Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1894-08-23
A FRENCH JONAH.


X Il no wonder that men who fol
low the races believe in "hoodoosT
and "jouahs.~ There are people who.
when about to make a bet will turn
away from a bookmakers stand when
they see a ''hoodoo- in front of it. In
tending To bet on n certain horse they
change their plans instantly. and
would not touch that horse with a ten
foot pole when they learn that q
Jonah has made a bet on him They
condemn their luck when they meet
the '-hoodoo, and they SILVER when
they see him making a bet for fear il
should be on their horse.
Now the writer does not believe in
"hoodoos.- but he does know a mar
who has an astonishing faculty for al
ways being on the wrong thing. He
Is well known to the public a.
an opera singer. BORN where the
sun shines with warmth. his heart
CLOVIS with enthusiasm His friends
like him for his excrSs Of citation when
he Is cheerful. and for his deep.
full. enshrouding despair when he Is
gloomy. They like him because he Is
50 warmly attached ~ his friends. and
50 satanically opposed TO his enemies.
They admire his enthusiasm. they are
proud Of his loyalty, they delight in
his singing. and they applaud his faith
in the impossible. But they weep
when he tries 70 pick a winner.
A man who does not often go to the
racetrack meets him early in the sea
son He stands against a supporting
post Of the grandstand. A melancholy
light plays on his dark face, and deep
fire burns in his eye There is a sad.
reminiscent expression around his
plant mouth.
How are you. siguor; what luck?-
say his friend
Il sue them. he briefly
sue them sue whom
1T ees robbair-e. he cast
ing his dark glance longingiy in the
direction u Sing sing
What iss
Yes. he said. with . deep sigh. L
bet on Faithle>~ After I get nv ticket
they scr-r-r-ateh him, Yes. I get not
even any money for nv run. All. ba,
I sue them
Making another trip n the track. the
friend finds the Signor pacing the walk
after the first race. His eve is cleaning
savagelv. Now and then he catches
his breath quickly His dark face l.
almost pale.
All, ha~ he cries, dramatically.
catching sight of his friend. have you
seen him
Seen him
Yes. nv horse. He ees n sure wecner
and he has beer leave at the post, That
star-rr-ter, All. Ia, He can not star-rrt
horSe-carSr
face has changed. A bright light
flashes from his we. his mouth Is
wreathed with smiles. and his white
teeth show brilliantly a. his lips part
in ecstasy.
All signor. You have won a betg-
Yes. I nave ween. He ees a sure
thing know il we'll. have a ticket
in the mutu-eL
Two minutes later a black cloud OBJ
seHres his brow His eyes have a steely
glitter.
All. ha' Have you seen it, he cries.
Seen what
That mutu-el ticket. he SAYS. grind
ing hfs teeth. "He pay me t~hirty-fve
cents. All the world buy him
Vet another day and another track
ind the uudaunted signor, faithful to
his passion. at the track.
All, ha- he cries, with a burning
glance. have you seen it,"
I Just got here, si.aor Haven't
seen anything
~~Atropine, Have you seen him. He
hurt his leg in the race. and | have bet
on him,
Still another time the signor and his
friend meet. This time it is not at the
raeetraek. hut in Broadway. He is
striding along with IN inpatient step.
His arm swings rapidly, his lips are
closed tightly. the fire in his eve is
deep red.
All a be cries, espying his friend.
aud elutehing his arm in a fierce grip,
-have you seen ito
haven seen a thing to-day, signor.
Too busy to see anything. What is itg-
Il have the teeth-ache,- he saws
grimly- Il can not go to the track.
And here-have you seen it, All. ha.
fhees banknote when at feefty to one.
feefty u one
We'll, I know. signor. but
"Ah. ha, but eef have gone I have
ten dollars on him lie was dade sure.
dade sure. My teeth ache have cost
me i've numbered dollar.
Poor siguor." as his friends have
said. we love him for the bets he has
lost
But with undaunted courage. un-
.wavering faith and a hope that shines
eternal he goes and goes andy.
u. Tribune.