Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-04-06
AN EXCHANGE.
We'll, what are you thinking OFF"

"Whyp"
Well, sir, you are rich, you know, and
can do as you like all day, and you are 6
foot l, and good lookin to match"
And | have wished often that | were you.
You are maxim game of me, sir"
Mol mean it. ! nave often said were |
young Clint over there, hard at work all
day, enjoying coarse fare, taking pleasure
In cheap pastimes, luxuriating in his Sun
days and holidays, what would | not give?
! have too many leisures; | nave a surfeit of
all things. 1t isn't good for a man"
I'D like to try it, sir"
And ] should like to try the daily toll
the happy rest-the sharp appetite-the
spirit that sends you whistling to your
work. I'd change with you, Clint"
"Ahem!' muttered somebody behind
them.
The shoemaker and the gentleman both
turned. In the doorway stood a crooked
little old man in black, with a weazen, vel
low face. He bowed and entered.
Il overheard your wish just now" said
the little man. II overheard also that wish
OF your shoemaker yonder and am here in
consequence.
Il tan, if I choose, crafty this wish of
yours at once. 1t is a within of mine to do
30. Come, now, were you in earnest?"
Il was" said the gentleman.
"Of course | was" said the cobbler.
The little man in black drew from his
pocket a parchment.
Append ycur signature" he said. This
compact viii accomplish all that you de-
sire, but remember it is irrevocable unless
within the year both desire it to be broken
at the same instant"
The old gentleman is mad" thought
Charles, 'ill sign to humor him."
It's | don't know who," said the shoe
maker, hut I'll sign for all that"
Charles Vane arose from sleep and looked
about the room. 1t was the coGbler's shop.
Pah! how it smelled of wax and gin!
lie looked IN the glass. There was the
cobhler's face and five brief feet of stature.
He glanced over the way and saw himself
stepping into a little natty turnout
The old man spoke the truth" he said.
Il am about to taste humble happiness"
Ii was not sweet at the first bite.
He was conscious of a queer feeling never
experienced before. After awhile he began
To believe 1t was hunger.
He began TO remember also that he had
had no breakfast except a piece Of bread
and an onion. He looked around for a bell
to ring for lunch. There was no bell.
DO shoemakers starvef" he asked men
tally Just then the door opened.
Come till yez, mattel" yelled the servant
OF the house. "Missus seq yc're maxim the
nther boarders wait" and down went the
last and boot with a~lacrity.
Led by some queer instinct, the new shoe
maker stumbled kitchenward and saw at
table nine men, three women and a girl.
Charles Vane remembered having envied
Giint his interchange of kisses with this
damsei at the shop door of moonlight
nights, and To have written a poem on
humble love.
Alas, he now knew also that the brassy
ring with a glass stone upon the damsel's
finger WA his engagement ring!
The daInsel was not ugly, but she was
coarse, Her finger nails were Garkly
trimmed. she had her hair tucked into net,
through which it poked its ends at inter.
walls, her apron was dirty and her waist u
yard about.
The agonies of that dinner could never
he forgotten. Even his Workshop became
n paradise.
He rushed thither. Alas, there waited a
iaborer with his bod who wanted his bro
gan patched At this soul rose superior to
sense. Mr.. Vane conquered the cobbIer.
DO you expect me to mend such dirty
shoes as those?" he said.
Dirty, be iabersT" yelled the man and
flew ut him.
In vain did Mr.. Vane strive to remember
the lessons in the manly art of self defense
acquired from Mr.. Punchemfiat. He was
pounded to "a Jelly, and Abigail Sprat, hear.
ing the disturbance abigail Sprat was the
damsel's namel, few to his rescue, wept
over her ducky" and plastered him with
brown paper and vinegar.
When it smarted, Mr.. Vane against his
will said.
"Uuchr AM II tart, Jnougu.
You poor, dear ducky," said Abigail
Sprat. But I'll kiss 'em and make 'em
we'll"
And she did.
At dusk Abigail Sprat proposed a walk.
He treated her to ginger beer. He bought
peanuts, and they ate them out of his hand.
kerchief.
He returned in II state of indescribable
despair and sought his garnet. There he
stared across at the hotel Somebody at
its window looked also at the moon.
Happy dogi' thought Vane. "He will
never change back again. Pm fixed for
life. Oh. what IA fool I've been-what a
TOOL"
Somebody on the other side of the street
said in n faint voice. audible by some mirac
ulous means:
''Oh, what a fool | have beenr"
Who's that?" called Vane.
Il used to be Mr.. Clint. Now Pm Mr..
yane." said the voice. ''Oh. amt wretch
cdr
you are laughing at me" said Vane.
II ain't. Oh. | don't wonder you got me
in for it. It's awful"
what has happened to jour" asked
Vane.
First place, the dinner" said Clint. Il
had soup, and before l could eat 1t they
took it away and gave me fish, and that
they grabbed and gave me meat, and !
hadn't nothir to eat but sweets n things,
and MY digestives is so hurt Pm sure shall
die.
'aThen ! amt got nothin to do, and ]
have to be rs stiff rs a post, and I'm afraid
of the horses-they p 1nce so. And then
oh, you wretchl That's why you did IT. i
know. I'll kill youf"
"What1" asked Nane.
Abigail Spratl"
"Heyt"
Il saw her kissin you. And you'll marry
herr
,Hanp me IL | will" said Vane.