Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-01

counts to the Pacific coast papers holding
forth that there was room in the new field
Tor thousands of miners Those who were
operating mines were r1aking money. 30
there was enough truth in the reports TO
attract a large number of men. Then those
VINO had sent out the accounts bought mer-
chandise and opened the only stores and
notes there, charging four prices for
erytning. All of the field was taken up in
ciaims, there was absolutely nothing for
prpspectors, and a very limited amount OF
work Tor miners. Two of the schemers
were run out or Alaska and one is now in
jail, put tnis Is but small satisfaction as
reports say that hundreds Of victims are
entirely destitute and threatened with
actual starvation
Almost every travelling salesman has
some superstition" said l.. B. Faulkner OF
Chlcago at the Riggs. 1T is remarkable
now many carry rabbits feet potatoes or
buckeyes, and every hotel man knows
that the People who will not take a room
numbered IL are not scarce-in fact, some
hotels have no room with that number on
account OF the superstition against IT. But
my luck runs In clothes. 1 have had lucky
neckties and unlucky ones I gave away
Ihe nn"st scarfpin ever owned because
could not Sell goods when I Wore it. III
Duy new suit and business is dull when
iirst wear II. j send ii home and try an
other All of my friends call it supersti-
IT, III any article of dress attracts the
attention of customer he is not going
to give his undivided consideration to the
goods cell 1 must therefore wear moth
ing that Is especially noticeable anyway.
sun. 1t may be only a superstition OF
mine"
"one of the best judges Indiana ever
had was Silas Ramsey of Corydon.. said
}. *. Helton. prominent lawyer of In
dianapolis at the Cochran And vet his
election was joke. A very able but up-
popular lswyer received the judicial nomi-
nation, and in order to humiliate him
Ramsey was induced to run against him
ramsey was blacksmith and had proba-
Oily never opened law book in his life
he was hall fellow Well met and had
an extensive acquaintance, but, of course
had no idea Of being elected When the
votes were counted he had a majority
and II was feared that the joke would
prove very serious one. but he at once
took course at a law school, and during
the first two or thee years on the bench
conferred with able lawyers, rtserving de-
cisionS in close c;-ses until he could fully
study them and he advised upon them,
and by the close of his term he had ac-
quired an enriable reputation. The black
smiths decisions were very rarely revers-
ed by the supreme court"
Il have friend with an inventive turn
of mind" said $. l.. Broderick of Kansas
CITY at the Eobitt. THE last thing he
devised was a sort OF burglar alarm for
his safe. 1t consisted OF an electric bat
terry with strorg current so placed that
when any one touched the knob of the
cash drawer to open 1t me would receive
the fun force of the battery. He called up
his office force and told them what ne had
done and 10 be careful not to touch the
drawer until he came down. The next
morning he reached the Office earlier than
any one else, proceeded as usual to unlock
the safe, forgot all about his invention and
went to open the cash drawer HIS cashier
entered just as he turned backward
somersault and sent for a doctor After
feviving him IL was discovered that no
way had been devised for getting into the
drawer without being knocked down. and
an electrician had to be sent for 20 get the
drawer open. The burglar preyenter has
now been discarded"