The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-29

smIte the bar man. hip and thigh, but
IN the general spirit Of destruction which
seized him, he went on and wrecked the
place. That saloon was as mixed a mess
as the grab bag at a church soclable,
when the wronged one Of the rickeY
rested from his labors.
At the emergency hospital, where busy
skillful doctors Strengthened the kinks
and set the broken bones OF the devasta-
ted mixer Of drinks, a canny newsgath-
crer looked on.
The battered man Of battles attributed
his darkened destinies TO the opal, ana
told his story. He said he must get rid
Of It; he was certain to die, he said, il
iii take it," said the man OF news.
papers. THE opal hasn't been built that
can throw me down"
That evening the newspaper person was
actively present where five persons en-
gagged in the pastime known as draw
poker. He was one Of the quintette. To
show his contempt for such fiends as
might attend upon the opal, he broughu
What happened to him? Not much.
truly. The other four didn't do a thing
to him, but beat flush, a full and three
Of kind twice, which he held; and all
in rapid succession.
given orders on his pay four weeks ahead.
Thus stood the newsman at the end %
the first hour. He was bewitched by tho
nm hag-ridden," he said, getting up.
Il can't win a splinter until get rid %
this opal. Ray IOur-hanueQ awhile, and
I'll go out on the street and break It or
on some fellow 1 don't like. I'll come
back as soon as ] do and see If can'k
win myself out of the hole"
So the newspaper man wendell and lefe
the four lucky ones to play on.
Before he had walked a block from the
rooms where the game was going he had
found his man. 1t was friend who juss
then trembled on the brink OF wedlock.
u don't want you to keep this opal.
Bill" said the newspaper man, because
it would down you. It's bad luck and has
caused three deaths, a conflagration and
a bankruptcy in the last three months.
But here's what you do: Take this fatal
opal to the jewelers. and trade 1t in for =
clock and half a dozen spoons for the
lady It's worth twenty. cases and you
ought to get that much for 1t. But don'g
keep 1t, Bill; it'l saw your leg Off, sure"
Bill was very grateful. He wasn't much
afraid Of an opal at its worst; and cer-
tainly It couldn't do much harm before
he'd get to the jewelers. with it.
But you might better go now" re-
marked the newspaper man. THE stores
are still open and / wouldn't give II any
time to get in its worst work. That's a
pretty swift opal, and gets action rather
lively"
Bin concluded to go at once. He would
act on the suggestion and get a clock. II
there was anything over, spoons would do.
Bill wheeled into the store and submitted
the venomous opal 10 the man in charge.
He placed the opal in his experienced
hands.
You amt afraid Of opals asked Bill.
MOI At All QetlditQ the JeWEker-
Then whatH you allow me on that in
trader"
The jeweler looked at the opal critically.
I'D give YOU nothing ct all on that" re-
sponded the man Of trade. That's not an
opal; never was; never VIII be-
"What then?" said Bill, some what CREST
fallen
Its Just glass; replied the store man.
'fnere glass"
And such was the fact and the truth.
Now Benson, the barkeeper, and the news
paper man are busy formulating theories
to, explain their troubles. This is true
tale.