Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-06-10
WAS IT LuCK2

"SS W SSSNs
A Little Story In Answer to . Leading
Question.
The curtains were drawn TO keep
out the wintry blasts, and the bright
fire.light aided the shaded gas-light in
revealing all the comfort of that pleas
ant room. The number and variety OF
books in the elegant bookcase, and
the numerous papers OIL the table. indi.
Gated that the owner was q man OF
culture and familiar with the worlds
daily doings, while luxurious chairs and
lounges proved that he was not un-
mindful of physical comfort. Indeed.
as we look at the owner Of this beauti-
full establishment, rs he Is seated in an
easy-chair, reading paper. we feel
that he Is every inch man. and
worthy of our entire respect The
merry group by the fire. who are WIS.,
itors for the holidays, evidently share
our opinion. Suddenly one OF the
boys turning to his uncle, said:
"Unclc Harry, do you believe In
luck?"
"Well boys" said he, "that is rather
leading question. will tell you q
little story, and you can call 1t what
you please:
"Whcn I was about ten years old,
nv father died, after a lingering ILL
ness. lie had been unfortunate In
some business ventures and his sickness
had entirely exhausted our funds
left school, and felt that, as was the
oldest, I must help mother to support
the family.
"Poor mother! 1t grievcd me greatly
to see her patiently stitching away on
the coarse work she received such a
pittance for. from the shops. l tried
to get place in some store, but could
not succeed. My efforts in that line
and my many rebuffs would astonish
you.
al concluded would sell papers, but
at first it was very hard work. l did
not miud the fatigue. sold evening
papers. but could not call my papers
out loud and clear, and then some other
boys would get ahead Of me. l was
better dressed than the other 'ncwsies;;'
and so they looked upon me as an In.
terloper, and tried to run me out OF the
trade. But thought of my mother at
work at home, and determined ! would
succeed.
"Onc evening jumped on q car.
crying my papers in my best style. /
sold several. and was just leaving the
car, when gentleman, who was busily
talking with his neighbor, while both
occupied uncertain standing room.
called me: Here, boy, Chronicle !
gave him one, and he put his hand In
his pocket and drew out and gave what
he supposed was a thrce-cent piece but
] saw 1t was q gold piece.
"a jumped of the car in hurry, and
soon went home. felt little uncer-
tain rs to how mother would view the
matter, but never had any secrets
from her, so told her all about 1t, ad.
ding that considered 1t rare piece ol
luck, for we did need the money more
than you children can imagine.
"But mother argued that morally
had no right to any moro than the
price of the paper. unless 1t was given
me; that II was a mistake. But In
sisted that any man so careless ough
to lose his money. and that 1t was In
tended to relieve our own necessities
But mother said: MY son, He In whom
l have put all my trust has never DC
serted me yet and can not so dis
trust Him now. would rather starv'
than have my boy become dishonest.
81 believe there comes 70 every ont
some supreme crisis In life, when goo'
| anu CIVIL bITlNc IOE hio oouis
uight was the crisis in mine"
Mr.. Morton had forgotten his cage
listeners, but was recalled by the ques
ton:
"But what did you doP",
"Well your grandmother finally 90
me to promise that II saw the mar
again I would return the money. NJ
fear Of my not knowing him; his fac
was before me all the time. Mex
evening I began my work as usual.
had been through several cars, and a
most hoped I could not find my gener
Gus (P) patron. But at last cam
face to face with him. l spoke quick
ly, for fear my courage would fall.
"'You bought Q paper OF mo lss
evening. SIR exclaimed.
"'Well, said he, Il suppose l dio
thought one from some boy. What
wrongp Didn't ] pay your
~I told him what was tho matter
.uI IL. ..k4nisk,.aok waa oroaf. b