The Baltimore County union., 1883-11-03
A FOOL FOR LUCK

"Noihing can be done without mon
ey," said George, peitishly; al had 4
splendid project in my head, but no
body will listen to such poor fellow
as &"
We were three friends, me, together,
bewailng the r:gors Of fortune. Our
lamentations. however, took the turn
they usually take among companions
whose age does not exceed twenty
years each.
"And ," said Albert, have finished
work which would credit my repu,a-
tion, could 4 publisher only be met
willing to undertake the expenses OF
printing"
al have asked our principal" added
he, ''to increase my salary, after four
years Of assiduous service; and he an
Swered that of such clerks ne could
find As many as he wished for 5000 a
year"
"My dear fellows" interrupted
George, although we have neither the
one or the other any hope Of making a
fortune, could We not get the credit Of
being rich ?"
"To what good 2" asked |.
at gives one position in the world /;
a large inheriience augmenis the con-
sideraiion in which we are held-every.
thing becomes easy"
al remember" was my answer,
"having heard in childhood of cous-
in who went TO China and never return
ed"
"lhat 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 a fortune valued Al
So, 900, 900, all TO his cousin Louis
Meran. from attachment 10 the same"
We laughed heartily 1t the joke, Of
which We thought no more but my
two reckless friends, George and Al
bert, spread about the tale with all the
seriousness imaginable.
The next day people came to compli-
ment me.
II will, OF course, be understood
that | disavowed all this, but no one
would believe me-my two friends had
affirmed the truth OF the report.
In vain did assert tina, 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 whim OF a young man ]
had some time previous ordered new
frock coat in the newest fashion, with
. Of sl..a
garment was worn out, and yet owed
hall the bill.
There had been some time a cool
ness between my creditor and myself,
whose opportunities wished 10 avoid.
The rumor of the legacy made him
hasten 10 find me. Such was the pen
atty paid for the foolish pleasantly OF
my friends.
Good day, Mr.. Snips," said /,
with some embarrassment, as he enter
ed. "Iou are como for that ten dol
lars ?"
"Plcasc do no, imagine that am
thinking Of such a triie. No, it was
for the mourning"
"What mourningT
"The mourning for your cousin, sir.
Without doubt YOU want complete
suit"
al this time, Mr.. Ships, it would
be impossible" :"
al hope YOU do not think OF with
drawing your favors from me. Coat,
vest and pantaloons, black; frock Of
dark bronze for the mourning"
81 tell you again ! have not recciv-
cd"
al cntrcat YOU not TO speak of mon
ey. II will come soon enough" added
the tailor, having already taken out
his scissors and passed his measure
around me-
was, in truth, in great need 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 a
favor. Buy my house. You are rich,
very rich-you want real estate. Fifty
thousand dollars are nothing to you.-
Only the half of your income, and At
present am in urgent need Of money.
! expected Hardy to buy il; but he
docs not decide and have some press
ing engagements 10 settle"
al buy your house What folly"
"lt is no folly. Il is a safe invest
mcnt. After some repairs, in two
years il will be worth double, have
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 great
hurry, apparently out Of humor.
"You have cut the grass from under
my feet, SIR" said he on entering; "I
cannot do without that house, and
thought il was already mine, rs | had
made an offer Of $4,000, believing
that the owner would surely come to
my terms. But there is no hope ol
starving you into an agreement, SO
without further preamble I came to
offer you an advance Of $4,000 on
your bargain"
Fifteen thousand dollars coming
knew not how-to me, who had Sc
much trouble earning eight hundred
dollars Of salary as clerk. Although