Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-08-25
Tom COrnihWait'S Luck.

term it. He was fortunately the pos
SCISSOR ola good, cheerful little wife,
WHO tried BY every means in his power
10 smooth ihe many obstacles from her
husbands path, and when ToR's luck
was especially down Oh him, would by
her own sunny eXanple muse iresh
spirits into him, and start him ont for
new struggle with liic, iully inYigo'
rated.
II any one had asked Tom what bis
mcaus Of gaining livelihood were. it
would have puzzled him to have tod.
lie himself had said that be believed he
had done everything under the sun, eX'
cept, possibly, work in water factory
He always went into every undertaking
With zeal that knew no Abatement
| for sometimes as long as two weeks to-
gether and then something or other
would come up which looked to him as
though there were millions IN it," aud
the ardor would forthwith be transferred
10 the new scheme, and the former one
be put behind Lin 10 join the long array
Of the ghosts of those which bad pre-
cedcd ii,
Tom was a thorough good fellow in
every regard-at least so bis trends all
said-and every one who knew Tom
was bis friend. No one ever saida hard
word about him new acquaintances,
after The second or third meeting, called
him Tom, and he seemed hurt if any
one addressed HIM as Mr.. COrnthwait.
On the particular evening in question
Tom was grlevously disappointed. He
had for the past few weeks been en-
deavoring 10 find purchaser for a
sheep ranch of four sections of land on
the Brazos river, in Texas, with the
promise of a large commission in the
event of the censummation OF the sale.
Toms acQuaintances were legion, but
among them all he found not one who
was enthusiastic on the subject Of
sheep raising, but he did accidentally
hear of man who had some idea OF
entering upon that industry aud him he
sought.
Tom painted the ranch in the most
glowing colors, assured the prospective
wool-grower that the grazing was luxu-
rious the whole year round, and there
was no necessity for sheds in winter,
the price Of labor was mer ly nominal,
a railroad had been surveyed through
the southeast corner Of the southern
section, and to sum up in few words
Il was almost a criminal act to allow
the opportunity to purchase such a
paradise for sheep 10 escape him. The
gentleman seemed as eager to purchase
as Tom was TO sell, and hardly made an
| effort to reduce the terms from the
original figures at which Tom had efiec-
ed 1t. In fact, it was just what he was
looking for, and he would have pur-
chased it at once, or after the eXamina-
ton of the title had been made, were II
not for the fact that he was waiting to
hear from another party, who was
about buying from him large farm in
the interior of the State, the prellml-
naries of which were nearly or not quite
concluded, and would be so tOa GER
tainty on Saturday next, and he begged
Tom almost piteously 10 offer it to no
one else before that time. Tom was
in ecstacies, and looked upon the close
of bargain as foregOne conclusion.
He was radiant as he went home that
night, and he and Bessie sat down and
expended a large share Of the commiss
sion on the spot-in their minds. They
put down new parlor carpet, and put
the shabby parlor carpet in the kitchen;
had new dining-room chairs. Bessie
had new black silk, and Tom, like the
'cherub,' an entire new suit OF clothing
including boots and hat. and the two
children arrayed gorgeously.
The fateful Saturday arrived, and
Tom, with heart elate, went to meet
the eager purchaser, but found in his
stead a short note saying that he had
been called to Chicago on business, and
would not be able to return before the
lapse of month, and as the sale OF his
| farm had not as yet been completed, he
felt that be had no light Ia. keep back any
other purchaser for the sheep ranch,
who might arise, out of that property.
Poor Tom as he said afterward, "he
nearly tainted away and stepped in it,"
And that is why Ten was breathing his
luck on the Saturday night in question.
| He knew that Bessie would sympathize
and condole with him, but that would
not buy carpets and clothing, and fill
the coal bin, and all the rest of it,
Bessie's face was at the window, and
before Tom could get his latch key out
of his pocket the door was opened, and
he was being hugged in the most aa'ec-
tionate way.
"Tom," said Bessie, ''you could not
for the life you guess who is IN The
house this minute Uncle George! ! and
be has asked me ever so many qdes-
tions about you, and he has come home
to stay, and he is so brown 1 did not
7 know him; and, in fact, why should l,
when 1 have not seen him for twelve
years ?" all in a breath.
!, Tom was ever SO glad that some
|, one was there 80 that he would not
| have to tell Bessie of his failure to
g secure the large commission at once, land