Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-17

4 Boardia& House Beat Who Finds
His Work Almost Too Easy
--One Setback.

= oosr0l0A mouse neat VINO FINDS
His Work Almost Too Easy
lone Setback.
"That fellow is board tester" said
one OF the group OF young men stand
ing on the corner Of Thirteenth street
and Pennsylvania avenue, indicating
by nod Of the head well-dressed
man who had just passed.
Don't know what board tester Isl
Well, III tell you. While he belongs to
class of deadbeats not very well
known as 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 its 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 i'm.
aglnable to work. He sees a card in
the window announcing that rooms
and board may be had within. His
ring at the door bell is answered, and
when 1t is understood that he is a pos.
sible guest warm invitation to enter
and interview the landlady follows
from the servant. The rest is too easy.
The landlady hears that Mr.. Tester,
who is department clerk, is dissatis-
fled with the table where he is at pres
emit domiciled. The fare is simply
abominable, and SO on. Then the land
lady, before whose vision arise half a
dozen vacant rooms and dining table
reduced to half its length since spring
fairly set in, modestly intimates that
her partial and indulgent young men
never have to complain of the menu
at her house, and then she relates O
lot OF things that they have said about
the chef, who in all probability is an
Did auntie from Virginia.
1T all ends, after Mr.. Tester has In.
that he has been deceived so
many times as to become skeptical of
The excellence Of clearinghouse fare
N general, in an invitation to remain
70 dinner or lunch, according to the
hour. He accepts, Of course, and 1t is
'afe to say that he gets several tidbits
which the regulars gaze upon with
'nvy. Testers appetite is always good,
md the way he clears his plate makes
ne landlady smile in anticipation of
in addition to her household. Mr..
Tester fatters in a dignifed sort of
way, promises 70 send his trunk
round at the end of the week and
lids her good day. OF course, that is
he last she ever sees of Tester, who
ontinues on his way looking for more
igns in the windows where he thinks
e will be likely to get the next meal.
HE has small room somewhere,
or which he pays about four or five
ollars a month, but seldom does he
pend a cent for meals until he has
nished the rounds of the boarding.
ouse district. The way | happen to
now that fellow is because he made
break not long ago, but don't sup
ose 1t turned the edge of his nerve
particle.
HE worked the testing game on the
lndlady up where | board about a
lonth ago, and when he failed to re-
Urn after eating about two dollars
oyth of food, with two orders of des-
,rt, she naturally felt hurt. Soon
tier she moved to another part of the
ty and went along because like
lie place. Last week just before din
sr | was in the front hall talking to \
lie landlady when the door bell
nkled and she went to the door. \
hat fellow was standing just outside
repairing to give his usual SPIEL
he recognition was instantaneous
I'd mutual. He turned as white as O
eet and started as if he had received
jab with live wire. thought he
as going over backward down the
cps.
"'Why, good afternoon said the
q lady in trapped voice which
Tiled the ice in the refrigerator
80 glad to see you. Do
me in; dinner will be served at
ce.'
''This was too much for Tester. He
rned and went down the steps in
% jumps. The last we saw of him
was cutting across the little park
'front.' of the house, headed for the
her side Of town."-Washington
ar.