The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-22

wrote himself, and the nerve of a bunco
Steerer, sad man who knew him, ''and
ne gathered in thousands of dollars from
people who never suspected that they
were being swlndled."
These are some of the members of the
begging aristocracy, but there are equally
interesting cases in the class which aims
less high and is satisfied with a frugal
hVlng- For years a man Wis ted the busi-
ness part of the city about Christmas time
and gathered money with which to pay
rent, buy coal or get something ITO
LEI the poor children know ID as Christmas"
lie had regular route and collected much
money. BY accident IL was discovered that
the sick wife who was one of his trump
cards was a myth His
wife was a vigorous, healthy
woman who, with her three children. liv-
ed comfortably on what the bread winner
Of the family gathered in New York at
Christmas time and suburban towns at
dreu was injured and sent to a hospital.
where the beggar father insisted on hav-
ing extra accommodations for the little I'M
fortunate He was willing to pay, and
demonstrated that he was able to do so,
but his iberality and anxiety to make the
little one comfortable put an end to his
begging business.
The professional begsar is known among
the people of New YorlEs Ghetto as a
schnorrer. The class is rapidly disappear
ing but occasionally hardened offender
scene, and although his tale of
woe is usually fabrication
he manages to collect money from the
sweat-shop workers. zone of these men
who made his appearance at regular In
terVals,' said charity worker, land took
dimes and quarters in the wholesale dis
trict and pennies from the East Side peo-
PIE gave his daughter a handsome outfit
when she married an East Side huckster,
and then had money enough left to en-
large his son-in-law's business and remove
II from the store on wheels 90 a regular
stoor.'
A queer case of a rich beggar came to
the surface a short time ago The beg
gar was one whose bodily infrmities ap-
pealed TO the charitable people, and made
.etter writing and recommendations from
prominent people unnecessary. The man
had lost both legs, and. seated In a wicker
basket, he pushed himself along where
people could see him. He held out his
hands for the coins which came TO him in
small showers. The basket WAS a part Of
his business outfit. When off duty that
is, when not soliciting aims, he wore two
well-made artificial legs and walk
most fruitful fields was Coney Island in
the season. and having gained the good
will of n resident of the place he used 10
deposit his legs at the mans house when
he went abroad to touch the hearts and
the purse strings of the pleasure seekers.
One evening when he returned from
work" he found that the closet in which
his legs. had. been placed was locked and
the custodian of the key gone for the
night
down"
mo, 1 must be in New York tonight"
he said, land I've got to have my legs
too"
"But why not stay here and save car
fare. and be on time for work in the
morning." he asked.
Neither argument nor persuasion had
any effect on the man, whose nervousness
increased percepuDiy, and as his friend
was making ready to break down the door
behind which the legs were stored, he
asked: "Why must you be in New York
tonight and why do you compel me TO
force this closet door?"
well, the truth Is" said the legless
man. Il bought an apartment house last
week, and promised to pay $4,000 on the
bargain tonight, and unless | get away
pretty soon I'll get there too late and
forfeit the amount already paid down"
The friend was speeches. with amaze
ment, and his astpnishment grew when
he heard few weeks later that the apart
ment house which the poor man SPOKE to
him about was the third which he had pur-
chased since he went into the begging
business.