The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

sport a drink, will yer? Say. commere; I
wanta talk ter yuh. betcha you come
from Chicago. Didn't yhh?
"Oh, Pittsburg, huh? Say, youse me
frien'. know the old burg from the
Frick buildin' tub McKee's Rocks. I
ulster have money when was in that
town. Know Johnny Newelrs dump, on
FIT av'noo? Sure thingi Johnny, he's
an oil frien' o. mine Wisht I had the
money 1 spent in that joint.
"Well, we'll, from Pittsburg, eh? Say,
slip it In, oil timer. Seems like home tub
meet a guy from there. Come on In an
buy drink. I amt got nuthin' today"
Buy him the drink he will then en-
deavor to hold you in conversation in
order that you may purchase more, and
he will remark to the bartender:
"Say, Frenchy, this is an ole frien' of
mine; ulster know me back home in good
ole Pittsburg Wisht l was walkin' down
Smithf1eld street right now. I woudnt
want fer nuthin' there. Frenchy, shake
hands Observation-Disclosures you nameY
Amt that funny Never could remember
names, but I remember your face, all
right. ole sport"
Tell him you have some business to at
tend to, he will shake hands with you
cordially and whisper, especially II ne
has seen you change bill:
kin yuh lemme have dollar till ter
morrer? Been expectin' letter from
Johnnie Newell Might come any day
now Wrote him the ole sport was all
in down an out in Mexico"
If you give him the money forever after
that as long as you remain in the capital
you are a marked man, and he will spot
you on the street, learn your haunts and
poster you to point beyond endurance.
Had you mentioned any other clty than
Pittsburg the result would have been the
same, for these hoboes are generally ac-
quainted with the principal thoroughfares
of all cities of any consequence. On the
other hand, had you paid no attention
his first advances he wonld probably have
abused you, but you would have been
safe from his pertinacity thereafter.
Many Americans put up with this sort
of tyranny because they have not suffi-
Client command of Spanish to invoke the
aid of gendarme, and in addition to this
when one makes complaint to Mex
lean policeman he gathers you In along
with the accused and everybody else in
sight, and the whole works goes to the
conlisaria where you must make your
complaint in Spanish or wait for the Of
fiicial interpreter, who may be two weeks
In arriving at the station. They will tell
YOU to call at 10 in the manana, and you
will probably continue to call at 10 In the
manana, losing your time and patience,
until you are heartily sick of the whole
affair
There is still another Individual who in
tests the capital in large numbers and Is
also hobo, but his work is a trifie
smoother He is better dressed and does
not drink mezcal or tequila His appear
ance is. shabby genteel, and he always
has some important job which he is
about to enter upon next week.
Tue Hobbies OF the hotels affected by
Americans are his hunting ground, and
he daily scans the register to keep him
self informed of the arrivals. He will
see, for instance. on the register that
John Smith of New York is stopping
there He notes the number of the room
and watches for Mr.. Smith to inquire for
his key and thus identify himself
This preliminary attended to, he bides
his time until he catches Mr.. Smith up
stairs in the bar having his morning s
morning. This is the moment he selects
| for his opening attack.
About the time the barkeep has danced
| up the bottle he will stroll up and re-
mark casually:
EXCUSE me- but are you not Mr..
| Smith,"
Mr. Smith answers in the affirmative.
'T thought so. Seems to me met You