The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-11-13
TOUGHS OF NEW YORK.
A Saturday Night Scene in a Bowery Bill
fiard-Room.

"A SATURDAY NI.sIt Ntfhc III So"cTy bi.
fiard-Room.
The smoke of six big cigars curled
slowly upward from the mouths of six
BOYS who stood around a green-topped
pool-table in Bowery saloon last night.
Each one had cue in his hand, and
looked learnedly at the loose-trousered
bartender, who distributed tickets for
drinks among the participants IN the
game which had just ended. On the
walls were pictures of actresses and
prize-fighters, while over the dirty bar
swung A work of art which might be
taken either as a portrait of the pro-
prietor or a remarkably good likeness
of the chimpanzee in the Central Park
menagerie. Five of the boys wore
tight leg raiment, and the lower limbs
of the sixth was attired in pair OF sky
blue bags, from which wandered two
ample feet. Standing a few feet from
the table was youth on whose dimin-
utive form was arrayed bright plaid
suit, set off by a brass horseshoe pin
and an .'Ah therer' hat, which was
tipped eloquently over his left eye. One
foot was thrown forward, with his heel
on the floor and the toe in the air,
while both thumbs were stuck in the
arm-holes of the plaid vest. The rest
of the boys paid great respect to this
young person, and called him pete. ="
The party represent 1.-The little toughs
of New York" the rising generation OF
criminals.
When the colored balls were corraled
into the shape of a pyramid, the tallest
boy laid his cigar on shelf where none
of the others could reach it, and made
the opening shot with reckless energy.
Then bow-legged member of the par
ty squinted along the tops of the balls
like a civil engineer looking through a
thcodolite. Finally his cue shot for
ward, and a purple ball rolled into the
pocket. The player looked at Pete,
who laughingly remarked:
Good. You're comm on. Dat was
a ringer. Play der seven-ball across
to der side pocket"
The bow-legged boy squinted through
the imaginary theodolite again and
shool, his head doubtfully.
"No cross, no crown" suggested
Pete. Oats what der bloke with der
white necktie says
The cross-shot was attempted, and
proved to be a success. Three balls
were sent into the pocket in succession,
and then the player made miss, leav-
ing the balls in a favorable position for
the next boy, who remarked that it was
good '.lCave.n
''Nuthin' but leaves observed Pee,
AS he accepted cigar from an admirer.
'.Dis onscientitic play makes me sick.
Now, dere's a shot anyone cud make,
and til be missed, sure"
The tall boy bet drinks with the next
player on the shot.
make it for der crowd" said thin
little fellow who basked in Pete's smiles.
The suggestion was received with inn
mense favor by the onlookers, and the
betters reluctantly consented. When
the player missed the shot, Pete drank
brandy.
For three hours the game went on,
and at the end of each contest the bar
tender distributed green tickets for
drinks to the boys. They lounged
around the room, drank beer, smoked
cigars, and listened to the decisions of
Pete on the technical points of the
game. Then they discussed Edwin
Booth and John L. Sullivan, for both
of whom great respect was shown.
The tall boy bet drinks that Grant was
sure of election. and Pete decided that
lie had won, Whereat the tall boy said
that Pete would yet be a member OF
the board of aldermen, remark which
was not resented. Two of the COM
paDy danced a double shuttle and were
threatened with election by the bar
tender on the ground that they were
interIuptng the business OF the house.
One OF the lads drank so much beer
that he offered TO fight Pete. He was
at orcc seized by the collar and GER
tain portion of his trousers and as
sisted 10 the sidewalk in a hurry by the
bartender. The boy looked astonished
when he reached the street. for the bar
tender was not specific in the contract
nor nominated in the bond which he
had proposed.
By midnight the party stood at the
bar steadily drinking beer and pocket
ing cigars until every ticket had been
cashed. Pete's ''Ah there hat was
tilted very much more over his left eye,
while with the right eye he watched the
tall boy counting up a handful OF silver
COiil OuSl tilC was iCetF
ing the saloon Pete smoothed his plaid
suit and whispered to the tall boy, and
led him back to the pool table.
I'm tell yer what I'll do" he said,
with a benevolent look. I'm betch a
dollar | kin beat yer in 4 nice soshible
game. wouldn't play wild der rest OF
der gang. Most of dem are skins and
dunno what honesty is"
Two one dollar bills were solemnly
laid in the barkeeper's hands and the
game commenced. The tall boy put
in four balls at the start by delicate
strokes. Then Pete took off his jacket
and chalked his cue. The tall boy en-
amined the rack to count his score, and
while his back was turned Pete pushed
the fourteen ball into the pocket
with his hand, and remarked as his op-
ponent looked around:
"Dat was a hair-curler, me boy. ]
didn't tink | cud fetch it.
Then he missed the next shot. The
tall boy made another ball and went t.
the bar to settle disputed account.
While he was away Peter swept more
balls on the table into the pocket with
his arm. When his companion returned
he looked stunned.
Il tell yer what" said Pete as he
showed the two dollar bills into his
pocket .''taint every feller I'd play
wild for money. A chaps sure to get
skinned if he gets in wild a crowd of
blokes what don't go to church nor
Sunday School. I'll have ter bid yer
good night, for | have to get up early
tomorrow to get a shave"
And Pete passed his hand slowly
around his perfectly smooth chin as he
sauntered out into the Bowery.-NeO
York Herald.