Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-09-13

this meant something In those days.
The great civil war had but lately end
ed, and the country was still reeling
from the mighty conflict. The flush
times resultant from the enormous
money issue Of the government kept
everything booming. The foundations
Of society were shaken, and vice no lon
ger hid itself in the dark caves and dens
Of the great city.
But to return to my friend. Captain
Jim Irving, who, before our party had
separated, had opened three bottles of
wine. Before leaving I had asked him
to call on me at the st. Nicholas. The
next day he came and invited me to
take drive with him to Fordham the
following Sunday. On Sunday he ap-
peared behind fast trotting horse and
in every respect an elegant turnout.
Soon after dark we returned to my
hotel, and after dinner, lighting our ci-
gars, we started for police headquar-
ters. There he attended to some routine
business, having first introduced me to
two Of his chief detectives. Many who
read this will recognize the men, but
in this narrative they will be known as
Stanley and White. will not further
describe them now, but as they will ap-
pear in the story from time to time the
reader will be able to judge what man.
nar of mon thew were
For the next eight weeks my life
went on much the same as usual In
our business we made some money, but
by one unfortunate investment lost our
entire capital, and, what proved worse
for me, my partners health began to
fail Dissipation, late and heavy din
ners and irregular hours began to break
a not overstrong constitution; conse-
quently one Saturday he abruptly an
nounced his intention Of withdrawing
from the partnership to take trip to
Europe. There was nothing to divide
save the furniture in our Office, which
he presented to me. The following
Wednesday he sailed with two members
of his family. saw him off, bidding
him what proved to be last farewell.
I left the wharf feeling very lonely and
miserable. 1t may be well to remark
here that he died year later in Italy,
one more victim of a fast life, while I
was spared, but took no warning from
his fate. In truth, I was in the Prim
rose Way, which is ever found most
tormenting and unhappy thoroughfare.
Meeting Irving from time to time, he
was most fattering in his attentions,
while I was young enough and silly
enough to be pleased with his notice.
One evening about this time met him
while coming out of Wallack's theater.
Shaking hands warmly, he invited me
to supper at what was then known as
upper Delmonico's. After supper, walk
ing to the st. Denis hotel at Broadway
and Eleventh street, we found Detect
ives Stanley and White. Here wine
was ordered, and long after midnight
we parted, they first having exacted u
promise to dine with them the follow
ing night at Delmonico's, at the same
time stating that they wished to make
me business proposition.
At II arrived and entered the res
taurant, was at once recognized by 4
waiter, evidently on the lookout, and
ushered into a private room up stairs.
Only White had arrived, but soon Irv-
ing and Stanley came, and supper was
ordered. With such gentry as these wine
is always in order. Then they became
confidential, and the conversation turned
to the subject of making money. Very
skilfully they extracted the confession
that I had none. When excited by the
talk and the wine I cried out, "By
heaven, I want money! Stanley graspcd
my hand and said, "Of course you do !;
a mans fool without it" Irving in
terjected, "Are you game to do us 4
favor and make $40, 1000 for YOURSELF"
"But how?" I gasped. $50 to Europe
and negotiate some stolen bonds we
have, will you:"
For $40, 900 to become accessory to q
crime!
1t was an appalling proposition, and
I shrank from it with all aversion |
could not conceal any more than he and
his confederates could conceal their
chagrin over the way I took it and over
the fact that their secret had been I'M