Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-24
HE SAW THE TOWN.
An Ohio Smarty's Experience In
the Garden City.
He Makes the Acquaintance Of Two Pleas.
ant Young Men, and Leaves His Hotel
on Borrowed Capital-A Story
with a Moral.

Chicago is a seductive town. To some it
| is a veritable SodOm of sin and cussedness,
to others 1t as simply a magnificent city,
noted for its many large and splendid
buildings, the enterprise of its citizens and
its wonderful growth and progress. 1t all
| depends on what a man is looking for. Ii
he wants to see the elephant, if he be
| painter and desires to carmine or kali
somine the municipality, Chicago will al
ways afford him recreation in this line that
is liable to make his head swim.
To illustrate this, Ed r. Pritchard tells
the following story in the Arkansaw Trav-
eler:
The other night was in the Office Of the
fremont House. Among the many guests
and frequenters in the hotel lobby my at
tention was drawn to a pompous-looking
little gentleman who was nervously pacing
up and down the hall He was elegantly
attired in costly and well-made apparel,
sported fine diamonds, and had the general
air of well-fed and prosperous man.
Presently two other gentlemen, whom
recognized as two well-known Chicago
sports, entered the room. Our pompous
little friend was evidently waiting for them.
He greeted them warmly and the party at
once adjourned to the bar. knew some
thing was in the wind, and followed.
While the bartender was preparing the
drinks for the trio heard the little fellow
say to his companions something like the
following:
you see, T. n up here for two weeks and
I'm going to take in this town in great
style. I've got the stuff and every thing
goes. You bet I'm from Akron and that
town don't send out any chumps. I'm here
for a good time and if there is any thing
rich, rare and racy why want to see it."
Here the party from Akron was inter-
rupted by the bartender who had quietly
showed q glass and bottle under his nose.
He poured out his drink, there was cliDk
of glasses, and a minute later he proceeded:
"Yessir, Akron's no SLOUGH of a town an
you bet when an Akron boy glts out for
tear, something's goin' to be ripped wide
open. Let's have another
Half an hour later the party of three
called cab and started out to make night
of it.
felt sorry for the little gentleman from
Akron. / knew the company he was in.
My fears for his safety were well grounded
as the sequel will show. On the following
afternoon was again in the lobby of the
fremont. Scarce had I entered when l
recognized the little fellow from Akron. He
was sitting N large armchair, his hat
drawn down over his eyebrows; his cloth
ing, instead of being smooth and spotless
in neatness, was soiled and rumpled. l
noticed at glance that his watch and
chain were missing, his diamond was also
absent from its accustomed place on his
shirt front, and IN strong contrast with
his jaunty and confident manner Of the day
before were his listless attitude and de-
iected appearance, as he sat there picture
Of woebegone misery.
While / was studying his features and
Illuminating on his experiences of the past
night, a messenger BOY entered and placed
q note in his hands. He tore 1t opeu and
read it eagerly. "Al right" he SAID TO the
ooy, and dismissed him with wave of his
hand moment later gentlemen whom
/ at once recognized as a well-known Chi
cago business man came in and walked up
to the little man, shook him cordially by the
hand, and said:
well, Billy, what's the trouble"
''Just this. Tom" was the reply; 81 was
out on a little toot last night and got
cleaned out; money, watch and cham and
diamonds; all gone. I've got my nj OF this
town and l want money enough to get home
with. Akron's good enough for me. OF
course" he added, ''Chlcago's great place,
beats any thing I've ever struck. but be
tween you and me it s too rich for my blood"
SO II goes. As said in the outset. II all
depends. If a stranger comes 70 this big
city by the lake and is content 10 study II
from its better stand points, he can IND
much that will both entertain and instruct
him Taking in all kinds OF legitimate
anusements, including. Of course, toar
of our magnificent parks and bouievards,
inspecting pu bic and private buildings, and
! becoming acquainted with representative
men in any OF the callings OK life, be VIII
find much TO excite his warmest admiration
But, or the other k.nd - Chicago -
thoroughly cosmopolitan, and be who comes
here TO take in the lower strata need not De
surprised 20 find them. indeed. dangerous
paths TO tread They swarm with the de-
PRAYED and vicious, who get their nylng oy
theft and robbery and even murder, and
they asa no easier victims for tae1r pluck
ing than are those OF WHOM fair type las
been described In tie adventures OF Ice