Liberian Literary Magazine Promoting Liberian literature , Arts and Culture
" And did you really have the three wishes granted ?" asked Mrs . White .
" I did ," said the seargentmajor , 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 .
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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 , and the old man started nervously at the sound of a door banging upstairs . A silence unusual and depressing settled on all