The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1892-01-02
NO. $685..

Don Simon Pesetero III the good city
fortune which he was sure wouldcome.
Then he would marry F%rasquita and
be happy. Unfortunately, neither Of
them was blessed with a peseta.
Jose extracted teeth and followed
his master when there was work to DO
done in the village. Frasquita shaved
the clients with a sure hand. For
their services they each received 200
france a year and board. The board
consisted OF adaily 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, "will yoh advance
me 20 francs on my wages?"
"Twenty francs, you little prodi.
gal what do you want to do with
it?"
81 had a wonderful dream"
"Well, what has a dream got to do
with 20 trancs?"
81 dreamed that 1865 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 a 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 your" said one OF the
auditors.
ooh, nothing. I am tired OF reading;
besides there is nothing interesting"
He rose and went in.the back room
where Frasquita was writing.
"My little Frasquita, you had
better 60 to bed. The air is chill, and
l am afraid you will get the rheuma>
tism."
The crowd held their breath. Never
in the memory of man had old Pese
tero addressed an inferior in such
language.
Frasquita rose and went up the
stairs. Don Simon called after her.
81 think you get up too early for a
girl OF your age. In the future you
need not go 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
his pocket and stood under the light
"No, was not mistaken. 1t is No
$685. which has won. Frasquita is
now worth 2OO, OOOf."
He walked up and down, much
agitated, wondering how he could APP
propriate this fortune without danger.
He evidently had found plan, for
when he entered the shop next DIR
ing he was rubbing his hands. Fras-
quiti was sharpening the razors.
"My child" he said, ''sit down here
by me. have u serious suggestion to
nuke. Ittis O six years since you
have served ne faithfully. / may
have appeared at times somewhat
brusquc. but that was to prove you.
Today The proof is finished"
cit asrather long" said Frasquita.
"P6ssibly, but now things will be
different: We will leave the past alone.
For six years l have appreciated your
good qualities. AS for me, ! am IS
years old, but still strong and hearty.
I am worth, 100, 600 francs besides
my shop. What do you say-will
you marry Ele??'
At this proposition Frasquita al.
most fell Off the chair. Certainly the
future was not attractive. but the
fortune vas large. Meanwhile she
thought OF Jose.
"Wi!l you give me eight days to
think it over?!"
eyes, but on one condition that
during hat time you speak to no one.
I am afraid you may be influenced
against me-"
81 promise"
She wrote to Jose and received a
laconic response. "Leave everything
to fortune" So she consented to
marry Don Simon.
On the day of the marriage it was
necessary that husband and wife
should deposit their fortunes in the
hands OF tile notary. 1t was then that
Don Simon asked carelessly:'
"By the. way you bought the lot
terry ticket No. $3.50 ] believer"
"Not at all. That was a pretext. ]
spent my 20 francs at the feet Of
Talavera."
miserable! Wretch-infam''-
Don Simon fell, smitten by a stroke
of apoplexy.
Jose returned TRANQUILITY from his
regiment, took possession without