The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-10-04
The TdCiturnitu Of
No. Is.
A Story Of the Unlucky Number,
BY w. r. Rose.

The Chicago hustler was a very busv
man that September morning. He was
always a busy man, but Just now he
seemed to carry about all the steam
that could be considered safe. At least
that's the way it struck No. 13.
The Chicago man had come down as
usual to help somebody or something ont
of a tight place. When some particular
project reached a point where nobody
else could move it an inch further. they
sent for the Chicago hustler. and he
pushed it through. He was a fellow of
infinite nerve, was the Chicago man, with
q thorough contempt for money. and
that's what No. 13 particularly liked
about him. At luncheon time he would
toss No. Is Il half dollar and tell him
to fill up. No. Is knew where he could
Gil up on - cents. but he made no bones
about accepting the half dollars. And
sometimes No. Is took ride with the
hustler in a carriage. for carriages were
daily necessities with the Chicago man
When he came to Blualand, be had the
best suit of rooms that the best hotel
could provide In short, there was moth
ing too good for the man from Chicago.
When he came to Blutland, he ALWAYS
sent for No. Is.
No. Is was a model messenger bov. as
the Chicago man had speedily discover
ed. He knew the topography of the citv
as we'll as if he had laid it out. He was
walking gazetteer of commercial men
and marts. He was a quick bow. =
sure boy, and. above all, he was a boy
who rarely talked.
That's what l like about the cub"
Cnil tho (Iiaoerr
exactly what he's told to do and asks no
questions. He's one boy in a thousand.
Jnucky number? Pooh, poohl Id hire
him for that very reason if no other.
There's no blanked superstition about
your friend John Dexter"
And so every time he came to Bluff
land he telephoned over and secured the
services of No. 13 by the day. Once
they sent him another No. 10. whom he
promptly returned.
Give me the original Jacobs" he tel
ephoned to the messenger Office, "or all
is at al end between US"
He got him.
No. l3 was a medium sized boy of
perhaps II, inclining a little toward
stoutness. with large pale face and
coarse black hair. He had one other pc
culiarity besides his limited speech. He
always wore his official cap. He was
wearing it on this particular morning in
September as he stood studying a large
map that hung on the wall of the private
Office of the eminent vessel owner who
had offered the hustler the use of the
room during his stay in the city. The
eminent vessel owner and the bank pres
ident from down stairs were with the
hustler now
You see, Dexter" said the bank presi-
dent, If we don't show a clear title to
thar tract by noon today the deal with
the New York syndicate is all off. Now,
how do you stand?'
Il got options on it all yesterday after
noon all except the lot on the northeast
corner It's the property of a German
named Finkelstein, who runs little
bakery and confectionery store. I've
looked upon him as the easiest fish in the
bunch to land"
Well, land him this morning without
fail, said the bank president What
dc YOU propose to offer?"
The whole Finkclstein outfit would
be dear at $4,000" said the hustler
That's what expect to offer"
Offer him up to 100000 if you have
TO- growled the vessel owner. I'VE must
have that corner"
The eminent promoter smiled.
Trust me-" he said. I'm have him
here in 40 minutes and square him in half
the time"
lie drew forward a sheet of paper and
RAPIDLY scribbled note the vessel owner
and the bank president retiring while he
wrote.
NO. 49," he said as he addressed the
envelope. The boy came forward. Take
that to the address given and wait and
bring the answer"
The boy took the note and briskly start
ed out.
It was just 40 minutes later by the
Chicago mans infallible watch when he
returned. He was not alone. \ plainly
dressed man q little past middle axe,
with an unmiStakabe German face, was
with him. The hustler looked up as they
entered.
Mr. Finkelstein?' he half inquired.
The stranger bowed awkwardy. He
was evidently i'll at ease.
Take a chair here" said the Chicago
man. and as the stranger came forward
NJ. slipped around 10 the big map on
lae wall directly behind the man from
Chicago.
Air. Finkelstein." said the hustler,
m man of few words. A client Of
mlae has seen your little bakcshop and
unzs he might buy it. Do you want to
lcI1"
The baker had shifty little eyes that
toancd all over the apartment.
ell" he slowly said. Il ton't know.
tont think much apout it,"
Ay client will give you $4,000 cash.
Salq the Chicago man briskly.
Inc baker breathed hard. His eyes
travelled about the room.
ton't wish to SELL" he murmured.
II On, well" said the hustler pleasantly,
we j call it seven"
he baker looked very warm.
haf lived in dot house dwenty-seven
years, he said. 81 guess | keep it lit
Tie vile yet"
Inc hustler appeared a trihe bored. He
glanced at his watch. 1t was just II
O'clock.
Oh. Gomez he said. "You know that's
blg price, an extravagant price. The
Ild building-27 years old. you say-real-
" counts for nothing in the trade and
you know the lot alone isn't worth any
sach figure. Come, now! I'll give you
eight"