The river press., 1886-03-24
WORKING ON PEOPLES cRE9uLrrY.
sharp Methods by Which an Old stl.eeS
Vender Makes a Handsome Profit.

People who have occasion to 20 around
around the lower part of the city much
have doubtless noticed snooth-faced old
man 10 a shabby brown coat, who silently
stands guard over a little stoye-legged
stand like a camp stool that is covered
with cheap photographs and packs Of
cards. Unlike most street yenders he
never shouts his wares. He seems inyari-
Rbly wrapped up in despair and the brown
coat, the lmpersonatiOn Of bad luck. The
passers-by give him a brief look, a thought
Of pity and hurry along. But the old man
Is by no means deserving of it. He has q
bright and alert eye that is constantly on
the watch for his victims. When he sees
promising subject approach he gives
him SLY wink and a motion with his
head. So mysterious is the action that
the object of it stops and goes up to the
stand to see what it is all about.
THE WHISPER OF THE TEMPTER
"Have a pack?" asks the mysterious one
In doWn-cellar kind of whisper and a
cautious look around, the same as tramp
would cast over. a fence to see if there was
bulldog anywhere about.
"What are they?" asks the young man,
now getting thoroughly interested.
dreadful secret tone and at the same time
deftly pulling out a little package from
shelf hidden under the stand. "Take
them if you're going to, quick, and don't
stand around here. They'll be getting on
to me.n
The young man sees a picture dimly
outlined through the paper wrapping of
the package and asks, "How much?" as
tho othnr foraac IL in hic hand
"Only ST."
ooh, pshaw! that's too much!" trying to
give the package back.
"What's the matter with you? used
to get S5 for them. Take it and go along
quick"
The other begins to undo the package.
"Great Scott, man, don't open it 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 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 very cheap photograph Of q
ballet girl in tights on top, such as cigar
cite concerns use for advertising pur-
poses.
MUCH MONEY IN THE BUSINESS.
A reporter, who had watched the old
man operate, asked him il it was @ lucra-
tive business
"Well should smile. It is the greatest
snap ever struck he said, after being
assured that his questioner was simply
curious.
"HoW much do you make by it?"
Between IS and $40 every day. The
stock don't cost me anything atall. They
give them away at the stores.
"Don't you find it hard work finding
people that are credulous enough to buy
them?"
ssNot at all. pick out the young and
fly looking fellows. The mystery 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 perfectly legiti-
mate business, and / am safe from An
thony Comstock because only sell re-
spectacle pictures. None of the fellows
fool ever come back or make complaint.
They'd be ashamed to- for they would
have to admit that they were chumps.
People don't like to do that. Oh, / tell
you it's great! These young fellows like
underhand business, and I'm just a pub
Lie benefactor catering to their wants."
New York Herald.