SOME QUEER OCCUPATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5739, 5 December 1896, Page 1

SOME QUEER OCCUPATIONS.

(Til Bits.) The shifts to which some people resortto earn a living- are decidedly curious. * New trades which find no .place in any known directory are constantly springing up, and among these may be cited the following, which are of a somewhat extraordinary character. The individual who will completely obliterate all traces of a recent black eye tor the trifling sum of half a crown is not unknown in the Metropolis ; while Paris has long been acquainted with a body of men who make a comfortable living by collecting and disposing of old corks. It has, however, been reserved to a gentleman of exceptionally com-ageous feelings to invent the calling of ghostkiller. This individual modestly styles himself a "haunted house expert," and expresses his readiness and ability to clear any building of all the spirit's which may be therein, quicker than lightning. He has already — so he states — been successful in extirpating some of the oldest ghosts in the kingdom, while many of the nobility and gentry have honoured him with their patronage. A shorthand writer at Berlin has adopted a unique method of adding to his income. He makes a point of attending all funerals of prominent persons, and take 3 down verbatim the addresses of the officiating clergy. The transcripts, tastefully ornamented, are readily bought by the friends of the deceased, some of whom willingly pay high prices for the same. The profitable nature of the biisiness is such, that the originator of the idea now employs two assistants. A literary man who resides in North London has hit upon the bold idea of advertising his abilities in the daily Press. This ingenious person offers to supply verses of every description — long or short, humorous or sad — " while you wait." Epitaphs, sermons and humorous advertisements are prepared with almost equal facility. All is grist tliat comes to this literary mill ; and whether it be an order for a three-volume novel, or an application for a single sonnet, the same business-like method is pursued, and the article is turned out in as short a space of time as is compatible with good workmanship. According to tho evidence of a police constable, who ought to know, there is a class of persons to be found in London who jump into the water to rescue people who pretend to be drowning. The monotony of the proceeding is sometimes varied by inducing a boy to fall into some stream or pond, and then to wade in and rescue him. Subsequently a collection is made among sympathetic bystanders in recognition of the rescuer's bravery. This occupation is said to be very profitable, and has recently been worked at Brighton. A novel occupation is that of the bogus accident-monger. One of these individuals, who combines the honest calling of lighterman with the more lucrative one here alluded to, has recently come to grief through being too industrious. A short time back he succeeded in inducing a »

Lambeth jury to award him .£l2 damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained through a gas explosion in South London. By a curious Coincidence he had received a small sum as compensation for an injury sustained, as he stated, in falling over some unprotected wires in quite a different part of London at precisely, the same time as he' was being blown up by gas. An inquiry into these facts at a police court has procured this gentleman board and residence at the country's expense for three years. Cases are not uncommon of men who hide their true business from their most intimate acquaintances. Recently, an attache in Paris, who, it was thought, spent his evenings with his aristocratic friends, or at fashionable places of amusement, greatly surprised his fellow-workers by appearing before them in quite a different vole. Several of his confreres decided one evening to visit a certain popular music-hall. Having taken their seats, they called the waiter, who promptly appeared and asked for their order, but to their utter amazement they recognised in the obliging servitor their gifted colleague. He had acted. in this, capacity for several months, and he laughingly declared that he had obtained as much amusement out of it as lie could havo had out of any other form of diversion. — =— ==