So the first man who was called as a witness fainted from sheer fright. None of the others had courage enough to go upon the stand. And the result was, that there being no evidence of any kind against the prisoner, he was acquitted.
Thus ended the trial, which, had it resulted differently, might have sent a man to the gallows who simply defended himself against the brutal attacks of a mob.
Leaves Oil County--In Saratoga--Arrested on False Reports--Goes Back to Tidioute--In Rochester--First Meeting with Cummings.
It can be easily imagined, after the events narrated in the preceding chapter, that Hogan began to believe the oil regions were not the safest spot for him to tarry in. He, therefore, struck out for a new field of labor.
Accompanied by French Kate, he made his way to Albany, and thence to Saratoga. There he opened a cottage for the season.
He was flush as a lord during that summer. When he first arrived at the Springs he had twenty-seven thousand dollars in cash. It need hardly be said that he spent this money in princely style. Nobody drove a more stunning turn-out, nor drank choicer wines, nor dropped heavier sums on the green board than did Ben Hogan. A single incident may serve to illustrate the recklessness with which he parted with his money.
Entering John Morrissey's famous club-house one night, he sauntered up to the faro table, and after watching the cards for a moment, said:
The dealer glanced up, and at once recognized Hogan, placed a counter on the ace for the sum specified. At the very next turn the ace came up on the winning pile.
"Two hundred that it loses this time!" said Ben, quietly.
Another marker was placed on the cloth, and again the ace showed up, winning.
"Four hundred that she loses now!" said Ben, while the other players began to stand back and watch him with curious eyes.
Again the cards were dealt out by the dealer, and again the ace turned to win.
"That is seven hundred dollars in all that I have lost, is it?" asked Ben, knocking the ashes from his cigar.
Ben drew an immense roll of bank notes from his pocket, counted out the amount he had lost and fourteen hundred dollars more, and remarked:
"Take up the counters and put this on the ace. I repeat my bet."