People still hitchhike. My kids have some friends that are fast becoming professional hobos. They tramp the country. One of them was just here visiting with his girlfriend and dog. He said he will start his panhandling up the road from her and the dog. People will pass him by but stop for her. And especially stop for the dog. People get them motel rooms, food, and give them money. They said some days they make several hundred bucks. They just want to see the country. And be bums.
I can think of worse ways to spend one's time.
I ran into a couple like that in Boseman MT. They asked me for money I told them to get a job and if they got real hungry they could eat the dog.