Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1893-04-07
AN EXCHANGE.


red to his ears
"Well, sir" said the shoemaker, .'since
you want to know, If you'll excuse the
liberty. was a-wishin was you.'
"Whyf"
well, sir, you are rich, you know. and
can do as you like all day, and you are 6
foot I, and good lookin to match"
And havewished often that were you. !"
"You are maxim game of me, sir"
Mol mean it. have often said were
young Clint over there, hard at work all
day. enjoying coarse fare. taking pleasure
in cheap pnstimes, luXuriating in his Sun
days aud holidays, what would not give.
have too many leisures; | have a surfcit of
all things. 1t isn't good for u man."
I'D like to try it, SIR"
And ! should like to try the daily toll
the happy rcst-the sharp appetite-the
spirit that sends you whistling to your
work. I'd change with you, Clint"
"Ahcm!" muttered somebody behind
them.
The shoemaker and the gentleman both
turned. In the doorway stood crooked
little old man in black, with weazcn, vel.
low face. He bowed and entered
II overheard your wish just now," said
the little man. II overheard also that wish
Of your shoemaker yonder and am here in
consequence.
II c;lll. If ] choose, gr,tify this wish of
yours at once 1t is a whim of mine to do
so. Come, now, We're you in carnest?"
II was. I" said the gentleman.
"Of course was," snid the cobbler.
The little man in black drew from his
pocket parchment.
Append your signature" he said. "This
compact will accomplish all that you de.
sire, but remember it is irrevocablc unless
within the year both desire it to be broken
at the same Instant"
''The ald gentleman is mad," thought
Charles. "l'll sign to liumor him."
Its don't know wEo," said the shoe
maker, but I'll sign for all that"
Charles Vane arose from sleep and looked
about the room. 1t WIS the cobbler's shop.
Pant how it smellcl OF wax and gin!
He looked III the glass. There was the
cobbler's face and five brief feet of stature
He glanced over the way and saw himself
stepping into "a little natty turnout.
''rlic old man spoke the TRUTH" he said
Il am about to taste humble happiness"
It was not sweet at the first bite.
He was conscious of Il queer feeling never
experienced betore After awhile he began
to believe it WAS hunger
lie began to remember also that i,c had
had no breakfast except piece of bread
and an onion. lie looked around for u bell
to ring for lunch. There was no bell
"Do sl,oelnakers starve?" he asked men.
tally. Just then the door opened.
Come till yez mattel" yelled the servant
oi the house. "Misslls seq ye're makin the
other boar.lers watt" and down went the
l;lst and boot with alacrity
Lex! 10y some queer instinct, the new shoe
maker stumbled Hitchenward and saw at a
table nine men. three women and girl
Charles Vane remembered having envied
Clint his interchange of kisses with this
slamseI ut the shop door of moonlight
nights. and to have written Il poem on
humble love.
Alas, he now knew also that the brassy
ring with II glass stone upon the damscl'a
finger was his engagement ring!
The dansel was not ugly. but she was
coarse. Her finger nails were darkly
trimmed. she had her hair tucked into q net,
through which it pokcd it's ends Mt inter.
vals. her apron was dirty and her waist a
yard al,out.
The agonies Of that dinner could never
he forgotten. Even his workshop became
u paradise.
He rushed thither. Alas, there waited a
lal,orer with mis- hod who wanted his bro
gan patched! At this soul rose superior to
sense. Mr. Vane conquered the cobblcr
'Do you expect me to mend such dirty
shoes ,ls those?" he said
DIRTY, I've iabcrs!'' yelled the man and
flew at him,
in vain did MIR Nane strive to remember
the lessons in the manly art of self defense
acquired from Mr.. Punchemfiat. He was
pounded to jelly. and Abigail Sprat. hear.
ing the disturbance abigail Sprat was the
dansel's namel flew to his rescue, wcpt
brown paper and vinegar
When it snlarted. Mr. Vane against his
will said.
'UuchT Amt 1t t;trt, Lnuuyu.
'.You poor. dear dlcky." said Abigail
Sprat. "Rut I'll kiss em and make ZEN,
we'll"
Aud she did.
AT dusk Abigail sprat proposed walk
He treated her to ginger beer. He bought
peanuts, and they ate them out of his hand
kclrhicf
He returned in state of indescribable
despair and sought his garret. There he
stared across at the hotel. Somebody al
its window looked also at the moon.
Happy dog" thought Vane. "He will
never change back a..:in. I'm flXed fol
life Oh what IL fool I've t,een-what 4
foul.''
Somebody OF the other side of the stree,
said in 1, faint voice. audible by some mir.c
ulOus mc;lns
''Oh. what "a fool l have hcen!"
WHO'S that." called Nanc.
II used to lie MIR. Clint. Now I'm Mr.
Vane." said the voice. "Oh, amt ! wretch
edr'
You are laughing at me-" said vane.
II amt. Oh, don't wonder you got IN,
in for it. It's awful"
What has happened to your" asket
vane.
First place. the dinner" said Clint. .'
had soup. and before ! could eat it the,
took it away and gave me fish, and thn
they grabbed and gave me neat, and
hadn't nothin to eat but sweets and things
and my digestiyes is so hurt Pm sure sl,al
die.
"rl,cn l amt got nothin to do. and
have to lie aus stiff a., IL post, and I'm afra;t
VI the horsrs-thcy prance So And then
oh, you wretch! That's why you didit.
know. I'll kill your
"Wllat." asked Vane.
Abigail Sp,at"
Hey"