The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-04
ARTIFICIAL

From a casual necessity begging has
become an art in which ingenuity excels.
To-day the tricks of the beggar are multi
tudinous and clever: the same effort and
care in another profession would posi-
tbiy win distinction in other pursuits tor
the best of the beggars. OF late Rich
Inond has had her share Of beSgars. sew
eral of them having come before Justice
Crutchfield in the Police Court In view
of the great number of beggars now In
this city, the confession of one, supposed
to be blind, is interesting. This con-
fession was made to the writer day
OF SO ago and throws a vast deal of light
upon begging an art.
According to the statement Of this beg
ear he has been operating in Richmond
for some three weeks. and has made
something like S. day ever since he has
baen here His plan is ridiculous in its
simplicity, and is distinguished by the
fact that he never asks for money or
even wears a sign stating that he is
blind. An6 the ridiculous part of it all
is that he Is not blind. never has been
and makes no outside pretensions in that
direction. He came here from Balti-
more, where he operated until driven
away.
MAKES BIG MONEY.
.HGoney?'. he said il reply to a ques-
ton. ..Sure, there's money in it. Do
you think Tn in 1t for me health? I
make sometimes as high as ten dollars
\ day and I never run>oelow five. Be-
cause why? Because keeps me mouth
shut and plays for the big game / gem
orally gets it. You notice that am
always neatly dressed. That is part Of
the game See this stick? Another
par5 - the game. With these clothes
an, with this stick and a pair of blue
glasses TIL bet that 7 can make more
money begging and not asking for a cent
:han come of the best business men Of
the city can make.
'tMy game is simple. put on the
glasses. take my stick in one hand and
feeling before me with the stick, walk
down the street. OF course, am all
right. have mad forty people on the
verge OF nervous prostration through
what appeared to them to be my danger.
That is favorite trick in the game I
am working. For instance. go slowly
into the middle of a steet. feeling my
way with stick allow myself to get In
he path Of a. heavy wagon or something
coming toward me. and hetcherneck I
Know how far away il is. OF course. al
WAYS at the proper moment move
Meanwhile some half a dozen men will
rush out from the sidwalk to save the
poor blind man.
ARoUsEs SYMPATHY
This trick always arouses sympathy.
People ask me where I am going. al
ways say that am going to some place
which know to be mile or so away.
but that have no money and can't ride.
Sometimes II is necessary to tell how tho
boy had paid to lead me about deserted
me in the street and left me to go by my
self These appeals usually arouse a
mans sympathy, and he will give me q
quarter or half Collar. and once there
was a pretty woman who gave me five
dollar bill and enauired my name and
address I was ashamed to take the
money-but did 1t.
Usually. however I merely walk along
the street until reach a cross street
where stand Until see someone who
looks easy coming along. Then I ask
them to help blind man across the
street and In forty-ninc out OF fifty cases
they win do 1t. They ask mo where
am goinS. and there is usually repeti-