The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-01-07
A STROKE OF FORTUNE.
The Bit Of Good Luck That Over.
took Barney. 0'Connor.
WeALfH THRUST UPON HIM.

The Visitor That Called to See the Man
Who. Had Been Injured-The Sight
That Greeted Him and the Hasty
Ii Proposition He Handed Out.
yeral years ago two brothers
named Mcdonald were in business in
Halsted street Among the habitues
of their establishment was man
named O'COnnor. A man named An.
derson then was claim agent for the
street railway company that connected
Halsted with Chicago
Barney O'Connor was happy-go-
lucky chap who didn't worry much
about anything. He was partial to
his beer. bad no kith or kin to be re-
sponsibe for. cared little for clothes
and worked only when it was abso-
lutely 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 after
them. He stopped at the corner buffet.
hoisted another one and took a car fol
the loop
The car was crowded fore and aft.
and Barney got on the aft. He didn't
get much more than halfway on the
step when there came a Jolt The
crowd surged back on Barney and be
with several others. was dumped int,
the street. Barney suffered worse than
the rest as he was underneath. But
be wasn't hurt badly. He was knock
ed UNCONSCIOUS. but after they carried
him into store and threw cold water
on him be came out of II in good
shape All that remained were a few
cuts
The conductor. however was eX-
cited. He was new at the business.
and when he took the names and ad-
dresses of the victims of the crash he
got considerably balled up. Perhaps
he made Barney's injuries II little
more grave than they really were.
After O'ConnOr got oveI his dizZi-
hess he went oil uptown and bought
his stuff for the McDoualds. He also
visited drinking place on Randolph
street II was there that be learned
of a clam bake that was to be held
that night AT Il saloon on lower Hal
sted Celebrations of this sort APP
pealed to Barney, and he resolved to
be on hand
He was. They had lovely time.
Along about II O'Clock the festivities
became superjoyous. and arguments
arose. Barney was in the midst of
these. Fisticuffs followed forensic
froth. and OConnor 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 ne could have slept later He
found moving undesirable after an at
tempt or two at it. so he stayed in bed.
About , 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 visitors,
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.
1T 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
it?' he began as feeler. He couldn't
say less. for he had II conscience.
well. some" acknowledged Barney.
not grasping the pertinence of the
question. but realizing its truth.
you know, Il 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?" Barney
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 great light. 1t made
him forget his woes.
do yez mean ye want to pay me fer
fallin' off the car yistiddy?" he asked.
That's the idea" answered Ander-
son.
well. here l am" said Barney.
How much am offered?"
Anderson hesitated.
"Uh-er-l think-er-how' two fifty
strike you?'
II think it's worth at le9st five" he
replied.
Now, look here" explained Ander
son. IF you fight this case it'll cost
you at least 500 for lawyer. You
might get $500 in a trial, and still