Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-01-02
THE WISH.

W1Sh.
Most people who knew the Widow Van
Dusenbery ina ined that she had every
thing that heart could desire; but she
had very capacious heart, which was
capable of desiring good many things
that fortune had withheld from her. For
herself she did not care. She could live
if necessary, upon the hull Of a bean; but
she could not endure the idea of anything
being denied her darling bov. She had
INDUCED in many ambitious schemes for
the promotion of his happiness; and, as
she sat muslng upon the possibilities OF
the future, she heard the cheerful footing
of tin trumpet, which announced the
coming of coach driven by member
of the Four-in-hand club.
.Thcre they goY' she exclaimed, in a
half-reproachful tone. "But it Bait were
at home he could not afford to keep a
drag. He weuld be compelled to amuse
himself with billiards and cigars, poor
boy! It is too bad" And pearly tear
meandered down the widows cheek,
dividing her com plexion in very curious
manner.
81 wish,'' she said to herself, 'that l
had 100000 that could give him as a
New Years present, when he comes back
from his European tour. 1t would be
such delightful surprise TO him; and
then he could drive coach of his own"
"a 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.
~ 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"
said 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 greenbacks, which
he reached her, on which 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 a
glass of this delicious liquor?" she said.
II never drink" replied the stranger,
solemnly.
''But this is 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 looked 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 ritualist high churchman-
long -skirted, black frock coat, with
narrow collar that. fitted closely to his
neck, waistcoat Which had no opening
in front. and a misty black band around
his throat. In truth, he looked so nearly
like the Rev. Brown Stout, who some
times officiated at the altar in st. BonI-
fac1us. that the widow felt confident he
must be truly good man, and it would
be disrespectful to him to ask where he
came from.
ut 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 a cold chill to creep over
her.
twas there anything more that you de-
siredG' said the stranger, in g persuasive
"Really, now," said the widow, tone
hundred thousand dollars is such small
sum, and it would make such small
show alongside of the fortunes of some of
my dear Balt's acquaintance. If it were
only two hundred thousand l should feel
quite content
"Ohl very well,' replied the stranger,
and putting his hand to his breast he
took out another 1oll of banknotes just
like the first one, which he placed in the
widows lap. "Is there anything else
you deslre9"
"What simpleton was,' SAID the
widow to herself, "to make such mod
crate demand'' And she looked at the
two bundles OF greenbachs 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 thousand? 1t will be
such delightful surprise to Bait When
he comes home to find such fortune at
his disposal. hope you will not think
me unreasOnable.''
81 beg you will make no apologies,my
dear madam" said the stranger, while Il
grim smile seemed to flicker across his
pale features. Anything may be for
given to mothers love. Your desire
shall be gratifed.'' 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 at her mis-
take In not demanding more.
"Who wants to be halt a millionaire"
she exclaimed pettlshly. "Why not
make it round sum at once. A million
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 large sum-"
said the stranger, sand the millionaires
are few in number"