Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-03-21
be good deal happier in his place


exchanged"
ut is no use wishing that"
"On the contrary, can affect tie
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 be-
come Squire Norcross himself"
"And what will become of himp"
"Oh, he will be changed into Tim the
Blacksmith"
WELL" said Tim, his eyes cleaning
with delight at the prospects of becom-
ing a millionaire straightway, 81
agree"
but to affect the change, let me say
one thing. 1t is to continue for week.
II, 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,
change! and you at once become Tim
the Blacksmith again"
mo fear of that" said Tim.
"That we shall see," said the strang-
err.
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 discomfort.
"And ! am master OF all this wealth"
thought Tim, eXultingly. He looked
about him with complacency.
His cxultation was 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 appear
ance. He was, besides, of much
smaller make, and Tim was somewhat
dismayed, when. in place of his stout
and muscular arm, he recognized the
thin and shrunken member which he
had inherited with the squire's proper
ty.
However" thought he, recovering
himself, lit doesn't make much diff
ference ABOUT being stout and vigorous,
as long as | shan't have to work any
more"
The table containing the wine and
refreshments had not yet been removed.
Remembering the delicious taste of the
latter, Tim poured out glass and
quaffed it. 1t was very singular
but it did not taste nearly as good as
before.
They have changed the wine"
thought he.
He was mistaken; it was only his
taste that had changed. II struck him
that he would like to walk around and
survey his new property and its eX-
tent. He accordingly put his foot up
on the carpet and essayed to step on it.
when terrible twinge sliced 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 my foot?"
exclaimed Tim, querulously. 1T feels
as if pins were being stuck in it."
isn't it the gout?" asked the SER
want, respectfully.
The goutw exclaimed Tim, in dis
may. "You don't mean to say that
have the govt, do you?"
"You know, Squire Norcross," SAID
the servant, little surprised, "that
Dr. Bolus said that was the matter
with you"
II don't remember anything of the
kind" said Tim, irritated. Il should
like to know how I'm going to go about,
if that's the case"
He looked at the servant with an in
jured air, as if the latter were person
ally to blame for his intirmity.
"Dick and | will wheel your chair
around" said the servant.
VERY WE'LL" said Tim, after a mo-
ment's reflection, you may do it."
Accordingly, he was wheeled from
room to room, each of which he
scrutinized carefully, and asked ques-
tions about the articles therein, which
astonished the servants, who, suppos-
ing him to be Squire Norcross in reality,
thought he must be playing some game
upon them.
He was next carried out to survey
the grounds, and felt, it must be
acknowledged, not "a little pride and
pleasure in the thought that they were
his. In this way he whiled away the
time till dinner, which was, of course,
sumptuous banquet, compared with
what he had been accustomed to- After
dinner, he was little at loss how to
pass the time. He picked up a book
and began TO read, but, not being used
to much exercise of the mental powers,
he soon became weary of this. He
began to miss the society of his wife
aud children. With them he could
have made shift to enjoy himself better.
Indeed, this was point he had quite
overlooked when he agreed to the
transfer, though now he saw that he
could not we'll have both.
But at any rate, he must see his chill
dren and his wife. A bright thought
came to him. He could order the car
riage and ride through the village and
past his old residence. He accordingly
summoned a servant, and ordered the
carriage TO be got ready Immediately.
His command was law, and the carriage
was speedily driven round to the front
gate. 1t was with some difficulty that
he got in, for his govt was so severe
that any unguarded movement gave
him exquisite pain.
Now, where shall driver" asked
the coachman.
ITO the village"
"By which road?"
THE one that passes the blacksmith's
shop"
Tim Hooper's?"
Yes, you rascal, and mind you speak