Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-01-25
A STROKE OF FORTUNE.
he Bit of Good Luck That Overlook
Barney O'Connor.

street railway company that connect
ed Halsted with Chicago.
Barney O'Connor was a happy-g 60
lucky chap who didn't worry much
about anything. He was partial to his
beer, had no kith or kin to be respon-
sible for, cared little for clothes and
worked only when it was absolutely
essential, which wasn't often.
Mcdonald Bros. liked to have Bar
ney around on account of the wit he
had brought with him from the ould
sod, and so they found little tasks for
him to do. One day Barney was loaf
ing around McDonald's about half IL
Illuminated and in an extremely rosy
frame of mind when they decided
they wanted some goods over in the
city. Barney was delegated to go af-
ter them. He stopped at the corner
buffet, hoisted another one and took
a car for the loop.
The car was crowded fore and st:.
and Barney got on the aft. He didn't
get much more than halfway on the
step when there came jolt. The
crowd surged back on Barney, and he,
with several others, was dumped into
the street Barney suffered worse
than the rest, as he was underneath.
But he wasn't hurt badly. He was
knocked unconscious, but after they
carried him into store and threw
hn 1
in good shape. All that remained
were a few cuts.
The conductor, however, was excit-
ed. He was new at the business, and
when he took the names and addresses
Of the victims Of the crash he got con-
siderably balled up. Perhaps he made
Barney's injuries little more grave
than they really were.
After O'Connor got over his dizzi-
ness he went on uptown and bought
his stuff for the McDonalds. He also
visited a drinking place on Randolph
street. 1t was there that he learned
of a clam bake that was to be held
that night at a saloon on lower Hal
sted. Celebrations of this sort ap-
pealed to Barney, and he resolved to
be on hand.
He was. They had a lovely time.
Along about IL o'clock the festivities
became superjoyous, and arguments
arose. Barney was in the midst of
these. Fistcuffs followed forensic
froth, and O'Connor was numbered
among the slain.
How he got to his room he couldn't
explain coherently. He sure was some
beat up. What they didn't do to him
wouldn't take long to tell. 1t was
the completest walloping he ever had
experienced.
He slept late. When he woke up he
wished he could have slept later. He
found moving undesirable after an at
tempt or two at it, so he stayed in
bed
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon the
landlord of the rooming house came
up and told Barney a man wanted to
see him. Seldom had Barney had Wis
itors, and his curiosity was aroused.
But it wasn't strong enough to induce
him to get up. He told the landlord
to have the man sent up to the room.
Anderson, out to settle early and
avoid the rush, came in and took a
look at Barney. He nearly tainted.
IF I get out Of this on less than ST.
600 I'll be lucky" he told himself.
Then he proceeded to business.
1T kind O. bunged you up, didn't
to" he began as feeler. He couldn't
say less, for he had a conscience.
well, some," acknowledged Bar
ney, not grasping the pertinence of
the question, but realizing its truth.
You know, suit always involves
a lot of delay and trouble, and the
company has better facilities, and it's
better for the plaintiff to settle"-
"Wot are yez talkin' about?" Bar
ney broke in.
why, I'm from the street railway,
and we want to see If we can't fix
this up for you for getting hurt We
want to do what's right; but, of course,
you understand
Barney saw g,eat light. 1t made
him forget his woes
DO yez mean ye want to pay me
fer fallin' off the car yistiddy'" lie
asked.
That's the idea," answered Ander"
SON.
well, here I am" said Barney.
How much am 1 offered?"
Anderson hesitated.
"Uh-er-I think-er-how'd two
fifty strike you?"
II think it's worth at least five" he
replied.
"Now, look here" explained Ander-
son. "if you fight this case it'll cost
you at least 500 for a lawyer. You
might get $500 in a trial, and still
again you might get nothing. It's al
ways a good idea
Cd yez mean yen give me $25O?'
interrupted O'Connor, sitting up
quickly despite his aches.
That's it," replied Anderson, so
fascinated by the picture Of wars hor-
ror portrayed by Barneys face that
he failed to notice the surprise in his
tones.
"I1l take it," said O'Connor in
hurry. Bring it to me all in quar-
ters."-Chicago Tribune.