Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-07-16
Gslefte6 AIistellanp.
Begging as a Fine Art.

taught in secret, but up to very recent
period no one had dared to establish upon
the Thames a school where begging, as a
profession, is actually taught, and where
the pupils have the advantages of lectures
and the use of DISCUSSES.
What do you mean? is that humbug,
or not ?" asked of my friend, who was an
adept in city ways
"No, that is the TRUTH" he replied, and
continued making his toilet as though dis.
cussing one of the commonest questions Of
the day. "There is the name of the pro-
fessor and his residence, No. 81 Princess
street, st. Giles"
"What is his name?"
"Roonay."
al have the greatest desire to take a
world the result of my observations"
"Why not do it, then ?"
"In that case must hurry"
"Why? Do you fear that the seats will
be all engaged?'
"NOt that but rather that the police
will be apt to c'ose the academy as soon as
possible"
o., "The police? Oh, no! Roopay keeps
within the law, so as not to come in con-
tact with it."
On the next day sought Prof Roonay
I did not in the least believe in his exist
ence, but thought that the announcement
of his having opened such an academy
was one of those bold assertions so often
made by the press in order to fill their
empty columns. After considerable hunt
ing, / at last found myself face-to face
with Prof. Roonay, whom found dressed
in elegant style
Chow can / serve you ?" he asked, on
my entrance, rising from his seat
The sudden question rather disconnected
me-
81 wish to take course of lessons in
the art of begging with success" said [,
after a short pause.
AT the words with success,"I could
not suppress a smile.
You did not come here to make the
art of begging, in the true sense of the
word, means of your future support it
was your curiosity which led you here,
was it not?"
eyes, that is so," I answered. "Never-
,theless," continued /, II have sought you
with the earnest desire of hearing you lee
ture, and securing a seat. can pay the
required fee now"
Saving this, l took out my purse.
"Keep your money in your pocket"
said Roonay, with gesture of contempt
81 cannot allow your name to be placed
upon the register of my academy, for l
take none here but those having firm
determination to pursue for the future the
paths show them.
I" But WILL" continued he, "make an
exception for once / say for once in
your case, in order to convince you that
there is not so much humbug in London
as the foreign press would have it appear.
Please follow me-"
I had scarcely time to recover from my
astonishment at his words, when ROonay
led me into wide hall which opened into
a large room-the academy proper-the
rear of which was handsomely decorated,
and at this end was placed a desk for the
lecturer On the walls were hung many
well-eXecuted paintings, representing many
devices of beggars in different countries,
from the earliest days to the present time.
The collection was one of considerable
merit in historical point of view.
"That side of the room represents Lon
don only" said Roonay, pointing to col
lection showing the ways of London beg
gars.
We then entered second room, which
contained the appliances of the profes-
sion. Here were closets with glass doors,
containing pieces of what appeared to be
1Gp6er mGcle, representing shot and stab
q wounds in various stages of healing
These, by simple mechanical contrivances,
could be applied to any part of the body.
In other parts of the room were to be
seen many disguises, coats, little wagons
for the use of pretended cripples, beggar
clothing covered with medals for deeds OF
imaginary bravery and heroism, boxes
with various Inscriptions on them, UNI
lbrellas which looked as though made in
the Gully days of art, and which could be
used as weapons of defence, &c. Upon
the table were strewn certificates for the
use of pupils, testifying to their poverty
or misfortunes; these were all signed by
Roonsy, and had the seal Of the academy
attached.
The third room we entered was the most
interesting of all. Here we found kennels
of dogs of various breeds.
"This dog alone can earn more than a
hundred guineas a month";" said the pro-
fessor, pointing to small hound whose
ugly countenance would alone move one
to pity. "There, Moss, beg of this gen.
tlenan," continued he, placing on the dogs
back one of the small boxes we had seen
before.
The dog began by loud yelps, which he
!, soon changed to low whine, at the same
time approaching me nodding his head,
then stood on his hind legs, and, reaching
out his paw, pulled at my cOat-tail. This
he kept up, and would rot be quiet until
-, 1 placed piece of money in the box.
"His neighbor, Armstrong, begs in a
different way from that" said Roonay, at
the same time opening the kennel and let
ting out large bull dog, upon whose back
was huge box on which was paint ed,
Your money or your life"
"Do not be afraid, he will not hurt
you, if you only place your purse in the
box"
At signal from his master, the i'm
mense dog showed his teeth and snapped
at me, and as did not make movement
for my money, made a grab at my throat.
-" That is not begging" cried |, indig-
pantly; "that is modern highway rob-
berry, Having no remedy, / placed the
contents of my wallet in Armstrong;
box
Here the two extremes meet" said
Roonay, Struggling his shoulders. "This
dog is master of his art" IS
Just then the bell rang. Roonay was
needed in the parlor. As we retraced oul
steps, he told me that it was his intention
TO establish large factory in connection
a with the institute, where he would manu-
facture everyt hing required in the profes
sion of begging. On reaching the dool
Roonay offered me his hand, but l drew
back, experiencing at the moment the
same sensation traveller must feel while