Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1901-01-10

IT WAS AGOOD ONE AND WAS etiRUST
ON HIM BY ACCIDENT.
The incident wouldn't Have Hap
prBcd II Shortsightei Real Es-
tate Auctioneer Had Not Forgotten
Ills Eyeglasses.


prned II "a shortsightci Real Es-
tate Auctioneer Had Not Forgotten
His Eyeglasses.
II owe my start In life TO the fact
fhat an esiimablc old gentleman forgot
80 put his eyeglasses in his pocket one
morning said IA prosperous business
man from a sister city. Its rather n
curious story" he went on. and I'll
tell ii as briefly as possible. A good
many years ago. when | WAS young
fellow OF % or thereabouts, ! drifted
Into Louisville in search of job that
didn't materialize. and the upsllot Of II
was that | found myself practically
broke in a strange city. Up to that
time had always worked for small
wages aud had never succeeded in ac-
eumulatlng as much as $50, but | had
an abiding faith that If could once
get hold of u modest stake | could
launch out for myself and make some
money.
lone morning, when | was wander
ing about with only two or three silver
dollars IN my pocket, looking for n
chance to go to work nj anything that
might offer, ! dropped into a big
down stairs room where some real
estate was being sold at auction 4
large crowd WAS present, and there
was an indescribable feeling of ten.
sion In the air that warned me some.
4 hi ul nj -.
while | was standing there, ouly
vaguely Interested, the auetioneer. who
was quite an elderly gentleman, put
up piece OF improved city property
and after "A considerable pause reeeiy-
ed bid of $500. | could see that the
smallness of the amount excited sur.
prise, and was also aware OF com.
motion In one corner where half u
dozen previous bidders were gathered
together In an excited group. They
seemed to be quarreling about some.
thing. and meanwhile the auctoneer
was Indignantly appealing for a re
specialize osfer.
Make II $500" he shouted. Does
any gentleman bid $2.J00Y He looked
directly at me. and made gesture Of
denial Thank you! he exclaimed,
greatly TO my surprise. The gentleman
over there bids S2.500. aud. II | can
help II. no combination OF buyers Is go
ing 10 he allowed to dictate prices III
this SALE With that he suddcnl,
knocked down the property to me.
no sooner was this DONE" continued
the story teller. than great uproaf
of protests arose from the group la tie
corner. They insisted that they had
been given no chance 10 bid bul the
anciioneer stood firm aud. calling ue
TO the platform, requested my name
and address and 20 per cent cash de
posit on the $500.
by that tine | realized. of course
that some extraordinary chance bad
thrown line piece of property into m.
hands at n fraction of its real value
and did some quick thinking Eve
sent a messenger for the money | said
as coolly as could. and I'll have il
here in 10 minutes
The anctioneer looked at the clock
All right he replied. I'll give yor
that limit
Then | took desperate chance.
pushed through the crowd. which wa,
already interested In the next sale ant
beckoned 10 little fat man who ha,
been one Of the loudest kickers few
moments before.
look here | said. drawing him
aside. Do you want to be lny slrn
partner for an hour or SOP
"'What d'you meanF said he.
Il gave him the truth in dozn
words, Now let me have thai $JGi
deposit money. | added. and wei
share The profits. whatever they are
The little man looked at me shrewd
ly. This Is big joke on all of us. h,
said. grinning. and | guess I'll risk th'
deal
al the same time he counted ON
$500 and put It In my hands. racet
back 10 the desk with the cash. clinch
ed the sale and before noon had TIN
deed In my possession. Then TO make
n long story short. my silent partner
offered me $1,000 cash for my interest
and rs 81 900 looked about as big as
mountain at that stage of the game
promptly accepted. That thousand. for
tunately placed. gave me the start iha'
has kept me going ever since.
But what about the eyeglasses. III,
you say? Why. the anctioneer. as
afterward learned was very near
sighted. and on the morning 10 which
refer he had forgotten his glasses I'll.
was why he misiook my gesture of lis
me. In spite of myself. Into goof
thing never understood the eSae
true inWardness OF the deal hni III
facts In the rough were that clidu,
of spectators had formed a comliI
10 keep down prices, but, owing !.
soEle misunderstanding failed 10 bi
promptly on the proDerty which ! So
cured The auctioncer was on to til,
l8An' n,d anxious To break 1t up; henc,
hs pieelpitancy in knocking down tli
lol Ia y,urs truly heard, later on
,hai my poriy silent partner made -.
DoO uui Of the transaction. but | dihu'i
brgrudge him the money The $500 b,
gave me on faith that morning was
worth fully 10 per cent a minute.'-
New Orleans Times Democrat
just as Advertised.
But suppose one of the spectators
said. the parachute should fail to open