The Life and Adventures of Ben Hogan, the Wickedest Man in the World — John Shaqi
The Life and Adventures of Ben Hogan, the Wickedest Man in the WorldHogan, Ben (Benedict)
History
The Life and Adventures of Ben Hogan, the Wickedest Man in the World
Hogan, Ben (Benedict)
Hogan, Ben (Benedict), 1841?-
The next day Ben called upon the Jew in his shop. He represented himself
to be an employee of the Emigrant Department. He said that a great many
chances came to him of making money, but he wanted a confederate. Would
the Jew like to have him (Hogan) bring emigrants to the shop with plenty
of money in their pockets? It wouldn't be of much consequence how they got
out of the shop!
"Dat vas a fine idea--a very fine idea!" answered the old vulture, rubbing
his bony hands together. "You brings 'em in, and I'll take care of how
they goes out. And together ve'll take care of all their gold!"
That night Ben called again at the shop and told the Jew that a very green
young emigrant was waiting to take a walk along the docks.
"He's got piles of money on him!" added Hogan.
The old Jew accordingly set forth with the green young emigrant. As a
matter of fact, this verdant youth was one of Hogan's companions; and the
"piles of money" which Ben had described consisted of lumps of lead put
into a bag, after the emigrant fashion.
Fate is a curious thing in this world. That old Hebrew, for instance,
started forth from his shop on the night in question, intent upon robbing
the green young emigrant and throwing his body into the river. But he
didn't carry out his plans. Perhaps he retired from his South street den.
Perhaps he concluded to take a tour to Jerusalem; or perhaps he went to
Canada; or perhaps his foot tripped, and he fell into the East river.
Whatever his fate, he didn't rob any more emigrants of their hard-earned
savings.
Relieved of his gold, the senior Hogan, with his family, removed to
Syracuse, N. Y., which city he made his permanent home. The family was not
by any means rich in this world's goods, and it became necessary for Ben
to do something toward his own support. His first venture at money-making
was in the line of a peddler. His father bought him an outfit--the horse
could not trot under thirty, but he did very well to draw a peddler's
cart--costing, in all, twenty-five dollars. The young peddler's first day
was not altogether successful. He made a number of sales and exchanges,
but when he came to balance his accounts he found that he was four dollars
out of pocket. The next day, however, he did better, and at the end of six
months he had cleared seventy-five dollars.
It may be well to remark here, that, from his earliest boyhood, Ben Hogan
has possessed the faculty of making money. He never saved any, because he
is too open handed to take any thought of the morrow. But, if he has not
saved, he has rarely wanted. His ingenuity and quick wit have invariably
"made a raise," and prevented him from remaining "broke" any length of
time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account