The Wichita daily eagle., 1895-02-05
RICHES HAVE WINGS.

Gus for him to show himself on such q
shoroughfare, walking in an aimless way
so late at night, or rather SO early in the
morning.
'Divil take mel" he said to himself,
"but must get hold of little money o,
wink OUT
Just then policeman came in sight,
and Mike turned down back street
'.Begorrai' was his exclamation, "that
was narrow escape. But with little
good luck will get out of this mess"
Mike sauntered along for a block or SO
until the chilly atmosphere drove him into
a stairway for shelter. Then he paused
for a moment and listened.
The policeman walked on down the 9th.
er street, and Mike felt safe for the time.
But it was growing colder, and it was
not long before the homeless wanderer
obeyed the natural instincts of self pres
ervation. He shivered awhile and then
cautiously made his way up stairs, where
he saw 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
ing doorknob, he entered a room, and
its total darkness did not prevent him
from finding out in moment that it was
an Office whose occupant had left it IN
locked.
Mike at first felt somewhat en- barrassed,
but his hunger urged him on, and he be-
gan search in the desks and cabinets.
1t 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 a desk and his
hands touched a roll of something in the
shape Of bank bills, and as soon rs he felt
them he was satisfied that he had found
plenty of money or something like it.
He took a handful to the window, and
by the dim light from the streets he read
the corners of the bills. He saw such
figures as $500 and 81, 900 on the notes,
and it suddenly struck him that he was
in sight of Monte Cristo fortune.
He rushed back to the desk, ard after
diving into it again he drew out another
large bundle, which, upon investigation,
proved to be a package Of bills of a very
large denomination.
The 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 buiging
pockets. Every one was stuffed with $500
and 81, 900 bills.
He had hundreds of thousands of dol
lars on his person, and he was afraid 10
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-
Gdence.
Fortunately his clothes were not alto
gether disreputable and would not attract
attention
Mike stepped out on the sidewalk and
look a promenade on a few side streets.
His conscience did not reproach him.
He had been hungry tramp SO long that
he would not fight against temptation.
1t seemed to him that he had picked up
his fortune in the road. He regarded him
self not as thief, but as discoverer.
How about the owner of the money?
Mike shrugged his shoulders and grinned.
I'D be pretty fool to let 81 1000, 00O es-
cape me-" he said as he strolled along.
Itwas almost daylight when he wheeled
into Broadway again.
''Bedad, " was his cheerful exclamation,
'I've got the stuff, and I'll have my fun,"
He turned into fashionable restaurant,
just opened ut that early hour, and in a
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 bis time. He ate
and remained fully an hour at
the table.
Finally the waiter presented a ticket
for S..
IAN right" said Mike, throwing down |
q 500 bill Let me have the change, and |
bring it-quickr'
Then he laughed quietly as he thought |
Of the clerks aStonishment.
The waiter and the clerk held conver- |
sation at the desk and looked angrily at |
their smiling guest.
Say" yelled the clerk. this racket !
won t do, you knowr'
Smallest I've got,' replied Mike good /
Got nothing else but $500 !
and 81, 600 bills.
'Confound youn' roared the clerk, 'this
S Confederate money!"
A blank look of amazement came over
Mixes face, and in an instant he was on
lis feet.
he emptied pocket after pocket and soon
lad about busheI of notes spread out on
he table.
1t was oil Confederate trash. There was
lot dollar of good money in the lot
The'half fainting Irishman stammered
ut an explanation.
PAY me that So said the clerk
Il swear replied the other, THAT
ave been swindled. / thought it was
.ood money"
The clerk knew his business, but be
tilted the frightened stranger, and with
ew emphatic expressions he led him by
he collar to the door and kicked him out.
Mike pulled himself together and went
own the street at a rapid pace.
He was badly disappointed. and Yet he
elt that he was an ex-millionaire. For
sw hours he had enjoyed the pleasure of
assing as a rich man without any of his
In less than an hour he was sitting in
he sunshine in Madison square, whistling
lerriy, without a single care on his mind.
The evening papers that day contained
dyertisementS from a well known dealer
/ curiosities, stating that his Office had
cen robbed the night before OF 81, 600, 600
Confederate money, and that a small
ward would be paid for its return and
le arrest of the thief.
But Mike never knew anything about
and the officer who arrested him for be-
g drunk tha. night of course never
,eanled that he was wanted for burglary.
NnINnrn u Po..a in, tlar,fa Con Still I