Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-01-17
A WEIRD, WILD STORY.
Hitherto Unpublished Anecdote in a Cele
brated Necromancer's Career.

The young man had uttered his wish
aloud. To his surprise and confusion
quiet voice at his elbow replied:
"You can have it, sir, on one condi-
sion."
Bolivar Smearcus turned suddenly
and found himself in the presence of
small man with prominent ears, keen
eyes and a beard of medium length.
'1-thought l was aloner' he STAN
mered. '.How did you come in SO
quietly? Who are you?"
''Neyer mind who am" replied the
small man, NOR how came ill., Let
it suffice that l have the power to make
your wish reality"
''Are you a-wizard?" inquired Boil
var, with crawling sensation in the
region of his spine and a queer feeling
at the roots of his hair.
Il am sometimes called a wizard"
said the small man, imperturbably.
''And you will give me $1,000, OOO?"
''On one condition"
''And that"
us that nothing in your appearance,
manner of living, or use of the money
shall awaken any suspicion that you
are man of wealth."
rs that alp" exclaimed Bolivar,
ioyfully. Il accept"
''Now mark me WE'LL" said the little
man. There is a penalty for the vio-
lation of this agreement The money
will be supplied to you at regular in
tervals and in designated sums ANY
failure on your part to carry out the
contract will result in the immediate
shutting off and FORGETTING of the sup
ply You need not think to deceive
me- There may be other penalties
added the little man, with a queer
smile, but they are chiefly such as
will naturally attach to the extraordi-
nary position in which you will find
yourself Here is $1,000. At the end
of two weeks you will present yourself
at the clearinghouse of Bilks & Gam
mon and inquire for Mr.. Ryno, nv con-
fidential agent. He will give you S4O,-
900, and you will draw a like amount
every two weeks till the whole is
drawn. l wish you JOY, sir, in the
sudden fulfillment of your hastily-ut-
tered desire"
Bolivar Smearcus took the 81 900 and
looked at it in a dazed manner for some
moments. When he raised his head
and to thank his unknown benefactor
he found himself alone in his employ
ers' store. He locked up the building
and went to his lodgings.
CHAP. III.
''Mr. Smearcus," said the head sales
man at Spotcash & Co.'S, sharply, as
Bolivar went into the store the next
day, ''you are late this morning for
the second time this week. If this
occurs again | shall report you to Mr..
Spotcash."
''Report and be hangedr' exclaimed
Bolivar. 81 don't care for you or old
Spotcash either! l am not dependent
on this store for living"
''Ohor" sneered the salesman. MAN
of means, are you9 Has some rich rel
ative died and"
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Spangler,"
said Bolivar, as the recollection of his
agreement with the little man flashed
across him. II spoke hastily. l shall
try to be prompt hereafter. Please say
nothing to Mr.. Spotcash-"
CHAP. III.
Mrs. Harrington" said Bolivar to
his landlady, Il believe 1 owe you for
six weeks board. Here is the money.
Never mind the change. Three or four
dollars isn't worth making a fuss
about. / have been thinking, Mrs.
Harrington, of going to a hotel to board
hereafter"
Law, Mr.. Smearcus! Have you
had windfall-struck oil or some
ting o that"
BLESS your soul. madame, nor pro-
tested Bolivar, in dismay, as the
thought of the little man again in
truded itself. .sAnd since | come to
think of it need that little change
s3. IS. isn't it?-to pay a wash bill. 1
was only joking when talked of going
to hotel. These are hard times, Mrs
Harrington-terrible hard times-for
young man on small salary"
CHAP. w.
s.Beg pardon, Mr.. Smearcus," said
The deacon at church. as he came to
the pew where the young man was sit
ting but you surely made mistake
in dropping this $50 gold piece into the
contribution box just now" You
thought it was a silver dollar. of
course"
Certainly not" replied Bolivar,
loftily, that's all right, II-why,
of course | made mistake. One dol
lar was what / meant to give. I'll
take the $50 gold piece. Thank you
lit doesn't belong to me, anyhow.
It's borrowed"
II can make you suit of clothes out
of this piece of goods, Mr.. Smearcus,
for $50. That may seem high, but L
can warrant the cloth to wear like
buckskin."
Il don't want suit of cottonade or
leans. Mr.. Snip. What would a suit OF
this piece cost?"
THAT? Why, that would cost you
500. / made a suit out of that cloth
for Banker Cannon last week. If you
can afford such "a
..Bless my soul, no! Haven't you
something that would make q service
able suit for about $15?"
CHAP. vi.
81 am sorry to trouble you, Smear
Gus. but I'm in bad luck. My family is