Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-11
THE LOTTERY TICKET.

4 After a transient refreshments the
party seemed more familiariZed to each other,
and even Seville himself cond escended from
his stills, and joined in the conversation; the
melancholy man in the left-hand corner unbent
his brow, and added his mite to the verbal con-
trbution Of his companions, till at length the
subject of lotteries was started by the Wrinkle
keeper, who declared an opinion that nobody
ever got prize.
This statement was stoutly contradicted by
the melancholy man, who seemed to derive
vast reinforcement of animation from the sub
ject. He enumerated dukes, members of Par
lament Hampshire Squires, Bloomsbury attor-
neys, and Pail Mall pastry cooks, who had, all
to his own knowledge, been splendidIy and
suddenly enriched by the acquisition OF large
sums.
Indeed, sir said he, event myself might
have been worth thirty thouand grounds more
than am at this present moment, by the same
means, if it had not been for accidental cir
cumStanCeS over which had no control.
What might that have beenP said the Win
KEENAN,; choosing the wrong number per
haps?'
mot So SIR said the melancholy gentleman,
his countenance at the same time assuming an
expression rather of anger than of sorrow; : |
did choose the right number-bought it
brought it home, and had it in my little table
draw: but
1t was stolen, perhaps, sir said the Wrinkle
mans friend, in piteous tone.
No, sir, not that. | had tit was mine: it
was in the days when lotteries lasted month,
and tickets rose in value as they continued un-
drawn. | went into the city on business; a
friend who knew my ticket, called in my alb
sence-offered my wife a hundred and twenty
guineas for it; she knew that it had only cost me
five and twenty;-sold it to him; all for my
good, poor soul-she's in heaven now, sir-its
no use scolding about tit wont bring it back;
and the very same afternoon, d-n me-l'm
sure you'll excuse my swearing at the recollec-
tion-it came up thirty thousand pound prize1
A general exclamation of horror followed
the announcement.
And now, SIR continued the gentleman, as I
walk the streets in wet weather. because l can
not afford hackney coach, my friend Dodham,
the lucky purchaser, dashes by in his carriage,
and splashes me with mud. He lives in the
house which had all my life an anxiety to pos
sess; and has refused his consent to his sons
marrying my daughter on the plea of her po-
verify
1t was evident that the melancholy gentleman
felt the circumstance keenly.
WELL said Seville, i don't think | could
have survived such thing
Only conceive, SIR said the gentleman,
seeming to delight in aggravatng the miseries
OF his loss, only conceive my coming home
out of the city-having seen my number pla-
carded the prize-having compared it with
the memorandum in my pocket boek-having
bought necklace and pair Of earrings for
my wife upon the strength Of it--and finding,
upon my arrival, that she had sold my thirty
thousand pounds, which | was sure was in my
pocket, to man hated, for one hundred and
twenty guineas, which she exultingly exhibited;
and which, with thirty five more went to pay
for the baubles had taken her home
| could not have stood that said the win
kle-man.
Nor L. said the weeping husband. :,
| should have cut my throat said Sevill
So did, SIR said the melancholy gentle
man, and here are the marks where it was
sewn up!-exhibiting at the same moment
huge scar across his windpipe.
Hooks Love and Pride.