Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-10-14
ROLL GRAFTERS
Beating Rides on Automobiles Great
Game.
BLACRMAILERS REAP rich HARVESTS

Drivers Need to Exercise Caution as
to Who They Favor-on tho Roads
Are Many Cunning Criminals Who
Make Business Of Preyins on Good
Nature.
New York World.
Little Falls, n. Y.-Oct 8.-Auto-
ride grating is being rolled to death.
Hundreds of young men are thus beat
ing their way west, some as far as the
pacific coast, ION bets" or going
home," or any cd pretext or plea. The
reckless character of their graft has
moved thousands Of drivers to refuse
to give any one ride. SO of late the
game has become much less easy"
On the way from Albany to Little
Falls, seventy-five miles, three hour
run, one tourist encountered several Of
the roll-grafters, playing variedly
"sunstroke," college boys on vaca-
tion," camping out" hiking"
The latest dodge was resorted to by
couple Of hard faced, peaked-coun-
tenanced youths, carrying leatherette
hand bags. One was sitting on his
hand bag beside the roadway; the
other stood beyond him, facing the on
coming cars. Presently two cars met
at the point where the two waited.
The westbound car, swinging out to
pass the eastbound car, passed within
twenty inches Of the fellow on the
suitcase. At q word from his pal
standing in front of him, the sitter
leaned out suddenly and uttered a cry
as though he had been hit by the west
bound car. 1t looked as though the
sitter might have been hit; but he
hadn't been touched. He had leaned
just far enough to risk it, however.
The tourist stopped with screaming
brake, mindful Of the law which penal
Lies q driver from running away from
an accident. The faxed accident might
bring a ride, or else a ten spot, ac-
cording to the temperament Of the
driver.
An Experienced Hiker.
Charley, the gunstore man, was
sitting on his doorstep when stall
wart young fellow strolled up and sat
down beside him.
Looks like you were going some
where?" Charley suggested.
Yes, sir, l am" the man SAID 1--WE
a woo'len blanket wrapped in this
waterproof canvas slung over my
shoulder. I've a days emergency
rations in my pockets. In this little
sack I've pair of open .oxfords and
a little cooking outfit"
"Walking?'
"Yes, sir-through town. I'll roll
into my waterproof and blanket some
where west Of here, probably beyond
Syracuse, which is eighty miles. It's
early, and with bit of luck I'll even
make Rochester. I had 180-mile
ride yesterday, and this morning
late conner who was sporting down the
line at Fort Plain picked me up and
brought me to this city-what is it?
Little Falls? I thought it was Herki-
mer!"
Ten miles to go yet! Herkimer don't
sport this way so much. 1t goes to
North Genesee Street, or so on"
Il started from Boston. l am going
west / have friends and relatives In
California. I know some people In
Chicago, but would just as soon go by
st. Louis, or even south to Memphis,
and there I'd cross the Mississippi and
roll into Little Rock, with alternatives
of Denver, Cheyenne, Colorado Springs,
Trinidad or FL Paso. When man is
going to California it doesn't make any
difference whether he goes into Placer
ville Bakersfield, Riverside or by way
of Imperial Valley"
"You seem to know California;"
IL do. went out there last year and
came back last fall
Walk"
"Oh, yes. Look at those so!es. /
prefer to exercise little, anyhow, and
| usually drop off somewhere for a
restaurant meal"
Got money then?"
Il have money for car fare to Cali
fornia, perhaps back again; but I pre-
fer to us cit to eat"
Il Pays to Shave.
"You aren't sure Of getting rides,
thought"
Not so sure as I was the first time
I went out There weren't half so
many automobiles then, but nobody
seemed to pass a walker. Everybody
gave him a ride Day before yesterday,
in Massachusetts, I walked all day
long, steadily. Not ride was offered.
Hundreds of cars passed me by. 1t
was quite a sporting event-this
gambling with the uncertainties. /
had neglected to shave for two days.
l shave every morning now. brush
my c'othes after every car throws
dust over me. Fact is, the tramp who
looks his character gets few rides"
Afraid of him."
Afraid of being imposed on. I try