The citizen., 1901-10-04
The TdCiEurnitu Of
No. Is.
Story Of the Unlucky Numbor.
BY w. r. Rose.
oooooooooooooooooo


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 "a
usual to help somebody or something out
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
a thorough contempt for money, and
that's what No. 13 particularly liked
about him. At luncheon time he would
toss No. 13 a half dollar and tell him
to till up. No. Is knew where he could
fll up on ID 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 Bluflland. he had the
ba>t suit Of rooms that the best hotel
could provide. In short, there was moth
IN FOO good for the man from Chicago.
When he came to BlufIland, he always
sen for No. 13.
So. l3 was a model messenger boy. as
the Chicago man had speedily discover
e1. lie knew the topography of the city
as wei. a> if he had laid it out He was
walking gazetteer of commercial men
aal marts. He was a quick boy, a
sure ioy, and. above all, he was u bow
who rarely talked
That's what | like about the cub"
said the Chicago man one day. He does
exactly what he's told to do and asks no
questions. He's one boy in Il thousand.
Uuiucky number? Pooh, pooh! I'd hire
him for that very reason if no other.
There's no blankcd superstition about
your friend John Dexter"
And so every time he came to Bluff
land be 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
ephoutd to the messenger Office, "or all
is at M end between US"
lie got him.
NO. l3 was a medium sized boy of
perhaps II, inclning little toward
stoutncss. with large pale face and
coarse black hair. He had one other pc
cuIarity 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
ideut 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:"
u got options on it all yesterday after
noon, all except the lot on the northeast
corner It's the property of Il German
named Finkelstein, who runs a little
bakery and confectionery store. I've
looked upon him as the easiest fish in the
bunch to land"
Wen, land him this morning without
ialL said the bank president. what
do you propose to orer?"
lhe whole Finkelstein outfit would
be dear at $4,000" said the hustler.
THAT'S what | expect to offer"
Offer him up to $20,000 if you have /
to- giowled the vessel owner, I'VE must 4
have that corner"
Iho eminent promoter smiled.
Trust me-" he said I'm have him /
here in 40 minutes and square him in half +
the timo.'
lln drew forward sheet of paper and /
rapidly ScIibblcd note. the vessel owner /
au1 the bank president retiring while he (
wrote.
'No. l3" he said as he addressed the
envelope. The boy came forward. "Takc
th.i 10 the address given and wait and
bHus the answer"
I-o boy took the note and briskly start
ed out
1t was just 40 minutes later by the
Chicago mans infallible watch when he
returned. He was not alone. plainly
dressed man a little past middle are,
VII. nm unmiStakabe German face was
win him. The hustler looked up as they
entered.
Mr. Finkestein?" he half inquired.
iae stranger bowed awkwardly. He
was evidently i'll at ease.
Take a chair here" said the Chicago
man, and as the stranger came forward
~ l3 slipped around to the big map on
~ wall directly behind the man from
Chicago.
Mr. Finkelstein," said the hustler,
~ q man of few words A client Of
nAe has seen your little bakeshop and
lcllg"
lhe baker had shifty little eyes that
toanod all over the apartment.
we'll" he slowly said. 81 ton't know.
tun think much apout it,"
Aiy client will give you $4,000 cash."
sall the Chicago man briskly.
ne baker breathed hard. His eyes
travelled about the room.
ton't wish to sell" he murmured.
Vh. we'll" said the hustler pleasantly
We u call it seven.'
ne baker looked very warm.
haf lived in dot house dwenty-seven
years he said. 81 guess keep it lit
lie vile yet"
me hustler appeared trile bored lie
eianced at his watch 1t was just ii
O'clock.
'Oh, come!" he said "You know that's
Pig price, an extravagant price. The
1lu building-27 years old, you say-real-
counts for nothing in the trade, and
you know the lot alone isn't worth any
such figure. Come, now! I'll give you
eight"