Monkey

"It had a spell put on it by an old Fakir," said the Sargeant-Major, "a very

holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that

those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. He put a spell on it so

that three separate men could each have three wishes from it."

His manners were so impressive that his hearers were conscious that

their light laughter had jarred somewhat.

"Well, why don't you have three, sir?" said Herbert White cleverly.

The soldier regarded him the way that middle age is wont to regard

presumptuous youth."I have," he said quietly, and his blotchy face

whitened.

"And did you really have the three wishes granted?" asked Mrs. White.

"I did," said the seargent-major, and his glass tapped against his strong

teeth.

"And has anybody else wished?" persisted the old lady.

"The first man had his three wishes. Yes, " was the reply, "I don't know

what the first two were, but the third was for death. That's how I got the

paw."

His tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group.

"If you've had your three wishes it's no good to you now then Morris,"

said the old man at last. "What do you keep it for?"

The soldier shook his head. "Fancy I suppose," he said slowly." I did have

some idea of selling it, but I don't think I will. It has caused me enough

mischief already. Besides, people won't buy. They think it's a fairy tale,

some of them; and those who do think anything of it want to try it first

and pay me afterward."

"If you could have another three wishes," said the old man, eyeing him

keenly," would you have them?"

"I don't know," said the other. "I don't know."

He took the paw, and dangling it between his forefinger and thumb,

suddenly threw it upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down

and snatched it off.

"Better let it burn," said the soldier solemnly.

"If you don't want it Morris," said the other, "give it to me."

"I won't." said his friend doggedly. "I threw it on the fire. If you keep it,

don't blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire like a sensible man."

The other shook his head and examined his possession closely. "How do

you do it?" he inquired.

"Hold it up in your right hand, and wish aloud," said the Sargeant-Major,

"But I warn you of the consequences."

"Sounds like the 'Arabian Nights'", said Mrs. White, as she rose and began

to set the supper. "Don't you think you might wish for four pairs of hands

for me."

Her husband drew the talisman from his pocket, and all three burst into

laughter as the Seargent-Major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught

him by the arm.

"If you must wish," he said gruffly, "Wish for something sensible."

Mr. White dropped it back in his pocket, and placing chairs, motioned his

friend to the table. In the business of supper the talisman was partly

forgotten, and afterward the three sat listening in an enthralled fashion to

a second installment of the soldier's adventures in India.

"If the tale about the monkey's paw is not more truthful than those he

has been telling us," said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest,

just in time to catch the last train, "we shan't make much out of it."

"Did you give anything for it, father?" inquired Mrs. White, regarding her

husband closely.

"A trifle," said he, colouring slightly, "He didn't want it, but I made him

take it. And he pressed me again to throw it away."

"Likely," said Herbert, with pretended horror. "Why, we're going to be

rich, and famous, and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin

with; then you can't be henpecked."

He darted around the table, pursued by the maligned Mrs White armed

with an antimacassar.

Mr. White took the paw from his pocket and eyed it dubiously. "I don't

know what to wish for, and that's a fact," he said slowly. It seems to me

I've got all I want."

"If you only cleared the house, you'd be quite happy, wouldn't you!" said

Herbert, with his hand on his shoulder. "Well, wish for two hundred

pounds, then; that'll just do it."

His father, smiling shamefacedly at his own credulity, held up the

talisman, as his son, with a solemn face, somewhat marred by a wink at

his mother, sat down and struck a few impressive chords.

"I wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man distinctly.

A fine crash from the piano greeted his words, interrupted by a

shuddering cry from the old man. His wife and son ran toward him.

"It moved," he cried, with a glance of disgust at the object as it lay on the

floor. "As I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake."

"Well, I don't see the money," said his son, as he picked it up and placed

it on the table, "and I bet I never shall."

"It must have been your fancy, father," said his wife, regarding him

anxiously.

He shook his head. "Never mind, though; there's no harm done, but it

gave me a shock all the same."

They sat down by the fire again while the two men finished their pipes.

Outside, the wind was higher than ever, an the old man started nervously

at the sound of a door banging upstairs. A silence unusual and depressing

settled on all three, which lasted until the old couple rose to retire for the

rest of the night.

"I expect you'll find the cash tied up in a big bag in the middle of your

bed," said Herbert, as he bade them good night, " and something horrible

squatting on top of your wardrobe watching you as you pocket your illgotten gains."