Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-01
RICHES HAVE WINGS.

bEondway urtll he felt that It was danger ous for him to show himself on such a thoroughfaro, walking in an aimless way solato at night, or rather so early in the morning.
 a1"Divil take mc'' he said to himself, "abut must get hold of little money or wink out"
 Just then policeman came in sight, and Mike turned down back street.
 "Begorrai" was his exclamation, that was a narrow escape. But with little good luck will get out of this mess. "
 Mike sauntered along for block or so until the chilly atmosphere drove him into stairway for shelter. Then he paused for moment and listened.
 The policeman walked on down the oth- CT street, and Mike felt safe for the time
 But it was growing colder, and it was not long before the homeless wandercr obcycd the natural instincts of self pres eryation. He shivered awhile and then cautiously made his way up stairs, wherc he saw a chance of sleeping in the hall way.
 For an hour or two the tramp, for that was what he was, made the best of his rough bed, but toward morning he became restless and Logan to feel his way. Turn ing a doorknob he entered a room, and its total darkness did not prevent him from finding out in a moment that it was an office whose occupant had left it un locked.
 Mike at first felt somewhat embarrassed, but his hunger urged him on and he be- gan search in the desks and cabinets.
 It was evidently an office room, but the intruder could not exactly make out what it was. In the darkness he plunged about until finally he opened desk and his hands touched roll of something in the shape of bank bills, and as soon as he felt them he was satisfied that he had found plenty of money or something like it.
 He took handful to tho window, and by the dim light from the streets ho read the corners of the bills. He saw such figures as $500 and $1, 900 on the notes, and it suddenly struck him that he was in sight of Monte Cristo fortune.
 He rushed back to the desk, and after diving into it again he drew out another large bundle, which, upon investigation, proved to bo package of bills of very large denomination.
 Tho tramp, congratulating himself upon his luck, made still further Investigations, and in the course of half hour, with his pockets well filled, he descended the stair way and paused at the entrance with a very anxious look. He felt his bulging pockets Every ono was stuffed with $500 and $1 900 bills.
 He had hundreds of thousands of dol : lars on his person, and he was afraid to run any risk.
 But he no longer feared that the police would arrest him for vagrancy. The pos session of so much wealth gave him con- fldence.
 1 Fortunately his clothes were not alto gether disreputable and would not attract attention.
 Mike stepped out on the sidewalk and took promenade on few side streets.
 His conscience did not rcproach him. He had been hungry tramp so long that he would not fight against temptation.
 It seemed to him that he had picked up his fortune in the road. He regarded him self not as a thief, but as discoverer.
 How about the owner of the money? , Mike shrugged his shoulders and grinned. ."I'd be pretty fool to let $l ,000, ,000 es- capo mo, D he said as he strolled along. ,st5 It was almost daylight when he wheeled -ainto Broadway again. ''Bedad, "was his cheerful exclamation, five got tho stuff, and I'll have my fun"
 He turned into fashionable restaurant, just opened at that early hour, and in few moments an expensive meal was spread before him.
 Poor fellow
 While he ate he laughed and chuckled over the coming surprise of the clerk when he should be called on to change $l00 bill
 The rich tramp took his time. He ate voraciously and remained fully an hour at the table.
 Finally tho waiter presented a ticket for $5.
 All right, said Mike, throwing down $100 bill. "Let mo have the change, and bring it-quick"
 Then he laughed quietly as he thought of the clerk $ astonishment.
 The waiter md the clerk held conver- sation at the desk and looked angrily at their smiling guest.
 Say" yelled tho clerk, "this racket won't do, you know"
 Smallest I'vo got, replied Mike good naturedly. 'Got nothing else but $500 and S1 1000 bills
 'Confound you!" roarod the clerk, "this is Confederate moneyp
 A blank look of amazement came over Mikes face, and in an instant he was on his feet
 He emptied pocket after pocket and soon had about bushel of notes spread out on the table.
 It was all Confederate trash. There was not dollar of good money in tho lot.
 The half fainting Irishman stammered out an explanation.
 'Pay me that $5," said the clerk.
 II swear," replied the other, that I have been swindled. I thought it was good money"
 Tho clerk knew his business, but he pitied tho frightened stranger, and with few emphatic expressions he led him by the collar to the door and kicked him out.
 Miko pulled himself together and went down the street at rapid pace.
 He was badly disappointed. and yet he felt that he was an millionaire. For few hours ho had enjoyed the pleasure of passing as rich man without any of his responsibilities
 In loss than an hour he was sitting in the sunshine in Madison square, whistling merrily, without single care on his mind. The evening papers that day contained advertisements from a well known dealer in curiosities, stating that his office had been robbed tho night before of $1, GOO, 900