The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-08-06
4" Nothing 20 Eat for Forty eight
Heurs1-How an Impostor Works.

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ceive. 4
Z" Nothing 20 Eat for Forty eight
Hsarsv- How an ImPostor Works.
The Pittsburg Chronicle states that a
gentleman who lives in the suburbs of
Cincinnati, overheard this expression
addressed in pitiful tone at his kitchen
door, the other day, by q man who was
begging for something with which to
satisfy his hunger. His curiosity was
aroused and he went to see the man.
He found a man of woe-begone appear
ance, sad as to his countenance, and
ragged and soiled as to his dress. On
being questioned, he stated in . 5yoice
apparently weak from want ofsustain-
ing noarishment, that he was penni-
less, and that sforty-eight hours had
passed since he had tasted food. He
had walked long distance (his shoes,
which were old aud abundant in patches,
were covered with dusty and he de-
clared that, although nearly fanished,
he could not bring himself to beg until
now. "If should beg" said he, while
tear stole down mis- emaciated cheek"
ait seemed las If my proud heart would
break-break"- he dove wildly into
broad slice of bread and butter which
the servant brought at that moment, i'll
a vain effort to conceal his emotions.
This passing away with the bread
and butter) the hungry individual be-
came more calm. The gentleman, after
looking at him closely, at length recog-
nized him as man who about year
ago came to his home with precisely
the same story. He charged it upon
him, and after hesitation and faint
denial, the man owned up. He ac-
knowledged that he made ita business
going about with nothing to eat for
forty-eight hours" which was all in his
eye, for he was compelled to eat more
than was good for himin order to carry
out his part, '''
He said he didn't mind owning up
now, as he was going to another sec
ton of the country, having become
tired of Cincinnati. He didn't think it
was "healthy" here in the summer. He
gave the gentleman bit of his history.
He had been in the begging line since he
was twelve years of age, and he was
then forty-eight. He was born in Mo-
bile, and left an orphan at twelve, with
no one to care for him. He wandered
away, and for forty-eight hours he did
not taste food, the only time, he added,
with wink, that he ever really suffer
ed that inconvenience.
He came to a handsome country resi-
dence and told his story to the lady of
the house. No occasion for putting any
thing on then, for he was weak and half
famished. She gave him plentifully to
eat, and on his departure placed five
dollar gold piece in his hand. From
that time he marked out career for
himself in life, and he had pursued it
with persevering industry ever since.
Although he only asked for food to allay
the fierce cravings of a hunger that
was forty-eight hours old, yet it was
money that he was after in about six
cases out of ten, as near Us he could es-
innate it, money was given him by per-
sons who were sufficiently charitable to
give him food. He never paid for any
thing except for his lodgings, generally
stopping over night at some cheap taV-
ern. He wouldn't risk being arrested
for trespass or vagrancy by sleeping in
barns, sheds, &c, as some beggars do.
Besides, be said, he chad q soul above
it,"
The most disagreeable part of the
business, he said, was being compelled
to wear such old clothes. He would
like to dress up, but the business, of
course, wouldRt permit it. 1t was task
to look downcast and sad all the time,
fer his disposition was naturally jolly
one; "if it wasn't,n said he, twinkling
his eyes very little like man who was
starving, ~ wouldn't DO telling you this
here story He had, on several ocoa-
sions, after particularly profitable sea-
son. dotted his rags and came out dress
ed like y gentleman. He chuckled n
good deal over the dash he once cut at
Niagara Falls, boosted of the sensation
he made among the men, and sighed
over the broken hearts he left among
the women, He has tramped all over
tho United States nearly, and of course
observed a.gfeat deal.
He had somewhat of q literary turn
of mind, and said he actually contem-
plated writing book of his travels
and experiences, to be entitled "A Beg
par,s Views ON Foot" He had accu-
INFLATED considerable money, he
wouldn't say how much, which was
safely deposited in bank. He said he
intended to retire from business some
day, but didn't know when. Probably
when he finds some one to buy him out.
If he has any higher aspirations than
begging, they will probably destroy
him. He will do well to remember the
proverb, "Put q beggar on horseback"
sc. In the meantime the public might
nc we'll look ont for him.