BEWARE OF BEGGARS!
ATTEMPT TO HOODWINK HOUSE-' . WIVES. During the past week a large number of houses on the lower slopes, of Mount Victoria have been visited by a person who represents himself to 'be a poor Frenchman, who can neither sneak nor understand English. His plight is so pitiable that he cannot even beg his bread, from door to door by word of mouth. In substitution therefor he has a printed card which, sets forth that he is a poor Frenchman who has fallen upon evil days and is without a knowledge of English. The card also enjoins people to buy, some small article from him to help him 011 his way. One lady became immediately suspicious of such a laboured manner of begging, and so resolved to test him. Bearing in mind that the card had stated that he could neither speak nor understand English, she suddenly asked him in ordinary English'what ho was disposing of. He at once mndo a dive to the leather bag, which he had placed on the ground', at Ill's feet. Then serine how quickly lie could understand English, she said she did not want to purchase anything at all, nt which ho scowled, picked up his bag, and walked olf, full of understanding. The samo man visited another lady in the same street, and told tho same tale per medium of the printed card. : She spoke to him in simple French, and lie shook his head to convey that he did not understand, and at once voting the man a fraild slip banged the door in his face. Missing the accustomed bang of the gate, sho became suspicious, and went out again to lind the man glancing through sonic letters which had accumulated in tho letterbox. The naturally irate lady at once ordered the non-French-speaking "Frenchman , ' , off the promises. Since then tho police have beon informed of the actions of-the stranger, and are keeping a sharp look-out for him.
It is also necessary at the present time to 'warn people who are inclined to contribute to the Patriotic or Distress Fund to do so through the regular channels. •
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Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2236, 24 August 1914, Page 8
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356BEWARE OF BEGGARS! Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2236, 24 August 1914, Page 8
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