The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-13
PITY, THEN PURSE.
Won From a Merchant
by a Legless Man.
Timely Tale of an Altered inner
Burst of Confidence Which
Proved an Eye-Opener.

The tramp brigade has arrived from all
parts of the country and the solicitors for
meals and bed money are quite thick on
the streets.
The well-drilled tramp has a system,
peculiarly his own, of making ends meet.
All sorts of schemes are resorted TO to
fleece the unsuspecting and benevolent
citizen of any sum ranging from 10 cents
upward.
Yesterday a prominent merchant, who
was perusing a newspaper in one of the
principal saloons on Market street. felt
something brushing against his pantaloons,
and on look ing down to his surprise be-
held legless man looking up at him.
The features of the stranger impressed
him at first sight.
The man, who was so unfortunate as TO
have lost his neither limbs. wore a decId-
edly intelligent and commanding face,
which, as the narrator remarked. reminded
him of some army officer.
swell, my good man, what can do for
you?" asked the merchant
AZ beg your pardon, sir, but would you
permit me the opportunity of looking over
the advertisements? | am in need of
some kind of employment"
The merchant quickly acquiesced by
handing the unfortunate fellow the paper.
After the leglesS man had scanned the
want" column the merchant naturally
grew inquisitive aud piled the poor fellow
with questions.
Eyes. sir, was an officer in the Ameri-
can army and a grapeshot deprived me of
my legs. l have had other misfortunes
too numerous to state. but, as you may see
by glancing over those letters" land the
poor fellow pulled from the inside pocket
of his tattered coat bundle of papers
which bore the marks of many thumbings),
II have had friends who did not hesitate
to nelp me along when 1 was near them :;
but being sufferer from consumption /
was advised to visit California, and here
am Jus: about to break my last dollar"
the letters bore the signatures of several
leading business men If Chicago and
other large cities of the East, which sub
stantiated the story as told by the poor
unfortunate soldier.
The merchant did not hesitate to hand
his newly made acquaintance some money,
but being struck" by the remarkable dis
play of rascality of the genus homo he con-
Guided 10 invite the latter to dinner, which
invitation was readily accepted.
The stump-Iegged man was great en-
tertainer. by The way. and so pleased was
the merchant with the stories spun during
mess that several bottles of CALIFORNIA;
viticultural products passed out OF sight,
so tn speak.
When the dinner was about over the
merchant received shock the effects of
which he will carry in mind for many
moons.
AS the cigars were lighted the legless
warrior tapped the merchant lightly on
the arm. and looking the latter in the
eyes SAID. while broad smile Illuminated
his face: You are too good fellow to be
hum plugged. l hate TO see you leave me
believing that you had most pleasant
dinner in the com pany of a wounded
soldier. / Will not deceive you, sir My
limbs were cut off by railroad train while
l was stealing ride from Boston to
Chicago Those letters that have shown
you are counterfeits, and you can just bet
your life that would not have those long
since departed neither limbs of mine back
again for the coolest thousand you or any
other good Samaritan could produce as
.empter. l now live comfortably off such
good fellows as you. Bye-bye.