Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-07-16
A FREAK OF FORTUNE.

A Chicago journalist is an intimate
friend of a Chicago millionaire. In
recent OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES occurred
the following narrative, as reproduced
in the Chicago Inter-Ocean
After sitting in reflective silence for
afew moments, Mr.. Blank said suddenly:
owe a notion to tell you my story. 1t
is so singular that it may be incredible,
and it is certainly not an experience one
would think / had gone through"
The reporter expressed a desire to hear
the story.
81 will tell you, upon condition that
yen will never mention my name in con-
nection with it,"
The promise of secrecy was readily
given.
II do not propose" said Mr.. Blank,
as he pulled leisurely fragrant cigar,
"to be so specific that will worry You
All you want to know is the general Cir
cumstances, of course. Well, / came
from Devonshire nearly thirty, years ago,
landing in New York, at about the age
of twenty-five, with my wife, few
pounds IN my pocket and stout heart.
| had come to ek.my fortune like many
young men before me who found their
native land unkind in care of them.
Almost upon my arrival i was taken
sick, and before | had secured any EN-
ployment a fever seized me, and when
weeks afterward came back to life my
money was gone and we were in debt
for rent. My poor wife had made few
dimes here and there doing cheap sewing
but the little she could do was not
enough, and much before l was able l
arose from my bed to seek for work.
Those were sorry days for us, can tell
you. Up and down the streets, con-
tinued to wander, asking at every place
for work but was weak and emaciated,
and no one cared to give employment. l
was not worth it, really, and so l went
on for two weeks, my health scarcely
improving, my case becoming more and
more desperate. One day, utterly ex-
hausted and discouraged, feeling mis-
cradle and sick, ready to die but for my
wife, | sank down upon box that stood
against lamp-post on Broadway. I
took my hat off that the breeze might
cool my burning head, and guess that
| so fell asleep. Anyway, when be-
came conscious of where was and felt
somewhat rested, arose to put on my
hat, when some small coins rolled out
upon the sidewalk. My heart throbbed
as though a mircle had been performed
l picked these up and found others in
my hat. Altogether l had nearly one
dollar. There was good supper for
my wife and me, and l had besides got
an idea. l SAID to myself, l was per-
feectly willing to work for little mon
ey and no one would employ me; now
since people are willing to give me mon
ey without work will accept it in that
way, and / did. Every day after that /
slOuched down at corner in some pub
lie thoroughfare and held out my hat.
I asked no one for aims, but Just sat
there with my hat out. AS fast as dny
money was dropped III | transferred it to
my pockets. The first day | took in
$3.50, and from that time my earnings
were never less, and they have run as
high as S25 day. ] took to all sorts OF
tricks to look miserable and played up
on the public, though I was soon as well
and vigorous as the best VINO came
along. Well, sir, kept this business
up six years, and at the end of that time
| had actually taken in little over $50
900, of which l had $4,000 in bank, a
: little in many banks. l then had two
children, and we lived comfortably
When found l had $40, 900 l concluded
to invest it. / did. l bought stocks,
and after quietly specializing two years
! had made 1927 GOO, and concluded tc
give up my old life and become a gen
tIeman again. / came West. bought
land in this vicinity. In short time
that land more than ever made me a
rich man, and to-day am worth not
less than $500, coo. That, sir, all came
from beggars hat in the streets ofNew
York. Strange story? think so my
self Really it now seems to me that al
! this was a dream. 1t does not seem
real"
Mr.. Blank relighted his cigar, leaned
comfortably back in his chair and re-
marked, "Never despise beggar. You
can't tell how rich he may be-"