The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1910-01-14
ASTROKE OF FORTUNE
The Bit Of Good Luck That Over
took Barney 0'Connor.
WEALTH THRUST UPON HIM.

The Visitor That Called to See the Man
Who Had Been Injured--The Sight
That Greeted Him and the Hasty
Proposition He Handed Out
Several years ago two brothers
named Mcdonald were In business In
Halsted street. Among the habitues
of their establishment was a 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 a happy-go-
lucky chap who didn't worry much
about anything. He was partial to
his beer, had no kith or kin to be re-
sponsible for, cared little for clothes
and worked only when 1t 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 60 after
them. He stopped at the corner buffet,
hoisted another one and took car for
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 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 knock
ed unconscious, but after they carried
him into store and threw cold water
on him he came out Of 1t In good
shape. All that remained were 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 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 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.
lie was. They had lovely time.
Along about IL o'clock the festivities
became superjoyous. and arguments
arose. Barney was In the midst OF
these. Tisticufrs followed forensic
froth, and O'Connor was numbered
among the slain.
How be 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 compIetest 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 1t, SO he stayed In bed.
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon the
landlord Of the rooming house came up
and told Barney man wanted to see
him. Seldom had Barney had visitors,
and his curiosity was aroused. But
1t wasn't strong enough to induce him
to get up. He told the landlord to
have the man sent up to tho room.
Anderson. out to settle early and
avoid the rush, came In and took a
look at Barney. He nearly tainted.
III get out of this on less than ST.
600 I'll be lucky he told himself.
Then be proceeded to business.
1T kind o. bunged you up, didn't
it?'' be began as a feeler. He couldn't
say less. for he had conscience.
.sWell, some." acknowledged Barney,
not grasping the pertinence Of the
question, but realizing its truth.
"you know. suit always involves
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,
aud 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, It made
him forget bis woes.
"Do yez mean ye want to pay me fer
faliin' or the car yistlddy?" he asked.
.aThat's the idea,n answered Ander'
sou.
aWeIl, here / am" said Barney.
"How much am I ofrereds''
Anderson hesltated.
"Uh--er-I Il think- er~-how'd two fifty
strike youg"
Il think it's worth at least FIVE" he
replied.
Now, look here.a explained Ander
son. IF you fight this case It'll cost
you at least 500 for lawyer, You
might get $500 ID a trial, aud still
again you might get nothing, It's al
ways a good idea
ID yez mean ven give me S2ooy
interrupted 0'connor, sitting up quick
iy despite his aches.
sThat's It." replied Anderson, 80 tas
..aa