The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-07-29
STORM AND SUNSHINE.
STORY OF STRUGGLE, PATIENCE AND TRI-
UMPH.


From I've Capital.
| ran across what first struck me as
very singular genius on my road from
Springfield to Boston. This was a stout,
black whiskered man who sat immed lately
in front Of me, and who INDUCED, from
time to time, in the most strange and un-
accountable maReuvreS Every now and
then he would get up and hurry away to the
narrow passage which leads to the door in
these drawing room cars, and when be
thought himself secure from observation
would fall to laughing in the most violent
manner, and continue the beautiful eXer-
else until be was as red 10 the face as lob
ster As we ueared Boston these demon
strations increased ID violence, save that the
stranger no longer ran away TO laugh, but
kept bis seat aud chuckled to himself with
his chin deer 5vwn in his shirt collar.
But the changes that those portmanteaus
underwent lie moved them there. here,
every where, he put them behind him, in
front of him, on each side Of him. lie
was evidently getting ready to leave, but,
as we were yet twenty-five miles from Dos
ton, the idea Of such an early preparation
was ridiculous. If we had entered the
city then the mystery would have remained
unsoved, but the stranger at last became
50 excited that he could keep his seat no
longer. Some one must help him, and as
| was the the nearest he selected me. Sud
denly turning, a. if had asked a ques-
ton, be said, rocking himse'f to and fro in
bis chair the meantime, and Shaping bis
legs, aud breathing hard, Been gone
three years ~ An" "Yes, been in
Europe. Folks d-n't expect me for six
months Yet, but got through and started.
| teIegraphed them at the last station /;
they've got il by this time. As be said
this he changed the portmanteau on his
left TO the right, and the one on the right
to the leit again A" Got a wife = said |.
" Yes, and three chiliren," he returned,
and be got up and folded bis overcoat anew,
and hung it over the back Of the seat. "You
are pretty nervous over the matter, amt
you Z" | said, watching his fdgety move
ments Wen, | should think So" he
replied; / hain't slept soundly for a
week. Aud do you know" be went or,
glaneing around at the passengers and
speaking in a low tone, Z | am almost Ger
tain this train viii run of the track, and
break my neck before | get to Boston.
Well, the fact is, have had too much good
luck for one man lately. The thing can't
last faint natural that it should, you know.
I've watched it. First it rims, then it
shines, then it rains again. II rains 50 hard
you think it's never going to stop then it
shines 50 bright you think its always going
to shine and just as you're settled in eth
er belief, you are knocked over by change
to show you that you know nothing at all
about it." "Well, according to your
philosophy" said |, "you will continue to
have sunshine because you are expecting a
storm" /" It's curious" he returned, but
the only thing which makes me think will
get through safe,is, because think / won't"
" Well, that is curious" said |. Yes"
be replied {" I'm a machinist-msde dis
covery-nobody believed in it spent all ny
money trying to bring it out-mortgaged
my home-al went. Everybody laughed
at me-everybody but my wife-spunky
little woman-sad she would work her I'm
gers of before | should give it up. Went
to England-no better there came within
an ace Of jumping off London bridge
Went into q shop to earn money enough to
come bone with; there | met the man
wanted. To make long story short, I've
brought e60,OO0 home with me, and here
lam" "Good for you p ] exclaimed
Yes" said be, E" eco, OO0E and the bes
Of it is, she don't know anything about it
I've fooled her so often, and disappointed
Der 50 much, that just concluded would
say nothing about this. When | got ny
money though, you better believe strucL
a bee.Iine for bone" And now you viii
make her happy" said /. Happy !" ht
replied, "wby you don't know any tbine
.hout il. She's worried like dog while
have been gone, trying to support hersel
and the children deceusy. They paid be
/ thirteen cents q piece " making coars
: shirts and that's the wa she'd live bal
Z The time. She'll come do N there to th,
g depot to meet me in gingAp dress, ans
e : shawl . hundred years o. and she'l
y think she's dressed up. Oh$hs won'
al have no clothes alsr this-oh, q gusa