San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-01-23
NUMBER 4.
THE FOOT OF A RABBIT.
A WASHINGTON MAN WHO CARRIED o
ONE FOR GOOD LUCK.

ONE FOR GOOD LUCK.
He Fell Down Stairs. His wife Became
III, Case Was Decided Against Him,
and for whole Week Everything Went
wrong-rhon Hs Threw II Away.
II man ever tells you there is luck In
a rabbits foot, believe him II you want
to, but don't let him, under any circum-
stances, present you with one as
souvenir to carry for luck. II he at
tempts it, DO sure 1t Is because he has q
grudge against you, and desires to get
even in roundabout manner.
There may be good luck in some rab-
bits feet, but the particular one which
this story concerns was tho quintessence
Of misfortune, and its possessor is hol-
low eyed picture of despair, whose every
movement has beon productive of calam-
itous results. la,t
Two weeks ago the owner Of the charm
was In the best Of spirits and ON good
terms with himself and the world, and
prospering. For week the nightmare
Of III luck has chung to him with the
grasp of the old man of the sea, and
cannot be shaken Off.
AN UNHREDED WARNING.
He came into the possession Of the
furry article which wrecked his happi-
ness in somewhat peculiar manner. 1t
was presented to him as an emblem of
luck by one Of his friends, and he care
fully tucked 1t away in his vest pocket.
A third friend who was standing by re-
marked at the time: "If were you I
would throw that cursed thing as far rs
could. It's certain TO bring Ill luck. /
am usually not superstitious, but I
wouldn't carry one for thousand dol
lars"
The pessimist was heartily laughed at
for his foolishness, and ridiculed as q
prophet of bad luck. "Wait and see,"
was his laconic response to the others
badinage. Had that friend been listened
to andh advice taken, this story would
never have been written.
1t was Saturday evening when the gift
was received, but nothing eventful hap
pened that day. When the possessor Of
the talisman went to bed he began TO
think Of the words Of warning he had lis
tened to and it began to trouble him. He
could not sleep for time, and when he
finally fell into fitful doze it was only
to see big and little rabbits feet obstruct.
ing him and barring his progress in
whatever direction he turned. They
seemed to overwhelm him and crush
him down, and when he awoke with
start it was to hear his wife calling him
to breakfast. He arose, haggard and
worn out. Sleep had been burden
rather than a rest, and in consequence
he was snappish and out of humor.
The breakfast was q succession OF
growls. He grumbled at everything
until finally his wife, who was unaccus-
toned to gee him angry, anxiously In
quired what was the matter. He gave
her a curt reply, that sent tho tears to
her eyes and her lips to quivering, and
left for his Office without his usual fare
well kiss, something he had never done
before since his marriage.
twas Sunday, and, of course, none Of
his clerks were ut work. He could not
find any of the correspondence he de-
sired, and this made him moro angry.
Finally he thought again of the rabbits
foot. "It must be that" he soliloquized,
"but I'll keep 1t just for spite and see
how far it will work its SPELL"
Coming down the stairs from his Office,
he slipped and fell, and badly sprained
his wrist.
When he reached home his wifc was
sick, and 80 the doctor had two patients
instead of one. Sunday night was but
repetition Of the previous one, filled with
bad dreams, and when the morning
dawned the possessor of the emblem was
fatigued in soul and body. He
to get rid of the rabbits foot,
and when he reached the street threw Il
OH the sidewalk In moment he felt Like
! new man. and his former buoyancy Of
spirits returned. But, alas, fate had moro
in store for him. and he had
not proceeded half a square before col
,red urchin touched him ON the arm and,
holding the fatal rabbits foot toward
him. said, II seen you drop it, sir, and
hought you might want it."
There it was, confronting him like
nemesis. 1t would have been easy TO have
old the boy to keep it, but he did not do
his, and moodily walked down TO his of,
ice. The day was q succession Of un-
ucky events. He did not receive a con,
iderable sum OF money he confidently
expected, an important case in which he
'ad large contingent fee was decided
gainst him, and his clerk was taken i'll,
o that 1t became necessary for his en-
loyer 90 do his own work, which he man
ged 10 get through at n late hour With
he assistance Of a stenographer and
typewriter.
His wife was considerably worse when
o returned home and he was compelled
, remain up all night with her. Tho
st Of the week was repetition Of tho
40 days he had passed When Satur.
ay came he was carcworn. fretful and
nxious about his wife's health, for she
as dangerously III, and there were
rave fears as 70 her recovery. His busi-
~ had gone wrong and every thing he
IA seemed 20 turn out exactly opposiis
what he desired.
Then he determined 10 get rid of that
fernal rabbits foot. Its influence had
contributed a great deal V
i moroseDess, and be vas well nigh III
10. the stove be threw the foot and
aicbed Il burn with considerable pleas
-e. lie was I'd Of IL af last
Strange 10 relate. his wifs began 70 I'M
owe. He felt On better terms with
nlself, and his Life returned 70 IL nor
Al chEnnelS Il may BE- that = r.btifs
q is Bo4 unl0oky. buf there 10 Oos man