The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-04-07
"a FOOL FOR. LUCK"

IA FOOL FOR, LUCK"
Nothing can be done without
money" said George, pettishly; Il had
asplendid project in my head, but
nobody will listen to such poor fellow
asI."
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 l." said Albert, ''have finished
work which would credit my reputa-
ton, could publisher only be met with
willing to undertake the expenses of
printing"
81 have asked our principal added
/, ''to 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. 5000 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 /,
1T gives one aposition in the world; a
large inheritance augments the con-
Sideration in which we are held every
thing becomes easy"
al remember" was my answer, ebay
ing heard in my childhood of a 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
$4,000, 600, all to his dear cousin, Louis
Neran, from attachment to the name"
We laughed heartily at the joke, of
which though 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 disavowed all cause; but no
one would believe me-my two friends
had affirmed the truth of the report. In
vain did assert thatit 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 had some time previously
ordered a 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 NV
creditor and myself, whose opportunities
wished to avoid. The rumor of the
legacy made him hasten to find me.
Such was the penalty 1 paid for the
foolish pleasantly of my friends.
Good day, Mr.. SHIPS" said 1. with
some embarrassment as he entered,
''you are come for that ten dollars"
''Please do not imagine that | am
thinking of such tribe. No, it was for
the mourning"
"What mourning?'
1.-The mourning for your cousin, sir!
Without doubt you want complete
suit"
Sat this time, Mr.. Snip, it would be
impossible"
''Ihope you do not think of withdraw
ing your favors from me. Coat, vest and
pantaloons black; frock of dark bronze
for the mourning"
81 tell you again, i 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 a 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 | have some pressing
engagements to settle" s..
81 buy your house?-what follyr'
at is no folly. lis safe investment.
After some repairs. in two years 1t will
be worth double. Ihave your word, :"
and he left without giving me time to
reply.
So well did he propagate report of
my purchase, that in two hours after
ward Mr.. Hardy came to me in a great
hurry, apparently out of humor.
ou nave CUT Cne grass from unuer
my feet, sir" said he, on entering; ~
cannot do without that house, and
thought it was already mine, as / had
made an offer of $40, 900, believing that
the owner would surely come to my
terms But there is no hope of starving
you into an agreement; so without
further preamble, come to offer you an
advance of $4,000 upon your bargain. "
Fifteen thousand dollars coming-I
knew not how-to me, who had 50 much