The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-05-07
NO. 5555.

- FelS'0iA ~ VIC DdIDeE SnOps OF g
Don Simon Pesetero in the good CITY
fortune which he was sure would come.
Then he would marry Frasquita and
be happy. Unfortunately, neither OF
them was blessed with a peseta.
Jose extracted teeth and followed
his master when there was work to be
done in thevillage. Frasquita shaved
the clients with a sure hand. For
their services they each received 200
france a year and board. The board
consisted OF a daily allowance of bread,
two sardines, half a dozen tomatoes
and water at discretion.
When the time came for Jose to Join
the army he confronted Frasquita by
the assurance that they would soon
be rich and might get married. Then
he kissed her and went away to Join
the carabineers for four years.
When he was gone she found that
she had to do all his work, even to the
drawing Of teeth, for Don Simon was
penurious and saw his opportunity to
save 200 francs a year.
One day Frasquita sought the mas
ter.
"sir," she said, evil you advance
me 70 francs on my wages?"
s'Twenty francs, you little prodi-
gal what do you want to do with
II had a wonderful dream"
"Well, what has dream got to do
with 20 trancs?"
II dreamed that $685. would win
the capital prize in the lottery and
want to buy the ticket.''
The old man shrugged his shoulders
and gave her the money with a growl
Frasquita took the gold piece and all
the week seemed happier than usual.
When the annual fete of Talavera
came around, she amused herself like
a fool, gorging herself with fried fish,
cakes and avelines of Valence, placing
three wax candles before the statue
Of St. Rogue to obtain the prompt
return of her lover Jose.
The barber was in the habit Of read
ing aloud from the newspaper every
night in his shop to select circle of
clients: One evening, just as he had
finished a long political article, he
suddenly paused and grew pale.
"Well, Uncle Simon, what is the
matter with you?" said one OF the
auditors
ooh, nothing. I am tired ofreading;
besides there is nothing interesting
He rose and went in the back room
where Frasquita was writing.
my little Frasquita, you had
better 20 to bed. The air is chill, and
I am afraid you will get the rheuma-
tism."
The crowd held their breath. Never
in the memory of man had old Peso
tero addressed an inferior in such
language.
| Frasquita rose and went up the
stairs. Don Simon called after her
II think you get up too early for a.
girl of your age. In the future you
need not 60 to work until g."
| When he returned to the shop he
made some excuse to get rid OF his
friends, who by this time believed him
thoroughly mad.
Once alone he took the paper out Of
y his pocket and stood under the light
"No, Twas not mistaken. It is No
1855 which has won. Frasquita is
now worth 2OO,OOOf."
He walked up and down, much
agitated, wondering how he could ap-
propriate this fortune without danger.
He evidently had found plan, for
when he entered the shop next morn
ing he was rubbing his hands. Fras-
quita was sharpening the razors.
':My child,' he said, "sit down here
by me. I have serious suggestion to
make It is now six years since you
= have served me faithfully. 1 may
! have appeared at times somewhat
brusque, but that was to prove you.
Today the proof is finished"
at was rather long, said Frasquita
ssPossibly, but now things will be
), different; we will leave the past alone
For six years [ have appreciated your
good qualities. AS for me, [ am s.
, years old, but still strong and hearty
7 I am worth, 100000 francs besides
my shop. What do you say-wil]
$ you marry me?''
At this proposition Frasquita al
t most fell off the chair. Certainly the
> future was not attractive, but the
fortune was large. Meanwhile she
thought of Jose.
"Wi!l you give me eight days te
6 think it over?'
8 eyes, but on one condition that
u during that time you speak to no one
!, I am afraid you may be influenced
t against me-"
. 81 promise"
She wrote to Jose and received
n laconic response. leave everythln!
to fortune" So she consented tt
marry Don Simon.
j On the day Of the marriage it was
necessary that husband and wife
should deposit their fortunes in tn
hands Of the notary. 1t was then thai
d Don Simon asked carelessly:
n "By the way you bought the lot
terry ticket No. $685. [ believer"
.'Not at all. That was a pretext.
e spent my 20 francs at the feet 0
Talavera."
y 'Miserable! Wretch-infam"- .
Don Simon fell, s,nitten by a strok'
81 apoplexy. J. -, :.
regiment, took possession without
astonishment OF the girl, the store ant
the fortune!