National Republican., 1885-10-31
FORTUNES FAVOR.

For n considerable time during the even
ing our conversation had been about for
tunes favors
"Well, a strange thing once happened to
me, also,n said Hamlet. Then he hesitated.
1--WE are listening" remarked some one.
"And perhaps | should allow You to re-
main so, without hearing anything"
"Wby ~
"on the principle that he is always a
loser who tells an Incredible story"
"You have offered It,"
"Without consideration
"And with none--let us have It,"
al can only assure you, then, gentlemen,
that It is absolutely true. The scene of my
curious little incident was New York, the
time twenty-five years ago. Walking down
Broadway one afternoon | chanced to meet
three recent acquaintances, who Joined my
promenade, and our chat became lively,
according to the custom OF young men.
The day was winter, and VIC moved briskly
on account Of the cold, yet not with such
speed as to prevent, at certain point, my
observation of sundry very attractive
baskets Of oysters tastefully grouped near
the door of n restaurant. My opinion OF
oysters is decidedly favorable.
"'Let us go in said l, some OF these
fried, perhaps, with hot coffee, may be ac-
ceptable.' ,,,
small banquet was ordered-pardon me; 1t
was not ordered at all-my fancy SO increas-
ing that, finally, rather large one appeared
on the table With keen ears, had proper
attention been given, we might have heard
the groaning Of the board. The feast was
worthy of the gods for brilliant and
thoughtful discourse abounded. Some
hours passed on in this delightful manner,
when, stealing away from my guests, re-
pair cd to the Office to 'settle' the account.
Informed Of the sum total, bravcly dived
my hand into my pocket-to come up
empty, for my portenonnaic was not there!
"What should be done nowp Appeal to
those who still fingered in the adjoining
room-my late merry companionsp Never!
Tell the proprietor the truth, as begun to
be satisfied, or dissatisfied, of it myself that
In changing my dress that morning had
forgotten to transfer the money from the
old suitS Never! 1t is an ancient,
though not venerable, story of impostors.
"Arrest for obtaining goods under false
preteIscs' became painful probability
~ thought n great deal IN short time.
"Perhaps, after all, IL would be well to
stand by the truth, tell 1t to him who held
the string OF my destiny, request that o
messenger with note might be sent to my
wife-Gome miles up town-and wait, q
prisoner, her reply and the golden relief
sure to come-unless she had gone out for
walk or shopping. But how dispose,
meanwhile, Of those jolly fellows youder
The first part of the plan-would 1T serve
me? Might not the cordial proprietor, q,
earliest hearing of part of my innocen,
narrative, call in polite policeman
"My hand carelessly issued from the ut-
fortunate. depth 1t had explored; my voice
calmly and courageously pronounced these
words:
"'Wait awhie'-and other words, which
signified that did not consider the enter
tainment yet complete: would he, the mag
nate aforesaid, please send in--and-
"'All right, cir said his excellency
smiling.
II sauntered Oft, toward the street door
scarcely knowing what was about, In al
agony of perplexity.
~ heard chair move. Footsteps fol
lowed me.
| "But was first to reach the door--openet
| it-saw on the pavement near greenisl
looking piece OF pRper-stooped-to 4
up--it was twenty-dollar treasury note
| az appropriated that money to my owl
immediate need. Should ask any OF tn
| thousand passers-by OF that moment IL h
had-absurd
| go Your house is rather overheated,'
quickly emarked--truly, 1t had been to-
hot for me-turning and facing the propre
| tor; that breath of cold mir has refreshet
me- Indeed, II had! ALLOW me to pa.
my bill at once'-presenting the treasure
tiove Id millionaire-'a please send II
tho other things as soon as possible
"'Certainly, SIR
'IIe returned to his chair, to mine, ga
among the gay New Workers.
'lf, perchance, any Of them should be toll
this incident by either Of you, he will lear
for the first time how that day was In
debted to fortunes favor" s. ID.