Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-12-24
COAL OIL BILLY"
Tho Luck Which His Secretary
Brought TO Him.

NJ eleven q CLOck ~ hlSut, III uiIu-
winter, Young man, jus; out OF pris-
ON. stood NJ the corner of city street,
lust on, Of the light Of the lamps that
Shonc before a great hotel. He was
dressed in rags, and Shuddered and
drew himself together a, only men of
the tramp order do. \ cold working
man. a cold gentleman, II cold person
Of any other sort, never holds himself
H. that fashiOn-HeayCn only knows
why. Yet this man seemed only TO
have started on the road downward;
TO be only ON the verge Of the steep
hill which ends in the pauperS grave;
and 10 have something in him which
gave him yet possible hold ON decen-
CIV. His features wero good and his
figure graceful. and he did not reek
with whisky. A. he stood Shivering
and watching the hotel door. cab
drove up 20 the corner. From il, when
it had stopped, alighted = burly man.
of rough aspect, but wearing costly
clothes. His hair. soaked in oil, was
arranged in Hat, pasted curlS ON either
temple. His side whiskcrs-"a sable
silysrsd,5GTyG,Fr stjG an l,,S s5irt front:
another on each little finger. he wore
n waistcoa, of rich crimson velvet, and
q watch-chain of hoavy gold, ~ thick
ms his thumb. crossed il twice. He
was altogether attired. according to
some past idea of elegance, only posi-
bic to n rich man.
A trunk of sole leather ami Russia
feather portmanteau were taken from
the drivers seat and carried into the
hotel. and the owner was about to fol.
low them, when his eyes suddenly fell
on the shivering man so near him. and
he paused. and with muttered
There's my luckw beckoned with his
thick finger.
The man approached.
III say" said the bejcweled traveller,
speaking in a wheezy whiSper-'I say,
stranger, you look hungry. II YOU air,
hev been thar myself. You look cold,
too. III YOU air. could have seen you
and gone YOU one better many time.
Herr, take that. Get yourself square
meal" And he dropped jingling
handful of money into the open hand.
"And after you're full come up to the
hotel thar and ask for Mr.. Baker, from
Oil Town. Perhaps can throw some
thing in your way"
by heavens! You're a man. said
the recipient Of the money and the
promised help. "See here. didn't
beg. you know. Ell? You offered me
this and he shook the money in his
hand. "Cold and hunger take the pride
out of man. but l wac going to beg
jest yet. / can't refuse life, that's ALL"
"All right" cried the stout man.
"Don't forget 20 come" and followed
his trunk into the hotel.
3 An hour aiterward. as he sat alone
with decanter and wine-glasses on a
table before him, the waiter announced:
"a man to see you, sir"
And the recipient of his charity
walked in.
Hewas not shivcring now. and though
shabby he was hand, ONE.
"rm here" he said, doubtiully, "and
thanks to you, feeling like a different
man. That's the first food I've eaten
for thirty hours"
"Sit down." said the other, bluiily.
"Sit down. Here. take your glass and
fill 1t. Now, you know my name. Per
haps you know me. I've made fort
une in Oil City. I'm called Rich
Baker-Coal Oil Billy-lots of things.
i was in despair, and the boys had
given me twenty-four hours work
without hope Of pay, when Baker
Well sprouted. and Old Billy followed.
i believe in luck. The first man i meet
when / get anywhere is always my
luck. You're my luck here; that's why
told you to come. What can you doP
Read. write, spell according TO regula-
tionP Can you flourish of my letters
and show me what's what in that wayP
You look it."
"rm an educated man" said the
stranger. II could be your secretary
IL YOU need one"
That's It," said Mr.. Baker. IL en-
gage you. Go to tailor, get suit Of
clothes. and send the bill to me. And
remember I don't set up for generous.
I do this because you're my luck"
"God knows. never have been my
own" said the young man.
LIT looks like you haven't becn." said
Mr.. Baker. whats your name|
"Smith." said the other. "John
Smith"
Billy Baker winkcd and nodded.
"As good az another" he said