The next morning the deputy sheriff was arraigned in a police justice's court, and fined twenty-five dollars for assault and battery--which, let us hope, taught him not to attack innocent and unprotected negroes.
Upon leaving New York, Ben went to Albany, where he opened a place at the corner of Hudson and Greene streets, on the same principle as that in Rochester. The resort became well known in Albany and was frequented by all the sporting men of the capital.
Ben assisted in getting up the walking match at Rennsselaer Park, in which Weston, Adoc, Payne, Ferguson, and a member of the Troy police force were entered as competitors. Three purses were offered; the first three hundred, the second two hundred, and the third fifty dollars. The pedestrians were to undertake the feat of walking one hundred miles in twenty-four hours.
Ben trained Adoc and Payne with the understanding that he was to have one-half of all the prize money they won. The two men took first and second money, but they cleared out without sharing with their trainer. A seven-mile walk was held that same day for a purse of four hundred dollars, which Ben raised by subscription on the ground.
I desire to refer to one incident which occured during Ben's stay in Albany, and which I think illustrates a trait in his character for which few persons are cognizant.
A young man of good family and excellent advantages often came into Hogan's place in a state of intoxication. One day Ben fell to talking with him about the matter, and told him that unless he stopped short he would certainly die from the effects of liquor.
"But I have tried to stop," said the young man, "and it's no use. The fact of it is, Ben, I can't live without my bitters now."
"Well," answered Ben, "you can't live much longer with them, that's certain. Now I'll tell you what I'll do. If you will follow my directions for three months--do just what I tell you to--I'll get you a new rig throughout, give you a gold watch and chain and make as good a man of you as I am."
The young man at once agreed to this liberal proposition. Ben's course of treatment was substantially as follows: For the first week he gave his patient three drinks of strong liquor a day. He made his diet consist of oatmeal, beef tea, and other equally nourishing articles. He caused him to exercise as much as his strength would permit, go to bed at regular hours, and to bathe himself freely. During the second week the dose of liquor was reduced to two drinks a day; the third week, to one a day; and the fourth week it was dispensed with altogether. This gradual shutting off of his accustomed stimulus made it an easy task to go without liquor. Ben furnished him with beer and light wines, and gave him to understand that he might use these beverages as freely as he cared to.