Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-12-08
COAL OIL BILLY"
The Luck Which His Secretary
Brought to Him.


At eleven o'clock at night. in m:d.
winter, young man, just out of prls-
on, stood at the corner of city street,
just out of the light of the lamps that
shone before great hotel. He was
! dressed in rags, aud shuddered and
drew himself together as only men Of
the tramp order do. A cold working
man, cold gentleman, a cold person
of any other sort, never holds himself
in that fashlon-Heaven 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 pauper's grave;
and TO have something in him which
gave him yet possible hold on decen-
cy. His features were good and his
figure graceful, and he did not reek
with whisky. A. he stood shivering
and watching the hotel door, a cab
drove up to the corner. From it, when
it had stopped. alighted burly man.
of rough aspect, but wearing costly
clothes Hi, hair. soaked in oil. was
arranged in fiat. pasted curls on either
temple His side whi,kcr, sable
silvered were stiff and plentiful. A
great diamond blazed in his shirt front;
another on each little finger. He wore
swaistcoat of rich crimson velvet. and
Il watch-chain of heavy gold. As thick
as his thumb. crossed il twice. He
was altogether attired, according 10
some past idea Of elegance, only posi-
bic TO rich man.
A trunk of sole leather and a Russia
leather pOrtmantcau 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 nv luck!" beckoned with bis
thick finger,
The man approached.
81 say" said the bejeweled traveller,
speaking in 4 wheezy whisper-'I say,
stranger, you look hungry. If you air,
| he's been thar myself. You look cold.
too. Ef you air, could have seen YOU
and gone you one better many time.
Here. take that Get yourself a square
meal" And he dropped 4 jingling
handful of money into the open hand.
And after You re full come up to the
hotel thar and ask for MIR. Baker. from
Oil Town. Perhaps can throw some
thing in your way"
by heavens, You're man." said
the recipient of the money and the
promised help. "Sce here. | didn't
peg. YOU know. Ell? You offered me
this, and he shook the money in his
hand. Gold and hunger take the pride
out of a man. but wasn't going to beg
Jest yet | cant refuse life, that's all.
'.All right" cried the stout man.
Don forget TO come and followed
his trunk into the hotel.
An hour aftsrward. as he sat alone
with decanter and wine-glasses on
table before him. the waiter announced:
"A man to see YOU. sir"
And the recipient of his charity
walked in.
Hewas not Shivering now, and though
shabby he was handsome.
I'm here he said. doubtfully, land
thanks to You. feeling like different
man. That the first food I've eaten
for thirty hours.
"Sit down" said the other. bluffiv
.'Sit down. Here. take your glass and
dill it. Now, Won knoT my name. Per
hsps You know me. I've made fort
une in Oil City. I'm called Rich
Baker-Coal Oil Billv-lots of things.
l 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.
believe in luck. The first man met.
when ] get anywhere is always my
luck You're my luck here; that's why
told yoL TO come. What can you do?
Read. write. spell according TO regula-
ton? Can you flourish off my letters
and show me what what iu that way?
You look it
I'm an educated man." said the
stranger. Il could be your secretary
if you need one"
That's it." said Mr.. Baker. II en-
gage you. Go TO tailor, get suit of
clothes, and send the bill to me. And
remember don't set up for generous.
DO this because You re my luck"
God knows. | never have been my |
own" said the young man.
1T looks ike you haven't been. said |
Mr.. Baker. What's YOUR name?n
Smith," said the other. John
Smith.
Billy Baker winked and nodded.
''As good as another" he said.
There, go and order yourself first
class suir of clothes; and tell 'em to
send the bill to me-Mr. Baker. Coal
)l Billy; the richest man In Oh City.