Wichita eagle., 1889-05-10
THE FROZEN DUDE.
How He Unconsciously Raided a
New York Bunco Den.
tChicago Inter ocean,

because he still lives. Any name will do
for him, but / will call him Billy-which
was his first name any way.
Billy was known to all the newspaper re-
porters as THE Frozen Dude" before he
had been in the business week. He first
conferred himself upon the San from Har
ward, and there was a sensation when he
made his debut in the reporters room. l
have never in my life seen person of such
absolute imperturbability of countenance,
and very few of such lofty demeanor, as
this same Billy His features might have
been frozen actually for all the expression
there was in them and, in spite of the fact
that he was laughed at and guyed in half
of the places he went into on account of his
appearance, / never once knew him to lose
his absolute composure that was his chief
characteristic. Ihave seen him in all kinds
of situations, too, from dancing in Bowery
free and-easy or sitting in the wing in the
sight of the audience at a variety show,
10 taking notes of a sermon on the
pulpit steps in Plymouth Church.
When Billy first reported for duty at the
iesk of the city editor of the Shn, he said
law, Mr.. Bogart, Think itmight be well,
before we go any further, that you should
understand that / have a distinct prefer
ence for literary work.
Every well" responded Bogart, ''you will
contine your literature to the South Side
station for the next month"
He did, too, the South Side" station
being the assignment that the New York
reporters generally begin upon. But the
BOYS in the Sun Office and in the Press
Club room found that Billy was not by any
means a fool, as they had first thought
him, but on TIE contrary particularly
keen and intelligent youth. Ihaye described
him at length, because the story is not half
a. good If one has not some idea of the
kind of fellow Billy was.
The Frozen Dude made his debut in Jour
nalism six or eight years ago at time
when the business of bunco-steering was
at its height, and he used to often lament
that the bunco men never tried to pick him
up, since he thought the experience would
be an interes ting one 20 write about. One
day, after he had been in the San office
about a month, there was fire reported
up in the middle OF the city somewhere,
and Billy was given a fire badge, that ,ad-
mitted him within the fire lines, and sent up
TO see what was the matter. The fire badge
then was almost exactly ike the police and
detective badges, except that they bore the
name of the newspaper instead OF mem
bers. Two or three years ago they were
changed for big tin badges about the size
of a dinner plate, that the reporters now
wear. Being a new reporter, Billy proudly
fastened the tire-badge over his manly
bosom upon his waistcoat, and buttoningup
his coat-he always dressed in the top of
the fashiOn-he set forth.
The fire did not amount to much, and on
his way back, about three o'clock in the
h.
Fifth Avenue Hotel, and then came out
and leaned against one Of the pillars. |
suppose he looked like some young swell
from out of town, WHO was lonesome in the
great city and would be very much pleased
to find an old acquaintance to show him the
sights At any rate Bill had not stood there
more than five minutes when he was
Baluted with the words:
what, old man you down herei Why
didn't you let US know you were comingon
AT the same time his hand was grasped
and shaken vigorously. The greeting was
so cordial and the ring of the voice so
honest that Billy hardly thought of the
bunco men at first, and, turning his ex-
pressionless countenance upon the young
man, who was gotten up regardless of ex-
pense, he said:
Jaw, pardon. You have the advantage
of me-"
Bill saws that he never saw a man so en-
barassed before in his life. and that he
bulshed so violently TO cast a crimson
glow upon the white pillars of the hotel.
Il beg a thousand pardons," he stam-
mered, but it is a most extraordinary re
semblance. Why, even now I could almost
swear that you are my old friend Hamilton,
OF Chicago. at Princeton"
The strangers embarrassment might
have imposed upon Billy, but that he knew
that gentleman who had made mistake
of that nature would have passed on after
an apology, with no further words.
Delightfully."- he led the bunco man on.
Il can't say that the resemblance to your
friend Hamilton is very hattering to him."
he said, with rustic garrulity, ''but I'm a
very different man. My name is Orion,
and l am from Cleveland"
That's singular, too" said the other af-
fecung more embarrassment than ever
I'm sure you will excuse my asking the
question, but is it Henry Orion! NY sis
ter met young gentleman of that name in
Cleveland last summer and she's been talk
ing about him ever since. 1t is impossible
that you are Henry Ortonl"
Under the circumstances, returned
the Frozen Dude in his best manner. Il am
very sorry TO be obliged to admit that |
am not Henry Orion. Ny name is Isaac
Orton.r
The young man begged pardon some
more and blushed a great deal, and was
lost in the crowd in Broadway
Billy knew that the next move in the
game would be for the bunko mans pal to
come up and address him by the name he
had given She other, and he said thai his
heart bounded with eXultauon, and he be-
gan to frame in his mind the manner in
which he would write his story about them
But he waited fully a quarter of an hour,
and as no one spoke to him, he began to
fear that his new acquaintance was not
crook after all. and walked away. He had
not reached the corner of Twenty third
street, however, when middle-aged man
OF medium stature, with iron-grsy hair,
suddenly turned out of the swarm in the
middle Of the sidewalk after half passing
MN, and seized his hand.
declare" he said, in measured. but
cordial tones, '<if this isn't little key Or
ton grown up to be man! When did you
come down, and how are all the good PEG
PIE OF the prettiest city on the lalesl'
BIly's mobility of features stood him in
good stead this time, for he had TO swallow
hard 10 keep himself from laughing.
"Don't know me, I'll wager" cried the
second bunco gentleman, merr1lv. before
Billy had chance TO speak. but still shak-
4ng his hand We'll. perhaps itrs no won
der. l came 70 NeW YORK q long while ago |