Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-04-05
FOUR BITS 4 HEAD.
WHAT IT COSTS MOTHER WADsWoRTH
FOR TRANCE" SUBJECTS.
The Story of Tramp Who Was EN-
ployed as One by the Oakland
Tent People.

While driving into the country on Wed
nesday RECORD UNION reporter overlook
man tramping along the lower Stockton
road, and offered him ride, of which the
man gladly ayailed himself. He proved 10
be genuine tramp, although young
man, and by persistent questioning the re-
porter secured an outline of his history.
There was nothing remarkable about his
story, except that portion relating TO his re-
cent experience at Oakland. He had been
in the State only year, but in that time
had travelled over considerable portion Of
the State as brake-beam and freight. car
tourist; he had done a little at various
kinds of work, and had tried to enlist in
the army. but could not pass the necessary
examination. So he mad again taken to
the road.
In Oakland he was employed, he said,
as a special watchman at the tent where
Mrs. Wadsworth was holding her seances.
and in reply to question as TO the real in
side history of that woman's operations, he
said:
That was the softest racket l ever
struck. l got my board and lodging for
watching the tent, and so cents every time
| let them mesmeriZe me-"
DO you mean to say" asked the re-
porter, that the parties conducting those
meetings paid people fer the privilege of
mesmerizing them ?'
That's what; but l tell you il was no
easy work. You see, we had TO practice
the thing every day, because green hand
couldn't do it so as to make outsiders think
1t was the resl thing. OF course, there
were some that thought they were mes
meriZed, because they believed the others
were, but they were generally cranks and
half.witted folks who hadn't much brains"
Then 1t was money-making scheme
entirely ?n
That's what it was. There would be
an exhibition Of mesmerism every day and
night, and crowds of weak-minded people
fiocked into the tent, and collections
am mounted 10 great dealn
Why did you leave such good job?"
"Oh, ! got tired of it; and then some of
the visitors began TO get on TO me, after
seeing me so often among the performers
and Mrs. Wadsworth quit on my pay"
Did she make much out of her meetings
there?n
We'll l reckon she got away with about
500 That's about as near as l could
make out her winnings, Judging from the
up in Santa Rosa now. It's funny how
people allow themselves to be swindled"
And how about the big tidal wave that
is going to sweep over Oakland?"
An expression of disgust overspread the
fellow 5 face as he replied: "Oh, that's just
one of Mother Wadsworths lodges for get
ting people excited and bringing them to
her tent to be swindled. Flood Why. she
and her crowd don't no more believe
there's to be food than you do. The
whole thing was fraud. I've done
good many mean things in my life, but
there's nothing | ever did that feel so
ashamed over as my playing the fool for
old Mother Wadsworth's gang. Still,
was hard-up, and it was pretty easy Job
after l got used to it,
And where are you heading now
what do you expect to find 10 do out this
way?"
I'm heading for Stockton l heard in
Sacramento that there is good deal of
street aud road-making going on over
there, and hope to get a job at it. Pm
not afraid to work when l can get good
job, and besides the weather hasn't warmed
up enough yet for fellow to sleep out at
night, and he must have little money
now and then"
the end of his journey, and as the fellow
alighted to resume his tramp he said
Say, what I've told you is the solid
truth about the Wadsworth gang. They
may come to Sacramento to hold meetings,
as think they're going to work the State
for all they can, and if they do you Just
watch them closely and you'll ind they re
dead beats. Much obliged for the ride
good-b