The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-19
BEPPo, KING OF THE BEoGAKs.
How the Famous Mendicant Made
FrinCely Fortune.
Eugene Field in Chicago Mail.

Eugene Field in Chicago Mail
A son of the famous king of the beggars
has just died in Liverpool. The king of the
Deggars lived in Rome and his name was
Beppo For half century he piled his
trade as mend.cant, aud the fortune he
amassed was enormous. IL appears that
his stock in trade was pair of withered
legs; his locomotion was by means of a.
ingenious and pathetic shutting along on
his hands and knees, these members being
protected by clogs which made rasping
noise as Beppo scuttled along over the pave
ments clad In frowzy garments, and with
his shrunk shanks ipcased in long blue stock-
ings, this uncrowned king presented a gro
tesque appearance as ne lay in wait for prey
on the platform at the top of the steps lead
ing from tue Piazza di Spagna to the Trinita
de Month AS his victim approached Beppo
was won't to rear back from his sprawling,
quadrupedal attitude upon his launches, his
withered legs spread out 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 natural actor. he
had an adroit vic, and few indeed were those
who escaped him, In due time he became
famous; the pope knew and recognized him
50 did cardinals and princes, as well as the
humber classes. All gave to him. not that
he needed their money, but because it came
to be kind Of fashion to give to Beppo
not to have responded to the professional
impo5tor's appeals would have been egarded
as shocking violation of custom-to give
to him was not only seeming privilege,
twas distinction.
Beppo came to his post daily, mounted
upon well groomed donkey aad attended
by sleek page in handso ne livery; he was
borne home each night with similar pomp.
HIS house was in fashionable part of the
city; it was splendid mansion, and here
upon holidays and OF certain evenings wes
he wont to entertain his friends in great
STYLE 1t was his custom to seat himself
upon a large table aad to dole on dainty
viands and delicious wines to his guests.
His credit was the best ali over Rome-in
fact, the trades people had the profoundest
faith ia his bu ,iness sagacity and integrity;
he served many as their anker and finan-
cial adviser. 1t is narrated Qn w. w.
Story's book, as renember,) that upon one
occasion Leading Roman merchant was
seen hurrying up the Spanish steps. DE
tain me Of" he cried to one who asked il
be was evading arrest-'detain me not; l
am ling to see my banker, old Beppo-he
has prom ised to lend me 60 scudl."
Eighteen years ago saw this famous inn
poster plying his trade on the spot where
Tor fifty years, in every kind Of weather, be
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 int 5natio1 nor had his elo-
quence abated in poi0t Of responsiveness.
He died shortly thereafter, leaving a large
property. His family was numerous, and
MS sons were quite as profigate as if they
had been born of gentler blood. They dis
sipated old Beppo's gold, and, having in
herited none Of their sire's arts of acquisi-
tiveness, they presently became paupers.
Add now one Of them has died wretcnedly
in the wretched seaport of Liverpool.