, 1885-12-26
WORKING on peoples cagpullrx:
sharp Methods by which an Old Street
Wonder Makes u Handsome Profit.

People who have occasion to go around
around the lower part OF the city much
have doubtless noticed n smooth-faced old
man In a shabby brown coat, who silently
stands guard over a little stove-legged
stand like a camp stool that Is covered
with cheap photographs and packs of
cards Unlike most street vendors, he
never shouts his wares. He seems invari-
ably wrapped up in despair and the brown
coat, the i-mpersonation OF bad luck. The
passers-by give hin a brief look, a thought
Of pity and hurry along. But the old man
Is by no means deserving OF it. He has a
bright and alert eye that is constantly on
the watch for his victims. When he sees
a promising subject approach he gives
him a sly wink and a motion with his
head. So mysterious is the action that
the object of 1t stops and goes up to the
stand to see what 1t is all about.
THE WHISPER OF THR TEMPER.
Have a pack" asks the mysterious one
In a down-cellar kind OF u whisper and a
cautious look around. the same MS n tramp
would cast over a fence to see IL there was
Il bulldog anywhere about.
What are theyf" asks the young man,
now getting thoroughly Interested.
"Cardsl Something rich,r in the same
dreadful secret tone, and at the same time
deity pulling out a little package from a
shelf hidden under the stand. take
them If you're going to, quick, and don't
stand around here. They'll be getting on
10 me"
The young man sees u picture dimly
outlined through the paper wrapping OF
the package and asks, "How muchi" as
the other forces it in his hand.
@Only 81
~Oh, pshawi that's too muchl- trying to
give the package back.
What's the matter with your L used
to get s. for them. Take it and go along
quickl'
The other begins to undo the package.
Great Scott, man, don't open 1t here.
You may have it for so cents, but skip off
now before you get me arrested. Thank
you And he pockets the silver that the
other had been getting ready all the time.
Then he turns and smiles u knowing
smile at the lamppost while the purchaser
hurries around the corner to examine his
prize. He finds four or five large blank
cards, with a very cheap photograph of a
ballet girl in tights on top, such as cigar.
ette concerns use for advertising pur
poses.
MUCH ONE IN II BUSINESS.
A reporter, who had watched the old
man operate, asked him II it was a lucra-
tive business.
"Well, l should smile. 1t Is the greatest
snap l ever struck" he said, after being
assured that his questioner was simply
curious.
"How much do you make by itS"
Between IS and $40 every day. The
stock don't cost me anything at all. They
give them away at the stores.
Don't you find it hard work finding
people that are credulous enough to buy
themg"
Not at all l pick out the young and
fly looking fellows. The mystery l as
sumo catches them. Some buy just out OF
curiosity and others because they think
they are going to get something racy or
obscene. The police can't touch me
either, you see. It's a perfectly legiti-
mate business, and | am safe from An
thony Comstock because l only sell re-
spectacle pictures. None Of the fellows l
fool ever come back or make a complaint.
They'd be ashamed to, for they would
have to admit that they were chumps,
People don't like to do that. Oh, l tell
you it's great These young fellows like
underhand business, and Pm just a pub
lie benefactor catering to their wants"
New York Herald.