Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-05-20
SAMBUQ'S FORTUNE.


often related tho story of Uncle Sambuq
and his fortune that he had finally come
to believe it himself. The simple truth Of
the matter was that Peter Sambuq, n
me- or do we'll who had given his parents
no end of trouble, had shipped as an or
binary seaman on three master one fine
day in the year of grace 1s4S, and had
never been seen or heard Of since. These
hard facts were too ridiculously simple for
the worthy friends and relations of the
vanished Peter They could not under
stand how any one could set out for Amer
lea without reaching that continent and
making his fortune. So tho worthy peo-
pie gradually evolved the idea that Uncle
Sambuq had gone and done likewise and
would one day return rolling in riches-of
course to die in due time and leave his
fortune to them
So the years rolled by, and Uncle Sam
bugs fortune grew bigger in tho imagina-
ton of his people. The older relatives
died, and Master Trefume became heir to
his uncle. Now, it happened ono day that
Trofume met a sailor whose acquaintance
he had made year or so previously. This
man had just returned from voyage to
the States, and Trefume seized the oppor-
tunity to offer him a glass of brandy ICON
traband) and ask him if he had heard of
Uncle Sambuq while on the other side.
The sailor, probably out of politeness,
and in order to please Trefume and his
wife, informed them that he had distinct
recollection of having on several occasions
met an individual ION tho quays of New
York; who was undoubtedly very wealthy
indeed and was the exact image of Sam
buq. That settled tho matter. There
could no longer be any doubt that Uncle
Sambuq had reached America and made
his pile, as any other reasonable person
would do.
On tho following day Trefume again
met the sailor--or perhaps it was the sailor
who made a point of meeting Trefume.
Be that as it may, the result of the meet
ing was another glass Of brandy for the
sailor, further questions about Uncle
Sambuq and confidential communication
to the effect that the stranger in New York
spoken to the mariner concerning his rela-
tlN0S ttuu lltlu uECppcu oS
to his intentions toward them.
The Trefumes became the envied ones
of the neighborhood. Uncle Sambuq and
his fortune-especially his fortune--were
the chief topic Of conversation for many
day among the inhabitants of the whole
district The Trefumes lived happy and
contented, patiently waiting the time when
they would have their share of tho millions
amassed by Peter Sambuq.
A few months passed away. One morn
ing when he was least expecting it he re-.
coived letter from New York. The let
ter bore the seal of the French embassy.
Trefume carried this precious letter about
with him all day without breaking tho
seal in order to show it to his friends.
Not till the evening in the presence of his
wife and children, his hands trembling
with excitement, did he venture to open 1t.
1t was somewhat bulky-probably 1t con-
tanned bank notes. The papers were taken
carefully from the envelope and proved to
be-sSambuq's death certificate and brief
note from the embassy.
$50 he Is dead?" said his wife.
"Of course he is" replied Trefume
Doesn't the ambassador say so?'
There was silence. None of them had
known the dead man, but they had
thought so much about him that 1t seemed
as though they had been on intimate terms
with him, and they were able to squeeze
out tear.
"The ambassador doesn't say anything
about tho fortune" observed Trcfume's
better half, wiping her eyes.
II suppose you want him to tell us all
about it straight off before the man is fair
~ dead replied Trefume sarcastically
"Wo can wait, and he knows it. He'll
write again in a day or two"
He looked again at tho envelope and
noticed that 1t was addressed to M. Sam
buq or NJ. Cogolin." AS all the Sambuqs
were dead and he was tho only Cogolin it
was natural that the letter should have
been delievered to him, and the vagueness
of the address did not inspire In the simple
man any misgivings as to the fortune any
more than did the brief note from the en-
bassy.
But, strange to say, tho ambassador
omitted to write that other letter. AS
time went on surprise deepened into
anxiety; veritable feyer-a gold fever
took possession Of them; they lost interest
In everything; they could think of nothing
but Sambuq's millions and wonder what
had become of them. At length their
anxiety reached such pitch that Trefume
announced his intention of undertaking a
journey to New York-a decision which
met with the full approval of all concerned.
II shan't BIO away more than month
or two,' said Trefume, land the boy
can look after the boat. A hundred francs
won't break us. Besides I know shall
be i'll If don't 60 and see what's going on
over there"
/ have said that every one approved the
decision. I may add that, had 1t been
otherwise, it would have made no differ
ence. When Trefume got an idea into his
head, it wanted some getting out.
He travelled to Havre and embarked on
vessel bound for New York. He knew
absolutely nothing Of the great city which
he was approaching. He could not speak
the language. He was as helpless as a
child in wood. He began to get very
anxious and looked around for somebody
to conflde In and obtain assistance from.
He tried the understeward, fellow coun.
tryman, but the latter was too busy to be
bothered. Trefume however, refused to
be shaken off, and the understeward, in
desperation, glanced about for somebody
to whom he could refer the persistent fish
erman, and go get rid Of him.
"Here," he said, pointing to two Of the
passengers. "Those are the men to help
you. They know New York SO we'll that
! thew could find their way blindfold any