The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-08-04
Old Blair's Lucky
Penny
By FREDERICK CLARKE
20. 1921. Western NewspApsr union.)


And to my second nephew. Ronald
Blair, as a reminder of his remarkable
powers Of memory, leave the munifi-
cent sum of one penny As he has
seen fit to initiate my peculiarities in
private. SO may he copy my diligence,
beginning life on one cent capital,
which is more than l had at the start,
and making his own way in the
world"
The legatee in question listened to
the slow, measured tones of Lawyer
Jones like one in a dream. The read
er Of the last will and testament of
Jeptt ah Blair, stern, practical man as
he was, cast mournful and sympa-
thetic look at the young man. He
liked Blair Immensely, as did every
one else In town, unless 1t was Hugh
Telford, seated also in the apartment
he smiled viciousiy and triumphantly.
he was safe ashore while Ronald was
fioundering in dark waters. The
blair plat" was to be given to Tel
ford, together with stocks and bonds
valued at $4,000.
Ronald left the lawyers ONCE. 1t was
cruel. after all his hopes and plans.
and his heart sank like lead as he
thought Of Ruth Mason, his fiancee
Where should he go for comfort
save to her? 1t was his privilege. his
right, and half an hour later he was
seated by her on the porch Of the
Mason home.
The Blair plat left to his cousin was
a valuable property. Just before the
death of Mr.. Blair a deposit Of rare
and valuable clay used in stereotyp-
ing and for electrical purposes had
been discovered. 1t was known as
ozocerite, found elsewhere only in
Austria and Utah.
Adjoining the plat was a twenty
acre patch of sterile land which had
been left to Ronald by his mother.
1t was of so little value that he made
no attempt to have 1t cultivated, but
secured a position as an accountant
in a near city. Then he received a
letter from Ruth. 1t read: BE patient
for year. l am going away and you
must-not write to me-"
His business went well. The penny
seemed to bring him good luck. Then
Scotchman. leading to a friendship
and large amount of business.
1t was just year later when Ron
aid paid visit to his home town. He
learned that the wonderful ozocerite
vein had run out. Hugh had pretty
nearly dissipated all his ready money.
He boasted, however, that he was en-
gagged to Ruth and Ronald believed
this after her inexplcable silence.
In later years he never forgot n
sad and moody ramble ending at the
barren twenty-acre lot. In going
over it he stumbled, his watch chain
caught on a bush, and the penny
snapped loose and disappeared down
a great open crack in the ground.
Ronald had no thought of losing a
token which he sincerely treasured.
He saw man digging on an adjoin-
ing farm, went over to him and bar.
gained for a careful excavation In
quest of the lost memento.
1t took some dilicacy Of treatment
to manipulate the dry, crumbling dirt.
At depth of four feet. the bottom
of the crack, the penny was produced.
"Hellor' suddenly exclaimed the
workman as he scraped of his spade
SAY. II this should be the real
veini"
1.-THE whatT' questioned Ronald
vaguely.
THE vein Of ozocerite. Look here
that's the real stuff" and he took up
a handful OF the scrapings from the
spade.
1t was "the real stun" that was
proven within the ensuing two days.
Ronald was standing on the land,
few evenings later. when a familiar
figure came up over the rise in the
landscape.
His heart stood still as she ap-
preached. Then a bitter thought
came into his mind-Ruth had heard
of his good fortune.
1.-The year is over" she said bright
ly as she approached him. "Did they
never tell you? 1t was Hugh Tel
ford who laid his fortune at my feet,
and my foolish father encouraged his
suit. Finally it was agreed that l
should take year to decide away
from both of you. AS IL year or a
thousand could make me forget
you'll"
And she lifted the old penny from
the hand of her lover, the lucky pen
ny Of old Jepthah Blair, and kissed
II.