Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-12
was discovered that the number at the ta-
bic was exactly thirteen.

''iow very unfortunate, remarked one
of the guests; Il would not have dined
under such circumstances for any con-
sideralion. had known it"
Nor I, either" seriously remarked an
other guest.
"Do you really suppose there is any
truth in the old superstition on that sub
jcct?" l asked
Truth" solemnly replied an old lady.
Truth! Why | myselfhave known three
instances, and have heard of scores OF
others where thirteen persons have eaten
at the same table, and in every case one
of the number died before the year was
out"
This assertion, made with so much
earuestness, evidently affected several of
the guests, whose nerves were easily OK
cited. can truihiully state, however.
that dined at the Palace again the fol .
lowing Christmas and although there were
seventeen persons present, every one OF
the original thirteen who dinsd there the
preceding Christmas was among this
number. and all in good health although
of course, il would have been nothing
very remarkable if one had happened TO
have died during the last twelve months.
While was ON my western lecturing
tour in 1866, long before got out Of Hi
nois, began to observe that ut various
hotels where stopped, my room very
frequently was No. -. Indeed, it SEEM
ed rs if this number turned up 10 me rs
four times per week, and So before many
days almost expected to have that num-
Der set down 10 nv name uherevcr Sign
cd it upon the register of the hotel. Still
| laughed 10 myself ut what was con-
vinced was only a coincidence. On one
occasion ! was travelling from Clinton to
Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and was to lecture in
the college of the latter place that even
ing. Ordinarily should have arrived at
, O'Clock. 7. NJ, but owing 10 an accident
which had occurred 10 the train from the
West. the conductor informed me that our
arrival in Moant Vernon would probably
be delayed until after seven o'clock. |
telegraphed that fact to the committee
who were expecting me, and told them
TO be patient.
When We had arrived within ten miles
of that town il was dark, sat rather
moodily in the car, wishing the train
would hurry up and happening for
some cause 10 look over my lett shoulder.
| discovered the new moon through the
window. This omen struck me as CO.
incident addition to my ill-luck, and with
n pleasant chuckle muttered to myself,
We'll, hope l won't get room number
thirteen tonight, for that will be adding
insult TO injury"
reached Mount Vernon . few minutes
before eight, and was met at the depot
by that committee, who took me car
rage and hurried to the Ballard House.
The committee told me the hall in the
college was already crowded, and they
hoped | would defer taking tea until after
the lecture. informed them | would
gladly do so but simply wished 10 run 10
nv room moment for wash. While
wiping my face happened 10 think about
the new room, and at once stepped out
side of my bedroom door to look nj the
number. 1t was number thirteen
After the lecture took tea, and con-
tess that | began TO think number thir-
teen looked little ominous. There
was. many hundreds of miles from my
family; left my wife sick, and l began
to ASK myself does number thirteen por-
tend anything in particular Without feel
ing willing even now TO acknowledge
that felt much apprehension on the sub
iect. must say l began to take serious
view of things in general.
mentioned the coincidence ofmy luck
in 90 often having number thirteen as
signed TO me to Mr.. Ballard. the proprie-
tor OF the hotel. and giving him all the
particulars 10 date.
Il will give you another room ifyou
prefer H." said Mr.. Ballard.
NO, thank YOU" lreplied. with a
smile; ''ii il is fate, l Will
take i, Us j, comes, and if it means any
thing shall probably find it out in time
That same night before retiring 10 rest
wrote a letter to a clerical friend. then
residing in Bridgeport, telling him all my
experiences in regardto number thirteen
said To him in closing: Don't laugh ut
me for being superstitious, for l hardly
feel so; think it simply a series of .co-
incidences which appear the more strange
because am sure to notice every one
that occurs. Ten days afterwards | re-
ceived an answer from my reverend
friend. in which he eheertully said: at is
all right; 60 ahead and get number thir-
teen as often as you can. 1t Is a lucky
number. and he added;
Unbelieving and ungrateful man! What
is thirteen but the traditional bakers
dozen indicating good measure, pressed
down shaken together, and running over,
as illustrated in your triumphal leeturing
tour? By all means insist upon having
room No. IS at every hotel; and if tho
guests at any meal be less than thai
charmed complement, send out and COM
pel somebody 10 come in.