St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-07-22
THE BOARD TESTER.
A BOARDING House Bcat who Finds
His Work Almost Eco Easy
-One Setback.

THAT fellow is board teSt", SAID
one of the group of young men Landing
on the corner of Thirteenth street and
pennsylvania avenue, indicating by
nod of the head well-tlreSsed man who
had just passed. ~
Don't know what a board tester is
Well, Ill tell you. While he belongs to
class of deadbeats not very well
known az yet in Washington, this field
is particularly fertile for him just now,
and it won't be long before his graft is
worked by lots of others who don't care
to work between meals.
Washington has more boarding
houses than any other city of it's size
in the country and competition be-
tween them is keen. They all do well
during the winter months and as long
as congress is in session. But the dull
season comes, and then all sorts OF in
ducements are offered to prospective
boarders. Now, the board tester knows
this, and he is right at the present time
in his glory.
"His plan of campaign is simple, and
is the easiest swindling game imagina-
bic to work. He sees q card in the win
dow announcing that rooms and board
may be had within. His ring Mt the
door bell is answered, and when 1t is
understood that he is possible guest
a warm invitation to enter and inter-
view the landlady follows from the serv-
ant. The rest is too easy. The land
lady hears that Mr.. Tester. who is de-
partment clerk, is dissatisfied with the
table where he is ut present domiciled.
The fare is simply abominable, and so
on. Then the landlady, before whose
vision arise half a dozen vacant rooms
and a dining table reduced to half its
length since spring fairly set in, mod
estly intimates that her partial and in
dulgent young men never have to com.
plain of the menu at her house, and then
she relates lot of things that they have
said about the chef. who in all proba-
bility is an old auntie from Virginia.
ut all ends, after Mr.. Tester has in
many times as to become skeptical OF
the excellence of clearinghouse fare
in general, in an invitation to remain
to dinner or lunch, according to the
hour. He accepts, of course, and it is
safe to say that he gets several tidbits
which the regulars gaze upon with
envy. Testers appetite is always good.
and the way he clears his plate makes
the landlady smile in anticipation OF
an addition to her household. Mr..
Tester flatters in a dignified sort OF
way, promises to send his trunk around
at the end of the week and bids her
good day. Of course, that is the last
she ever sees of Tester, who continues
ON his way looking for more signs in
the windows where he thinks he will
be likely to get the next meal.
HE has small room somewhere, for
which he pays about four or five dol
lars a month. but seldom does he speno
a cent for meals until he has finished
the rounds of the clearinghouse dis
trict. The way happen to know that
fellow is because he made bad break
not long ago, but I don't suppose il
turned the edge of his nerve a par.
ticle.
''He worked the testing game on the
landlady up where / board about 81
month ago, and when he failed to re-
turn after eating about two dollars
worth of food, with two orders of des
sert, she naturally felt hurt. Soon after
she moved to another part of the city
and 1 went along because i like the
place. Last week just before dinner
1 was in the front hall talking to the
landlady when the door bell finkled and
she went to the door. That fellow was
standing just outside preparing to give
his usual spiel The recognition was
instantaneous and mutual. He turned
as white as a sheet and started as il
he had received jab with a live wire
1 thought he was going over back.
ward down the steps.
"'Why, good afternoon said the ole
lady in trapped voice which chilled
the ice in the refrigerator downstairs.
so glad to see you. Do come in; din.
ner will be served at once.
This was too much for Tester. He
turned and went down the steps in two
Jumps. The last we saw of him he was
cutting across the little park in front
Of the house, headed for the other side |
of town."-Washingto Star.
Making and Cooking Croquettcs.