I wonder what has happened to the Princes Street mendicant and his wee dog. I am told by street habitues that he has not been sighted for some time. Perhaps on a winter cruise still flush on his earnings on from the 'Make Poverty History' parade? He can't be a victim of any anti-beggar campaign by the city fathers as mendicants are still around like the new arrival at the rear exit from Waverley Street Station. He is of the no eye contact head bowed down school of street people and badly positioned IMHO. People going trainwards are in too much of a hurry to fumble for change and those leaving the station are also in haste to get to the pedestrian crossing before the lights change their mind. I much prefered the technique of the guy on the Fleshmarket steps who used to lock eyes and demand' Any money please. I am anxious for a drink' His avoidance of the usually dishonest old formula ' Spare change for a cup of tea' seemed to earn him quite a following. Long since retired he may well be the owner of a prosperous Tea Shoppe in Bath or even a pub. Possibly even the 'Half Way House', on the steps, a short hawk and spit from his previous station. It is said that he won 'the best customer accolade' for three years running in the 1990s and that would not have been possible on tea alone.
There is a moral there somewhere
