The Washington times., 1904-12-18
Disguised as a Hobo, a Times Reporter
Spends an Entire Day Searching the
City for Odd Jobs to Earn
Living.
Three Meals and Five Gents Were Reward
of Energy and Perseverance---Wash-
ington Has No Welcome for
"Wearies.

and saddlery. 1t was just as hard 20
make the second strike as the first.
particularly after receiving such a cold
refusal. The proprietor Of this shop
was evidently a German. The would
be worker entered. but held the door
ajar behind him so that his retreat
would not be cut on The mans ap-
pearance was not amiable.
A Frosty Reception.
Shut that door" yelled the possible
employer. IF you want TO see me come
inside and don't stand there letting the
room get cold.
This was not a very cordial recep-
tiOn, but there was no use Of assuming
any but an humble demeanor
can YOU give me any work to dog"
was asked. Il am working my way
home down South and 1 want TO earn
the price OF a meal?"
Where do you belong?" was the
frst question.
Savannah. Ga"
Where have you been?"
Philadelphia
What made you leave homee"
Il wanted TO see something OF the
country. 7 have had work there AN
summer and am trying 10 get back
home. / viii be all right when ] strike
my own country"
This questioning was encouraging.
Surely a man who would make such in
quiries would al least be willing to give
one the chance 10 earn few cents.
Moreover, IL was worth something 10 be
obliged 10 invent so many lies ON the
spur of the moment The harness man
rested his hands on his hips and deliv-
cred a verdict.
He Saw it All.
Il can tell your whole story by look
ing your face" he said. ITS whisky
that has brought you down TO this. You
had some good reason for leaving home
and j expect you were run out. Now
you are beating your way around the
country trying 10 make "a living with
out working for il. Your face shows
that you are a good-for-nothing loafer
and never did an honest DAYS work i'm
your life Get out Of here. / have no
use for hoboes. You ought TO be in
jail"
Il am not hobo was objected 81
Gid not ask YOU To give me ANYTHING.
am willing 10 work hard for a meal If
you will Jet me earn enough 10 get a Gun
OF coffee and something 10 eat will get
right out OF town. ] tell you that I am
up against IL, but viii be all right when
get down 10 my people"
There's no use hanging around
here said the German. Il never helm
hoboes. Get out or I'll have YOU ar
rested
There was nothing 20 DO but obey.
and pulling his ragged hat down over
his eyes the hobo accepted the i'm
evitable and pulled his freight" The
next two hours We're wasted I'm "a fruit
less effort 10 find work Of some sort.
The offer was repeatedly made to ac-
cept any kind Of "A job. no matter how
hard. Some Of those approached We're
reasonably polite. They would say.
Sorry, brother but / can't do anything
for you. or Il have all the help / need,
old man. You had better try somewhere
else But about Two out OF three
would show visible impatience at being
approached, and If the first refusal was
not accepted and "a further appeal made
IN the name of hunger. they would be-
come angry and threaten 10 cali a pO-
nceman. Aud yet mind YOU. Ihere wa.
=
polite request for work TO earn ueces-
sary food.
Situation Became Serious.
The section around the markets and
lhe lower part OF Pennsylvania Avenue
were faithfully worked. but without re-
suit. Seventh and Ninth Streets were
equally uuproductiye By this time it
was nearly 10 o'clock, and the reporter
commenced 10 experience the puues of
hunger The question OF breakfast was
40 longer q joke. but serious reality.
Without money and absolutely barred
from appealing 10 friends. il became ap-
parent that there was "a strong pos
sibillty that the day would slip away
without producing a HOrsel 20 eat
The appeal ia the name of hunger
was becoming role into which lac could /
throw absolute realism. SlOucning past
several restaurants the uppetisiug .
odors were almost maddenus. one I
place set forth the fact that ig fur /
uished the best meal in the clty for the /
& um OF 10 cents. Ou ordinary occasions. /
even the eve OF payday. that amount 1
would not seem very large, but with I
mpty pockets lhat held nothing but I
"a pair Of very cold hands. "a dime and |