The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-24
HE rs a VaS WEISS.
A Dereiict of m Old New York Family
Drifts Into n ~ alton House.


Drifts Into n station House.
lie was brought into the station house by q
policeman who picked him up on Fifth avenue
whetc he was trying 10 sell genuine gold rings
10 pnsscrsby for 10 cents apiece. Despite his
rpgs aud the mud which was cnked on his clothes
hhappcarcd TO be happy. lie wore n large Ameri-
can Beauty rose on his Goa, lapel, and although
he had been rather roughly handled by his captor,
he had managed 10 preserve this. There were
number Of people in the station house when he
was brought in. and as he was not one TO pass
unnoticed. even in crowd, he attracted a great
deal Of attention. Tketo was wealth OF scoin
In his glance he surveyed the policemen and
others who looked AT him.
Say, what's your name suddenly demanded
the burly sergeant at the desk.
Good man. are you addressing me-? asked The
prisoner
One man laughed. while others snickered. The
IA tered one looked in their d rcCtiun for mm rnt
as though about 10 say something, but he changed
his mind and with whitening look sen, his cy cs
around 10 tho sergeant at the desk again. That
,iiicnl had been making strong effort Va recover
his breath. Tcnder9in station scrgeants are not
used 10 being bearded by tramps
yes, ] am addressing you said the sergeant
Well, Idon't know whether III tell you or not.
tamil hear that was arrested We're real old
family. you know, and II would break mothers
nchTt 10 know illht hcr boy hhu been arrested.
'tunfound you, foated the sergeant III come
out from behind this desk ~ break your neck
What's your name now Dye think I've got
all night " monkey with an old bum like you
odds DEATH protested the prisoner, throwing
out his chest, apparently to bring the gorgeous
Hover IN the buItnnholc more fofcibly 90 the ser
gcnnts attention. lie speaks ut violence III
have you know. ait
Shut up, You hobo" roarcd the sergeant.
"Dfhcrr, N he comes any more Of that talk. fetch
him couple on the trousers with your night
suck"
way you treat gentlemen here, l don't mind tel.
ing you that my name is Schuyler ", Van Ness /"
Schuyler NJ Van what gssped the sergeant.
sur, that | am one Of the old Van Moss family OF
sign Of a sm, that he had yet displayed, that
the old homestead is not where II used 10 be- still
for old assotia,lon's sake spend much Of my time
stable
Say said the sergeant you're the freshest
bum that's beeh here IN many day. Now. II
SS %hcre Se yos lust answer my
"By night on oil that's left OF the Van Ness
estate: by day in the streets, prn ipally on Wall
4 suppose il ask you your business you'll tell
me you're broker, won't YOU"
oh; no, indeed. said the tramp. arily. I'm a
"a bank burglar, eh' Well. wha, bank did you
ever rob"
W. h"'' i"' ''hs VI tHcIl. seventy
five OF them altogether. Would you like 10 hear
them" and the prisoner went down into trousers
no @e scratch hat raid 81 the p s1rre.pt
. As you viii. as you will, said the tramp. I'VE
Van Nesscs take things as We find them in this
world"
Yes and think you will take about ten days
tomorrow Drormnn, take Mr.. Van Ness down.
IL. He's seen better days Coed night Mr. Van
Ness. pleasant dreams,
Mr.. Van Ness bowed in dignihed manner.
n he cot hal
the station house. Then lie turned TO the door
man, and in irigid voice said: Lead on mental :"
soak his charge, but he didn't take any action
until he got him in the back room. Then he
grabbed Nj Van Ness by the trousers and ran
him down the stairs into the prison leaving trail
Of rose leaves behind him Just what happened
after ihatno one but the doorman and the prisoner
are able 10 describe but thoSc in the station house
heard loud walls in n voice singuarly like that Of
hr Van Ness, and in few minutes the doormnn
came upstairs grnning az though he'd Just had
the time of his life. No more was heard Of Mr. Van
Ness but tho wardman. who had witnessed the
whole performance with quiet smile on his face,
Il suppose you all think that fellow was a fakir
when he said his name was Van Ness' Well,
+. Isl sd W.S vsn
the Ninth Ward There are a few others Of the
family around. but they are all reputable mem
family tree. They tell me that this fellow was
quite rapid mover in his day, He used to go Ia
and SlI. "Esc chunks Of The family
got rid Of at night buying wine for soubrcttes
don't know all Of his record hui / guess he was
a hot member in his day Well. the Van Nesses
began 10 die of In great numbers few years ago
and guess all Of this fellows immediate family
passed away within short time Of one another
Anyway, he got 10 going down hill. and finally
became what you saw him onight The won.
dcrful thing abou, him is his colossal pride Say.
you can thump that fellow and wipe up the street
with him and he won't get mad. I've seen cons
bang him around scnndalously, yet he never re-
sents II, or makes any fuss, Butifyou accuse him
OF being a iaktr and an imposter when he says he
isn Van Ness there bound to I've trouble. The
dozen times, but he'll hook the very clothes OF
his back 10 get booze. I've known him 10 I've ar.
rested dozen times for vagrancy and that aort Of
thing, but this ring game is a new one. He'll
take his ten days or whatever he gets in court to-
morrow, cheeriully. and when no gets out will 20