The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-01-06
TIE WISH.

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INDUCED in many ambitious schemes for
the promotion Of bis happiness; and, IS
she sat musing upon the possibilities of
the future, she heard the cheerful footing
of tin trumpet, which announced the
coming of coach driven by a member
Of the Four-in-hand club.
"Thcre they gop' she exclaimed, 10
half-rcproachtul tone. "But it Bait were
at home he could not afford to keep q
drag. He wsuld be compelled to amuse
himself with billiards and cigars, poor
boyl It is too bad" And a pearly tear
meandered down the widows cheek,
dividing her complexion in a very curious
manner.
II wish,' she said to herself, ''that I
had 800. 600 that could give him as .
New Years present, when he comes back
from his European tour. 1t would he
such delightful surprise TO him; and
then he could drive coach OF his own"
IA hundred thousand dollars is not
such very unreasonable sum-" said the
gentleman whom the widow just at that
moment discovered by her side, but
whose entrance she had not before no.
ticed.
II think myself it is very reasonable"
she said; "and don't see why I should
not have it,
''You shall have 1t, my dear madam"
q aid the stranger" Such modesty and
maternal tenderness as you have mani
tested IN your very reasonable desires
must be rewarded.'
And thereupon the stranger drew from
his bosom bundle of Qreenbacks, which
he reached her, on whirh was distinctly
inscribed 100000.
''Thank you! am overcome by your
goodness" she said, as she took the bun
die and placed it on the table beside the
flask of Chartreuse. "Won't YOU take
glass Of this delicious liquor9'' she said.
II never drink, replied the stranger,
solemnly.
"But this is q cordial made by the
monks Of Chartreuse," said the widow.
$50 much the worse" said the stran-
ger. II hate monks and all their works.
This was said with such bitterness of
tone that the widow locked into the face
of her visitor, and saw that he was very
sanity looking parsonage. He had .
very pure complexion, regular features,
black hair and eyes, thin lips and clean
shaver face. He was dressed exactly in
the style Of a ritualist high churchulan-
| long. skirted, black frock coat, with a
narrow collar that fitted closely to his
neck, waistcoat which had no opening
in front. aud a misty black band around
his throat. In truth, he looked 80 nearly
like the Rev. Brown Stout, who some.
times officiated at the altar in St. Bonl-
faclus. that the widow felt confident he
must be a truly good man, and it would
be disrespectful to him to ask where he
came from.
1T is favorite maxim of mine,' said
the stranger, IN an impressive tone of
voice, ''that to be virtuous is to be happy.
But you won't have good time.''
The widow would have smiled at the
odd mark of her visitor, but he winked
his right eye at her in such wicked way
that he caused cold chill to creep over
her.
"Was there anything more that you de.
sircds said the stranger, in q persuasive
manner.
"Rsally, now said the widow, tone
hundred thousand dollars is such small
snm, and it would make such small
show alongside of the fortunes of some of
my dear Bait acquaintances. If it were
only two hundred thousand should feel
quite content"
"Oh! very well," replied the stranger,
and putting his hand to his breast he
took out another Toll Of banknotes lust
like the frs. one, which he placed in the
widows lap. lis there anything else
you deslre2''
"What simpleton I was,'' SAID the
widow to herself, ito make such a mod
crate demandv And she looked at the
two bundles of greenbacks which really
seemed hardly worth having. ''Since you
are so very kind" replied the widow,
"may be so bold as to make up the sum
to five hundred thousand2 It will be
such delightful surprise to Bait whep
he comes home to find such fortune at
his disposal. I hope you will not think
me unreasonable"
~ beg you will make no spologies,my
dear madam said the stranger, while I.
grim smile seemed to flicker across his
pale features. "Anything may be for.
given to mothers love. Your desire
shall be gratified.'' The stranger there
upon placed another but larger bundle of
greenbacks upon her lap, making up the
desired sum.
She clutched at them eagerly; but
hardly had she got them in her posses
sion than she felt chagrlned 1T her mis-
take in not demanding more.
| 'Who wants to be half q millionaire"
che exclaimed pettlshly. "Why not
] m a1Ro - rouu1 o.1v,o o. ooo
dollars would put my poor boy on his
feet and enable him to hold up his head
among the millionaires.''
| "a million Of dollars is a large sum-"
said the stranger, land the millionaires
are few in NUMBER
| sob! it Is mere >trife," said the
widow. II know good. many million
aires, and I have always thought it
would be such q comfort to be one of
them. I should so like to know what
the feelings Of millionaire must be-"
| -"Your wishes are not to be denied.''
said the magnificent visitor. "Herc is
the sum you ask forp' and without more
ado, he plunged bundle of greenbacks
into her lap, which she seized upon with
as much avidity as hungry cur would
snap at bone. But, strangely enough.
the possession Of this immense sum onl1
produced feeling of disappointment and
regret, which must have reflected on her
face for the stranger exclaimed, with as
constituent: "What! Does not that
satisfy you9"
Il don like to appear ungratetul,"
said the widow; "but, after ali, $780,.
600 is but small matter, compared with
the fortunes Of some of the me1e upstairs
that live on the avenue. Icouldn't even
afford to move further up town on such =
sum; and I don't think that Bait could
keep . yacht on 1t. Ifit were only &c.,
Oo0, 600, now, I should he entirely salts
fed" = -.
The stranger fairly jumped in bis seat
when he heard the exhorbitant demand.
Ten millions Of dollarsl" he exclaimed.
ut il menstrousl However, I cannot
deny your and he smiled swestly, the