The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-22
UNLUCKY NUMBER THIRTEEN.
1t Blasted Robert Parker's Life and
He Stunned 1t as One Would a
Plague.
From the Philadelphia Times.

Plague.
From the Philadelphia Times
Atlanta, Ca, Dec. 9-To-day one of the
many visitors to the exposition was an
old man whose forlorn appearance made
him noticeable. His hair was white and
his face thin and weather-beaten His
trousers and coat were fringed at the bot
tom from age and wear, and his hat was
scarcely better. Many paused to glance
at him, and many would have smiled
lightly and passed on but for the sad
expression which held at bay every smile
intended as .1eer; He was stranger
to every one. All glanced then paused to
look closer and wonder who he was and
whence he came; and all were puzzled
to know why he entered the grounds
for from early morning until evening
he sat in the same seat on bench near
the lake, looking indifferently about him
and taking no interest in anything what
Towards evening" when a cool breze
sprang up, the old man shuddered and
drew together over his chest the ragged
fronts of his coat. Just at this moment
a pleasant-faced, dignified kindly dis
posed old gentleman dropped down beside
him, at the same time thrusting bill
in his hand. The destitute mortal looked
up in surprise, glanced at the ten-dollar
note, pressed cordially and tearfully the
donors hand, and at the same time re-
turned the money.
nation, and 1t was given, by request of
course, for the poor old man did not look
capable OF volunteering any information
about himself or any one else.
The unfortunate old man pointed to the
number 1913 on the note and shook his
head with a painful sigh. After a mo-
ment he said slowly:
Nothing on earth with the number 10
on il for me. That number is poison to
me. To that / with at its right l owe
a lifetime of misery. Superstitious? Yes i;
but not until that number made me So
When you have an experience like mine
you will be superstitious also Years ago
six girls and seven boys were left or
phans Being stout-hearted and fond of
each other they chung together, and man
aged fairly well for a time. But after
awhile everything seemed to go wrong
and such dreadful luck followed as rarely
visits one family at the same time The
boys and girls not only looked for but
begged for work, but without success.
There were thirteen of them, and they
lived in a house numbered 1873 They
sometimes thought of this, but fought
against any belief in It.
After falling In every undertaking, they
formed a dramatic club. secured cheap
house and played several nights in their
town. Having many acquaintance they
were patronized to fiattering extent
Ere they had played two weeks the lead
ing lady. the oldest sister, and best in
the troupe. slipped down the poorly-ar-
ranged trap-door and died from the inju-
This broke up the troupe. until the
wolf al the door drove them forth again
to laugh, sing and dance, In spite on
the ache IN their hearts. OF course an
The sister. for not one OF the sisters want
q 10 take her role. They played night
after night and made ten tines more than
they had ever dreamed Of Thus encourag-
~ thsy planned tour through the states
a nlzkf 81 two and ia fairly wen sn"''' 10Y
Finally they reached New Odeans
insy &0i IA ~ midnight, n a ralnstorm,