New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-22
STREET BOYS PAY THE LAWYERS FEE

THEIR TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION AND SYMPATHY TO
AN OLD FRIEND WHO WAS IN TROUBLE.
In the vault OF ex-Judge George NJ. Curtiss Office,
at No 261 Broadway, among voluminous books and
dusty records Of forgotten legal lore lies modest
htto package wrapped IN dlngy brown mas.lla, and
tied crosswlse with bit OF twine On IT, in the big
scrawling hand of the ex-Judge has been written:
Fee for professional services in defence of
william ~ Rddle.n
The package Is heavy for its size, and when ex-
Judge Curtis picks up from its corner and Shakes
off tho dust which has accumulated, he listens with
apparent ght to the merry chlnk which resounds
from Interior Yet the chink Is not that Of golden
eagles suggests the jngng Of the street
urchn's coppers when he fishes for change. And
thereunto q story Is attached.
In tho great building of the United Banks Wall
Street. William n. Riddle, at time president OF the
Penn Rank at Plttsburg, has his Office He is tall
man, emaciated from years OF Illness, with stopped
shoulders and a consumptive chest His hair, once
raven black, is now tinged with gray, and all In all
his whole appearance speaks volumes of past suHer-
ing The bright eyes which illuminate his pallid face
testify to tho youthful and ndomitable energy which
still nhabits what he, with Do Qdncey, calls that
useless body His object in life is to set himself
Alright before his fellow men, and he has the cherished
goal in sight
From the time that Billy Riddle began life rolling
oil barrels on the levecS Of the Smoky city, until he
counted his wealth by hundreds Of thousands his heart
was filed with the milk OF human kindness. His acts
OF charity were nnumerabe, and their application was
based on liberal prime pies Ingratitude has hardened
tho man, and he is donc with the world Yet there
arc Instances I'm his recollection Isolated 1t is true,
which twinkle like stars in the gloomy night OF his
Il was in 1884 that the Penn Bank failed Mr..
Riddle at the time I'm the South to reeuperate his
shattered health and controlled the affairs OF the bank
by wire. At serious point the directors OF the In
sttuton failed carry ont the presidents instruc
tions and disaster followed. Riddle fastened north,
sacrificed his entire fortune, of over half million dol
Ears in attempt to stay the disaster, failed TO do
So and was ruined The directors attempted TO place
tho blame for the catastrophe on the president and the
latter thousands, whom no had oefriended during
his days OF wealth, turn their backs on him. and curse
him beneath their breaths Stricken with poverty,
i'll in health and broken in spirit, tho unfortunate man
had to face the attacks of unprincpled men in the
courts OF justice Ex-Judgo Curtis went to his friend
assistance
1t was on one OF those dark days that large crowd
OF tho gamns OF Pittsburg, newses" and sinners
mindful of tho snmptuouS annual dinner which their
benefactOr had for years provided for them held a
Star Chamber" under the City Hall steps Mickey
dc Bum" presided, and with serious conntenances and
many whS rered expressions OF sympathy. the ragged
urchns carried their consultation. Finally sobsp
was appointed by the chair to pass rom, de hat
and did so with grace and expedition Many dirty
little fist crammed down Into dirter pocket,
with commendable enthusiasm, TO fish from among the
mysterious trlfes OF boys pocket the copper CON
fribution to tho fund. No collection was ever char
acterzed by creator readiness to give A committee
81 three conslstir OF Jimmy de Tough Limpy,'
and Columbus was appointed to mako the presenta-
ton, and tho convention adjourned
Billy" Riddle, paer than usual and thoroughly ex-
bansted from the excitement Of the time standing
In middle Of the presidents room at the Penn BANK
tions Unseen by him. the dllapidated committee OF
three sneaked into the room, and approaching Mr:
Riddles desk, drew from their pockets tho result OF
the collection. They embarrassed and In a
hurry and number OF the coins fell to the floor VII n
a catter. The boys turned TO run out, as Billy s.
attention was attracted, and one OF them exclaimed as
nc went through the door: ,
we uns knows you're poor, now, an here's de
money TO help yonr III,
Mr.. Riddle stood motionless and dazed, and while
being credited with great nerve and selfcontrOl equh
TO every OCCASION he could not prevent the tears rum
coursing down his cheeks
Tho clerks in the meantime picked up the money
and found that there were 90 cents in ALL consisting
almost entirely OF and o cent pieces. EX,Judge
Curtis heard of the episode, and begged to be allowed
10 accept the money as a fee for his services. ]
would rather have that he said. ethan ANYTHING
else for is the greatest tribute OF affection ana gen.
uine human sympathy ever heard or" $1,000,
fee for Billy Riddles defence.