The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-13
ON THE RnnERY

"Bowery boys" It would be, rerhaps impertinent, or at least unnecessary. tc fix the date more closely. At the time Siler was hiding his light under a bush.
 el as shipping clerk in q wholesale hardware house on the East Side of New York. He was just bginning tt
 break into the fighting game" on his
 own account, and had limited reputa-
 tion as a game boy" of which reputa-
 tion he was somewhat jealous,
 On the New Years day in question
 Siler happened into a place" of a Bow
 cry admirer of the manly art, with
 whom he was passing tn time by shak-
 ing dice for the cigars While the two
 were so engaged a young man entered
 who looked around the place with a
 naughty and severe expression, He was
 dressed in the latest fashion, wearing a
 silk hat, a long cape overcoat, tooth-
 pick shoes, and a suit of clothes which
 somewhat resembled those shown in
 the regulation steel engraving of Daniel
 Webster. This, it must be remembered,
 was back in the last century.
 The newcomer gazed at Siler and the
 Ganymede, and then with patronizing expression approached them. 1 My good man." said the heavy swell l to Siler, have a drink with me, do?"
 Nav" said the future middleweght, who didn't appreciate such ali evident compliment, I ain't drinking any thing
 | Perhaps" went on the man with the silk hat, you will honor me by shaking dice with me for a dollar. Or don't you care to risk your money? Of course, if you can't afford it I won't irl----"
 "I'll shake you" said Siler, flor q dol lar a throw"
 As it happened, the Bowery boy had just q dollar in his pocket, but it seemed point of Bowery honor not to refuse the invitation to risk it on a single flop of the box Luck favored Siler the first time, and again when the stakes were doubled. On the third throw $3 was hazarded and $4 on the fourth, all of which were lost by the man who had proposed the game. By that time the Bowefy boy was flushe with success and was ready to listen to any sort of a proposition. With varying fortune, but with the balance all the time dec 'dedly in the favor of local talent, the game went on for an hour. By that time the heavy swell had risked and lost his last dollar and was down to ear fare.
 siler was then just 20 years old, and he had won more money than had ever been in his possession before at one time.
 Well" he said, as he stuck the last bill in his pocket, if you're satisfied now I'll quit and go home"
 No" said the swell. "I don't want to quit. I haven't got any more cash with me, but I'll put up check for the amount at stake.'
 Checks don't go," said siler, I've got to see the real stuff"
 But the swell was desperate. He had lost all his money and he didn't want to stop in that condition.
 "T1l tell you what I'll do,' he said. I'll put up my overcoat against the money you've won from me. Are you gamea"
 The overcoat and the money were put up and again the fickle dice turn ed up in favor of the embryo pugilist
 Well, I'll quit" said the swell i've . got enough. Good-by.
 Take off the coat" said the "Bowery | boy" grmly. q just won it didn't I?'' |
 You don't want to make man freeze to death, do you?"
 Take it off
 The coat was removed and laid on the | bar
 "I'll tell you what I'll do,' said the < swell finally, "Tll put up my coat and vest against the overcoat.'
 He was convinced that luck must | chopoa in hia favor cDnnpr O1. 1ntPr The proposition was accepted and the dice were shaken again. Siler shook three aces and the other man three aves
 "Take 'em off.
 Do you want me to catch my death of cold?"
 My friend here will give you a blank et," said Siler, pointing to the presiding genius of the place, who promptly pro- ceeded to produce a somewhat soled red comfort" With this wrapped around his shoulders the swell seemed to gain renewed courage. "TH put up my silk hat, my shoes, and my trousers against everything you've won," was his next proposition
 Under the strict rules of 'Bowery sameness" it was necessary to accept and the box rattled once more. It was l full house" against two pairs and he order was Take 'em off
 Say this is getting too thin" pleaded he shivering man. Do you want to cave me without sttch?"
 Matters at last reached point where t was absolutely necessary to stop. The former swell was now entirely ;wathed in a couple of red comforts" md was seated in an attitude of com- ,lete detection as close to the redhot tove as possible. Almost his entire was done up in one huge / which the winner bore out in he Bowery in triumph.
 Before going he removed the watch nd chain from the vest he had won nd also turned over to the owner the carfpin and the sleeve buttons taken rom the articles he had won
 " Now" said the victor, as he started | ut into the crisp, cold air, ''this ought o be enough to teach you not to come our flushing around the Bowery on New Years day unless you want to ct called, see?''
 A couple of blocks away stood big policeman for even then was alive and vigorous. The ituation was explained to him, and he ntered heartily into the spirit of the