Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-06-16
UNLUCKY jim
BY LorrIE W. SIMMONS.

The four year old dabbed at the
tears with chubby fist.
"Wha' did you say wasp he asked
between sObs as he backed toward the
door.
II said you were unlucky," plung-
ing Redeemed arms into the steaming
tub. you've had more of everything
than all the other FIVE put together.
Now run along-and do be careful"
"Fm unlucky-rm unlucky," chanted
little Jim half hour later as he ped
allied a WORKOUT velocipede as fast as
his short, fat legs would let him.
Suddenly, OF few the front wheel.
and small, freckled nose plowed q
furrOw in the dirt. Screams filled the
air, and the tired housewife, with hands
dripping sOapsuds, hurried to the scene
Of disaster.
"Oh, you unlucky Jim" she sighed,
as she picked him up and carried him
into the house.
All this happened years before any
one in Greene Centre paid much atten-
ton to the law of expectancy. Maybe
+ It didn't make any difference, calling
him unlucky from babyhood, expecting
III luck to follow him at every turn.
but James at the age of eighteen
thought otherwise. Some New
Thought literature had found its way
into his hands. James read 1t and be-
gan to think for himself.
He cOnf1ded his plans to Bob, his
chum, and to Sally, his sweetheart.
Bob's one ambition in life was to be
the village constable, and he couldn't
understand anyone wishing to leave
Greene Centre. Sally cried a little and
swore eternal allegiance to her youth
full sutton.
you'll wait, won't you, Sally?" Jim
had said. "Ill surely come back when
l have won fortune"
His mother dried her tears on her
apron when Jimmie went away. sIf
there's any luck In this world for the
boy, hope he finds it." she said to her.
self as she turned away from the gate.
Jimmie got to the station without
mishap. AS the train steamed away he
kept repeating to himself over and
over. II am the luckiest fellow in the
world am the luckiest fellow In the
world"
He was about one hundred miles
from Greene Centre when the crash
came. Jimmie landed on top, so to
speak. 1t was terrible wreck, but he
had not received a scratch.
"You must be lucky, boy" someone
said at his elbow.
Jimmie turned to face the speaker.
Eyes, am the luckiest fellow in the
world"
The man, who was middle-aged,
turned his eyes away, bringing his
gaze back presently.
"Where are you bound" he asked.
Nowhere in particular" replied jim
mic, briskly.
want to go along with neal ex-
penses paid? need a mascot" with q
o1OW SulllSs
"Where are you goingT Jimmie's
voice was eager.
"To the gold fields"
Jimmie's heart gave a great jump.
"Tll got" was the quick answer, and
the two shook hands.
Ten years later James decided that
1t was time to go back to Sally. He
was rich beyond his widest dreams;
luck had followed him everywhere.
He could buy the whole town Of Greene
Centre II he chose. Yes, 1t was time to
go back. So he bought the most ex-
pensive solitaire he could find, and a
little plain gold hoop; then rings and
things galore. Sally's eyes would have
popped out Of her head IL she could
have seen the glittering collection,
most Of 1t marked with the letter 49,"
Jimmie's motor car was the finest
that money could buy, and when he
drove into Greene Centre he created a
sensation. Stopping abreast the home
he got out and walked up the narrow
pain IuuL ACu W Tic 1TOuL UOOHs a
stranger came in response to his
knock.
'Does Miss Sally M live hereT
he inquired.
ooh, no." was the answer. "She
married Robert w., the police
man, years ago, and lives down the
road a piece"
Jimmie turned away. SO Sally
hadn't waited for him after all. Get
ting into the car he released the
brakes and started away, dIsheart-
ened and chagrined. He had been so
sure Of Sally.
Robert w. paused on the corner
and looked about him lelsureIy. It
was a fine day. Sally hld just
served him a good dinner Of beefsteak
and onions and apple pie, and he was
at peace with the world. Adjusting
his helmet he was about to move on
when something attracted bis atten-
ton. A high-powered motor car. the
like Of which he had never before
beheld In Greene Centre, was COM
ing toward him at q terrific rate Of
speed. It was now abreast turning
the corner-good heavensl The car
had turned turtleI
Al. Eohov.t ,aa.l,.S che $1,000