The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-04-28
"a FOOL FOR LUCK.n


"a FOOL FOR LUCK.n
Nothing can be done withou,
money" said George, pettishly; II had
q splendid project in my head. but
nobody will listen to such . poor fellow
asJ.
We were three friends, met together,
bewailing the rigors of fortune. Our
lamentations, however, took the turn
they usually take among companions
whose age does not exceed twenty years.
'And T." said Albert, shave finished
work which would credit my reputa-
ton, could a publisher only be met with
willing to undertake the expenses of
printing"
II have asked our principal" added
/, ITO increase my salary, after four
years Of assiduous service; and he
answered that of such clerks he could
find as many as he wished for $500 a
year -
my dear fellows" interrupted
George, although we have neither the
one nor the other any hope of making a
fortune, could we not get the credit of
being richP"
ITO what good?" asked l.
ut gives one aposition in the world; a
large Inheritance augmenis the con-
sideration in which we are held every
thing becomes easy"
II remember" was my answer, shay
ing heard in my childhood of q cousin
who went to China and never returned"
THAT is just what we want; we will
bring this cousin to life, or rather we
will kill him. Yes; Louis Meran died
in China leaving fortune valued at
$1,000. coo. all to his dear cousin, Louis
Meran. from attachment to the NAME"
We laughed heartily at the joke. of
which / thought no more; but my two
reckless friends, George and Albert,
spread about the tale when we broke up
with all the seriousness imaginable.
The next day people came to compli-
ment me. 1t will, of course, be under
stood that l disavowed all cause; but no
one would believe me-my two friends
had affirmed the truth of the report. In
vain did l assert thati was all Joke,
Many remembered my cousin; some had
actually seen him embark. Among the
number OF these visits was one not the
most agreeable. With the whim of a
young man l had some time previously
ordered new frock coat in the new
fashion. without having the means Of
payment; the garment was out, and
yet owed half the bill. There had been
for some time GOODNESS between my
creditor and myself, whose opportunities
wished to avoid. The rumor of the
legacy made him hasten to find me.
Such was the penalty paid for the
foolish pleasantly Of my friends.
"Good day, Mr.. Snips." said I. with
some embarrassment, as he entered,
you are come for that ten dollars
"Please do not imagine that I am
thinking OF such tribe. No, it was for
the mourning"
ssWhat mourning?'
''The mourning FOR your cousin. sir!
Without doubt you want complete
suit"
"At this time. Mr.. Snip. it would be
impossible."
"Ihope you do not think of withdraw
ing your fayors from me. Coat, vest and
pantaloons black; frock of dark bronze
for the mourning"
II tell you again. l have not re-
ceived-'
II entreat you not to speak of money.
1t will come soon enough" added the
tailor, who had already taken out his
scissors and passed his measure around
my waist.
II was, in truth. in great want of
clothes, and permitted him to continue.
No sooner was he gone than another
individual entered, who Immediately
began:
my dear sir, you must do me q great
favor. Buy my house. You are rich,
very rich-you want real estate. Fifty
thousand dollars are nothing for you.
only the half of your income; and at
present am in urgent want of money.
expected Hardy to buy it; but he does
not decide, and l have some pressing
to settle.''
Il buy your house?-what follyr'
at is no folly. It's q safe investment.
After some repairs. in two years It viii
be worth double. Ihave your word"
and ne left without giving me time to
reply.
So well did he propagate . report of
my purchase, that in two hours after
ward MIR. Hardy came to me in q great
hurry, apparently out of humor.
ssYou have cut the grass from under
my feet, sir" said he, on entering; II
,annot do without that house, and
!hought it was already mine, as l had
made an offer of $40. 600, believing that