National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-03
POLICY PEDDLERS.
A Reporters Experience with the Peri
patetIc Sharpers.

A Reporters Experience with the Peri
patetIc Sharpers.
In spite of the prevailing impression
that under the stringent regulations adopted by
| the police the policy shop" business has been
completely broken up in this city, it be stated
that there is still very lively trade driven by
those dealing in the magic numbers 4-l1-A
/ The summary disposition made bythe Police Court
of such of these honest tradeSmen as have been
nabbed fagate delictO has driven the fraternity
to adopt some novel and very ingenious methods
for coming i'll contact with their patrons and pub
fishing the result of their drawings. One day last
week representative Of THE REPUBLICAN, wormed
himself into the confidence of an old policy
player, and under the specious plea of tempting
the blind goddess by investing fifty cents in a
gig" gained an insight into the present methods
of conducting the business which were found to
be about as follows:
THE "DEALEEs"
employ number of agents, who frequent certain
class OF bar-rOOmS, Sh0e-Sh0pS, and oyster dives
all over the city. the territory OF each being
mapped ont On about the same principle as that
adopted by sewing machine men and other
reputable dealers who desire to make a careful
canvass for customers throughout the city, These
agents. armed with small memorandum books, sell
the numbers, furnishing each dcluded purchaser
VIII Siilsll! slip Oh paper
may select and some other hicroglyphics and let
tiers to guard against the possibility OF counerfeits
being worked in on them after the drawing is an
nounced. At a stated hour each day they meet
their employer at Il designated point, where the
memorandum books and cash, minus the agents
commission, are turned over. After procuring his
ticket, THE REPUBLICANS young man became
curious to see what manner of man was he who
devoted so much executive ability to the prosecu-
ton of this nefariOuS occupation. Acting upon his
new friends suggestion, the entrance of corner
drug store was utilized as an ambush and the
porter fastened his eye i'll the direction from which
it was stated the boss" would arrive. As the
shadows approached the noon mark, a quiet look
ing,
ELDERLY MAN
came down the street at a brisk walk. There was
nothing il his appearance to indicate the sport"
but on the contrary his whole makeup was of
that intensely respectable type, that one would
expect TO find i'll some highly moral seXagenarian
who was taking constitutional before an early
dinner. As he approached the point Of rendezvous,
the agent from whom the scribe had purchased
lounged out of neighbOring doggery, and,
slOuching down to the corner, balanced himself
against telegraph pole. The elderly pedestrian
came steadily ahead. and as he passed the man on
the corner, quick as a flash, a small canvas bag
changed hands and passed into the coat pocket of
the old gentleman, who, without movement
to indicate recognition, passed Oh, closely
Swallowed by the peripatetic pencil-driver. Three
times was 4 similar connection made under the
eyes of the indignant scribe, after which old re-
spectability" boarded u passing street-car, evil
IDENTITY making for the home Office of the concern.
Returning to his starting place, the reporter
tered up to his policy acquaintance and inquired
when the result of tie drawing could be ascer-
tOIun6 bpIIt fnur O'clock w. ~ raply, q
used to have TWO drawings every day, thirteen
ballot in the morning at eleven o'clock, and an
eleven ballot at four o'clock in the afternoon,
but the cuSsed police have been unanimous
lately that we've had to cut down the business and
have only one day"
THE DRAWING.
At sharp four o'clock THE REPUBLICANS emfssary
showed aside the flap-door OF the aforesaid "dog
gerry, and found full house waiting for the returns
The asSemblage was largely made up of colored |
individuals representing the white washing, rag
picking, and push cart industries, with here and |
here a Caucasian who was evidently q member |
Of the order of toughs." The conversation was |
highly seasoned with policy slang and double |
ointed oaths, and such technical phrases as "run-
ling a gig working a Side-Saddle," police !
mans row." "ragmans row." buckle and strap" !
md " pulling a Straddle," were heard on every
ide. About ten minutes later the agent came in
With a small slip of paper in his hand and passed
It once info The little back room. Following the
urging crowd into this apartment, it was found
hat the strip of paper was buletined OH the wall,
nd was surrounded by the excited players, all +
ager to get the numbers.
Read EN- off, jeff" shouted one of the crowd,
Who was too far in the rear to get sight.
10 II, 10, 81 ., TO- %, IS, 6, %, H. 81, and 2S
cad the man with the pimply nose.
By, got him again." howled a stalwart
agman, and, in the ecstacy of his joy, he hurled
lis bag and scales into corner and executed
double shuttle and pigeon wing" to relieve
is surcharged feelings.
DIDN'T DRAW.
As soon as possible THE REPUBLICANS young
nan elbowed his way through the grimy, bad
melting thrOng and exhibiting his piece of paper,
inquired in what amount he was winner. With
cry winning smile the policy man explained that
ne numbers in that particular gig" had not
rawn out. With an internal conviction that he
ad been swindled out of four bits, the knight of
le Faber No. departed to reimburse himself by
'orkins the business Office ofthe paper for an ap-
ropriation for car fare.