Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-01-11
MY WISH.
A story of New Years Eve In Paris.

We had dined -dined we'll. We had
sung, smoked and played, and found our.
selves generally comforta Bile. We had
INDUCED IN no end ofturk ey, and toasted
many an absent friend. Having accom-.
plished all possible in this respect, we in
dulged in the thought of what it would be
well to do next to see the old year out
Something else must be done to oc-
cupy our attention. Suppose we invoke
Il spiritsY said one OF the guests.
"Yes, for we have medium among
u.s." replied another.
So it was settled. A small table was
brought in, and the medium in question
laid his hands upon it. For brief space
all remained silent.
"Are you PRESENT." Du Barry at length
inquired, in solemn voice.
Thump, thump, went the left leg of the
table. Two knocks were intended to in
dlcate yes, one knock, no.
"Are you a good spir.t?" resumed our
lll6uiuHl' CHb klioCh ItDlltu.
Are you II bad spilit?"
Two rapid knocks were heard.
"Wil you dictate phrase1"
Again two knocks.
"Are you ready?"
"Y es," responded the knocks.
Then fellowed that which, by dint OF
great attention, | OWNED:
$50 day, December 81, 1874, all wishes
made between the hours of eleven and
midnight shall be granted on the in.
stant."
At these words we all laughed mock
ingly, and with no show OF reverence.
Du Barry knit his brows and compress
ed his lips.
"Iou are wrong, gentlemen" he said.
"On my honor, you are wrong. You
should not derlde serious subjects, and
this is serious, as you may prove. In
all events, | am convinced that they
have taken their departure, SO we may as
we'll follow their example" !"
Still much amused and laughing merri-
ly, we followed the suggestion and sepa-
rated,
When | arrived at my home three
things occupied my thoughts. My tai
lor's bill, a note that Monsieur Valiant
had promised to discount, and, thirdly,
Madame Desgraages, "a lady | much ad
mired.
did Monsieur Durand send my coat.
Did the house Of valiant consent? Did
Madame Desgranges receive my note?
Will she honor me by replying? Will
her reply bring joy worthy OF Paradise,
or torture like unto tbs of the Ia(erno!"
Such were my reflections. On my table
,sy three letters. The first | read con
tanned these words;
"MoNsIEUR-Your coat is finished and
ready to be delivered. 1t is fine piece
of work, a chef d' OeuUre. You can
send for it AS soon rs you please, but as
your account now represents quite large
sum, the coat in question will not be de
livered unless you send me one hundred
and fifty francs on account. This sum
you have promised me for length Of
tims. Pardon me, If say your pro
mise has not held good, and, therefore, il
you have not the sum in question, you
need not trouble yourself To send fo7 the
ceat. Very respectfully. DURAED."
"Zounds |" muttered, "lst the devil
keep his coat" With an effort to bottle
up my wrath, l turned to the second lot.
ter, and read these words:
"MoNsIEUR-I have received yourtwo
notes, amounting to five hundred francs.
/ find it almost impossible to discount
them Money is very scarce. A, how.
ever, desire to accord your satisfaction,
j make ihi- proposition. which must be
regarded ~ nv uitimGfitm. will give
you two hundred francs, besides which
shall expect you to send me from time to
time, pass 10 an opera box. Very
Truly, VALIANT"