Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-01-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
HIS FAIR SHARE.
UNCLE sAMBUQ AND HIS FORTUNE

UNCLE sAMBUQ AND HIS FORTUNE.
Trophime Cog0lin, generally
known in the district as Master Ire
fume, and had so often related the
story of Uncle Sambuq and his for
tune that he had finally come to be-
lieve it himself. The simple truth
of the matter was that Peter Sam
buq, q no'er-do-well who had given
his parents no end of trouble, had
thipped rs an ordinary seaman on a
three e-master one fine day in the
year Of grace 1913, and had never
been seen or heard of since. These
hard facts were too ridiculouSly sim
pie for the worthy friends and rela.
sions of the vanished Peter; they
could not understand how anyone
could set out for America without
reaching that continent and making
his fortune; SO the worthy people
gradually evolved the idea that Un-
Gle Sambuq had gone and done like.
wise, and would one day return roll.
ing in richeS-of course, to die in
due time and leave his fortune tC
them.
So the years rolled by, and Sam
bugs fortune grew bigger in the
imagination of the people. The
older relatives died, and Master Ire
fume became heir to his uncle
Now, it happened one day that Tre'
fume met sailor whose acquaint.
ance he had made year or so pre-
viously. This man had just returned
from voyage to the States, and
Trefume seized the opportunity
to offer him "A glass Of brandy icon
traband) aud ask him if he had
heard of Uncle Sambuq while on
the other side.
The sailor, probably out of polite
ness, and in order to please Trefume
and his wife, informed them that he
had distinct recollection Of having
on several occasions, met an individ
ual on the quays of New York who
was undoubtedly very wealthy in
deed, and was the exact image OF
Sambuq. That settled the matter
there could no longer be any doubt
that Uncle Sambuq had reached
America and made his pile, as any
other respectable person would do.
On the following day Trefume
again met the sailor-o or perhaps II
was the sailor who made a point OF
meeting Trefume; {; be that as 1T may
the result Of the meeting was an
other glass of brandy for the sailor
further questions about Uncle sam
bua, and IA confidential cOmmunlca
ton to the effect that the stranger
| in New York was really the long
lost Peter, for he had spoken to the
mariner concerning his relatives
and had dropped mysterious hints al
| to his intentions towards them.
The Trefumes became the enViet
ones of the neighborhoOd. Uncle
Sambuq and his fOrtune-especiallS
his fortune were the chlef topics o
conversation for many day amont
the inhabitants of the whole dis
trict. The Trefumes lived happy
and contented, patiently awaiting
the time when they would have
their share Of the millions amasset
by Peter Sambuq.
A few months passed away. On'
morning, when he was least eNPecl
ing il. he received letter from New
York. The letter bore the seal OF TN
French embassy. Trefume carried
that letter about with him all day
without breaking the seal, in orde
TO show it to his friends. Not III
the evening, in the presence OF nj
wife and children, his hands lrem
bling with excitement, did he ven
ture to open it. 1t was some"ha
probably it contained bank
notes. The papers were CAREFUL!
taken from the envelope, and PROVED
TO be-Sambuq's death certificat
and a brief note from the embassy.
$50 he Is dead ?" said his wife.
"Of course he is," replied Ire
fume; doesn't the ambassador sa!
SOP" .,,o.
There was silence. None OF then
had known the dead man, but the.
had thought 80 much about him tina
n seemed as though they had pee'