Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-03-16
A Picturesque BEG gar.

-@-S1AAp
ays: People who took a stroll on the
over part Of Broadway early yesterday
morning had the pleasure OF Witnessing
an unusual sight, even in this cosmopol-
itan city. This was a thoroughly char
acteristic specimen OF the lazzaroni Of
'suany Italy" without the hand-organ
and monkey attachment. The specimen
had evidently been out Of Castle Gar
den but very short time, presumably
but few hours, for while pursuing his
profession Of begging fa frequently
stopped to gaze about him in apparent
wonder at the massive buildings on
either side Of the street. He slowly
forged his way up Broadway, crossing
from one side to the other. as he espied
specially susceptible looking party
strolling toward the Battery. He was
the picture Of health, and was apparent
ly not more than twenty-five years old.
His most noticeable characteristic was a
peculiar jacket. 1t was made of un-
dressed skin, trimmed with fur. Down
the center OF the back were two stripes
Of embroidery in gay colors, each term
mating in 4 bit Of fancy-fgured work.
The jacket was caught together in front
by loops Of imitation gilt braid. Taken
altogether, it was picturesque bat Of
costume to find on Broadway, and at
tracted considerable attention. 1t was,
however, the peculiar style Of begging
in which the artist-for he was an artist
in his business -indnlged that was
revelation to nearly every one who saw
him. When a person approached him
the beggar would take off the
shaggy cap he wore and with graceful
sweep Of his arm seem to deposit it on
the walk close to the person appealed
to. At the same time he bent one knee
until it almost touched the sidewalk.
Surprise was the first thing noticed in
the features of the party appealed to,
followed in most instances by smile
and look of disgust. Immediately
opposite Trinity church two we'll dressed
men towhom the beggar appealed tried
to kick him, evidently disguised with
specimen of mankind who could SO
thoroughly degrade himself as this one
was doing. After these rebuffs, which
seemed to cause the lazzaroni more sur
prise than the peculiar manner of beg
ging surprised the passers- by, the
italian crossed to the other side OF
Broadway, possibly because be thought
he was working on some other beggar's
territory. For fully half an hour, while
a reporter watched him, the fellow re-
ceived nothing in the way Of aims,
although the bootblacks and proprietors
Of peanut and fruit stands from the
same sunny Italy looked most con-
ltemptuously at him, and followed him
with volIeys Of curses as he moved on.
In front of Trinity church he practiced
successfully his plan Of begging upon
handsomely dressed lady who was
walking5 down town. A dainty purse
was opened, few coins were taken
therefrom, and small cleanly gloved
hand was extended to drop the coins
into the cap. Suddenly. the, beggar
caught the haril with his right hand
and pressed it to his lips. Surprised at
this action and at the muttered italian
words that accompanied the action,
the lady quickly withdrew her
hand from the communicating touch Of
the lazzaroni's lips. The action scat
tered the coin on the sidewalk and
heightened the beggar SO that he drop
ped forward on his hands and knees as
the lady moved rapidly down Broad
way. There was look Of establishment
on the beggar's face and muttered
oath. presumably at American manners
or lack Of manners, according to the
manner in which he looked at it. Then
he gathered up his coins and carefully
deposited them in rather plethoric
purse that he took from an inner pocket
of his jacket. He looked down the
street after the rapidly retreating form
of probably his first victim, turned on
his heel, shook his head. pulled down
his cap, and slowly started up Broad
way, followed by the gibes and ieers
of several italian bootblacks, who ap-
parently were much ashamed of their
countryman.