Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-08-21
THE FOOT OF A RABBIT.
A WASHINGTON MAN WHO CARRIED
ONE FOR GOOD LUCK.

He Fell Down Stairs. His Wife Became
Ill, Case Was Decided Against Him,
and for Whole Week Everything Went
sVrong-Then He Threw 1t Away.
If n man ever tells you there is luck in
rabbits foot, believe him if you want
to, but don't let him, under any circun-
stances, present you with one as a
souvenir to carry for luck. If he at
tempts it, be sure it is because he has a
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 the quintessenee
OF misfortune, and its possessor is hol-
low eyed picture Of despair, whose every
movement has been productive of calam-
itous results.
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 i'll luck has chung to him with the
grasp of the old man of the sea, and
cannot be shaken off
AN UNHEEDED WARNING.
lie came into the possession of the
furry article which wrecked his happi-
ness IL somewhat peculiar manner. It
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.
4 third friend who was standing by re-
marked at the time: ''If [ were you
I ~.
| could. It's certain to bring i'll luck.
am usually not superstitious, but I
wouldn't carry one for a thousand dol
lars"
The pessimist was heartily laughed at
for his foolishness, and ridicuIed as
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 a time, and when he
finally fell into fitfuI 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 a burden
aot lsIl- in,
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 not
find any of the correspondence he de-
sired, and this made him more angry.
Finally he thought again of the rabbits
foot. ''It must be that" he soliloquized,
but I'll keep it 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 wife was
sick, and SO the doctor had two patients |
instead of one. Sunday night was but |
repetition of the previous one, filed with |
BAD dreams, and when the morning |
lawned 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 it |
2n the sidewalk. In a moment he felt like |
/ new man, and his former buoyancy of |
spirits returned. But, alas, fate had more |
in store for him. and he had |
lot proceeded half q square before a col |
)red urchin touched him on the arm and, |
holding the fatal rabbits foot toward |
lim, said, I seen you drop it, sir, and / |
hought you might want it,
There it was, confronting him like a |
nemesis. 1t would have been easy to hay =
old the boy to keep it, but he did not DO
his, and moodily walked down to his Of |
ice. The day was succession of un-
ucky events. He did not receive con
iderable sum of money he confidently |
an important case in which he
lad a large contingent fee was decided |
lgainst him, and his clerk was taken i'll, |
% that 1t became necessary for his en-
,loyer to do his own work, which he man |
lged to get through at late hour with
he assistance of a stenographer and |
His wife was considerably worse when
lie returned home and he was compelled
o remain up all night with her. The
est Of the week was repetition of the
wo days he had passed. When Satur-
,nxious about his wife's health, for she
vas dangerously i'll, and there were
rave fears as to her recovery. His busi-
less had gone wrong and every thing he
lid seemed to turn out exactly opposite
0 what he desired.
Then he determined to get rid of that
nfernal rabbits foot. Its influence had
contributed great deal to
lis m0roseness, and he was well nigh i'll.
nto the stove he threw the foot and
watched it burn with considerable pleas
ire. He was rid of it at last.
Strange to relate, his wife began to i'm
'rove. He felt on better terms with
imself and his life returned to its nor
nal channels. 1t may be that a rabbits
oot is not unlucky. but there is one man
n u ashington who VIII never carry one
gain fsr good luck.-W ashington Post.