The Washington times., 1902-04-13
DECIDED FALLING
OFF In MENDICANTS
In Decade Ranks Have Grown
Beautifully Less.
MANY TRICKS IN PROFESSION
As Rule Those Who Frequent the
Streets of the National Capital Are
Tipped Of" by Some of Their Pals
Who Consider 1t Soft Spot.

The number of persons who frequent
the crowded thoroughfares OF the city and
solicit aims from pedestrians has taken a
decided slump during the last decade. "
observed an old detective several days
ago.
Il remember he continued when
there were several hundred such persons
traversing the Avenue and Seventh Street,
and their pitiable condition would move
10 say that one-half of them were the
least bit deserving of aims, but their
looks and entreates would call for money
from almost everyone who chanced to
pass them by.
Many Tricks in the Profession.
las the world progresses the people in
the various walks of life grow wiser and
discover there are tricks in all trades. In
no other walk of life is there more tricks
than in the begging profession. Out of
ten men or women who walk the streets
day after day soliciting aims seven or
eight of them are fakes pure and simple
but the world is moving so fast that the
people do not stop to think of this small
thing.
Il have seen wealthy man pass by a
supposed cripple aud drop him a quarter
and then proceed on his way without look
ing back to see what the mans ailment
was. or what he did with the money. !
have seen that selfsame cripple wink his
eye at another man who made a habit
of hanging around places which the Grip
pie visited, and they would go to a near
by saloon and make merry with the money
he had accumulated. When the funds
would exhaust the faker would go to ,he
corner and beg for more money. They
would keep this up until nightfalI. and
then disappear in the direction of cheap
hotel
Tipped Off" by Pals.
These men and women do not live in
this city, as a rule, but have been tipped
of by some of their kind that the Ma
tional Capital is a soft spot and cash
ing in Is merely a matter OF a little time
During any large function held in this
city, such as an Inauguration or a re-
union, the streets are crowded with them:
: the more people drawn to the city by the
H
deaf mutes. and the like"
"One of the most conspicuous men in
this line was a man who was known as
Texas Jack Jack was sixty five years
old. about six feet tall, and wore a large
sombrero. He had broad shoulders
and legs like those of a piano He uset
TO sell shoe strings on the streets, but
this seemed to be too much like worl
m n ~
gave it up.
A Free Lunch Grabber.
| He afterward devoted his time tt
! grating When he sailed forth, rain OF
shine he carried an old faded brown
umbrella. That umbrella would hol,
about two bushels OF stun. and on NOR
than one occasion Jack taxed il to IT
| greatest capacity. Jack would not worl
and he would not beg but he managed Il
navigate all right With his unbrell
| strung on his arm he would saunter fort
| at an early hour in the morning and col
| lect almost food enough to feed regi
ment He would walk into every salool
and with his broad, fascinating smile, h
| would attract the bartender's attention
| and have merry chat with him on tn
topics Of the day.
1 w men tNe ulHS pdtiObo
come into the place to get their eye
| openers Jack would stroll over to th'
| free-lunch counter There he would bus.
| himself emptying the contents Of all o
| the plates into his umbrella. After h
had made a clean sweep he would saunte
forth to the other saloons on his route
or. more properly speaking his beat. On
| day he came TO grief. Two of the colorc'
porters at a cafe he visited espied him II
the act of dumping dish of potato sala'
| into his umbrella. He left the saloon will
| the porters at his heels, and was sool
oyertaken. The contents Of his umbrell;
were promptly dumped out upon tn
| street
| Il think the old man died several year.
| ago. He spent the most of his time seek
| ing a Government position after his free
lunch graft was spoiled. Jacks case il
| only one of the hundreds which / know
| Of"
I The Gentleman's Return.