The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-01
From the New York Telegraph.

0~ RAFTs may come and gratis may " go, but suckers go on forever.
 The one thing to be remembered is that, while a sucker is always a sucker there is a limit to the number of times that even the easiest of them can be scooped with the same graft. After graft has had normal run and played to good figures for the weeks gross re- ceipts 1t is as foolish to prolong it's stay on Broadway as 1t Is to keep a show in a theatre after It's rogue has gone by.
 Then it is time for the inventors in the ''sure thing" brotherhood to design new graft for the coming season and send the old one to the storehouse or out on the road, where people are so alert and sus- pieious that 1t is a simple matter to fool them if you have the required per sonality.
 The newest contributions to the worlds great gratis, outside of the union made ones and those made by the trusts, is the work of the "Ham-And" Kid, who, de- spite his homely sobriquet, is the Dandy Dick of the confidential gentry. Soup and-Fish" would be a more accurate des- ignation of him. The "Ham-And Kid uses an openface costume more than g chorus girl does a kimono, which means that he is i'll at ease in any other more flexible attire.
 His greatest claim to fame Is the fact of half a dozen lesser, but less lucrative, under a walnut shell, and he is author of half dozen lesser, but less lucrative gratis. The Kid is so proud of the newest creation of his brain that he pro- phesies that, like the sins of the fathers, it will be visited upon the third and fourth generation of those who fan for such things.
 q think I can trust you with it, my boy,v he said to a Morning Telegraph re- porter yesterday. q haven't had it copy righted yet, but I'm nevertheless prepared to sue any one who uses 1t success fully and doesn't. split with me on the proceeds
 "Tell me about 1t in a few words, Kid" urged the reporter. I've a date and Pm afraid she won't wait for me- ''Here goes, then" said the Kid, lower ing his voice to a stage whisper. and Joking around to make sure no one was within earshot. "Of course, the first in- grediant in cooking up graft is to get your boob. A nice young one, frisky and gamey, is the best.
 .'Take along few pieces of silver, be- cause the act is supposed to be staged in cafe and you must be strong enough l to buy drink or two
 ''rhe main prop in your act Is a piece of paper of any kind or size. Get it into | your hand as soon as possible after reach ing the bar and toy indifferently with it, while you keep the booz fixed with a you're talking you are punching 8 hole in the paper with your finger At the first lull in the conversation | bring the paper and the hole down stage and ask your companion whether he can push a half dollar through the hole with out breaking the hole. Any one, Of course, cap see that dime wouldn't go through of it's own accord.
 "'Well, I'll bet you I can do it, is your next line after he has confessed that he can't.
 thing from his wallet to the old home, StedQ anu ldtHef lie lHSuIdnce pOllCy that you can't"
 Why, I'll bet you anything" began i the reporter reaching for his roll.
 Slow up. Slow up. my boy.' cried the Kid. his eye shining with pride.
 I'm not after your money. Butssay, if you can be roped in by it can't you see how neatly the boobs will tumble for lit?"
 What is the answer?" stammered the reporter flushing.
 Pull out half a dollar, place 1t on the bar. shove pencil or your finger through the hole in the paper and push the half dollar down the bar" said the Kid, sim ply That's all. Then comes the clean up What is your verdict? Have we a winner?
 "Only one thing troubles me- resumed the Kid. i've been furnishing gratis for all the grafters from Canada to Mex ico, but, though they've all shaken down all kinds of money on them. not one or the coin collectors has ever offered me So