Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-04-04

| lsnment 10 see the squire put down
his own glass scarcely tasted. with an
expression of disgust, and exclaimed
with frown and in q harsh tone to
the servant, who was just leaving the
| room:
What do you mean by bringing
me such stuff"
"Isn't it right" faltered the
servant
fright! Have you the face to ask
me if it is? Why, it can't be more
than a year old. No wine is fit to
drink till it has at least five years
age Go back and bring me some
from a different bin"
"These servants are SO careless. "
he exclaimed; "but she must take
care not to serve me such q trick
again.
Tim marveled at the superior de-
LEGACY of taste which found that dis.
gushing, which. to his own untutored
taste. seemed delicious.
However. thought he, and a
spice of envy was in the thought, Il
suppose these rich folks are different
ly constituted from what we are.
Well, l only wish was sure of getting
every day as good wine as this. How
ever, it's no use wishing. There's
some folks that's born to be 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 it's all right,
but it does seem to me as if things
weren't ordered SO justly as they
might be-"
So it was that the demons of envy
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.
1T appears to me-" said the stran-
ger. 'that you are in trouble. You
look SOBER"
II suppose I have right to look
So" said Tim, with an absence of his
usual politeness.
81 do not mean any impertinence.
be assured" said the other. 81
thought I might possibly be of service"
Il don't Lind telling you what
troubled me-" said Tim, after a mo-
ment's pause. 1--WE just been up to
the house of Squire Norcross, and
when / saw his handsome house and
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 make the
exchanged"
Its no use wishing that
''On the contrary, I can affect the
change for you"
you" exclaimed Tim. looking at
his companion in establishment.
Yes" said the other, composedly.
land 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
land what will become of him?"
"Oh. he will be changed into Tim,
the Blacksmith.
"Well." said Tim, his eyes CLEAN.
ing with delight at the prospects of
becoming a millionaire straightway,
IL agree"
but to affect the change. let me
say one thing. 1t is to continue fer
week. If, at the end of that time, you
wish it to be made permanent, it shall
be SO. If not, you have only to say
Presto. changed and you will at once
become Tim, the Blacksmith, again."
No fear of 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 COM
placency.
His exultation was a little dashed