The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-08-10
The Magic Bit
of Silver
BY Juan Enrique

Wnere did you get your money!
The question was an abrupt one--it
was almost impertinent. But Conner
de Bonilla was an intimate friend Of
mine, a good fellow, and-we had
dined. To say truth. we had not only
dined but wined, and It was over some
excellent post-prandials in the shape
Of further wine and fragrant cigars
that had asked the question. But
had long wished to do SO, and ] will
tell you why.
Some two years before Gomez was
poor as church-mouse He was al
ways q good fellow; but then, you
know, there Is a difference between
good fellows rich and good fellows
poor. And, to my shame be It spoken,
think liked him better rich than
poor. Well, as I said, he was almost
destitute. He had a profession, II is
true-he was a journalist; but in
Spain the gains of the fraternity Of
the pen are not large. What little he
did earn went to the bad, for he was
an inveterate gambler.
But from a poverty-stricken Jour-
nalist he suddenly blossomed out into
man OF wealth. He had the finest
horses. he belonged to the most fash.
ionable club, he had the most luxu-
riously fitted town house, he had pur-
chased the country seat of decayed
grandee, he had the best cook in Ma
drid, and he moved in the best society
for, alas; even in Spain the golden
key is beginning to open all portals.
But do not think from what say that
Gomez was not a gentleman, for he
came Of an excellent family.
Well, as said, we had just finished
an excellent dinner, and over the wal
nuts and the wine put my question:
Gomez, where did you get your
money!"
He looked at me thoughtfully, and
knocked the ash from his cigar.
Where did get my money!" he re-
peated, slowly. ',And what says Dame,
Rumor concerning 1t, Pedro?'
There are all sorts of Stories"
replied; some probable, some wildly
impossible; some good-humored, more
ill-natured. You will pardon my frank
ness II tell you that l have heard
some people call your wealth ill-got.
ten gains whisper of retired high
waymen and the like. There are 9TH
ers who hint darkly at counterfeiting.
Among the lower classes there is a
widespread belief that you have sold
yourself to the devil. And have even
met intelligent people who limited at
supernatural means"
Perhaps they were right" was his
laconic reply
stared at him.
Listen, and you may perhaps tell
me whether the means were super
natural or no. l have never been able
to decide. The reason that the source
of my fortune has never been discov-
cred was because the only man who
knew of 1t left the city the day
after"
He paused
THE day after what?" queried.
We'll, I will begin at the beginning.
The story is curious one, and should
Dc tOlu IN sequence.
He lit fresh cigar and then began:
You knew me two years ago when
/ was poor. You also knew, as did all
my friends, that had a passion for
gaming. You would all of you chorus,
when speaking Of me, Poor Bonilla!
He has the worst of vices-he is a
desperate gambler You were all
wrong / did not play simply for love
of 1t. ! played because l was poor
! was not gambler was a specu-
lator, I had fixed upon a certain sum
which I considered a competence.
saw no way OF acquiring 1t by my
profession, so | devoted myself to the
green oloth-how assiduously you
know"
He smiled at the expression OF as.
sent which involuntarily fitted over
my countenance, watched the smoke
wreaths curling over his head for
moment, and continued:
Zone evening | was feeling unusual.
ly blue. ! never drank, as you know
that is, never to excess-and certainly
never to do what is called drowning
sorrow. My resource was the gaming
table. Unfortunately had In my pos
session q considerable sum OF money
which had been intrusted to me by a
friend for the purpose of paying some
debts; he had been suddenly called
away from the city. entered the
gambling-hell, and seated myself at
the roulette table. Fortune was
against me; the few duros that be.
longed to me were soon gone. Some
thing seemed to possess me hat
night; was not myself. I'D what
never should have dreamed myself
capable OF doing-I staked my friends
money. staked II, and / lost II ALL
was about to speak.
DO not condemn me-" he interrupt.
ed; you could say nothing severer
than were my self-reproaches. Long
! sat there, glazing at the other play.
A.. y