Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-09-28
Taking Chances on Stranger Who
was Hard up.

a well-dressed-man, the other
tough-looking fellow, with his right
hand tied up in rag. He had
evidently asked for aims, as the
other was saying:
"How do | know but what you'll
60 and get drunk"
81 certainly shouldn't, sir" was
the reply.
That's what they all say. |
never saw so many vags and buns
and dead-beats as are hanging
around here just now. nothing
but give, give, give, and I've got
tired of it. I've given away hun
dred dollars this summer, and who
is any better OFF,"
"Please, sir, T.
''Go on! | have nothing for you!"
Let's look at his figures a bit.
The average New Yorker isn't
"struck" by vag to exceed twice a
day the year round, and he gives
not to exceed a nickle when he
gives at all. Call it two vags and
10 cents day for 365 days. That's
only $36.5O for the year. To be
out of pocket that sum he'd have to
be struck" by 73O vags, and we all
know that such couldn't be the
case. He had probably been "held
up" twenty times at the most, and
he had given not to exceed So. |
was mentally figuring this out as |
followed the man towards Park
Row. Overtaking him near the
engine-house, | said:
"Seems to be an off-night with
you"
"And I've quit he answered, as
he looked up.
Something the matter with the
hand?"
"Yes; had it mashed four weeks
ago"
Lets have look ut it,"
We took cut through the park
and brought up on a bench near
the fountain, and he removed the
bandage and exhibited IL bad-look-
ing hand. The thumb had been
hurt the worst and new nail was
growing.
'This means that you have been
out of work for month";"
"Yes, and something more. I'm
a machinist, and came here from
Milwaukee. I'd worked only a day
and half when | hurt this hand.
I've had to pawn tools and clothes,
and for three night past I've had
no bed"
mo friends in Milwaukee,"
None able to help me to a dol
lar"
"You told that man a poor story
for one with facts to back it up"
81 suppose so, but to-day / used
the last cent had to get bowl of
soup, and that was my first expert
nee in begging
"And now what?"
He waited a long minute before
replying.
1t had grown dark, and the wind
W as blowing up cold and drear.
He looked about in a hopeless way,
dropped his chin into his hands and
quietly but bitterly replied:
"What fool man sometimes is
about things! He loses his nerve
just when he wants it most"
"Do you want to rob some one?"
"No! | want it to go down to
the river and take header into the
drink. That's exactly what a man
ought to do who is down and going
lower. That would settle every
thing in short order. It's just
what nervy man would do, but |
can't get my sand up yet. Perhaps
it'll come tomorrow, however"
you've been fishing?" | asked.
"Yes. What of it,"
Nothing, except going fishing
exhibits one of the curious traits in
human character. A man goes and
buys an outfit costing, perhaps, so,
and it costs him $40 more to get TO
the fishing place and back, and yet
you never hear him complain nor
figure that he is out u cent even if
he doesn't get a nibble."
That's sO."
"But turn it around. A man in
vests dollar on tramp, and if
that dollar doesn't brace the poor
devil up and make "a great statesman
or capitalist out Of him inside of a
month the giver regards it as dead
loss and shuts his purse to all future
calls"
"That's mighty true
"A well-off, respectable man beats
us out of $500, and we make no
kick and never wonder how he is
going to use the money. If we
give vag dime and he spends it
for whiskev we feel awfullv ont