Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-05-28
VERSATILE VAGS.
Tramps Who Work the Bicycle Racket
ON Dealers.

TEampS who work the Bicycle k8ekS1
on Dealers.
There is a new style OF tramp-the
bicycle tramp. Kansas City was Wis
tied by one of this fraternity recently.
lie came to town astride fairly good
wheel, with ten cents in his pocket.
the ten cents he at once invested in
something wet Then he made in
CURRY as to the whereabouts of tho
various bicycle dealers Selecting the
nearest one, he called and secured an
interview with him. Here's the kind
of a man the dealer saw: Probably so
Years of age; football hair; skin tanned
TO. a deep brown; face lined by dissipa-
ton; dark sweater, very dirty; pair
OF badly worn bicycle trousers, so thor
oughly begrimed as torender their orig
inal color doubtful; stockings also
dirty, and pair of badly used up BIZ
cycle shoes.
The tramp made himself thoroughly
at home without waiting for an invi-
tation. He selected the best chair in
the room. dragged it to the side of the
dealers desk, and, after elevating his
feet, was ready to talk business. AS
Stunning an easy, confidential tone, he
said: .
Haven't red I'd like small loan
say couple of dollars-so's to get on
my feet Now, I'll tell you what I'll
do. I'm a trick rider. Let me have
decent wheel, and I'll ride it at the
races and pay you back two dollars out
OF what 1 make. What say?"
''Where are you from?" asked the
proprietor, after moments reflection.
Been towering out west" was the
response.
where's your home?"
"Down east"
Questioning failed to draw much
more from him. He had been in every
state in the union, and had earned
enough to live on by doing an occa-
s1onal trick turn
Have you an outfit for exhibition
purposes?'' asked the proprietor.
only what I've on. 1 carry my
freight with me. This is a combina-
ton outfit. I've jersey bathing suit
under this outfit. just shed my wool
ems and pants and I'm ready for biz
These clothes is all I've got" But the
lack of complete wardrobe did not
seem to weigh his mind.
Much of rider, are you?" queried
the dealer.
'Well, L guess yes" said the tramp
''Sid Black, Lee Richardson, why, dog
gone it, they amt in it with me- I'll
do anything they do, and more. Come
out here a minute, and I'll show you
sample of my goods"
A wheel was selected from the stock,
and the tramp led the way to the street,
where he showed off" to the crowd
that gathered. He could ride, there was
no doubt about that, and after the
brief performance was over the dealer
gave the man two dollars and told him
TO come back the next day.
That night the tramp made a win,
ping at the crap table. The next day he
sauntered into the bicycle place swing
ing a cheap cane and wearing a new
suit of clothing and new straw hat
with red, white and blue band. His
trousers were creased and had bell but
tons, the style several years ago, and
were so long they dragged behind. A
colored shirt of gorgeous pattern and
startling neck scarf were visible in the
opening of the vest. 1t was a COM
plete transformation.
The transformed tramp borrowed a
wheel and got an engagement to ride
at country fair. For this he received
good bit of money, but lost at gam
bling what he had not spent in treat
ing the sports" He had another en-
gagement to ride. lost his money, and
finally drifted back to the dealer who
mad first taken him up.
Say, my FRIEND" said he, you
helped me once when 1 was on my up
pers, help me out of town, won't you?
Give me enough for a square meal and
pocket piece"
He got another two dollars and was
gone. But he left town in better con-
jition than he entered it, for he had a
suit of clothes. He will probably fol-
low the same tactics all over the coun-
try until winter stops him, trick rid
ing, passing the hat in country towns,
and riding at fairs. When he goes
dead broke" he will, as he has done
many times before. pawn his wheel and
beat his way along on trains.-Kansas
City Times.