The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-19
NOW THE SOLDIER FRAUD.
Charitable People victimixed by This
Product of the War.

From the st. Louis Republic.
While yet the thunder OF battle can
be heard across the plains the land is
being overrun with tramp veterans of
the war. In every crowded nun
where buns n hoboes long have been
preyfng upon the susceptible ones the
tramp has been set down as a casta-
way and criminal. So long has he
worked his game successfully that the
public Is perfectly familiar with his
woes and can read his story before he
has wagged his deceitful tongue. After
continued receptions the people have
come TO have little sympathy with the
beggar, and cease TO be affected by his
pitiful tale OF misfortune. IL has be-
come so hard for the vagrant that no
more he finds his wanderings a life OF
ease and profitable employment.
Now h latest freak of the hobo is to
blossom forth as a veteran Of the war
and solicit charity as n national hero.
OF all the fakirs who reap a harvest
from the ignorance of the people this
one Is probably the greatest fraud per-
petrated upon an innocent public. Old.
eray-headed men who might have been
relics In the last rebellion. and young
boys unable to bear the brunt OF wa,
now saunter around in military uni
form and tell tales OF war which they
have never seen.
Sunday afternoon a grizzled man IN
battered garments hobbled up 20 the
residence of DR.. Hughes on West Pine
boulevard and In squeaky. te~ar-stained
voice began TO relate his mournfui tale.
Il was with Dewey" he said. for the
moment forgetting his infantry clothes
n leggings utterly exposed his false
hood. Il was hot I'm the leg 1 IN that
terrific battle and was sent home on
turlough. NY family lives in Kansas
n / am trying to get home. Can't
you help an old soldier who has fought
for his country"
The doctor realized his fake. but gave
the tramp a quarter because he was
pleased with the audacity % the buns
unique story. The old man limped
away after a graceful bow and disap-
peared in the direction of the nearest
saloon.
This r. only one Of n hundred in
stances where the patriotic spirit Of the
generous public is turned TO the sup
port OF the tramp in his idleness. At
many Of the downtown offices he il oft
en- seen rugged out in the uniform. tell
fng fabulous tales Of war and his ad-
ventures before a foe whom he never
faced. Sometimes he was with Dewey.
sometimes he charged with Shafter on
San Juan. sometimes he was a victim
Of the Maine disaster. and still Others
tell Of malaria contracted on the fields
OF Chickamauga-
49, oit 'A9 anu OF an an
terror cut. such as they can purchase at
the secondhand stores. but they serve
to deceive the unknowing women who
are struck with admiration for a sol
dier's bravery and are always hTled
with grief at the sight Of the hobo's
pretended limp.
Several OF the downtown secondhand
shops carry fun lines Of military
clothes. hats. caps and leggings. which
can be purchased for almost a song
These have found ready market with
the tramp since the war began. and
now they the backs OF unscrupu-
Jous ~vagabonds who rob the public and
then pose as defenders Of the flag
whose uniform they disgrace.