The sun., 1894-10-30
MR.. WEST WINS HIS WAGER,
BUT HE HAS UEDULY EXCITED
RIDGEWo0D, n. ~, Nv DONG IT.


H.ir to aIaS.oOe. nuy. y 81 400 Ts,se-,
Tssn,. Ruiid- n $4,000 House, and.
toC.p It All, Get. Proposed at the CIub,
The people OF the pretty town Of RIdqewood,
N. j., for the past two months have been having
better time gossipnR than they have had for
the better part of decade, and all on account
of q young Englishmsn named John West, who.
after being hostler at the Herbert House for
two years, annouaced that he had fallen heir to
n fortune of 81 900, and that he was going to
stay in Ridgwood and invest It In real estate
The Four Hundred of the place felt them
selves in q pretty pickle when this announce
ment was made. What were they to dor Could
they receive with open arms youth who for
two years had cleaned horses at the inn1 Yet
the fact remained that he had Si25, 900 in cash,
and, apparently to prove that he had. he pro-
ceeded to buy Sl,400 tandem team and let
contract for a $4,000 house to be built on one
of the most fashionable streets. But TO coun-
teract that again, 1t was rumored that he was
engaged to one of the mattresses Of the hotel,
and WAS going TO marry her.
And 80 the people of fashion OF the town
thought and thought and talked and talked
about this young man. and they are still doing
1t, undecided as to how they will treat him
ignore him or take him up. All sorts of rumors
were flying about concerning him. II was said
that when he came to Ridgewood that he was
penniless and had to walk. His fortune was
estimated from 100000 TO ten times that
amount, and finally It was said that his name
had been proposed at the Ridgewood Club, that
his election would speedily follow, and that
ciety was waiting to receive him with open
arms, stable or no stable. waitress no wait
ress. II was to take look at the exciting situa-
tion that Sun reporter went down to Ridge
wood yesterday.
Mr.. West was found without any difficulty at
the Herbert House, where he was waiting for his
coachman TO bring around new horse he had
bought in the morning, and which he was going
to try. He is small and slight, with dark hair
and q moustache which shows promise of be-
coming bigger some day. He also has what is
said to the reporter. There isn't anything won
ways known that was to get it, you know. aud
am going to have more when my father dies. l
didn't have 10 work as hostler, you know"
What made you leave England and become
one :" he was asked.
Well, you know my father. David West. isa
He is a retired Captain Of the British navy. My
grandfather's name was John Lancelot West,
gatestone, Essex. II was he who left me the
money. Now, went 10 Harrow and then trsy-
elled all through Europe. Asia. and Africa with
my father. | had all the money wanted and
spent most Of my time with the horses.
Now, had chum named Arthur Donelly,
son of Sir Peter Donelly. an Irish baronet. Wen,
now, you know, one day we had little quarrel
saa me y SnSs That hot and
wagercd him hundred pounds that could
earn my own living with my hands, and he
differently in the old country from what they
do here. 50, without letting my people know,
landed In New YorS in June 1899, with s:i5o in
my pocket, had friend there, end through
the ws der a Af.er WORKING GSFn 'S month
came @ 70 % WORK for MT. Hsrbert % as Sos;ler anu You
know" he added. II was considered the best
My father @ wrote Vt tie to me t to go home. though he
Sp snew MRa and !ysa ssyas ia r. and
would be only short time before I'd get this
money" ,,
"Yes. and bought 1t from an English doctor
whose name can't give, but who drove il at
the hsndsomest In town. And have the best
coachman In Bergen county, too"
this rye Ss sGns man ssfsS
"Er-well-really. now. you know, won't
fsdg 6ad M that
he would say on the subject.
"Has your name been proposed for the Ridge
".Ye,es," Mr.. West drawled, adding that he
did not care 70 tell who proposed him.
has kept the social circles OF Ridgewood in
terment for month. and is likely 70 keep ON
10 give a big champagne supper on Nov. IL.
when he comes OF age, and when his new
housewarmng which will astonish the natives.
There seems to be some doubt, however, about
his name having been proposed at the club MIR.
Walton, the Secretary. said that he knew moth
ing about It, and he would know II II were SO;
and he also denied that split had come In
society upon the question of the admittance OF
the young man.
The last thing that Mr.. John Lancelot said TO
the reporter when they parted was:
"And got that FL 90 wagered. too"