Pauncho Poormouse, Pauper
Possibly the poorest person in Panama is Pauncho Poormouse. Pauncho is positively pathetic in his poverty. Pauncho’s profession is popularly portrayed as “panhandling," but Pauncho’s personality prevents him from panhandling prosperously. It pains Pauncho prodigiously to perceive people plagued by poverty, so, promptly upon procuring pennies from passing pedestrians, Pauncho procures presents and pads promptly to the poorhouse where he proffers these presents to the poor people. This practice prevents Pauncho from prospering, personally, but prompts the people of Panama to point with pride to Pauncho Poormouse, the “Philanthropic Pauper”.
Ray Thompson
Written to My Sister Barbara in 1954,
While Serving with the USAFSS in Germany