The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-01-31
AN TNLUCKY NUMBER

The other day one of the many visitors
to the Atlanta exposition was an old man
whose forlorn appearance made him no
ticeabIe His hair was white and his face
thin and weather beaten. His trousers and
coat were fringed at the bottom 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 jeer He
was a stranger to every one. All glanced
then paused to look closer and wonder
who he was and from whence he came,
and all were puzzled to know why he en-
tered the grounds, for from early morning
until evening he sat in the same seat on a
bench near the lake, looking inditferently
about him and taking no interest in any
thing whatever
| Toward evening, when a cool breeze
sprang up, tine old man shuddered and
drew together over his chest the ragged
fronts of his coat. Just at this moment a
pleasant faced old gentleman dropped
down beside him, at the same moment
thrusting a bill in his hand. The man
looked up in surprise, glanced at the $40
note, pressed cordially and tearfully the
donors hand and at the same time return
ed the money.
The circumstances demanded an expla-
nation, and it 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.
He pointed to the number 1913 on the
note and shook his head with painful
sigh. After a moment he said slowly:
Nothing on earth with the number 10
on it for me. That number is fatal to me.
To that with to it's right owe a life
time of misery. Superstitious? Yes; 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 orphans.
Being stout hearted and fond of each 9th
or, they chung together and managed fair
ly we'll for time. But after while every
thing seemed to go wrong and such dread
full luck followed as rarely visits one fam
lily at the same time. The boys and girls
not only looked for but begged for work,
but without success. There were 13 of
them and they lived in a house numbered
1918. They sometimes thought of this,
but fought against any belief in it.
After failing in every undertaking, they
formed a dramatic club, secured a cheap
house and played several nights in their
town. Having many aoquaintanoes, they
were patronized to f1attering extent Ere
they had played two weeks the leading
lady, the Oldest sister and best in the
troop, slipped down the poorly arranged
trapdoor and died from the injuries.
"This broke up the troop until the
wolf at the door drove them forth again
to laugh, sing and dance in spite Of the
ache in their hearts. OF course, another
girl was chosen to fill the place of the sis
ter, for not one of the sisters wanted to
take her role. They played night after
night and made ten times more than they
ever dreamed Of Thus encouraged, they
planned tour through the States They
stopped at all the country towns for a
night or two, and did fairly we'll
"Finally they reached New Orleans
They got in at midnight, in rainstorm,
entered the first boarding house they came
to, only to find it was numbered 49, The
morrow found them trying to secure q
house, hall or something TO play at least a
week. All the playhouses were full the
bills good and prices cheap, so their first
day there dawned and closed as the last
one-darkly. Finally public hall was Sc
cured at ridiGulously high rata for two
weeks and there they played to an empty
house for three nights, and another mis-
fortune came upon them. The star con- |
traoten cold on the night of their arrival |
and it turned into pneumonia. She was
sent to the hospital to die. The leading
man, Robert Parker, had heard of Glenn |
entine DuGrO, q beautiful creole girl,
whose form, face, musical abilities and
manners generally made her the
belle of the bellies. She had appeared in
private theatricals a few times and had
made hit.
"The leading man made flattering Of
fer, and want made the mother accept it.
And so when the Thirteen Dramatic
played i charming Clemen-
tine Ducro was IT, y ar. And for her the
hall was crowded night after night The
troop had a six weeks engagement, and
when it was up they wanted to secure the |
house for four weeks longer But, owing !
% other arrangements, this could not be
lone. So they were forced to leave the {
own for other places.
"Clementine had a lover-Adolph AL '
eed; indeed, she had many, but it was {
'retty well known that he was the favored O
me- Adolph was jealous and always mis- 1
raDlo ltSb SOIuo OI6 elSe SnOulQ take her | q
rom him. He escorted her to the theater 3
be night of her first appearance and no {
yas the first to applaud. But after the a
rst scene, after the lovemaking began,
here was no more applauding from
Idolph, although the house was deafen-
1g. His eyes flashed and his hands twitch-
d nervously. But with compressed lips G
e waited until the play was over and b
hen escorted the newly risen star home. o.
lie was silent most of the way, and so was "
be. Finally she told him that Robert Par D,
or, the leading man, was to be her escort nj
le next evening. Her lover guessed as ST
uch, but did not make any reply. When 70
le door was reached, he lifted his hat CT
ON his head, bowed low and left her. Of
nd the next two evenings saw him in Isl
alone, for his sweetheart came On
I'd went with the leading man. On that Of
st evening, alter the curtain had gone -