The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-30
a RICH EXPERIENCE PAID FOR.
written for The Times.)

My first experience ut sale of un-
claimed express matter was on Saturiay,
and it will probably be my last expert
ence. / was u wise and calculating in
vestor before and during the progress of
the sale. am now n fool with lots of
experience. l put several good, round
silver dollars in my pockets, laid aside
my business affairs, and attended this
much advertised transaction. | expected
to see the room full OF Syrians. know
now that the Syrians are a wise people
But there was there, II crop of gullible
Americans whites and negroes one
hundred and fifty or more, ready 10 gam.
BILE, to be faxed, to be duptd, to get dead
broke, to sit down in snck- cloth and
ashes, and rise up again as determined ms
ever.
The express people managed the thing
we'll; they acted fair and impartial, and
turned Jhe..packages over to the pure hnser
(after the sale just as they had come il. to
the hands Of the company. The auctoneer
was genius not imported. however lie
grew somewhere near at hand, and was
very prolific and voluble. He drank
HUGE droughts of butter milk from Il bot
tie to prevent hoarseness. Every time he
performed THIS soothing act the crowd
cheered. The auctioneer was in their eyes
the hero of the hour.
Several packages were rattiel of and
found myself getting excited. Those
good, round silver dollars began to nurn
III my pockets, and | threw out Il bid 1t
was nice looking package and had the
appearance of a book, and am very fond
OF books. obtained the parcel and be-
gan to feel elated. | was In the swim
for the time being Two more likely
looking packages were taken III and | now
had the fever good. | felt like buying
everything offered, and the only thing
that prevented this blind speculation was
the lack of what our disuuisitive police
justice calls ''emoIuments - But when
long, plainly-made box was handed up
and SAW the men who lifted it strain
under the load and shake their heads
knowingly, conceived the time to he
ripe for a golden stroke. | bid promptly
and decidedly ami got the box. The ey-
press people looked at me AS though they
knew had u bargain.
| had up to this time bought articles to
suit only myself. In my rapture | now
thought OF my wife, and conceived the
idea that scme of the pretty packages
might contain rich dress pattern, brio
a-brac, or other useful househ articles
! bud one in and stopped. 'Emoluments"
were exhausted, but | was happy as
coulu ne anu as lnuulsiliNc us a woman.
was half crazy TO see the inside OF the
parcels, espt cially the heavy box, and !
knew MRS. f.. would he delighted with
the purchase that had made for her.
But as the rules of the sale provided that
the packages would be delivered only
when the sale closed could not he graf
flied until late in the evening. During
the whole Afternoon | was half hypno-
tizcd, and whenever my hand came in
contact with my empty pockets, | con
tented myself with the philosophical
thought that the wise adaptation of
"emolumcnts" will make one wealthy
and happy very suddenly.
The packages were sent home aud |
! found them III the hall when | went to
supper. Mrs. +. ha3 been appraised at
noon Of the investments, ard though
somewhat dubious was made Ito believe
that her package would bring much en-.