Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-10-22
THAT 100 FRANCS.


travelling In Europe. We went the usual
found and after several months Of 1t found
ourselves one day at Monte Carlo. We Wis
tied the Casino, and my wife became so in
terested in watching the play that at last
sho said she would like to try her luck.
Very well,p said j, laughing, "I'll just
time you and sec how long it will take you
to lose this" And 1 got n hundred franc
note changed and placed the money in front
Of heR
The hundred francs lasted exactly half
an hour
A few weeks after this we returned to
America, aud a year later my poor wife
died.
Three years nfterward married my pres
emit wife. She had Travelled extensively In
thisoountry, but had never been in Europe,
and as she was anxious to 20, of course wo
went.
We happened to be in Nice one day, and
Clara thought she would like to SEQ Monte
Carlo, as it was 10 near. We went.
AS we entered the Casino my former
visit with my first wife suddenly required
TO my mind, and was surprised to see
Clara walk directly up to the same table
at which my first wife had played.
Clara began playing with IA few francs
which she took from her purse. She won
steudily, and n half TN hour left on play
ing and found she was the winner of exact
ly 100 francs.
This Is certainly a remarkable coinci-
dence," l reflected. How strange that my
second wife should come all the way from
America to win back the money which my
first wife lost at that identical table just
four years ngo!" told Clara about 1t as
we walked back to the hotel. She is in
clined to be superstitious, and was not
surprised when she said;
"Soncthing ought to be done with that
money John 1t seems to me that IL
doesn't belong to us, but to that poor dead
girl, and then she conceived the idea OF
sending 1t to some poor relation Of my first
wife.
AS far as know" said, "the only liv-
ing relative Is her brother Jack. You
might send it TO him If you like Constance
was very fond of him"
When we returned to New York and got
settled in our new home, my wife asked mo
for Jacks address, SO, to please her,
wrote to the lawyers In Boston who hGd
settled up the Corey estate and obtained
the address. Clara inclosed so bill in an
envelope and mailed it to Jack.
Some years previously, when Jack Corey
left Harvard and returned to his home in
Boston, his father increased his allowance
which was already more than most youth
Of his years enjoyed, and Jack, who had
been the leader OF the fast set at COLLEGE
was soon in whirl of gayety. Let him
have his fling" the old man said; she'll
soon get tired OF it and settle down"
From what have heard am Inclined to
believe that Jack was very well pleased with
this arrangement. At any rate, ut the end
Of couple Of years, when his father init
mated to Jack that it was time lie wal
thinking Of settling down. and going into
business, the boy couldn't see it in that
light exactly.
Father" he said, what is the use Of
my going into businessf You have morJ
money now than you know what to do
with, and l should only lose the capital
you propose to put up for me-
But after his fathers death Jack was
very much surprised TO find that there wal
little OF nothing left after winding up the
estate, ard then be realized what an asa
he'd been. He tried to get something 10
do, but his fathers old friends look led
askance at him, and his gay chums in pros
porous times passed him by with u cool
nod. lie fed to Chicago, presented his let
tens OF Introduction and was handsomely
received. When these now friends found,
however, that he was in search Of employ.
ment, they failed to see him on the streets,
and when approached politely told him
they could not assist him; PLEASE excuse
me. Very busy" etc.
Jacks funds ran low, his spirits kent
pace, and it was obvious that something
must be done. But Jack was easily dis
couraged, and / suspect, too, that an un-
fortunate love affair had u very depressing
influence on his mind. 1t Will hardly be
believed, but he became so desperate that
one day, having come to the end OF his re
sources, he actually determined to take his
own life. He stretched himself on his bed,
placed the ''cold muzzle' OF revolver to
his temple and cast last look around. As
he did so he noticed letter lying on the
table within reach. The handwriting was
that of u lady. 10 his establishment he
found the envelope to contain so bill
nothing else The postmark-New York
gave no olew to the sender.
well, - said Jack, putting on his hat,
"Ill put oil my departure for the present.
/ think a good dinner will be in order.n
After the death OF my first wife | had
lost sight of Jack. had written TO him
after his father died, but had not heard
from him in reply, although Jack after
ward told me he had received my letter
and answered 1t, but not hearing from me
again thought had gone back on him.
like the rest of his fair weather friends.
Well, after Jack postponed the enter
tainment,n as he expressed 1t, he made the
best OF his way TO restaurant not far
from his lodgings.
As he was about to enter the place an old
gentleman in front Of him stumbled on the
threshold and would have fallen heavily
had not Jack promptly seized him round
the waist and lifted him to his feet.
My dear sir, said the old gentleman.
you have done me great service. viii
you join me at dinneri"
with pleasure" said Jack.
MY name" said the old gentleman. sis
Stanford"
And mine is Corey"
Indeed Ionce had great friend named
Corey. Was at Harvard with him. Rem
son Corey"
MY father" murmured Jack.
"Bless my soulp' cried Mr.. Stanford.
"Glad stumbled on you. Hal hal liter
allyby Jovel But how is your flther, and
what are you doing in ChIcagos"
Jack related his adventures When he
had finished, the old gentleman said:
well IL Won will call at ~, ogua. ny