"JUST HIS.LUCK."

Otago Witness, Issue 1488, 22 May 1880, Page 27

"JUST HIS.LUCK."

" I'm hungry, and ragged, and half sick, and dead broke," muttered a tramp, as he sat down for a sanbath on the wharf, at the foot of Griswold street j " but it's just my luck. Last fall, I got into Detroit just two bours too late to sell my vote. Nobody to blame. Found a big wallet on the street in December, and four police came up before I could hide it. Luck again. Got knocked down by a street-car, but there was no opening for a suit for damages, because I was drunk. Just the way. Last fall, nails were way down. I knew there would be a rise, but I didn't buy and hold for the advance. Lost ten thousand dollars out and out. Allus that way with me. Glass went up twentyfipe per cent , but I hadn't a pane on hand, excepting the pane in my back. Never knew it to fail. Now lumber's gone up, and I don't even own a fence-picket to realise on. Just me again. Fell into the river t'other day, but instead of pulling me out and giving me a hot whisky, they pulled me out and told me to leave town, or I'd get the bounce. That's me again. Now I've got setbled down here for a bis of a rest and a snooze, but I'll be routed out in loss than fifteen minutes, and I know it. lc 11 be just my behanged luck !"

"He settled down, slid his hat over his face, and was just beginning to feel sleepy, when a hundred pounds of coal rattled down on him.

"I knew it— l knew it 1" shouted the tramp, as ha sprang up and rubbed the dust; off hia head. " I said so all the time, and I just wish the diirned old hogshead had come down along with the coal and jammed me through the wharf."