The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 92: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Indestructible Story. 85 Three months ago, lacking seven days, I learned the cause of all my ill-luck. You wiil laugh when you read what it was, but before you finish this story your laugh will change to astonishment. Mention was just made of an old coin upon which I cut my first set of teeth, and got a canker in the mouth at the same time. That coin was the cause of all my misfortune. I have had it in my possession—much of the time in my pocket—for thirty-five years; but not until a few weeks ago did [ learn its history, or the evil influ- ence it has carried with it for centuries. I looked upon it only as an interesting relic of my distinguished baby- hood, and—perhaps, one of value to be “put up” on a rainy day. Many rainy days have come, but I have never parted with it. J wish I had; wish I had pawned it long ago, and lost the ticket. Or, rather, I wish I had made a present of it to one of those conceited editors. The reader may trust the following as historically cor- rect. It is history, all of it, and each statement can be substantiated by reference to well-known writers, of un- impeachable veracity. But in telling my story I shall re- serve the right to tell it my own way; and the first part ot the history of this miserable piece of silver will be omit- ted until I am ready to give it. Last fall my eldest brother, who still lives at the old homestead, sent me a bundle of manuscript, accompanied by the following letter: Rocky Fork, Sept. 3, 1889.—Dear Brother: I found CONNIE KOOKS (E©@)