Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-11-29
FERRY MINSTREISY.
QUEER CHARACTERS WHO MAKE i
LIVING Hy THEIR WITS.

QUEER CHARACTERS WHO MAKE: a
LIVING ey 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.
or 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 thu
two cabins and begins to whistle, very
softly at first, 1.-THE Mocking Bird" With
out a single break he finishes the air, a
marvel Of sweetness aud simplicity. Then
he begins it again. This time little 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
terspersed with melodious variations. The
nickcls, dimes and pennies rattle an accom-
paniment to his music and his nightly col
lections vary from s6 to $12. 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 the chandeliers, with his hat in his
hand, he whistles Nearer, Ny 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 we'll out in the river
the boy enters the forward door of the
lady's cabin and stands for moment at
the threshold, apparently uncertain what
to do. Then hetakes 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 a moment be-
fore each passenger, mutely asking them
to buy.
| His face is picture of despair, and many a
dime and nickel are dropped into his hand.
| Nine out of every ten passengers refuse a
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 begga1
and under the eyes and training of his
father.
| ATHLETIC FEATs.
| Among the most interesting characters
are two brothers between the ages of L
| and II wears As soon as the boat is vel
on its trim they appear at one end of the
cabin and one of them, taking off his hat
GAYS.
sGentlemen, if YOU have not got any OBJ
iections we would like to entertain YOU FOL
a few moments. Although we make GU,
living this way. we only ask for what vol
think we are worth,
Roth how and with a ouick movement
the voupeer lad nuts his foot in his broth
er,s hand and is thrown high into the air
Turning back somersault he lands on hi
feet on the floor. Picking himself quickl,
mn he mounts on his brothers shoulder
and again turns backward to the floor
Three or four more combination feats o
this nature are accomplished, when TIN
two bows stop for amoment's rest and thel
% at II again They turn forward an,
backward somersaults. leap to one anoth
er,s shoulders. and finally walk around tn
cabin on their hands.
-o