NO. 5,555.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 35, 29 August 1891, Page 316

NO. 5,555.

Jose Bomba always believed that he would win in the lottery. He was an assistant in the barber shop of Don Simon Pesetero in the good city of Talavera, and passed his life in dreaming of fortnnes which he was sure wonld come. Then he would marry Frasquita and be happy. Unfortunately, neither of them was blessed with a peseta. Jose extracted teeth and followed his master when there was work to be done in the village. Frasquita shaved the clients with a sure hand. For their services they each received 200 francs a year and board. The board consisted of a daily allowance of bread, two sardines, half-a-dozen tomatoes and water at discretion. When the time came for Jose to join the army he comforted Frasquita by the assurance that they would be rich and might get married. Then he kissed her and went away to join the carabineers for four years. When he was gone she found that she had to do all his work, even to the drawing of teeth, for Don Simon was penurious and saw his opportunity to save 200 francs a year. One day Frasquita sought the master. * Sir,’ she said, * will you advance me 20 francs on my wages’’ * Twenty francs, you little prodigal, what do you want to do with it ?’ * I had a wonderful dream.' * Well, what has a dream got to do with 20 francs ?’ * I dreamed that 5,555 would win the capital prize in the lottery and I want to buy the ticket.’ The* old man shrugged his shoulders and gave her the money with a growl. Frasquita took the gold piece and all the week seemed happier than usual. When the annual

fete of Talavera came around, she amused herself like a fool, gorging herself with fried fish, cakes and avelines of Valence, placing three wax candles before the statue of St. Beque to obtain the prompt return of her lover Jose. The barber was in the habit of reading aloud from the newspaper every night in his shop to a select circle of clients. One evening just as he had finished a long political article he suddenly paused and grew pale. ‘ Well, Uncle Simon, what is the matter with you ’’ said one of the auditors. * Oh, nothing. I am tired of reading; besides there is nothing interesting.’ He rose and went into the back room where Frasquita was writing. *My little Frasquita, you had better go to bed.. The air is chill and I am afraid you will get the rheumatism.’ The crowd held their breath. Never in the memory of man had old Pesetero addressed an inferior in such language. Frasquita rose and went up the stairs. Don Simon called after her. * I think you get up too early for a girl of your age. In the future you need not go to work until 6.’ When he returned to the shop he made some excuse to get rid of his friends, who by this time believed him thoroughly mad. Once alone be took the paper out of his pocket and stood under the light. * No, I was not mistaken. It is No. 5,555 which has won. Frasquita is now worth 200,000 f —2oo,ooof.’ He walked up and down, much agitated, wondering how he could appropriate this fortune without danger. He evidently had formed a plan, for when he entered the shop the next morning he was rubbing his hands. Frasquita was sharpening the razors.

‘My child,’ he said,’ sit down here by me. I have a serious suggestion to make. It is now six years since you have served me faithfully. I may have appeared at times somewhat brusque, but that was to prove you. To-day the proof is finished.' * It was rather long,’ said Frasquita. * Possibly, but now things will be different; we will leave the past alone. For six years I have appreciated your good qualities. As for me, I am sixty-five years old, but still strong and hearty. lam worth 160,000 francs besides my shop. What do you say—will you marry me ’ ’ At this proposition Frasquita almost fell off the chair. Certainly the future was not attractive but the fortune was 'arj'e. Meanwhile she thought of Jose. ‘ Will you give me eight days to think it over’’ * Yes, but on condition that during that time yon speak to no one. lam afraid you may be influenced against me.’ * I promise. ’ She wrote to Jose and received a laconic response. * Leave everything to fortune.’ So she consented to marry Don Simon. On the day of the marriage it was necessary that husband and wife should deposit their fortunes in the hands of the notary. It was then that Don Simon asked carelessly : *By the way, you bought the lottery ticket, No. 5,555, I believe ?’ * Not at all. That was a pretext. I spent my 20 francs at the fete of Talavera.’ * Miserable ! Wretch—infam ’ Don Simon fell, smitten by a stroke of apoplexy. Jose returned tranquilly from his regiment, took possession without astonishment of the girl, the store and the fortune!