Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-27
FOR NORTHERN TRAVELLERS.
"LappinG" Books No Longer Pays on
Southern Railroad Trains
From the Atlanta Journal.

From the Atlanta Journal.
"We don't lap any more books" said chip
per newsboy at the Central depot last night.
Truth is, we lost so many that way till we just
can't ford it. l don't know for certain who
first started such doings. but some of the boys
say it was Billy McAfee on the Richmond and
Danville road. Bound for Billy; he's al
ways starting something he don't know moth
ing about. Old Billy is a leader for all that.
The way that scamp can persuade the women
into buying books is a sin and q shame.
Amt no use in talking; he can just do it;
that's all. l heard some OF the boys tell
ing about how Billy's tapping of books
worked the first day he fell on TO the scheme.
People looked wild when they saw the butch
throwing all sorts of books into their laps
without asking cent for EN-. Twas all Billy
could do to hold in when the women would
look up and smile and say 'thankee.' But they
changed their tune when he passed through
the car to collect fares on 'em. Everybody
was so interested reading the books that they
wouldn't stop, and they flung out the little
twenty-fives and fifties like shot out of a
shovel. Some of the women didn't have the
change, and they was mighty sorry they'd
started to read the books. They'd blush, and
look like they wanted TO borrow the funds.
Tapping worked splendid them times. but
she's changed now. People are in the habit Of
getting off with the books. We lost anything
that way? No, stree. Many is the one that's
got off with my books, but l made it up on the
next man. 'Twon't do to get left.
Talking about reading people, I've always
been mighty successful at ii. l can tell n
preacher or lawyer every fire. Oh. yes,
always have bound books for their sort
slipped one time, though. 1t was this way:
The company had purchased a lot of cheap
boohs How to Cure Diseases of the Mind and
Body and as they was hard stock we boys was
allowed double 'commish' on 'em. had one
left, and was mighty anxious to dispose of her.
She was clean and heat, but she Just wouldn't
so. One day, coming out of Macon, espied
little dried-up man, with shaggy hair and
weak-lookinS eyes. He had the httlest hands
l every seen, and legs and feet according.
set him down for a countryman. / made bold
to tackle him. Here's the last one j have in
stock l said to him. Better take it if you
need anything of the kind 1 argued;
this is the only one in print. Coun-
try people don't have to send for n doctor
when they have this work. This little man
looked up at me sorter tired, and said
mildly; You little rascal. If you don't go
away from me I'll throw you out that window
l turned up my lip at the little old countryman
and walked out. When we reached Atlanta the
depot was crowded with people. and they kept
up such whoopin' and hollerin' when the train
stopped poked my head out to see what was
the matter. Would you believe it, they had
this little countryman by the hands and looked
like they'd go plum crazy about him. got
sorter uneasy. and eased up to the conductor
and asked him who the countryman was. and
he said: Look heah, boy, don't you know Gov.
Alex. Stephens"