Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-07-14
NO. 68.
A FREAK OF FORTUNE.

/ A Chicago journalist is an intimate
friend Of a Chicago millionaire. In .
recent confidential conversation occurred
the following narrative, as reproduced
in the Chicago Inter-O Ocean:
After sitting in reflective silence for
afew moments, Mr.. Blank said suddenly:
GIVE a notion to tell You my story. u
is SO singular that it may be incredible,
and it is certainly not an experience ono
would think had gone through"
| The reporter expressed a desire to hear
the story.
~ will tell you, upon condition that
you 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 a fragrant cigar,
ito be so specie that will worry you
All you want to know is the general cir
cumstances, Of course. Well, cams
from Devonshire nearly thirty years ago,
landing in New York, at about the ago
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
native land unkind in care of them.
Almost upon my arrival I was taken
sick, and before l had secured any en-.
pl0yment 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 was able
arose from my bed to seek for work.
| Those were sorry days for rs, can tell
you. Upand down the streets, j con
tinued to wander, asking at every place
for work; but l was weak and emaciated,
and no one cared to give employment
was not worth it, really, and so | 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 Iguess that
SO fell asleep. Anyway, when ! be-
came conscious of where was and fell
somewhat rested, / arose to put on my
hat, when some small coins rolled out
upon the sidewalk. My heart throbbed
as though mircle had been performed.
picked these up and found others III
my hat. Altogether / had nearly ont
dollar. There was good supper for
my wife and me, and had besides got
an idea. SAID to myself, l was per-
, feectly willing to work for little m0E-
ey and NO one would employ me; now
since people are willing to give me mon
: ey without work will accept it in thai
, 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 any
money was dropped IN transferred it to
my pockets. The first day l took IN
$3.50, and from that time my earnings
were never less, and they have run Us
, high as $25 a day. took to all sorts If
, tricks to look miserable and played up
f on the public, though Twas soon as well
| and vigorous as the best who came,
, along. Well, sir, kept this business
, up six years, and at the end Of that time
Q I had actually taken in a little over$3t
!, 600, of which had 500, 900 in bank, y
, little in many banks. then had tive
, children, and we lived comfortably.
1 When l found had $4,000 I concluded
, to invest it. I did. ! bought stocks
t and after quietly specializing two Years
g / had made 1927 900, and concludedto
give up my old life and become gen
e tleman again. came West. bought
n land in this vicinity In a short time
that land more than ever made me- a
D rich man, and to-day / am worth net
:. less than 100000. That, sir, all came
$ from a beggar's hat in the streets ofNew
r York. Strange story9 think so ny
g self. Really it now seems to me that ali
|, this was a dream. It does not seem
| real,'
/, Mr.. Blank relighted his cigar, leaned
{. comfortably back in his chair and r.
d marked, 'eNever despise beggar. Yea
r can't tell how rich he may BE-"