The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-05-28
"Do YOU BELIEVE IN LUCK7''

l
}. DO YOU BELIEVE IN LUCK7" &
A Little Story in Answer to a Leading =
Question.
The curtains were drawn to keep h
out the wintry blasts, and the bright I
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 on the table, indi-
Gated that the owner was 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, as 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:
s.Uncle Harry, do you believe in
luckP"
.Well boys" said he, "that is rather
a leading question. will tell you
little story, and you can call it what
you please:
"When was about ten years old,
| my father died, after lingering i'll
| ness. He had been unfortunate in
some business ventures and his sickness
had entirely exhausted our funds. l
left school, and felt that, as was the
oldest, must help mother to support
the family.
sPoor mother! it grieved me greatly
to see her patiently stitching away on
the coarse work she received such a
pittance for, from the shops. | tried
to get place in some store, but could
not succeed. My efforts in that line
and my many rebuffs would astonish
you.
II concluded would sell papers, but
at first it was very hard work. did
not mind the fatigue. / sold evening
papers, but could not call my papers
out loud and clear, and then some Other
bows would get ahead of me. wa:
! better dressed than the other 'newsies;
= and so they looked upon me as an in
! terloper, and tried to run me out OF th'
trade. But thought of my mother a
work at home, and determined woul'
succeed.
Zone evening 1 jumped on a car
crying my papers in my best STYLE
sold several, and was just leaving tn
car, when gentleman, who was busil
:. talking with his neighbor, while bot
occupied uncertain standing room
u called me. Here, boy, Chronicle,
=; gave him one, and he put his hand
e his pocket and drew out and gave wh'
) he supposed was three-cent piece, bl
% saw it was gold piece.
= II jumped off the car in hurry, an
u soon went home. / felt little unce
e. tain as to how mother would view IL
J. matter, but I never had any secre
il from her, SO I told her all about it, a
" ding that I considered 1t a rare piece
e; luck, for we did need the money mo
Sc than you children can imagine.
r; "But mother argued that morally
id had no right to any more than t.
he price of the paper, unless it was Civ
i'd me; that it was a mistake. But
Lft sisted that any man so careless oug
s. to lose his money, and that it was
D. tended to relieve our own necessiti
ry But mother said: My son, He in who
nd have put all my trust has never
Sc serted me yet, and can not so d
d. trust Him now. would rather stal
,rs than have my boy become dishones
7e. "I believe there comes to every {
ses some supreme crisis in life, when &c
ng and evil strive for his soul, and t
am night was the crisis in mine"
EN- Mr.. Morton had forgotten his ca
the listeners, but was recalled by the qu
ton:
ut aBut what did you dop''
en- "Well your grandmother finally
an me to promise that if | saw the u
led again would return the money.
md fear of my not knowing him; his
ain was before me all the time. \
and evening began my work as usual
al had been through several cars, an6
nd, most hoped could not find my ge
am GUS (p) patron. But at last l c.
rso, face to face with him. spoke gu
can ly, for fear my courage would fail.
,ing " You bought a paper OF me
red. evening, SIR exclaimed.
the "'Well, said he, suppose !
inas bought one from some boy. WI
prs- wrongP Didn't l pay youp
ga is "I told him what was the ma
lAy and his astonishment was great
boat looked at me as if / was curio
asked my name and where l l
! on Others heard the conversation, ant
md papers were soon all sold at dc
,des. their price--the gentleman laugh
ring telling me that they knew what
2 in were about. I fairly tfew home
had night, and I never felt so proud
par happy as when I poured that m
lites- into my mothers lap, and hearo
Tile say:
must ss'Thank God, for having KEEP
oked honest, my boy
their. 1.-THE next day mother had q
both from the gentleman, and the
,atns- was that my career as me-
read ceased, and mercantile life be
such very low down, to be sure,
the worked away. l attended
es Of school, too, and by degrees ros
but as you know, am q partner
daily house. Now you may Judge W
that believe in luck, or the 'Divinit
'osteg shapes our ends, rough hew thei
\ we will ''s-Kjnd Words,