The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1895-02-07
a eRehesi JoMAM.
,ev.,a,h,as M pas Ms ,fsaey' = "a VITA

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everything III PIT MS MONEY oa WIS
Sure to- Fall Deatg -
II is no wonder that MEN who "fol-.
low the rsfccs-' bslieye. in W 1'llc;eAfoca
and ..ionahs. = There are people who,
when about to make a bet viii turn
awgay from 8. bookmakers stand when
thew see "hoodoo' in front OF ist En-
tending TO- bet on certain horse they
change their plans instantly. ana
would NOT touch that horse with ten y
foot pole, when they learn that .
.iionahv has made bet on him. They
/ condemn their luck when they meet
the "hoodoo," and they shiver when
they see him making a bet for fear Is
should be on their horse.
Now the writer does not believe IN
s.hoodoos," but he does know q msn
who has an astonishing faculty for al.
ways being on the wrong thing He
is well known to the public as
an opera singer Born where the
sun shines with warmth, his heart
glows with enthusiasm. His friends
like him for his excess Of citation when
he is cheerful. and for his deep, mourn
,fnl. enshrouding despair when he IS
gloomy. They like him because he is
SO warmly attached to his friends, and
so 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. hut they weep
when he tries to pick winner.
A man who does not often 20 to che
racetrack meets him early in the sea-
son. He stands against o supporting
post OF the grandstand. A melancholy
light plays on his dark face, and deep
FIRE burns in his eye. There is sad,
reminiscent expression around his
plant mouth.
'.How are you, signor; what luck7'
says his friend.
'I sue them," he answers, briefly.
''Sue them? Sue whom?"
at ees robbairee," he answers, east
ing his dark glance lonRinGly In tho
direction Of Sing Sing.
: ''What is?'
i "Yes," he said. with deep sigh, II
bet on Faithless. After get my ticket
they scr-r-r-atch him. Yes, get not
even any money for my run. All, ha!
I sue them &
. Making another trip TO the track, the
friend finds the signor pacing the walk,
after the first race. His eye is cleaning
savagcly. Now. and then be catches
his breath quickly. His dark face is
almost pale.
"Ah, ha! he cries. dramatically,
catching sight Of his friend, "havs you
seen ,him?''
seen him?"
Eyes, my horse. He ees q sure wecncr,
and he has been leave at the post! That
star-r-r-ter! All, ha! He can not star-r-rt
hcrse-cars!"
Yet another time, and the signor's
face has changed. A bright light
flashes from his eye, his mouth is
wreathed with smiles, end his white
teeth show brilliantly as his lips part
in ecstasy.
''Ah, signor, you have won bet?'
ayes, l have ween. He ees sure.
thing. Iknow it we'll. Ihave ticket
in the mutu-el."
Two minnt es. later black cloud OBJ
scures his brow. His eyes have stsely
glitter. .ss
"Ah, hal Have you seen lt7" he cries.
.'Seen what?"
THAT mutu-el ticket, " he seys, grind
ing his teeth. "Hc pay mo thirty.ave
cents! All the world buy him.
Yet another day and another track
find the undaunted signor. faithful TO
his passion, at the track.
"Ah, ha" he cries, with burning
glance, have you seen it?"
Il just got here, signor Haven't
seen anything"
''Atropine! Have you seen hin7 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 attic
racetrack, but in Broadway. He is
gstriding along with an impatient step.
His. arm swings rapidly, his lips are
closed tightly, the fire in his eye is
deep red. ....,.......o
"Ah, ha!" he cries, espying his friend,
and clutching his arm in fierce grip,
shave You seen it?"
Haven't seen thing to-day, signor.
Too bpsyt to see anything. What is it?"
s. 81 have the teeth-ache," he says
grimly. II can not 60 to the track.
And, here-have you seen it?. All, ha!
Thees banknote when at feefty to one,
feefty to one!"
well, know, signor, but
"Ah, ha! but eef have gone have
ten dollars on him. He was dade sure,
dade sure! My. teeth ache have cost
me FIVE numbered dollars"
Poor signor." as his friends have
said, 1--WE love him for the bets he has
lost!''
But with undaunted courage, I'M
wavering faith and hope that shines
eternal he goes and goes and---!-N
Y. Tribune.
A Desperate Case.
A.. Z. ~