued
Ie ae ciefk, with q slight air of superior
aaOWiedge, not unblended with sar-
gasln. THAT young man is Hungry
sos' one of the most celebrated cont
Neaye operators in America"
y. leu don't say drawled the West
VI 80 man slowly, and with some aston
'sIIeht- ~ "Well, I'm darned.a
n;as. ~ ~. went thoughtfully away. That
N gns she young man with the thin lips
Ms NJ 'he handsome clothes called for
A.. ~, ashley after dinner. AS they came
sa seugh the office the occidental inno-
d ss sasa.. sook out a large poeket-book filed
mat epleaon with money, drew from its
tha sea . reeesses about $500, and deposited
,an.' e Nauet, with the balance of its con-
v;sss.i sss, N the hotel safe. His companion
faes aqa u tnls proceeding with passive
wan. ~. cleaning eye, and the two
Il a. a. 01s y together, Mr.. Ashley returned
MY. !, sse Motel Just In time to take his
aat;i Mill ride on horseback. He slept
IL al d.aA aoooG four in the afternoon. Then
eY szoO from his wallet and left.
thss - are fully Warned observed !
snona ulefk as he handed over the
yoR s, 9aus ana 1t is your own fault if
= se sSss any money to Hungry Joe.n
sss01feet, responded Mr.. Ashley.
H. H. tne bills into his pocket.
i littlan neas ss. appearance in the hotel was
eas sssls ssoa after midnight. and this time he
WY away in the wallet, with the