Rock Island Argus., 1895-10-26
TOLD ABOUT TOWN.
hofaseles q the Two women Re
gars-Chaslio's Downfall.

Not unlike every community Of any
importanoe Rock Island has its wom-
en- beggars. The old woman Of di-
minuttve stature. scantily clad.
usually Wandering with . shawl for
headgear. 10 . familiar parsonage
to many. To all appearances she is
worthy Of assistance, but il the
truthfulness Of her circumstances
were known 70 those who have been
moved to unloading their purses BY
her sorrowful countenance and pitt
full tale Of hardship in striving for
sustenance would be less willing
victims to generosity misapplied.
The commercial man-apparently
unknown to her-was brushing down
the street when confronted BY th .
fraudulent parsonage. He paused
and listened to her story and then
laughed.
.sif had % much money 10 that
woman" he remarked to . friend. ii
don't think it would be necessary for
me to do any more hustling. Ger
tainly she's fraud. Why she owns
property and is drawing rental from
. couple Of houses"
An act illustrative of her shrewd-
ness is her care in not approaching
the same person twice-especially if
she entertains the slightest suspicion
Of his having become acquainted with
her standing. She carries on her
operations methodically, alternating
her visits to different sections of the
city. Her faculties of Judging
human nature are decidedly keen;
for when she approaches anyone she
invariably makes a good impression
and receives a dime or so. Her pref
erence is of course money, but il
offered edibles or clothing at stores
or residences, to show her sincerity,
will accept them, but with . notice.
able degree of chilly gratitude in
contrast with the performance gone
through before the money-giver.
One thing especially CALLING to her is
to have anyone whom she is prepar-
ing to unload woes upon pleasantly
salute her and ridicule the idea Of
one in her circumstances soliciting
aims. This is signal for q volley
Of abuse and she will be careful to
evade such person in the future.
A nicely dressed gentleman sitting
in Spencer square received q visit
from her.
With q trembling. half-crying
voice, she began: "I'm q poor old
woman, half the time sick and with
out anything to eat. You'll be kind
enough to give me aquarter or what
ever you can spare. / have no one to
care for me and am nearly dying
with hunger. Do give me some
thing"
Still at it, Mrs. -?" came the
surprising reply. "How much would
you take for that nice house and lot
Of yours?" The pitiable expression
left her, her eyes fiared,- and the
young man got q dressing down he'll
always remember.
But Notwithstanding these setbacks
she pursues her unnecessary voca-
ton. Her relatives have used every
inducement to prevent her from beg
ging. but to no avail. Her desire to
hord up money is too great. A
woman whose circumstances are am
pie TO give her . comfortable home,
she lives as she appears on the streei
lin an unkempt house with cvi.
dence Of poverty on every side.
Another familiar character about
the streets is the thin pale-faced wo-
man in black. She generally con-
fines her begging to the principal
thoroughfares. She appears on Sec.
ond avenue about twice week and
hovers around the hotels, button
holing all strangers. Sometimes
she will station herself in the en-
trace Of store and lay for people at.
tracted by the window displays.
While peering in the windows they
are appealed to for aid. She is an
elderly lady with a palid counte.
nance and depraved expression,
which many believe is the result oi
morphine eating. She, too, has sup.
Port sufficient to make begging un.
necessary, although she cannot af.
ford luxuries, and it is understood
begs without the knowledge Of he,
family. But it is supposed she ha,
become 30 addicted to the morphine
habit that the soothing drug must
be had no matter what the difficulty
in procuring it.
"Morning. Cappy! Don't recognize
me, eh? Don't remember Charlie
- who used to b in the coal bust.
ness and acted as agent for the Dia.
mond 10 at Keokuk? OF course VOL
do-put 'er there!, None of nv for.
mer acquaintances remember me any
more since I've got on the bum. Bu,
how things do change in SO short {
Feriod. No wonder you didn't know
me. Three years ago when you and
l met l was dossy fellow-plug hat
diamonds, new clothes and everv.
thing money could buy. Quite Z
difference now. But say, Cappy, I'm
in hard luck. Give us . nickel 20
get on the other side of the river:
I've got some good friends over
there. Thanks; SO long,.
l. ssWho'd aver thou0hf Il ,ss a~o1.;,r~S