The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-06-07
"A FOOL FOR LUCK. .

Rome Sentinel.
"A FOOL FOR LUCK .
"Nothing can be done without money!"
said George, pettishly; II had splen-
did project In my head, but nobody will
listen to such poor fellow as
l."
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 IT, said Albert. ''have finished q
work which would credit my reputation,
could publisher be met willing to
undertake the expenses of printing"
II have asked our principal" added
/, ITO increase my salary, after four
years assiduous service; and he an
swered that of such clerks he could
find as many as he wished for 5000 a
year."
"My dear fellows" interrupted George
"alihough we have neither the one nor
the other any hope of making a fortune,
could we not get the credit of being
ITO what good?" asked I.
1T gives one position in the orld;
large inheritance augments the con-
sideration in which we are held-every
thing becomes easy."
II remember" was my answer. ''hav-
ing heard in my childhood Of a cousin
who went to China and never returned"
THAT Is just what We want; we viii
| bring this cousin to life, or rather we
will kill him. Yes; Louis Meran died
IN China leaving b fortune valued at
100000, oil 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,
i! 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 understood that
disavowed all cause; but no one would
belie:e me-my two friends had affirmed
the truth of the report.
In vain did assert that it was all a
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 within of a young man had
sometime previously ordered anew frock
coat in the new fashion, without having
the means of payment; the garment,
was out and l yet owed half the bill.
There had been for some time a cool
ness between my creditor and myself,
whose opportunities wished to avoid.
The rumor of the legacy made him has
ten to find me. Such was the penalty
paid for the foolish pleasantly of my
friends.
"Good day." Mr.. snips;" said t, with
some embarrassment, as he entered.
You are come for that ten dollars?"
PLEASE do not imagine that I am
thinking Of such trifie. No, it was for
the mourning"
"What mourning2"
1.-The mourning for your cousin, sir.
suit"
IMPOSSIBLE
II hope you do not think ofwithdraw-
ing, your favors from me. Coat, vest
and pantaloons black; frosk of dark
bronze for the mourning"
IL tell you again, l have not re-
II entreat YOU not to speak Of money.
| It will come soon enough" added the
| tailor, having already taken out his scis-
| sors and passed his measure around
| me-.
! I was in truth, in great want of
clothes, and permitted him to continue.
| No sooner was he gone than another
individual entered, who began:
| my dear sir, you must do me 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 l
am in urgent need of money. I expect
Hardy to buy it; but he does not decide
to SETTLE"
II buy YOUR house? What folly?"
| 1T is no folly. 1t is safe investment.
| After some repairs, in two years It
will be worth double. have your
word" and he left without giving mo
time to reply.
| 20 wei! did he propagate . rep ort OF
my purchase, that in two hours after
ward MIR. Hardy came to me in q great
hurry, apparently out Of humor.
"You have cut tho grass from under
| my feet, sir" said he, on entering; II
cannot do without that house, and
thought it was already mine, as I had
| made an offer of $49, 600, believing that
| the owner would surely come to my
terms. But there is no hope of starving
| you into an agreement; SO, without fur
Their preamble, I come to offer you an
advance of SIS 900 upon your bargain"
| Fifteen thousand dollars coming-I
know not how-to me, who had so much
trouble earning my 5000 of salary as
clerk: Although but little acquainted
With business, saw the advantage to be
derived from my position, and replied:
1T ls impossible, sir, for mo to give
you an answer at this moment; return at
the natter?''
AT quarter before the appointed hour
Mr.. Hardy was again at my door.
"Sir," said I, II had no wish for that
house, and did not even think about it,
when the proprietor came to beg me to
purchase it; and it appears that the
house is mine. As it suits you and any
other will do as we'll for me, accept
your OFFER"
"You shall be paid in a fortnight" ex-
claimed the purchaser, delighted by my
pro,n2titude in business.
I was so delighted wrote to Massrs.
Hughes and Bergeret that, having Ger.
tain funds to invest, I begged their ad-
vice as to the safest mode. It appeared
that the words certain funds" have
very different occupations in commerce,
according to the name and position Of
him who uses them. Certain funds, sit
uated as I was, was q modest way of
EvsS~>,
supposed so on recej7ing an answer
from the firm that my letter had been
received just before the close Of the Pa
cific railroad loan. in which they had
purchased to the amount $500, 900, that
II ! thought It too much, large profit
had gone up. A postscript in the hands
of the principal congratulated me on the
accession of fortune.
Two hundred thousand dollars! The
letter fell from my hands; the amount