The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-01-10
THE FOOT OF A RABBIT.
A WASHINGTON MAN WHO CARRIED
ONE FOR GOOD LUCK.

He Fell Down Stairs, His wie Became
and for whole Week Everything Went
Wrong Then He Threw 1t Awsy.
II man ever tells you there is luct in
a rabbits foot, believe him if you want
10, but don't let him, under any circum-
stances, present you with one AZ a
souvenir to carry for luck. If he at
tempts it, be sure it is because he has
grudge against you, and desires TO get
even in a roundabout manner.
There may be good luck in some reb-
bits feet, but the particular one which
this story concerns was the quintessence
of misfortune, and its possessor is hol-
low eyed picture of despair, whose every
itous results.
Two weeks ago heowner 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 ill luck has chung to him with the
grasp of the old man of the sea, and
cannot be shaken off.
AN UNHREDRD 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 it away in his vest pocket.
A third friend who was standing by re-
marked at the time: "If l were you
would throw that cursed thing as far as
/ could. It's certain to bring i'll luck. l
am usually not superstitious, but l
wouldn't carry one for thousand dol.
lars"
The pessimist was heartily laughed at
for his foolishness, and ridiculed as a
prophet of bad luck. "Wait and see,"
was his laconic response to the others
badinage. Had that friend been listened
to and his 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 a
start it was to hear his wife calling him
to breakfast He arose, haggard and
worn out. Sleep had been q burden
rather than a rest, and in consequence
he was snappish and out of humor.
The breakfast was a succession of
growls. He grumbled at everything
until finally his wife, who was unaccus-
| toned to see him angry, anxiously in
| quired what was the matter. He gave
her curt reply, that sent the 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.
Itwas Sunday, and, of course, none OF
his clerks were at work. He could moi
find any of the correspondence he de
sired, and this made him more angry
Finally he thought again of the rabbit
foot. sit must be that" he soliloquized
"but I'll keep it just for spite and SCI
how far it will work its SPELL"
Coming down the stairs from his office
he slipped and fell, and badly spraineo
his wrist.
When he reached home his wife wa
sick, and so the doctor had two patient
instead of one. Sunday night was but
repetition of the previous one, filled wit
bad dreams, and when the mornin
dawned the possessor of the emblem wa
thoroughly fatigued in soul and body. II
determined to get rid of the rabbits foot
and when he reached the street threw
on the sidewalk. In moment he felt lik
new man, and his former buoyapcy c
spirits returned But, alas, fate had NOR
misfortunes in store for him, and he ha
not proceeded half square before a co
ored urchin touched him ON the arm ant
holding the fatal rabbits foot towar
him, said, 81 seen you drop it, sir, and
thought you might want it,"
There it was, confronting him like
nemesis. 1t would have been easy to hay
told the boy to keep it, but he did not d
this, and moodily walked down to his O
fee. The day was succession of III
lucky events. He did not receive col
siderable sum of money he confident
expected, an important case in which i
had large contingent fee was decide
against him, and his clerk was taken il
so that it became necessary for his en-
ployer to do his own work, which he MAJ
aged to get through at late hour wit
the assistance of a stenographer an
typewriter.
His wife was considerably worse whe
he returned home and he was compelle
to remain up all night with her. I'll
rest of the week was a repetition of IL
two days he had passed. When Satu
day came he was careworn, fretful AZ
anxious about his wife's health, for 81
was dangerously ill, and there we
grave fears as to her recovery. His bus
ness had gone wrong and every thing
did seemed to turn out exactly opposi
to what he desired.
Then he determined to get rid of tn
internal rabbits foot. Its influence hi
undoubtedly contributed great deal
his moroseness, and he was well nigh i
Into the stove he threw the foot al
watched it burn with considerable pies
ure. He was rid of it at last.
Strange to relate, his wife began TO il
prove. lie felt on better terms wi
) himself, and his life returned to its NJ
NAL channels. 1t may be that rabbi
foot is not unlucky, but there is one m
in Washington who will never carry o
again for good luck. Washington 20