The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-15
LOST HIS MONEY.
TEXAS CATTLEMAN ROBBED
IN NEW YORK.
TEE OLD CONFIDENCE GAME.
Action of the Southern Methodist Conyen-
don at ST, Louis on Various Matters
of Public Interest,

NEW YORK, May l3.-It cost John Drury
of Texas just $-l5O to sit in the batting park
yesterday afternoon and talk with an en-
gaging stranger for half an hour. Mr..
Drury owns large herds of cattle and many
acres of land at San Antonio, Tex. He
went there years ago as boy and grew ur
among the ranches and wild riders of the
southwest, always urder the impression
that he knew about all there was to be
known concerning the ways of this wicked
world, He made money right and left, and
his bank account grew rapidly.
Last month Mr.. Drury decided to give IN
his wild and free life on Texas ranch and
travel about the world bit. His objective
point was Paris by way of New York.
During his stay in this city at the Reese
house, 81 Greenwich street. Mr.. Drury met,
two days ago, most pleasing gentleman
and between the two there soon sprang an
acquaintance of the closest sort. Drury
confided to the stranger, whose name was
PeUro Mariana, that he had $1,000 in bills
which he was anxious 10 change
into French and English money.
Mariana became interested in the
Texan and took him to street money
changer, who in return for his$1300 Ameri-
can dollars, gave him English sovereigns
and French frapcs. Drury put $l15O worth
of this foreign currency into his travelling
bag, and the balance he distributed about
his person in his different pockets. His
friend Mariana then asked him to go down
to Battery park and view the shipping in
the bay, telling the Texan to meet him OPP
posite the barge Office. Mariana left him for
a few moments and then returned carrying
valise identical with the one carried by
the ranoher. Then they sat in the park
and saw the ships and steamers go by, both
wondering at the magniticence Of the
sight. Suddenly Mariana looked at his
watch and said;
ut Is $3.50 O'Clock. 1 have an appoint
ment at A uptown. Excuse me, l will see
you later"
With that he picked up his gripsack and
hurried away. The unsuspecting Drury
q short time later took up, as he thought
his travelling bag and in leisurely
manner meandered back to his hotel, Stop
ping on the way to purchase tichet for
Paris by way of the Red Star steamer, sail
ing on Saturday. After selecting his state
room and agreeing on the price, he opened
his bag to get the money with which to pay
for the ticket. Then a wonderful thing
happened. Instead of the crisp bank Of
England bills and shining French coin, the
amazed rancher found couple of bricks
and lot of old iron before him. He was
recalled from his mental wandering by a
laugh from steamship clerk who said
only the words "Bunco." With his
worldly wisdom Drury was wise enough to
know what that meant. He did not take
his ticket for London but postponed his
trip and reported his case to Acting Ser
geant Martin Conlen of the Castle Garden
police squad. Detective Peter Groben was
put on the case and most vindictive and
oelligerant Texas rancher is now anxiously
AWAITING for any information of well
iressed young man who calls himself
Peter Mariana.