The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-07-28
UNLUCKY i'm
RyLoTTIE w. SIMMONS.

Jimmie, do believe you are the IN
iuckiest boy in Greene Centre !"
~Wow!' yelled little Jimmie, as Ma
poured the Eminent over a large cut
on small. fat forefnger.
The four year old dabbed at the
tears with a chubby fist.
"Wha' did you say l WASP" he asked
between sobs as he backed toward the
door.
i said you were unlucky," plung-
ing REDEEMED arms into the steaminR
tub. You've had more of everything
tnan all the other I'VE put together.
NOW run along-and do be careful"
I'm unlucky-Pm unlucky," chanted
little Jim a half hour later as he ned
allied a WORKOUT velocipede as fast as
his short. fat legs would let him.
F. Suddenly. on flew the front wheel.
/ ana small, freckled nose pIOwed a
furrow in the dirt. Screams filled the
air. and the tired housewife. with. hands
gripping soapSuds, hurried to the scene
of disaster.
On 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
ZION TO the law of expectancy. Maybe
1t didn't make any difference. calling
him unlucky from babyhood, expecting
III luck to follow him at every turn,
Dut James at the age of eighteen
thought otherwise. Some New
thought literature had found its way
into his hands. James read it and be-
gan to think for himself.
he cOntided his plans to Bob, his
chum' and to Sally, his sweetheart.
BoD'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, SaIly?" Jim
had said. III surely come back when
have won fortune"
His mother dried her tears on her
apron when Jimmie went away. IF
there's any luck in this world for the
boy, 1 hope he finds it," she said to her
self as she turned away from the gate.
Jimmie got to the station without
mlshap. AS the train steamed away he
Kept repeating to himself over and
over. Il 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 lan6ed on top, so to
speak. 1t was a 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.
ayes, am tie 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
ME, briskly.
Want to go along with me-an ex-
penses paid7 need a mascot" with a
slow smile.
Where are you goingT" Jimmie's
voice was eager.
ITO the gold fields"
Jimmie's heart gave a great jump
III gO!' was the quick answer. and
the two shook hands.
Ten years later James decided that
it 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 if he chose. Yes, it 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. Salfy's eyes would have
popped out of her head if she could
have seen the glittering collection,
most of it marked with the letter IS"
Jimmie's motor car was the finest
that money could buy, and when he
sensation. Stopping abreast the home
he got out and walked up the narrow
path that led to the front door. A
stranger came in response to his
knock.
Does Miss Sally M live here?"
he inquired.
"Oh, 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 leisurely. 1t
was a fine day. Sally had 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 his atten-
ton. A high-pOwered motor car, the
like of which he had meyer before
beheld in Greene Centre, was COM