A first in Ashvegas – panhandled by a little person

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Walking around downtown, you get used to getting hit up for cash. We all know the bums aren’t shy around here. But I’d never been hit up by a dwarf until the other day when we were walking down Wall Street. I saw the little person approach and give us the look. He was about knee-high. He walked up and said, “Excuse me…”

I immediately said, “Can’t help ya, buddy.” I continued and he stopped, mumbled something, then replied, “Don’t be ashamed.”

I turned around with a glare and growled, “I’m not.”

Later, there were reports that he’d continued to work the street, but had adapted his game. A friend told me that the little guy came up to him said, “Hey man, can I have a couple of bucks. I’m gonna buy a beer.”