The morning news., 1888-12-29
ACHRIsTMAs STORY OF 1888.
Hitherto Unpublished Episode in the
History of Necromancer.
From the CHICAGO Tribune.


CHAPTER 1.
81 wish were worth S1,000,000"
The young man had uttered his wish
aloud. To his surprise and confusion a
quiet voice at his elbow replied:
"You can have it. sir on one condition" !"
Bolivar Smearcus turned suddenly and
found himself in the presence of small
man with prominent ears, keen eyes and
beard of medium length.
I'll thought was alone, " he stammered.
"How did you come in SO quietly? Who
are youp
''Never mind who / am" replied the
small man, s'nor how | came in. Let it
suffice that have the power to make your
wish reality. Moreover, it is Christmas
night and the whim occurs to me to do
something appropriate TO the day."
care you a--wizardT inquired Bolivar,
with a crawling sensation in tine region of
his spine and queer feeling at the roots of
his hair.
81 am sometimes called a wizard, said
the small man, imperturbably.
"And you will give me S1,O00,00O!"
"On one condition"
"And that"
SIS that nothing in your appearance man
ner of living, or use of the money shall
awaken any suspicion that you are a man
of Wealth.
SIS that allg' exclaimed Bolivar, joy
fully. II accept"
'Now, mark me WELL" said the little man.
''There is penalty for the violation of this
agreement The money will be supplied to
you at regular intervals and in designated
sums. Any failure on your part to carry
out the contract will result in the imme-
diate shutting off and forfeiting of the sup
ply. You need not think to deceive me.
There may be other penalties" added the
little man, with queer smile, "but they
are chiefly such as will naturally attach to
the extraordinary position In which you
will find yourself Here is $1,000. At the
end of two weeks you will present yourself
at the banking house of Bilks & Cannon
and inquire for Mr.. Ryno, my confidential
agent. He will give you $1,000, aud you
will draw a like amount every two weeks
till the whole is drawn. l wish you joy,
sir, in the sudden fulfllment of your hastily
uttered desire"
Bolivar Smearcus took the $1,000 and
looked at 1t in q dazed manner for some
moments. When he raised his head and
turned to thank his unknown benefactor he
found himself alone in his employers store.
He locked up the building and went to his
lodgings.
CHAPTER ii.
"Mr. Smearcus," said the head salesman
went into the store the next day, ''you are
late this morning. for the second time this
week. If this occurs again i shall report
you to Mr.. Spotcash."
Report and be hanged" exclaimed Boli-
var. ~ don't care for you or old Spotcash,
either! am not dependent ON this store
for living"
"Oho" sneered the salesman. "Man of
mems, are yous Has some rich relative
died and-n
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Spangler," said
Bolivar, as the recollection of his agreement
with the little man flashed across him. 81
spoke hastily. l shall try to be prompt
hereafter Please say nothing to Mr.. Spot
cash.
CHAPTER III.
MRS, Harrington" said Bolivar to his
landlady, 81 believe owe you for six weeks
board. Here is the money. Never mind
the change. Three or four dollars isn't
worth making fuss about. / have been
thinking, Mrs. Harrington, of going to a
hotel to board hereafter"
claw, MIR. Smearcusl Have you had a
windfall-5truck oil or something o. that"
Bless your soul, madame, mop protested
! Boil var, in disrlay, as the thought Of the
little mai again mtruded itself, ''add
since / come to think of it | need that little
change-$3 IS isn't tito pay a wash bill
was only joking when talked Of going TO
| a hotel These are hard times. Mrs. Har-
rington-terribly hard times for a young
man with a small salaryp
CHAPTER w.
beg pardon, Mr.. Smearcus,n said the
| deacon at church. as he came to the pew
where the young man was sitting, "but'you
surely made mistake in dropping this SO
gold piece into the contribution box iu I
now. You thought it was silver dollar,
| Of course "
Certainly not" replied Bolivar, loftily.
"that's all right. I-I-why, Of course l
made mistake. One dollar was what
meant 10 give. Iii take the $50 gold piece.
Thank you. lit doesn't belong 10 me.
anyhow It's borrowed"
CHAPTER v.
81 can make you n suit of clothes out of
this piece Of goods, Mr.. Bmearc Is, for $50.
That may seem high. bu | eau warrant the
cloth 70 wear Ike buckskin.n
81 don't want suit 81 cottonad0 or jeans,
Mr.. Snip What would suit of this piece
| costf'
"Thati Why, that would cost you 900.
/ made a suit out Of that cloth for Banker
Cannon lat week. II you can afford
| such A.
Bless my soul, mol Haven't you some.
thing that would make a seryiceable suit
| for about el5F