Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1912-02-08
LUCKY
THOMPSON
By ELLEN B. CARMEL
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

would be surprised at the number of
cases where fortunes have been left
10 those who cannot be found or, if
found, only after years of search.
Sometimes the heirs have died before
the testator; sometimes they have mys-
teriously disappeared. never again to
be heard from. The reason that prop
erty often passes through this phase is
that the members of families as the
years go by become separated and
often lost to each other When per-
sons who have no one near and dear
to them make wills. preferring that
their property shall go to their own
kindred they usually leave their es-
tates to such. possibly not having
heard anything of the legatee for
years,
Zachary Thompson when he was a
boy ran away and went to sea. Fifty
years ago and more that was favor
tie escapade with boys. They don't
do 1t so much now, for steam has TAX
en- the romance out of the life before
the mast Indeed instead of mast
the modern vessel has smokestack.
Zachary. having read sea stories, be
came infatuated with the great deep
and shipped as cabin boy on barken-
tine trading between New York and
Hongkong.
The boy made a trihing mistake III
thinking be would like the sea. Even
in that day there was no romance in
being reproyed by the captain, sworn
at by the mate and logged by the
cook. Even the sculllon tyrannized
over little Zachary, and, having made
one voyage, the boy remained ashore,
though he was too proud to go home
Indeed, he got as far away as pos
sibe from his home and went to work
in a store. his principal duties being
to sweep out early in the morning,
make the fires, clean up generally and
run errands the rest of the day
Thompson spent twenty years try
ing to keep his head above water. and
with very poor success. The only
thing about him that was successful
was keeping up his pride.
When he was thirty years old he
married girl who should have bad
better sense. She. too. had never had
any luck, and now there were two un-
lucky mortals who proceeded to bring
into the world unlucky children.
Thompson in order to fill the stomachs
of his wife and children. though he
had been born gentleman. took up
any occupation that appeared, at last
accepting position with an under
taker. This led him into that depart
ment OF the mortuary business which
pertains TO carrying the dead to their
last resting place.
He was taking his hearse to cover
after a funeral one evening when be
ran into light buggy driven by
gentleman who, being nearsighted and
darkness having come on. did not see
him in time to get out of his way. and
Thompson, who was dreaming on his
bad luck and his iuckless wife and
children, collided with him and smash
ed the vehicle.
You should paint your funeral wag.
on red or some other color If you're
going to drive around nights running
people down" said the gentleman. It
was your fault, and you'll have TO pay
for my buggy
Il don't believe there is any law
to compel mo to do that said Thomp-
son.
There isn't, Ell? Well l think
ought to know since I'm a lawyer"
"Just my luckr" moaned Thompson.
"If any one else had run down a
wagon he wouldn't have happened to
hit a lawyer"
BY this time q small crowd collected,
and a policeman was among the num-
Der.
What's up?' he asked,
This driver of black wagons for
dead men on dark nights has run into
me and smashed $500 buggy"
"Shall ] take him in?" asked the cop.
Not if he Will give his name"
Thompson was discouraged He
gave up his name without a murmur:
Zachary Taylor Thompson
The gentleman looked mp from the
memorandum book on which he was
about to write the name
Zachary Taylor Thompson7" he
asked.
Yes"
How did You happen to be named
Zachary Taylor?"
Born when General Taylor licked
the Mexicans and named for him"
who was your father?"
Edward prentiss Thompson"
did you have any brothersT"
"Yes--one'
His name2"
Winfield Scott Thompson
And you consider yourself an I'm
lucky mann
''Neyer had any luck SO far
Well, you've got it now Ten years
ago your brother, Winfield Scott
Thompson died and left you an estate
worth 100000. and the executors OF
the win are clients Of mine We've
been hunting for you ever since your
brother died, and ia we hadn't found
you before the end Of this year your
property would have gone to chart.
ty.ts