The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-11-23

actors, for these people in plying their
trade assume as an every day common
place affair, poses and make-ups, which
have taken our greatest performers
months of hard study to devise and
assume; and to know how great in
number this class is, one has only to
traverse the fourteen blocks which
form the Bowery, and, providing he be
stranger, he will be "batted" no less
than seven times in each block.
But one familiar with that famous
thoroughfare, would not perhaps be
! asked to contribute at all, even should
his face be unknown to the "Roundel, -
for the "old timer" can detect visitor
as easily as chicken can distinguish
corn from stone At 24 BOWery
stands one of the most unique build
ings in America. 1t is a saloon and
lodging house combined, called the
"Pivoter's Retreat" and is the home of
the "Panhandler." The proprietor of
this retreat" is al ex beggar, known
to his patrons as "Jimmy the Flag"
and his lodging and saloon business
stands monument to his expertness
in the art of "panhandling' in years
past.
Let us step inside. A long low ILL
| lighted room about whose sawdust-
covered floor numerous small tables
are strewn and seated at these are
groups of the most unkempt, grimy
tatterdemalions of both sexes that
could be imagined See that old fellow
over there with the remains of silk
tile cooked jauntily over his ear :?
Look, his legs have been severed al
most to his hips! That is "King
| Stumps," chief of the "Panhandler"
gang called "The 24;' so called Le-
cause its membership is limited to
that number.
"Stumps" used to be at one time, so
tradition says, Il wealthy merchant in
Boston, Mass, blessed by all this world
deems good, and especially blessed by
most beautiful wife, at least one
other thought so besides himself, for
one bright day she fled and that day
dated the downfall of "Stumps." One
word explains all--booze. The big.
! brawny fellow seated beside him is
"Blg Jack" at one time locally famous
in the fstic arena. He is "kli @
Stumps'" aide and inseparable COM
panlon. DO you see those four tables
slightly separated from the others :?
Those are the gangs special property.
Listen to "Stumps," command, "Piunge
for TWO bits" That means that every
member must so out and not come
back until he or she has begged 25
cents, which will then be invested in
schooners at cents each, for all drinks
in this house cost but 3 cents. "King
Stumps'" orders are always obeyed, for
any kicking means being dropped from
"The PAP
Curious indeed are the tricks and
devices used to awaken sympathy in
the passerby. Here is one fellow on
crutches having all the appearance of
paralytic, though his legs are strong
and sound. Another has but one leg.
the other he cut off at the knee, but in
reality the severed limb is strapped to
his body and hidden by cast-off
Prince Albert coat he wears. Still
another has his coat sleeve ripped so
he can readily display the fearsome
looking sores upon his arm; but said
sores are only mixture of red, blue
and yellow paint cleverly applied and
kept we'll oiled to initiate pus. There
is one who has no arms, seemingly, and
who will most appealingly beseech you
to drop a coin into the small box
fastened to his breast. His arms are
all 0 K; they are but tied to his body
beneath his clothes. These are only a
few of the many schemes used to ex-
tort money from the charitable. Of
course all "panhandlers" are not
frauds, but one nowadays must need
to be an expert to detect the deserving
from the "Phony."
The writer is acquainted with men
J who to all appearances are prosperous