Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-09-09
"Old Pete" in New York
from the PHILADELPHIA Times 7

From the Philadelphia Times1
Enveloped in a long linen buster and
wearing a dingy broad brimmed straw
hat, "Old Pete" q veteran gambler of
this city, landed in New York about
dusk yesterday. His unshaved face
and general makeup gave him the ap-
pearance Of typical countryman
"Pete'' had hardly crossed West
Street and started up Cortlandt when
q nice-looking, well-dressed young man
accosted him with:
"Why, how do you do, Mr.. Harnil-
ton; when did you come to town."
"Pete" raised his head quickly, eyed
the man O. moment, and, recognizing a.
young disciple of his own profession,
was about to retort. "I'm working
this side myself, young man." On
second thought, however, he concluded
to have some fun. Feigningt the twang
Of Jerseyman, he replied: Chow d'y
dew, stranger, how d'y dew; but my
names not HamiltOn-it be Deuster,
OF Middlesex. The young man apol-
ogized profusely for the mistake, and
Pete passed on. AS he expected, just
before he reached Broadway another
young man, very much like the first,
rushed up to him, and, shaking him
vigorously by the hand, expressed his
great pleasure at meeting Mr. Deuster.
The latter was glad, too, but could
not remember where he had met the
young man. The young stranger
quickly explained the matter in a gen
eral way, and the twain proceeded up
Broadway
"What brought you to town? ?"
carelessly asked the young man as
the two stood at bar.
E'Well, stranger, since you ask |
don't mind telling you. be going to
swap farms with Jenkins, and Pm ter
give him a bonus of $500. I come up
ter draw ther money from ther bank"
''This remark fairly took the young
mans breath away, and he ordered
another round of drinks. Then Pete,
the pseudo-J erseyman, said:
81 be powerful hungry, str anger, but
[ amt got no small bills
II can let you have $5 or S1O," vol
unteered the young man, pulling out
roll of bills.
"Make it tenner," said Pete, and
the young man did. Dinner over the
young man took Pete in tow, and,
steering him up the Bowery, anchored
him in one of the many of the low dives
with which that place abounds. After
numberless drinks, which the young
man always paid for, cards were pro-
duced and the young man started in
to fleece the greenhorn. The Jersey
man played poker a 'leetle," and
didn't mind a small game. They
started with a 5O-cent limit, but be-
fore long it was doubled, and finally
the restriction was removed altogeth-
er. Presently the young man dealt
Pete an ace full and himself four lacks,
took hand and dealt his opponent
four kings and himself four aces.
"Stranger," said Pete, 'here be a
hand I'd put $500 on ef l had it,
"I've got something of hand my
self. If you lose you can give me a
check for it,
"Wall, now, stranger, that be kind
Of you, cause yer money is as good as
lost"
The young man smiled, and laid
down 800 raise TO Pete's bet Of $40.
Jerusalem! I'll raise you a hun
dred."
The young man laid down his last
hundred and called.
''Tew par" said Pete, as his face
broke into a smile.
"Four kings" said the young man,
as he reached out for the pot.
"Hold up! [ can beat that-mine
are two pairs OF aces" And the pot
disappeared quickly into his trousers
pocket. ''Now, no funny business, my
young friend,' said Pete sternly.
"Only the next time you try your lit
tie game, don't try it on a man who
knew how to stack cards when you
were wearing long dresses. There's
my card" And Pete smiled and with
drew.