Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-02
money will be gobbled up and the in
terests of good government defeated.
THE sMUTABILITY OF FORTUNE

THE AVAILABILITY OF FORTUNE.
II was about 1870 that gold was
found around the present city of Hell
ena. Mont Propsecptors flocked to the
new field from many quarters. Claims
were staked out and hundreds went to
work TO develop their mines. Some
struck rich ore and veins and from pow
ertv were soon made rich. Among the
seekers were two robust Irishmen-Tom
Cruise and Timothy. Jones. They con-
cluded TO pool their capital and interest
for mutual benefit. and work together
Accordingly they opened their claim and
commenced to excavate. Weeks and
months pasesd and they found nothing
TO encourage them, while others not FAR
away had been more fortunate and had
suddenly struck il rich. Still others
after working for months had abandoned
their claims and gone to new fields
over a year had passed and the two sons
of Erin found nothing TO encourage
them. Still they persevered and kept
at their work over a year passed
and another nearly gone and still no
evidence Of the coveted prize. Finally
Tim, in disgust, quit and threw up the
lob He tried to persuade Tom to do
the same and urged his companion as
they were now out of means and credit
to give up the fruitless job. He could
not influence Tom, so he gave him his
claim and departed for other fields. II
was true they had about spent all they
had and if help for the means of sup
port could not be obtained he. too.
would have to abandon the claim. 1t
was no use to ask merchant for help.
for they were doing business strictly
on a cash basis. Tom Cruise had made
the acquaintance of an Irish boarding
housekeeper, and she had saved some
money. He appealed to her for just
enough to buy meat and bread until
he should be rewarded with a rich
mine, which he assured her was not
far of. She had noticed his close ap-
plication to duty, his temperate and in
dustrious habits and concluded she
would give him his board for a while
any way. and so informed him. So Tom
took courage. piled his pick and shovel.
At the close OF one day he struck some
soil that made him feel good. He gath
cred a sample and early next morning
took il to the assayer. He pronounced
II genuine and wished to know how it
run. Cruise told him he could tell him
more about IT that evening. SO he re-
turned and worked that day and
brought back another sample. He car
ried that TO the assayer and when test
ed found to be the richest he had ex-
amined. The fact soon became general
~ known and many visited the claim
TO further satisfy themselves. Not
many days after. he sold a half in
terest in the mine for 100000 and
costly machinery was installed for
working the property. 1t proved to be
one of the best paying mines in Mon
tana. Tom Cruise soon found himself a
millionaire In his prosperity he did
not forget his benefactress, who had
given him board when he was out of
money and credit. He made her a pres
ent of several shares in his mine,
which soon made her Independent. He
is now a banker owns much real
estate, thousands of acres of grazing
land. and herds that heck many hills,
like Abraham's fiocks. With all his
wealth he is plain, jolly Irishman. al
ways ready to OFFER his hand and help
to those in need if they are worthy.