The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-07-20
FREAK OF FORTUNE.

friend of u Chicago millionaire. III
a recent confidential conversation oc-
Cured the following narrative, as re-
produced in the Chicago Inter
ocean,
After sitting in reflective silence
for q few moments, Mr.. Blank said
suddenly: owe a notion to tell you
my story. 1t is so singular that it
NAV be incredible, and it is certainly
not an experience one would think
had gone through"
The reporter expressed q desire to
hear the story.
II will tell you upon condition that
you will never mention my name in
connection with it,"
The promise Of secrecy was readi
ly given:
II do not propose" said Mr.. Blank
as he pulled Ieisurely fragrant CT
gar, "to be 50 specific that | vii!
worry you. All you want to know
is the general circumstances. Well,
I came from Devonshire nearly thir-
ty 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
seek my fortune like many young
men before me who found their ma.
tive land unkind in care of them
Almost upon my arrival | was taken
sick, and before | had secured auy
employment fever seized me, and
when weeks afterwards | came back
to life my money was gone aud we
were in deb. for rens. 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 | was able | arose from
my bed to seek for work. Those
were sorry days for US. l can tell
you. Up and down the streets, |
continued to wander, asking every
place for work; but was weak and
emaciated, and no one cared to give
employment. was not worth it,
really, and 50 ] went on for two
weeks, my health scarcely improving,
my case becominn more and more
desperate. One day, utterly exhaus-
ted and discouraged, feeling misera
bic and sick, ready to die but for my
wife, ] sank Down upon box that
stood against lamp post on Broad
way. / took my hat off that the
breeze might cool my burning head,
and | guess that / so fell asleep
Anyway, when | became conscious
of where | was and felt somewhat
rested, | arose to put Oh my hat,
when some small coins rolled out up.
on the sidewalk. My heart threbbel
as though miracle had been per-
formed. Ipickcd closeup and found
others in my hat. Altogether | had
nearly ore dollar. There was good
supper for my wife and me, aud |
had beside got an idea. said TO
myself, | was perfectly willing to
work for Il little money and 10 one
would employ me; now since people
are willing to give me money with
out work | will accept il that way
and did. Every day after that !
slouched down at q corner in some
public thoroug fare and held out my
hat. | asked no one for aims, but
lust sat there with my hat out. As
fast rs any money was dropped in |
transferred it to my pockets. The
first day | took in $3.50, and irom
that time my earnings were never
less, and they have run as high as
SIS y day. | took to all sorts of
tricks to look miserable and played
npou the public, though | was soou
AS we'll and vigorous as The best who
came along. Well, sir, kept this
mp six years, and at the cul of that
time | had actually taken in 4 little
over $4,000, of which | had $40,
600 in bank, 4 little in many banks
| then had Two children, and we lived
comfortably. When | found | had
$4,000 | concluded to invest it. |
did, | bought stocks, and after
quietly specializing two years had
made 1927, 900, and concluded to give
up my old life and become gentle.
man again. lcamc West. ! bought
land in this vicinity. In a short
time that land more than ever made
tue a rich man, and to-day I'm worth
not . penny less than $500. 600. 49,
That. sir, all came from bcggar's
hat in the streets of New York. A
strange story, / think to myself.
Really it now seems to mc that all
this WAS dream. 1t does not seem
tual."
Mr.. Blank rcIIghted his cigar,
leaned comfortably back in his chair
aud remarked. Never despiee beg
gar. You cau't tell how rich tic