Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-23
III.
THE CLINK OF THE SHOE.

So many old families have legends of th
strange portents which herald the approach
ing dissolution of one of their members tha
il is strange to find similar experience
among the ranks of the middle class, ant
vet, though this curious instance has M
romantic old family mansion TO act as
background to the scene, no long backward
line of titled ancestors whose crimes or mis-
fortunes may have been the cause of tht
portent, vet the story is equally true, ant
known by as many credible witnesses a:
ever stood sponsors for more antique
legends.
The scene of the strange occurrence is an
essentially unromantic one, it being 6
street, which, for the sake of a name, may
be termed Dumtries street, situated within
the immediate vicinity of Finsbury Park.
No. 81 Dumfries street was occupied by
a young couple who had only entered the
bonds of matrlmony some eighteen months.
- James Dawson, the husband, was a smart
Young fellow, employed as canvasser for
advertisements by a firm in the nelghbor-
hood of Fleet street, which made that
branch Of business speciality.
James Dawson had returned from his
work, after long and wearying round,
which, however, had not proved unsuccess-
f1l, and he consequently was in high spirits.
Mrs Dawson, a pretty little brown-eyed
woman, had prepared something comforta-
Bile for supper, and, as they were partaking
of it, amused her husband by repeating to
him the adventures of the day.
"Do YOU know, jim" said she, ''that I
lost si1pence today"
Dear me, little woman" laughed he, as
he filled himself a glass OF ale from the
brown Toby Jug, 'that is a terrible loss.
Fortunately l made good many sixpences
this morning, which will balance the ac-
count
"I was going down Westgreen road, I"
continued Mrs. Dawson, 'tand had six
pence in my hand, with which L was going
TO buy bottle of vinegar for the cucumber,
when, all of a sudden, horse in a hanson
cab, which was walking slowly along the
that 1 dropped the sixpence out of my
hand and it rolled down gulley hole.
''What made the horse fall?'' asked Mr..
Dawson, who appeared to be very little in
terested in the loss of the money
81 am sure don't know" answered his
wife, though L did hear some men say
what a shame it was to drive beast about
with loose shoe"
"a loose shoe?" repeated Mr. Dawson,
growing suddenly pale. did you hear it
60 clink, chnk, as the animal walked
sIong?"
81 cannot say that did," returned his
wife.
Thank heavenr muttered Dawson, and
returned with fresh ,yigor to the discussion
of mis- supper.
- leor
tie woman, and had noticed her husbands
momentary uneasiness.
"Why, jim" observed she, "you seemed
TO be quite frightened at the idea of loose
shoe. :"
And well 1 NAV be-" answered he, ''for
it is a sound which always means i'll luck to
me and mine. Do you remember how my
father died?"
Eyes, he was killed in railway accident
on the Underground, poor fellow" replied
Mrs. Dawson.
''Yes, but don't YOU know what took him
into the Underground. a mode of travelling
which he always hated. He had an impor-
tant engagement in the city, and was driv-
ing to it in a hanson cab, when all at once the
driver opened the trap, and said, L beg
pardon, guv'nor, but would you mind tax
ing another cab, one of my nag's shoes is
1OOse, anu III dlTdlu Vi ldDllug ueI. MY
father was bit impatient at times Il see
l am just opposite harrington street sta
tion, sald he, so will go by train, and not
trust myself to any more improperly shod
horses He did so, and met his death on
his way to Moorgate street"
''How sad" returned his wife "But I
can't for the life of me see that the loose
shoe had anything to do with it,
why you are quite wicked little un-
believer" retorted Dawson. "Didn't lose
a splendid chance of an engagement with
jenkins and Riddles, because L was late for
my appointment owing to one of the bus
horses falling down, and my being pitched
of the roof into a scavengers' cart. Well,
that horse tripped because it had one of its
shoes loose"
'Lor', Jim," said Mrs Dawson, opening
her eyes in extreme wonder 81 never heard
Of such thing as that before"
''It's true, tor all that" replied her hus-
band; ''but remember / amt proud of it a
bit. Great swells may be precious proud
OF their omens and warnings, but to the
honest workingman, who has his living to
get, and good little wife to provide for,
such things come uncommon uncomfort-
able, | can tell you.''
Mrs. Dawson thought so, too, but being
wise little woman in her wav, she endeay-
ored to turn the conversation, and began to
talk about some of her neighbors in Dunn
tries street. whose sayings and doings did
not meet with her appreciation.
L dare say they are bad lot, little
woman, answered her husband, ''and if L
could only manage it, I'd like to clear clean
out OF London, and have nice little place
In the country, with garden, and chickens
and pigs. L can't tell YOU how tired am
of this blessed town, where everybody
seems trying to take the bread out of every-
body else's mouth"
'Oh, wouldn't that be lovely" exclaimed
Mrs Dawson, clasping her hands in ecstasy,
but don't you think you would find it a
bit dull, Jim, after your clubs, and YOUR
concerts, and your don't know whats?''
Not L, my dear, returned Dawson, 'T
should soon find something to do in the
country, and If Uncle Bob would only do
half OF what he has often promised, the
thing would not be impossible after ALL I
Some two days after this conversation
Mr.. Dawson returned home with face in
which decorous feeling of sorrow was
mingled with an expression of exultation.
~ has come at last, my dear" he said,
sinking into chair
what has ccme, Jim?" demanded his
wife, turning pale with apprehension. "a
horse shoe hasn' got you turned out of
your place do hope"
'No, no, it is quite different from that.
answered her husband. "Poor Uncle Bob
has gone-quite suddenly, too, and has not
forgotten me"
Poor dearp' exclaimed Mrs. Dawson.
why, the last time he was here he was
quite hale and hearty, and ate, L remember
now, shilling's worth of mullins and four
pennyworth of shrimps, to say nothing of
watercress and bread and butter"
'Ah, well, he won't eat any more mullins,
her husband; "the poor fellow was
taken off quite sudden like
Tell me how it was, Jim," said Mrs
Dawson, with that appetite for horror which