The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-19
Panhandler S
7 I Troubles Of the
LUCK Hungry Hobo

AS he stepped off the walk he felt
caressing hand upon his arm and
turned to see a 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 little something to eat,
sure, boss" said the man.
Sure you are hungry"
"Hain't had a thing to eat all day"
They were near a certain dairy
lunch, and 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 a 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
dollar. But make him eat it, II
there is any change, keep it 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 car and was gone.
Inside the specimen selected good
feed" He had heard the orders, and
decided there would be no change And
he was hungry. He 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, man who looked like he
had had nothing to eat for week.
The specimen make the usual touch.
Gould you give a man a dime, mis-
ter?" he said. II been walking the
streets since morning No, don't want
it for a drink"
I'll give you something to eat" said
the victim, I'm stand for that. But
no money, see"
81 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 .
| 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 It,
and an address.
Mind you," he said, keep the
change. l 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 time?"
The specimen looked at the pile oil
good things on the counter and sighed
Give me piece of pie and 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 Waldorf Astoria banquet
Five minutes later he touched an
other
I've got an order for a bed, old
pardner," he said, land l want to
get bite to eat. Could you give q
dime?"
You are hungry" said tho victim
well. that's too bad. But come or
in here. Well get you something"
The specimen avoided the lunch room
as though 1t were a pestilence
Just gimme the dime. old pardner.
he said. Il know place around thu
corner where they give . man a sQuar,
meal for that"
I'm give you no dime" said thu
victim. I'm take you right in here.
buy no drinks, seer"
And the specimen was led to tn,
slaughter meek as lamb When 20,
touch a man on the street and com
plain Of feeling hungry, you have to g,
through with it. At least, this hob,
tried it,
Here" said the victim, inside. &c
want you to give this man what h,
wants to eat. Speak up there, now
what'll you have? Don't be stingy witt
yourself"
The specimen remarked feebly tina
he would take piece of pie and cu]
of coffee.
My digestion's gone back on me,
he said. 81 can't eat much"
Pie, nothing" said the victim.
know what's good for you. Give hin
meat That's what Meatll keep hin
warm"
And meat II was. This victim ha
. forceful way about him.
j For 20 minutes he sat near that spl
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, r.
: fuse TO serve me. See? Refuse to Ii
| me eat in the place!'
Outside, he walked away from tn
, lunch room, avoiding every man VIII
| looked sympathetic until lie had LEI
, it a block behind. Thel-, when Their
! were no lunch signs IN sight, he mad
/ | touch
I Say, old pardner, he said. Il hahn
had drink for Seek Could 20