EL NUMERO TRECE
José Selgas
Simon Campallano was born on the 13th of December, 1813. He was the thirteenth son, and all his brothers died one after, the other, the last one expiring on Simon's thirteenth birthday.
When he arrived at the age of discretion and pondered on these arithmetical problems in connection with his family, he conceived an aversion toward the number thirteen, although afterward, with the carelessness of youth, he succeeded in dispelling that gloomy superstition from his mind.
His parents did not leave him richly endowed with worldly goods. Therefore he determined to seek his fortune in Madrid and leave his native place forever. His education had been very commonplace, but he was quite prepossessing, though not very handsome. However, he knew enough to make his way in the world. He was lively, frank, and enterprising, and endowed with that energetic, audacious spirit which is a sure aid to success. He was determined to become a rich man, and his glowing imagination made him fancy that he would grasp the prize as soon as he stepped his foot in Madrid.
As he had some money he quickly made friends on his arrival at the capital, and com-
