The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-07-27
4 DRvMMER,s sroRY Of LUCK
How One Out ofWork Made d Ten
Strike Almost Against His Will.

Strike Almost Against His Will.
Four commercial men. one of them
employed by a, firm of jewellers in this
city, were swapping stories in a hotel
UP the state the other evening and
gradually drifted into experiences IN
volving luck. When the jewelry mans
turn came his eyes twinkled as he
brushed the ashes from HIS cigar with
finger encircled by a diamond ring.
and rather lazily got into position, for
his innings. k,s& SfsRSf
ION the subject OF luck he began,
II suppose l have right to say some-
thing, inasmuch as the stroke Of my
life was made inside of three days and
without the use of dollar of capital.
In 1885 the firm l was working for in
little inland town went to the wan.
and without weeks notice l was left
without leg to stand on When my
bills were settled had barely enough
left to get out of town. but decided to
60 to New York, where wasn't known,
and begin life over aagin.
During the ride along the Hudson l
became interested in the talk of two
men just behind me, who discussed
business matters and referred incident
ally to an important manufacturing
site to be sold in certain real estate
ONCE in New York at noon the next
day. It was said that some western
man wanted the site, which was re-
garded the best in the east for their
purpose, and that New York firm had
planned to shut them out by buying
the property at any cost. The west
erners were thought to be equally de-
termined to get the property.
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 had rendered trifiing serv-
ices. 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 was
in no haste, I did not rise to put on
my overcoat until the train stopped.
noticed that the woman had dropped a
small handbag, but before l could get
1t and put on my overcoat she was
outside the car. ! hurried out to see
her disappear into carriage and hear
her call out: oh, my handbag and
diamonds! Before the alarm had gone
further placed the bag in her hands
and explained that she had dropped
it in the car. She almost overwhelmed
me with thanks. in which her husband
who was present. Joined.
eve owe you more than you know.
SIR he said, ignoring my attempt to
withdraw, and must In some way
repay your kindness. Our carriage is
in the way here and there Is no time to
talk. Is there anything to prevent your
taking dinner with US? IL not step
into the carriage
Before ! could collect my wits to
make suitable protest we were being
bowled away and woman was reiterat-
ing her relief and gratitude. A few
minutes later we were received at the
door of residence on one of the ave-
nues and my host was saying. This is
my son. sir-but shall have to ask
your name, Whereupon gave him a
card
"'The name OF an old friend of mine.
he declared as he read it: i knew him
in Nj county
Possibly my father ] said: he
lives at Stratford in that county.
"The very same. am sure he
went on: we were at school together
And Jared thereafter as an old ac-
quaintance.
ut came out during dinner that the
diamonds had been worn by the woman
at 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 was late
and spoke OF going. but was led to
admit that my time was my own and
1t was soon settled. somewhat to my
dismay, that for day or two at least
1 must be guest Of the family. Next
InOTulHS WE'LL WIFI lily uOSI " HIS
place Of business and found that he was
dealer in jewelry. AS noon approached
I thought Of the real estate sale ana
spoke Of the matter to my host.
"'What! You interested in that sale?'
he said in a tone Of surprise. Let's go
over; it's just across the street
1--WE crossed and caused some COM
ment, ] thought. as we entered the
place. The bidding seemed rather slow,
but gradually run up to $4,000. At
that point the auctioneer glanced over
in my direction. and. scarcely aware
what was doing. nodded.
IA hundred and forty he shouted.
and few minutes later the property
was knocked down at that figure. Be-
fore l could recover from my amaze
ment or reply to the auctioneer's re-
quest for the purchasers name, the
door opened and a man rushed in and
asked whether the sale was over and
who was the buyer. When was point
ed out he approached. looked me over
rather loftily and said:
~ - .