The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-04-23

repeat the same proceeding.
There is n particularly obtrusive
and d~isagreeable class trained to bal
ance various objects on the nose, which
usually selects a victim Of means.
These fellows may walk into q house
and pick up chairs and balance them on
their noses as they prance around the
room. They then take these and place
them just outside of the door, possibly
on the street. much to the satisfaction
of the large crowd which has followed
them, as they have possibly just done
the same thing down the street a bit.
II the money is Immediately forthcom-
ing, the show may soon stop and the
things will be returned to their proper
places.
If, on the other hand, the residents
refuse to comply with their demands.
they pick up one article Of furniture aft
er another. skillfully balance each upon
their noses, and. amid the roar of
satisfaction from the street rabble.
they carry them outside to the street.
This may continue till the whole of
the rooms contents have been piled
upon the street, and then the beggars
walk of amid the bursts Of applause
that follow their action and leave the
victim to move his belongings back
into the house.
Again, there are others who are
beggars pure and simple. who walk
in the middle Of the street, beating
the pavement with q small bamboo
stick. They turn neither to the right
nor to the left to beg, but keep their
eyes fixed ahead Of them and take
only what is thrown to them.
In quite another class is the wretch
who shams ailment or physical defect,
and who is a clever actor. willing to
go to considerable physical discomfort
in his efforts to u sympathy. He
makes a practice of cutting himself
when his demands are refused. He
will appear before a family and de-
mand a fee. If this is refused he
draws a knife and cuts his forehead.
and the blood begins to 6ow, much
to the horror and confusion Of those
in the house. especially II they are
only women.
The sight Of blood quickly changes
the matter, and the beggar begins to
yell in a most distressing way at the
same time. attracting a crowd. It is
now easy with SO many witnesses to
open negotiations for a much larger
fee, and he is usually paid consider
ably more than was at first demanded.
Having carried his point. the beggar
now tours the entire street. where
the news of his actions has preceded
him. and he finds no trouble in COL
lecting a handsome little sum from his
one cut. for the blood, still fresh on
his face. strikes terror to the chicken
hearted.
There is also a class Of criminals
who are sent into exile and sentenced
to beg for q certain period Of time in a
province a long distance from their n
tive places. This does away with the
necessity Of the governments feeding
the. criminal and puts him out upon
public charity.
OF q very different class are the men
who have a pitiful tale of starvation to
tell. which, they bewail, compels them
to sell their wives or sons. Few In
deed would think Of making a purchase
Of this nature. and the story almost in
variably results in the bestowal Of
money on the unfortunate" man.
However. If he finds some one who is
willing to make the bargain and take
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