The times., 1899-03-19

visited from seven to ten days before. The
affair was beyond comprehension from any
other view point. So, when Mr.. Roth got
letter the following day from a place nine
days ahead of him-a letter protesting sur
prise at the small amount of matter the
managers had noticed along their route.
Mr.. Roth did not take time to explain or
resign. He simply quit.
Harry Luckstone, one Of the comedians
seen in Sousa's comic opera, The Bride
Elect" is an inveterate gambler in land
values. He is utterly unable TO resist any
thing that looks like a good real estate
speculation, and, in consequence, is load
ed up with lots representing nearly all the
States and Territories in the Union. About
two years ago Mr.. Luckstone reached a
boom town. way out beyond the Rocky
Mountains. He had been told of the fab
ulous fortunes that had been made in
property there and determined to get his
share. He was met at the station by a
typical boomer" who drove blackboard
and pair, in which the entertainer was
taken to see the most eligible site in
town.
The agent finally reached and exhibited
a lot on the side of a steep hill. He also
gave long Grafton about some beautiful
view, claiming that it would soon treble
the value of the land. Mr.. Luckstone look
ed at it and said: why, that strip is set
up edgeways. You never could build a
house there and if you did you couldn't
reach il unless you used balloon. But
I'll tell you what I'll do. Ill buy that lot
If you mention one single advantage that
it possesses"
The boomer" sputtered grew red in
the face, and finally roared: Advantage,
Great Scott, man, Look at its dra .nage!"
Some one who does not seem especially
anxious to have his name printed in con-
nection with the incident is telling a very
good story on Beatrice Moreland, one of
the Grand's headliners for the coming
week Miss Moreland is fond of oddities
and eccentricities so that no surprise need
grow out of the statement that she rather
believes opals TO be lucky stones. This
opinion is probably grounded on no firmer
basis than the fact that everyone else is
rather afraid of the gems, and, according
to the reconteur named above it came
dangerously near being lost some months
ago while the fair vaudevillian was in San
Francisco.
Miss Moreland was appearing at the
0rpheum Theatre and had attracted con-
siderable attention. Incidentally she had
met number of nice people and one of
these-a gentleman who had just returned
from Mexico-learned of her preference for
opals and presented her with a very large
one. The native who had sold him the
pebble had claimed that it was the largest
ever held in his Republic and the donor
was sure that Miss MoresE2d would he
glad to add il to her collection The actress
was immensely pleased with her gift. She
had a leathern purse made for the jewel
and carried it around with her unset. 1t
would have made her completely happy
but for one thing. Just before parting
fst, tlxa foII
on the hard pavement and broke his leg.
Miss Moreland was very sorry, of course.
and sent the unfortunate a big bunch of
flowers, but attached no significance TO the
accident. She was worried, however, when
on the first day that she carried the pres
ent with her she slipped on bit of peel
ing and injured her ankle Worry in
creased on the following afternoon when
the comedienne, whose health had always
been of the best, was seized with an at
tack OF grip. and Miss Moreland became
positively terrified on the next morning
when her manager, whom she had always
considered most kind, cancelled her con-
tract because of her unavoidable absence.
This chapter OF misfortunes was sue
ceeded by one even worse. Miss More
lands maid, on whom she was completely
dependent, ran away from her with num-
ber of new dresses. a locket which the
player valued highly was lost, and SO many
like affairs happened that finally there
seemed but one thing which could be
blamed for the sudden run OF bad luck
the opal. The opinion formed, it grew In
strength every moment until the sick
woman's mania was to get rid of the jewel.
All her former love for the scintillant gems
vanished, and on her first day out of bed
she had cab called and hied her to
shop on Market Street, where she intended
to see about exchanging the unlucky stone
for diamond or a ruby. SO nervous was
she that, when the proprietor of this place
examined the opal closely she was half
afraid he saw misfortune in 1t and decided
that in case he refused the proposed trade
she would give il TO him. Certainly she
would never have anything more TO do
with the Mexican devils eye"
The jeweler did look at the ornament
full five minutes before he spoke. Then
he glanced up and addressed Miss More
land half suspiciously and almost gruffiy:
4 can't do anything with this" he said.
Its not an opal, but cheap imitation"
So the actress lost in a word the value of
the gift, but her faith in the gems was re-
stored 10 her. That's all.