The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1886-02-11
AFRENCHMAN'S TRICK.
How lie Reaps Golden Harvest In New
York City.

'Par7ez-Uous Francais, monsieur, sd
vous plate" asked figure that stepped
out from the shadow of tree into the
middle of one OF the walks in Madison
square the other evening. The reporter
said he did, Il very little, and then look
ed inquiringiy at his questioner.
The latter touched his battered cap in
true military style, and then thanked all
the saints in the calendar that he had
found some one in this forlorn country
who could understand him. He was a
soldier, veteran of Magenta and Sol
f'rino, of Sedan and Metz. As he said
this he Strengthened his lean. figure,
t,'irled the long nlustache under his
auuiline nose. and drew the stiilly-waxed
imperial through his fingers.
But now," said he striking his breast,
over which the shabby froek-eoat was
buttoned tightly UP under the chin,
s'now, am starving-without sou!
Would monsieur be merciful enough to
help an unfortunate one who had been
vainly looking for work ever since he
came over from Paris, five weeks ago."
The reporter gave him quarter. The
ex-soldier Of Solferino saluted and march
ed down the path away from the electric
light
Ten minutes later the reporter was
crossing the square again. As he stop
ped in the shadow of q tree to light Il
cigar he saw the figure of the veteran
come up a narrow path and stop in front
of a lady and gentleman who were ap-
preaching. The same question which
had been asked before was again asked,
this time with bow in honor of the
lady. The gentleman evidently answer
ed in the affirmative, for the veteran
launched forth in an impassioned ap-
peal in French for little money to keep
him from starving. The gentleman put
his hand into his pocket, then into the
veterans hand, and then passed on with
his companion
Hardly had they turned the corner Of
the path when young man in a bob
tailed overcoat and very high collar
with the ends turned over loomed up.
The veteran met him as he had the
others. The young man in answer to
the question, '.ParleZ-rous Francais,
monsieur2" stammered out an incoher-
ent answer, whereat the veteran said in
English that he was every hungry" and
then began to recite in French bis pitt
able condition. The young man listen
ed as if he understood it all, and then
giving him half-dollar walked on with
a self-satisfied smile on his smooth
face.
'.Sce here" said the reporter stepping
out of the shadow, ''if you'll tell me how
long you have been playing this game,
and how you do it, I'll give you half a
dollar"
The veteran scowled, but rs the half
dollar glittered in his questioner's hand
he hesitated moment and then
laughed.
'sOf course you aren't Frenchmanr
said the reporter.
''Oh, yes, surely, monsieur" said the
beggar, earnestly; ''but i am not exactly
veteran. 1 was regimental cook
once, but I have lived in America for
five wears. Business was dull last sum
mer and l bethought myself how to
make money AT last I had little idea.
Said / to myself, everybody aGnaires be-
ing thought TO speak French. and if
can make myself q tiatterer to their van
ity they VIII pay for it. So 1 came on:
one night and began. just as l asked
you tonight, 'farle9-rous FreEcGis,
monsieur. sal roas piaitr 1t is certainly
not every gentleman l meet who will
stop. but the great number do. II they
are with ladies they are more sure to
stop minute and let me tell them my
story, for in that way they make an inn
preston on the fair one with them.
Many one does not understand the
language, and so lie hesi.atcs. Then
say in English that an E:ngry, and
| then / GO On in French. They know
then that an. asking for money, and
they listen and pretend to understand
They almost ail give me money, but the
NEST liberal are the Pshatitrea,:r, OF
dudes, as YOU cali them, ike the one
with the cane and the oyereOat that jus;
went past. But. ccii0. it is a fair e.
change. They think they impose On ne
by pretending to understand. me, and
make them pay for thirki.g so. Nerct.
monsieur; bon ngi" Ard with another
salute he pccketed the silver aud T'.ar"ii-
ed down the path toward broadway,
where among the hlInl-,t,s Ct .scatre-
goers he resumed The carrying OCT OF bis
little linguistic idea.-N. I. Sn's-