Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1903 — An Unlucky Year. [ARTICLE]

An Unlucky Year.

“If something terilble doesn’t happen to the human race before the end of this year, I’m no true prophet,” said the superstitious man. “Fate has written it down just as plain as day, and there’s no way of dodging it. “In the first place, the year 1903 contains a mighty bad combination of figures. If you take them separately and add them up you will find that the result will be thirteen, no matter which way you work It out. “All right. You may laugh at me as far as I have gone, but wait until I produce some more facts. In the year 1903 there are three days In which the thirteenths of the month fall on Friday. The first was Feb. 13, the next was March 13, and the last will be Nov. 13. “Take a look at the calendar and find out how many previous years had this many Fridays which came on the thirteenth of the month. On the 13th of February I forgot myself and walked under a ladder on Madison street Before I had gone half a block beyond that ladder I fell down and sprained my ankle. “I am going to stay In the house all day on the 13th of November, and It’s ten to one the house will catch fire. “If figures count for anything this Is the unlucklest year that old Father Time has presented to us In a mighty long while. It’s a combination that can’t be beat, and Pm just sailing around looking for trouble all the time.”—Chicago Inter Ocean.