The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-06-01
A PICTURESQUE BEGGAR.

date says: People who took q
stroll on the lower part of Broad
way early yesterday morning
had the pleasure Of witnessing an
unusual sight, even in this cosmo,
politan city. This was thorough
y characteristic specimen of the
lazzaroni of sunny Italy, with
out the hand organ and monkey
attachment. Tbs specimen had
evidently been out Of Castle Gar
den but a very short time, pre-,
sumably but few hours, for
while pursuing his profession of
begging he frequently stopped
gaze about him in apparent
wonder at the massive buildings
on either side Of the street. He
slowly forged his way bp Broad
way, crossing from one side to
the other, as he espled a specially
susceptible looking party strolling
+ toward the Battery. BE was the
picture of health, and apparently
not more than twenty-five years
old. His most noticeable charac
teristic was peculiar jacket. 1t
was made of undressed skin, trim
med with fur. Down the center
of the back were two stripes of
embroidery in gay colors: each
terminating in y bit of fancy
figured work. The jacket was
caught together in front by loops
Of imitation gilt braid. Taken
altogether, it was picturesque
bit of costume to find on Broad
way, and attracted considerable
attention. 1t was, however, the
peculiar style of begging in which
the artist-for be was an artist in
his business-indulged that was a
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 th e
sidewalk. Surprise was the first
thing noticed in the features OF
the party appealed to, followed in
most instances by a smile and a
look of disgust. Immediately op'
posite Trinity church TWO Well
dressed men to whom the beggar
appealed tried to kick him, ,evident t.
ly disgusted 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 surprise than the peculiar
manner of begging surprised the
passers.by, the Italian crossed to
the other side Of Broadway, posi-
bly, because be thought be was
working on some other beggar's
territory. For fully half an hour
while a reporter watched him
the fellow received nothing in the
way Of aims, although the boot
blacks and proprietors of peanut
and fruit stands from the same
sunny Italy looked most contempt
uously at him, and followed hin
with volleys Of curses as be moved
on. In front of Trinity church
be practiced successfully his plar
of begging upon q handsomely
dressed lady who was walking
down town. A dainty purse was
opened, a few coins were taker
therefrom, and o small cleanly
eloyed hand was extended to drol
the coins into the cap. Suddenly
the beggar caught the hand witt
his right hand and pressed it to biz
lips. Surprised at this action and
at the muttered Italian words
that accompanied the action, the
lady quickly withdrew her hanc
from the communicating touch O.
the lazzaroni's lips. The actor
scattered the coin on the side wals
and frightened the beggar so tha
he dropped forward on his hands
and knees as the lady moved rapid
ly down Broadway. There was (
look of astonishment on the beg
mars face and a muttered oath
presumably at American manner
or lack of manners according
TO the manner in which be look
ed at it. Then he gathered VI
his coins and carefully deposited
them in rather plethoric purs
that be took from au inner pocke
OF bis jacket. He looked dow
the street after the rapidly re-
4roatino form of nrObabfV his frS