The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-14
a DRUMMER,s STORY oFLUCK.
How ono out of Work Made Ten
Strike Almost Against his Will.

Wy tHe state the OlHer evening uuQ
gradually drlfted 10 experiences inyolv-
Ing luck. When the jewelry mans turn
came his. eyes twinkled as he brushed
the ashes from his cigar with q finger
cIrcled by diamond ring. and rather
lazily got into position for his innings.
"On the subject OF luck" he began. 81
suppose have q right to say something.
inasmuch as the stroke OF my lie was
made inside OF three days and without
the use of a dollar OF capital. In 1885
the firm l was working for in little
inland town went to the wall. and with
out q weeks notice was left without
leg to stand on. When my bills were
settled had barely enough to get gu.
OF town. but decided to go to New York.
where wasn't known, and begin lie
over again.
During the ride along the Hudson I
became interested in the talk OF two
men just behind me, who discussed bu-
siness matters and referred incidentally
to an important manufacturing site 10
be sold in n certain real estate office in
New York at noon the next day. It
was said that some western men want
ed the site. which was regarded the best
In the east for theIt purpose. and that
New York firm had planned 10 shut
them out by buying the property at any
cost. The westerners were thought 10
be equally determined TO get The prop
erty.
Beyond this conversation the only
cause OF interruption in my rather
dreary reflections was somewhat
stout. middle-aged woman who sat just
ahead of me. and TO whom two or three
times rendered trifling services. As We
entered New York there was the usual
furry OF preparations to leave the train.
and the stout woman was among the
first OF the passengers to be lined up in
the aisle. AS l was in no haste, l did
not rise to put on my overcoat until the
train stopped. noticed that the woman
had dropped small handbag, but be-
fore could get II and put on my over
coat she was outside the car. l hurried
out to see her disappear into . carriage
and hear her call out, oh, my hand
bag and dlamonds!' Before the alarm
had gone further placed the bag In her
hands and explained that she had drop
ped 1t in the car. She almost over
whelmed me with thanks. in which her
husband. who was present, Joined.
I'VE owe you more than you know.
sir. he said. ignoring my attempt to
withdraw, and must In some way re-
pay your kindness. Our carriage IS In
the way here and there Is 10 time TO
talk. Is there anything to prevent your
taking dinner with us? II not step into
the carriage 80
Before l could collect my wits to
make suitable protest, We were being
bowled away and the woman, was reit-
Grating her relief and gratitude \ few
m In Ia sat 4.
door of residence on one OF the ave-
nues and my host was saying. This is
my son, s!r-bus I shall have to ask
your name Whereupon gave him
card. 4
The name Of an old friend OF mine
he declared as he read it; I knew him
in NJ county
Possibly my father sa!d 'he lives
at Stratford. in that county.
The very same. / am sure lie went
on; we were at school together. And
Jared thereafter as an old acquaintance.
1T came out during dinner that the
diamonds had been worn by the woman
at a wedding she had been attending
and were Very valuable. The family
seemed to rejoice particularly, however.
over their escape from the publicity
usually attending the loss Of such jew
els. At the close OF the meal the hour
was late and l spoke Of going. but was
led TO admit that my time was my own,
and II was soon settled. somewhat 10 my
dismay, that for II day or two at least.
l must be CUES: OF the family. Next
morning l went with my host TO his
place of business and found that he was
dealer IL jewelry. AS noon approach
ed l thought OF the real estate sale and
spoke or the matter 20 my host.
What. you interested IN that SALE
he said In tone of surprise Let's go
over: It's just across the street.
We crossed and caused some COM
ment, I thought, as we entered the
place. The bidding seemed rather slow.
but gradually ran up 10 $lS9,OOO. At that
point the auctioneer glanced over In my
direction. and. scarcely aware what
vas doing. l nodded.
"A hundred and forty he shouted,
and few minutes later the property
was Knocked down at that figure. Be-
| fore | could recover from my amaze
mcnt or rcplr to the auctionecr's reaues,
| for the purchasers name. the door
| opened and man rushed in and asked
whether the sale was over aud who was
the buyer. When l was pointed out he
| approached. looked me over rather loft
| lily and said:
"'Rep-escnt the St. Louis men, l sup
pose
NO. sir I said. with a meekness that
| he appeared TO mistake for indifference.
The devil You don't he retorted,
cycling sus7iclously the 5eweller who
| stood beside me. What do you want of
the property, then? Going to sell. eh?'
Possibly. was all could say.
Come aside here he resumed, in
milder tone. rs he motioncd To the auc-
tioneer to wait. I want to talk to you.
| see you understand the situation and
| wan; 10 make something. | got caught
in blockade downtown or YOU would
| not have had the chance-you may bet
on that
Il left the place with $4,000 check
In my vest pocket without having my
name appear once In the transaction.
| and for the rest OF the day ms mind
was almost an absolute blank. l vaguely
, recall tha; my jewcller friend told me
| he had been authorized to buy the
property. II it went right. and mean. 10
| bid. but that | had forcstalted him. Il
was supposed that l bid for him and
when he saw the situation he made me
| held out for the ten thousand
| The next day ne offered 10 take me
into his business. and fearful lest my
| iii5iie! HIiE III NiElSn bs some uneirthly
means, became his junior partner
without even looking up his financial
rating. Tie venture proved lucky one.
Not long aftcrwacd became his SON.
| fn-law. And. by the way. the name of
| my tather-in-law's old friend In NJ
county wasn't mine NJ all as he thouuht
| by slip OF his memory, though the
| two were somewhat similar"
--s------
Brief, bat Significant,