Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-10
KING OF THE BEGGARS.
rho Roman Beppo and His wonderful
Career as n Mendicant.
a ....a.r

tCofrtrpOugsh'S A''"Ni
a son of the famous King of the Beggars
has lust died in Liverpool. The King OF
The Beggars lived in Rome and his name
was Beppo. For halfa century he piled his
trode as o mendicant and the fortune he
amassed was enormous. II appears that his
stock in trade was pair Of withered legs;
his locomotion was bv means OF an IN
oenious and pathetic shutting along on his
hands and knees, these members being pro-
tected by clogs which made rasping noise
os Reppo scuttled over the pavement.
Clad in frowZy garments, aud with his
shrunk shanks incased in his long blue
stockings. this uncrowned king presented
a crotesque appearance "a he lay IN wait
for prey on the platform at the top OF the
steps leading from the Piazza di Spagna TO
the Trinita de Mont. As his victim ap-
prosched Beppo was wont to rear back
from his sprawling, quadrupedal attitude
upon his launches, his witnered legs
spread ont at right angles, after the
fashion of baby's. He had the
body of an athlete. his face was fat, and
Jolly, but about his eyes was an expression
of malicious cunning. A natura actor, no
had an adroit wit, and few indeed were
those who escaped him. In due time ne
became famous. The Pope knew and
RECOGNIZED him; so did cardinals and
princes, rs well IA Atif hhAA'ANt
All gave 10 him, not that he needed their
money. but because 1t came 20 be KIND
of fashion 20 give to Beppo; not to nave
responded TO the professional impostor's
appeals would have been regarded as
shocking violation of custom. To give 20
him was not only seeming custom, twas
a distinction.
Beppo came to his post daily, mounted
upon well-groomed donkey and attended
by sleek page in handsome livery ne
was borne home each night with similar
pomp. His house was in fashionable
part of the city: it was splendid man
sion, and here upon HOLIDAYS and of certain
evenings was he wont TO entertain his
friends in great style. 1t was his custom
10 seat himself upon large table
and 70 dole out dainty ylands and
delicious wines to his guests. HIS
credit was the best all over Rome-ln TACT,
the tradespeople had the profoundest
faith in his business saGaclty and lnteg..
ritv: he served many as their banker and
financial adviser. 1t is narrated in W. W.
Story's book. as | remember that upon
one occasion leading Roman merchant
WAS seen hurrying up the Spanish steps.
DetaIn me not" he cried TO one who
asked If he was evading arrest detmn
me not an going 70 see my banker, Old
Beppo-he has promised 70 lend me 60
scudi.'
Eighteen years ago | saw this famous
imposter plying his trade on the spot
where for fifty years, IN every KIND OF
weather. he had begged of Tyrian and
Trojan alike. His hair was whittier than the
marble upon which he sprawled, but his
face was as smiling as ever, and his voice
had lost none of its pathetic intona-
ton. nor had his eloquence abated
in point of persuasiveness He died
shortly thereafter, leaving a large property.
His family was numerous. aud his sons
were quite as profligate as If they had been
born of gentler blood. They dlssipatedi
old Beppo's gold. and, having inherited
none of their sire's art of acqulsitiveness.
thew presently became paupers. And now
one of them has died wretchedly III the
wretched seaport OF Liverpool.