Manager Gus Hartz was standing near the opera house box office when one of two panhandlers who had entered the lobby approached him, and, holding out an addressed and sealed envelope, begged for the price of a postage stamp.
"It's for me mudder, boss," he sniveled.
"You'se wouldn't turn down er guy fer de price er de stamp, would youse?"
"Never," said the manager, deftly grasping the envelope and throwing it through the box office window. "Here, Fred," addressing himself to Treasurer Fred Coan, "stamp this and have it mailed."
The velocity of the proceeding fairly took the panhandler's breath away. Then, backing away to where his partner awaited him, he whispered, "Nothin' doing, bo -- the guy's wise." -- Cleveland Leader.
--The Indiana Democrat, Indiana, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1911, page 7.
Comment: This is a story that was probably the 1911 equivalent of a much forwarded email. The panhandler is trying to get some money without working, playing on the sympathy of a stranger for his dear mudder. Instead, he's shown up, thwarted, exposed. The word "sniveled" is interesting. We definitely know he's up to no good.
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