The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-01-12
TOO MUCH FOR HUNGRY JOE.


L
The Prince Of Confidence Men swindled
bv . COWBOY.
A few weeks ago man arrayed in
store clothes, SLOUGH hat and blue
spectacles registered at 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 gar
mcnts were the product of . ready-made
clothing store in Abilene, and they adj
ded slightly to his general bucolic APP
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 his bearing was in other respects
indicative of the wild Western border
man. 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 occasions 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 En-
glish and Western types OF speech. he
had weak eyes and was in consultation
with prominent physician 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 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 1t with considerable liberality.
He smoked good deal. but drank lit
tie, because his doctor had objected to
one habit and absolutely forbidden the
other, by reason of its effect on the pa
tents eyes. Many people about the
hotel drank at the expense of Mr.. Ash
lev, but he seldom INDUCED himself in
more cheering beverages than lemonade
and vichy.
One day Mr.. Ashley strolled through
the lobby of the hotel in the company o.
Young man whose face is well known
to the regular promenaders OF Broad
way. This young man is always fault
lessly dressed and clean shaver. III
has prominent features and peculiarl,
thin and compressed lips. He live
handsomely and always has plenty o
cash. With his new-found companion
Mr.. Ashley, the weak-eyed child OF tn
guileless West, occupied a seat In tn
bar-room for some little time. Upo
this occasion Mr.. Ashley departed fror
his usual custom sufficiently to assist !
the liberal absorption of champagne
When his Broadway friend went away
Mr.. Ashley sauntered again through tn
Office Of the hotel. He was beckone
by one of the clerks.
"Mr. Ashley, how long siace 20
have been in New York;" queried th
gentleman behind the diamond stud.
..Near eight year," responded III,
uniformed gentleman. Never ws
here afore, and never since"
'sDo you know the person who ju
left your"
! "fes. Met him two nights ago
the Madison Square. / couldn't buy
seat, and he offered me one of hi
Said his friend hadn't come, aud
would be glad to accommodate a stra
ger; so we sat together. Seems to
nice sort of . chap"
II have no doubt Of that" continu'
the clerk, with slight air OF superb
knowledge. not unblended with 50
casm. THAT young man is Hung
Joe, one of the most celebrated con
dence operators in America"
you don't say" drawled the We
ern man slowly, and with some astO
ishment. "Well, I'm darned."
He went thoughtfully away. III
~ Sknx ma wit a
and the handsome clothes called
Mr.. Ashley after dinner. As they Cal
through the Office the occidental I'M
cent took out large pocket-book fill
to repletion with money, drew from
inner recesses about $500. and deposit
the wallet, with the balance of its G.
tents, in the hotel safe. His compani
viewed this proceeding with pass
face but cleaning eye, and the
went out together. Mr.. Ashley return
to the hotel Just in time to take
morning ride on horseback. He 81
until about four in the afternoon. II
he drew 500 from his wallet and i
s.You are fully warned" obser'
the clerk, IS he handed over
amount, land It IL your own fault
you lose any money TO Hungry Joe.
Correct responded Mr.. ASH
stufinr the hills into his pocket
His next appearance in the hotel
: little after midnight and this time
put $500 away in the wallet, with
declaration that the New York sha
might BE pretty stiff on bunko. but t
were little behind the times on d
pokor. I'm my country, " he explain
s.tvo douooe and . bowie viii ope
! Jack POI every time:
IN. Askley passed several days
oricf and cs6luaoo- A full week v
81 hefoeo - dEfftsd out again With