San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-17
FERRY MINSTREISY.
QUEER CHARACTERS WHO MAKE A
LIVING BY THEIR WITS.

Musicians and Acrobats Among the Per-
sons Who Coax Coins from the Pockets
of Passengers on New York Ferries.
Their Money Sometimes Earned.
OF the many curious classes of charities
in the vicinity of this city, the ferryboat
fakirs come very near being the most in
teresting. To the passengers and commu-
tiers on the numerous lines of ferries at
both sides of the city they have been a
source of amusement for many years
Probably the most interesting and vel
come character on the boats is an old negro.
He begins operations with the rush of
traffic at o'clock in the afternoon.
He takes seat in the rear of the mems
cabin, and just after the boat starts he
walks into the passageway between the
two cabins and begins to whistle, very
softly at first, ''The Mocking Bird" With
out single break he finishes the air, a
marvel of sweetness and simplicity. Then
he begins it again. This time alittle louder
and with variations.
Old men put down their papers and lis
ten intently; the conversation becomes
subdued and then ceases; the boys leave
their seats and stand at the entrance to the
passageway, but the old darby never stops,
and all the time his wonderful exertion is
becoming more and more melodious.
Finally he launches off into series of
sweet toned notes, and look of mingled
interest and admiration steals over the
faces of all within hearing distance. Then
he drops back into the air again and the
tune is finished very softly.
APPEALS TO WOMEN.
The old negro then walks TO the end
of the cabin and, holding his hat out, bows
low and passes around the seats, all the
time whistling some lively little tune, in
tcrspersed with melodious variations. The
nickels, dimes and pennies rattle an accom-
paniment to his music and his nightly col
lections vary from SC to $40. On Sunday
nights he can be seen on the boats running
from Cortlandt street, and then he selects
the ladies' side of the boat. Standing under
one of tho chandeliers, with his hat in his
hand, he whistles "Nearer, My God, to
Thee" and repeats it with variations. All
Of his selections on Sunday nights are pop
ular hymns, and for his sweet and soulful
rendition Of them he is well repaid.
Lately the attention of the passengers
has been attracted by deformed boy, who
works upon the different lines from early
morning until late at night. His entire
left side is paralyzed, shortening his leg
and drawing up his arm. The side of his
face is also affected. His clothing is poor
and scanty.
When the boat is well out in the river
the boy enters the forward door of the
lady's cabin and stands for a moment at
the threshold, apparently uncertain what
to do. Then he takes from an inside pocket
of his coat two lead pencils, sharpened and
provided with rubbers. Holding these in
his perfect hand he limps slowly around in
front of the seats, pausing moment be-
fore each passenger, mutely asking them
to buy.
His facets picture of despair, and many
dime and nickel are dropped into his hand.
Nine out of every ten passengers refuse
pencil after they have given him aims, but
If one is taken he continues his journey
holding the remaining one out for sale.
If that too happens to be taken the little
fellow dives down and brings out two
more from his inside pocket. The little
scheme succeeds admirably, and he does
not dispose OF more than four or five PEN
ellis day. The boy is professional beggar
ana u0uef lnC-N eyeS anu brdulHS VI MS
father.
ATHLETIC FEATs.
Among the most interesting characters
are two brothers between the ages of IA
and II years. AS soon as the boat is well
on its trip they appear at one end of the
cabin and one of them, taking off his hat,
says:
"Gentlemen, if you have not got any OBJ
jections we would like to entertain you for
a few moments. Although we make our
living this way, we only ask for what you
think we are worth"
Both bow, and with a quick movement
the younger lad puts his foot in his broth
er's hand and is thrown high into the air.
Turning back somersault he lands on his
feet on the floor. Picking himself quickly
MP he mounts on his brothers shoulders
and again turns backward to the floor.
Three or four more combination feats of
this nature are accomplished, when the
two boys stop for amoment's rest and then
60 at it again. They turn forward aud
backward somersaults, leap TO one anoth-
er's shoulders, and finally walk around the
cabin on their hands.