The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-17
A Panhandler' S
n Il Troubles Il the
LUCK Hungry Hobo

a caressing hand upon his arm and
turned to see dilapidated specimen
Of humanity who looked like a man
who had not eaten in a month
1t was touch. all right, and for
once in his life the business man
was not going to be taken in.
What do you want the money for?"
he asked, trying to look like Sherlock
Holmes.
ITO get a little something to eat
sure, boss" said the man.
Sure you are hungry"
"Haint had a thing to eat all day"
They were near a certain dairy
lunch. and a bright idea struck the
business man.
Come on. then" he said. I'll stand
for feed, but you don't get any OF
my money for drink Not me. I'm
wise to you and your kind"
And he led Mr.. Specimen into the
lunch room.
Give him all he can eat for this"
he exclaimed. throwing down half a
dollar. But make him eat IL. II
there is any change. keep 1t for me-"
Il don't want the change" he said
TO himself when he was outside. They
can keep that for profit and loss. But
those fellows don't work me again."
He dashed for a car and was gone.
Inside the specimen selected a good
feed" He had heard the orders, and
decided there would be no change And
he was hungry. lie disposed of the
lunch quickly and left looking better.
Ten minutes LATER in front of the
same lunch room, man was stopped
by dilapidated looking specimen of
humanity, a man who looked like he
had had nothing to eat for a week.
The specimen make the usual touch.
Could you give a man a dime. mis-
ter?' he said. II been walking the
streets since morning. No, don't want
IL for a drink"
IN give You something to eat" said
the victim, "I'll stand for that. But
no money, see.'
Il want to git bed" whined the
specimen, beginning to edge away from
the door OF the lunch room.
Bed, nothing" said the man. I'll
give you an order for bed at the
mission when you get something to
eat"
He took hold of the specimen in q
kindly manner and led him into the
lunch room.
Give this fellow all he can eat" he
said to the man at the counter, throw
ing down half dollar. And when he
is through give him this
He threw down his card, with give
this man place to Sleep" written on 1t,
and an address.
Mind YOU" he said, keep the
change. | am not buying this man any
thing but what he needs"
AS he went out the man at the coun.
ter looked at the specimen.
We'll, Jack" he said, "what'll you
have this timer"
The specimen looked at the pile of
good things on the counter and sighed.
Give me a piece of pie and a cup
Of coffee" he said.
Then he sighed again. He had heard
the orders about the change.
When he emerged from the lunch
room he looked like he had been at.
tending a Waldorf Astoria banquet.
Five minutes later he touched an.
other.
I've got an order for a bed old
pardner." he said, "and I want to
get bite to eat. Could you give q
| dime?"
You are hungry" said the victim
We'll, that's too bad. But come on
in here. Wen get you something"
The specimen avoided the lunch room
as though II were a pestilence.
Just gimme the dime, old pardner,'
he said. Il know a place around the
corner where they give a man square
meal for that"
"Pll give you no dime" said the
victim. TN take you right in here.
buy no drinks, seer"
And the specimen was led to the
slaughter meek as lamb. When you
touch a man on the street and com
plain of feeling hungry. you have to e
through with 1t. At least, this hobt
tried It,
Here" said the victim, inside. &c
want you to give this man what h,
wants to eat. Speak up there, now
what1l you have? Don't be stingy will
yourself"
The specimen remarked feebly tina
he would take piece Of pie and cul
of coffee.
MY digestion's gone back on me,
he said Il can't eat much"
"Pie, nothing" said the victim. "
know what's good for you. Give hin
meat That's what. Meat1l keep hin
warm"
And meat It was. This victim ha
. forceful way about him.
For 20 minutes he sat near that sp<
cimen and watched him stow ava
the hot meat pie. Then he left, an
the specimen walked up to the cour
ter.
Say. old pardner," he whispered :
, the man there. IF any d foe
, brings me in here again tonight, RI
, fuse to serve me- See? Refuse to Ia
me eat in the place!'
Outside, he walked away from tn
: lunch room, avoiding every man VIII
/ looked sympathetic until he had lei
i ii a block behind. Then. when Their
a were no lunch signs in sight, he mad
. a touch.
4 Say. old pardner," he said, Il hahn
! had a drink for a week. Could 70
. stake me TO dime?"
: Sure, old scout" said the man %
!. dressei- mon Keen Won warm