The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-03-21

| some folks that's born TO BIO rich, and
can have pictures and fine houses and
all sorts OF beautiful furniture. and
can pass their lives without doing any
thing; and there's others. we. for ex.
ample. that have to work hard all
our lives and put up with the plain
est food, and the toughest accommo-
dations. and don't have any time to
rest Well, suppose its all right,
but II does seem to me rs il things
weren't ordered SO justly a. thoy
might be-
and discomfort took possession of the
hitherto contented and happy black
smith. While in this discontinued
frame Of mind he did not observe an
individual with dark complexion and
hair OF raven blackness, who appeared
to be following him. At length the
latter overlook him. and accosted him
with a familiar: ..Good-morning.'
"Good-morning.' responded Tim.
too discontinued to be curious.
ut appears to me-" said the stran-
ger. that you are in trouble. You
look SOBER
Il suppose ] have right to look
So" said Tim. with an absence OF his
usual politeness.
Il do not mean any impertinence,
be assured said the other. Il
thought might possibly be OF service. :
i don't ,aind telling you what
troubled me- said Tim, after mo-
ment's pause. I've just been up to
the house OF Squire Norcross, and
when saw his handsome house ard
costly furniture. and thought Of my
own humble home"
You felt that fortune was unjust in
giving him so much and you SO little.
That is it, is it not?'
You are right" said the black
| smith.
You felt, perhaps, that you would
be good deal happier in his place
than in your own"
.'Of course l should. He has moth
ing to do but to enjoy himself"
Perhaps you would like to mako the
exchange?'
Its no use wishing that
''On the contrary, can affect the
change for you.'
You" exclaimed Tim. looking at
his companion in establishment.
Yes" said the other, composedly.
And give me the fine house and
all the wealth OF Squire Norcross?'
Yes; but only on condition that
you actually renounce your identity
and become Squire Norcross himself. =
And what will become Of him?"
"Oh, he will DO changed into Tim,
the Blacksmith"
well" said Tim, his eyes CLEAN
ing with delight at the prospects OF
becoming millionaire straightway.
u agree"
But to affect the change. let me
say one thing. 1t Is to continue for q
week. II, at the end Of that time, you
wish 1t TO be made permanent, it shall
be SO. II not, you have only to say
Presto. changed and you will at once
become Tim, the Blacksmith, again.
NO fearof that" said Tim
THAT We shall see" said the
stranger.
Thereupon he waved his hand, and
Tim Immediately found himself sitting
in the arm chair OF Squire Norcross,
in the splendid apartment which had
kindled his admiration and discon.
tent.
And l am master Of all his
wealth." thought Tim, exultingly.
He looked about him.. with CON-
placency.
His exultation was o little dashed
when he happened to catch his own
figure reflected in the mirror opposite
for be it known that Tim, in his own
person, was quite comely, while Squire
Norcross was at least fifteen years
Older, and not at all prepossessing in
appearance. He was, besides, OF &
much smaller make. and Tim wa.
somewhat dismayed. when. in place O
his stout and muscular arm. he recog
nized the thin and shrunken member
which he had inherited with tn,
Squire's property.
However thought he. recovering
himself, lit doesn't make much diff
ference about being stout and vigor
Gus, as long as shan't have to worl
any more"
The table containing the wine ant
refreshments had not yet been re
moved. Remembering the deliciou.
taste of tho latter, Tim poured out !:
glass and quaffed it. It was yer,
singular. but it did not taste nearly O:
good as before.
They must have changed thu
wine," thought he.
He was mistaken; it was only his
taste that had changed. It struck him
that he would like to walk around aad
survey his new property and its extent.
he accordingly put his foot upon the
carpet and essayed to step on it, when
9 terrible twinge seized him. He
thought at first he had been bitten BY
a snake, or something of this kind
and roared with pain. A servant came
running into the room in great alarm.
What's the matter with nv foot?'
exclaimed Tim, querulously. ut feels
as If pins were being stuck in it,
Isn't it the gout?" asked the serv
ant, respectfully.
1.-The gout!' exclaimed Tim, in dis
may. "You don't mean to say that
have the govt, doyou?"
"You know, Squire Norcross." sale
the servant. little surprised, "tha
Dr. Bolus said that was the matter
with you"
II don't remember any thing of tn,
kind said Tim, iIritated. u shout,
like to know how I'm going to g,
about. il that's the case"
lie looked at the servant with a,
injured air, as II the latter were per
sonally to blame for his iniirmity.