The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-14

He also found that those who had not work
knew that they could get IL at Cramp
or at "Baldwin's" And here, as at other
places, he found the lavatory and toilet
arrangements unspeakably bad-inadequate
and very dirty. He also found his "desti-
tute" acknowledges generously inclined,
ready to set up breakfast for him. be-
lieving that he was broke, and to give him
a little money to start him back to the
farm in Delaware that he was supposed to
have come from.
In the station house the officers told him
that they were forbidden to allow any one
to lodge there; but none the less they made
very little trouble about letting him stay in
such quarters they had-not half as
much trouble as he had in controlling his
desire to get out Immediately or sooner, or
in getting rid of the vermin which began to
collect on his clothing as soon as he ar
rived. This, Of course, was clothing donned
especially for the occasion. for when Mr..
Marsh starts out to do any stunts as a
tramp or a beggar he dresses the part and
does them In costume.
He has found that there exists I'm Phil
J adelphia, and presumably every other big
city, regular beggars' lodging house or
club, where, when a new man comes to
town. he is given lists of names and adj
dresses Of the charitably- minded-the soft
marks"-and what particular spot in the
ION entering the place / informed the
clerk that l was broke and asked him
whether he could not direct me to some one
to give me some money. He referred me to
a man sitting in the room who could fur
nish me with a list of givers. Frank as
they called him, was partially drunk and
redcent at first, but soon referred me to a
rector near by who would give me tickets
to the Samaritan Shelter and probably so
cents beside, If would tell him / belonged
to DR.. Walpole Warren's Church. st.
he had given Frank the same before. The
rector was absent. so | returned to my
mentor In the course of the evening he
grew communicative and told me that most
Of the ministers here In Philadelphia were
dead easy blokes,' and if a man could put
up any kind of front and talk a decent
cited several of his successful raids on the
credulity and sympathy of prominent cler-
gymen and business men, and promised to
give me a more complete list the next
morning.
PROFITABLE GRAFT"
zone Of his chums told me that Frank
had lived here in Philadelphia on what he
had grated. and had been drunk a good
part of the time. He is a good type of the
intelligent beggar. He has travelled ex-
tensivey and knows a good many cities in
New England, where also had been within
few months. and 1 found that he had
imposed several of my acquaintances. -
Mr.. Marsh tells how on another occa-
sion in the guise Of disabled mechanic he
collected at the rate of $11.50 day. He
put OH d rouSH cap, anu TOugn, worn, but
perfectly respectable clothes, suspended one
bandaged arm in white sling and got a
friends wife to write out the following
letter, that II might be in a womans hand:
Ny dear son-I am glad to hear
that you are out of the hospital I
am sorry you suffered so much pain.
Since you ane not yet able to go
back to work l wish that you would
try to come to Mahanoy city over
Sunday. l am anxyus To see you.
Please come home and spend Sunday
with me. Your mother, JANE s.
| He went into a wealthy part of town and
rang front door bells. He explained in a
low, troubled voice. to the maids or but
| lers the predicament he was in Offering
| the letter in confederation and asking them
TO see II the master or the mistress would
| not give him a quarter to help his fare
home TO his old mother. In every instance
but one the quarter was forthcoming, the
| one being art a house where the master and
| mistress were out and a sympathetic butler
| gave him a dime. In one or two instances
he was put through mild examination
| but so mild that any beggar worthy of the
name could have come through il with
| flying colors.
| 1t Is little wonder that In view of such
| experiences, Mr. Marsh has decided thai
4 any beggar can pass comfortable existence
| in any large city without doing a stroke
OF work, and that the public's ignorance
| of the very ample provision already made
| for men who are willing to work is mainly
| IL not for this general ignorance Mr.. Marsh
believes that the begging tramp soon woulc
cease to exist.
Tramps In general Mr.. Marsh divide.
| into three classes-the healthy and reason
| ably upright tramp, who is a victim o
the victim Of passion for strong drink