The old merchants of New York City / by Walter Barrett.

OF.N'E V YORK CITY.

123

teering is only another name for legalized piracy. They
sent their prizes into neutral ports, sold them, and divided the proceeds according to privateer law --Bob receiving the half tlhat belonged properly to his Uncle
John as owner. Finally Captain Robert carried his own
vessel into a West India port and sold her, paid off the
men, and came to the United States with the proceeds.
He came to the city of New York, but like a dutifil
son, he went at once to Baltimore to see his mother.
HIe was there several days, and did not go to see his
Uncle John. One fine morning the latter was standing
upon the steps of tle Bank of Baltimore, corner of St.
Paul's and IBaltimore streets, when ihe saw upon the opposite side his handsome nephew, Captain Gooding.
He sang out at once: " Bob - I say, Bob!" But Bob
kept on. Tle Bank president gazed at him intensely;
he was sure it was Bob, and down the steps lie came
and put after the scalawag nelphew. As lie neared him
he exclaimed; " Bob? - why you Bob, what do you
mean? "
Bob turned and faced him. "Who are you, old
man? "
"Who am I? " replied the astonished uncle.
" I don't know you, sir," said Bob, and passed on,
leaving his uncle the very picture of astonishment.
Bob never settled witli him from that day to this.
He shortly after left for New York. He had his pockets full of money, and he gave dinners and suppers at
the City Hotel, and treated his crowd to Park Theatre
tickets, then one dollar each. His good looks and his
money made him a lion in a small city as New York
was at that time. Of course, at the head-quarters of all
that was going on - the City Hotel - he could not but
meet young James Stoughton. The latter, who was a