The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-01
yet shown his full capacity for prOdiga-

yet shown his full capacity for prodisal.
| ity.
Foreseeing that ne would spend the
5000 on the following day he photographed
to Butte for more money. IN reply he re-
ceived authority TO draw $500, 900.
This was enough for his purpose. He
asked for and received an additional $500.
900. which he presented outright to Bob
Hicks. his partner.
Then the career of the prodigal son be-
gan nearnest. They literally threw their
money about the streets. They were
feeced right and left by the gamblers and
saloon-keepers.
They chartered the only Motel in the
town for the accommodation OF thearmy of
satellites that had sprung into existence
about them.
They wished to give banquet, with a
Partisan menu. They must have terra
pin and pate de fois gras. They didn
know anything about it, but it sounded
good.
They got IT, A special train all the way
from Chicago brought it to the banquet
hall. They ate it as they would eat beef
steak and jam. All the town was invited,
and all the town got drunk and stayed
drunk, as long as possible.
Whenever navigation became impossible
to a guest he was taken up stairs and
thrust into vacant room. For two weeks
not one of the male population who could
be induced to dring drew a sober breath
With this saturnalia, the allurements
OF Chaldron were played out. Hines and
Hicks pined for new populations to con-
quer.
A special train was chartered for Dead
wood Two fine sleeping cars contained
two score of the invited satellites.
For week thereafter Deadwood was
reminiscent Of the days of rs. The facili-
les of the town for absorbing money were
far greater than Chaldron. There were
banQuets that cost many thousands dol
lars There were special performances
at the theaters, the wrecking of cars
through pure deviltry, feverish tits at the
brace games of faro and many other
things which rapidly separated young
Hines from a great deal of his money.
The prodigal cocoon was becoming a
full-fledged butterfly.
After another week or two the special
private train carried Hines and his satel-
lites to the Pacific coast.
At San Francisco they began to enjoy
some Of the real things which are to be
acquired by unlimited wealth. They had
fine opportunities for betting great
amounts on the racess.
A downier brace of doves were never
thrown from a nest than these two I'M
sophisticated cowboys. They were the
reigning sensation in Frisco. Gamblers
and touts courted them, actresses. played
to them, beggers beseiged them.
To all they gave freely. unreservedly.
Bob Hicks. keeping pace with his bene-
factor, soon spent his 200, 900.
Hines promptly gave him 800 900 more
and, becoming weary of San Francisco,
they started for a. trip through Mexico
From rugged, strong cowboys, they had
become the shadows of their former
selves. Their hands We're palsied from
dissipation, and there were dark circles
under their eyes.
Mexico furnished its quota Of opportun-
ity for spending money and the wild ca
reer of dissipation continued. From the
City of Mexico the prodigals started
north.
At FL Paso Hicks became sick. Hines
nursed him tenderly and managed to
bring him as far north as Hermosille
where he died.
Hines mourned his partner sincerely and
for a time was inconsolable. Then he
picked and started for the Sandwich is
lands.
From there he went to Japan and Aus
tralia, in which countries he spent money
like a king.
Early in 1897 Hines returned to San
Francisco. broken in health, but living as
gorgeously as ever.
IN his brain there seemed TO be no
faculty for looking into the future. Final
" his money began to run short and
his creditors began 10 clamor.
The fe cling of putting his hand in his
pocket and finding no money there was a
strange one 70 Hines.
Al last becoming discoura ged with his
finance and disguised with the fair wealth
er friends who mad deserted him. Hines
returned to his old haunts in Nebraska
His health continue dto fail and finally
he broke down completely. All the
friends 10 whom ne gave money have ap-
parently forgotten him. The gamblers
who existed on his wealth and the men
Who swindled and robbed him have no
thought for the dying man whose gen
crosby made their days glorious and their
nights lurid dream.
few Of the men who knew him before
MS day Of riches. are still faithful, and
10 them. and them only. can Leslie Hines
the prodiCal, look for assistance.