The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-03-14

but going to a drawer containing the
implements of his profession, he drew
out a greasy bag, the sole repository OF
his weekly earnings. He called his
wife, emptied the contents into her
hand, and bade her on her way to mar
ket to purchase lottery ticket; at the
same time he carefully noted down the
numbers he had selected.
"Whatp - exclaimed his thrifty
spouse, "all this money, three francs
fifty centimes) to be put in the lottery %
"Yes, every sous and if | had as
much more, it should all go, too.D
"Are you mad % screamed his wife,
"to throw away all this money in the
lottery, when
But the cobbler would not listen to
what she had to say, telling her he had
dreamed of three numbers-that he
was sure he should get a prize-that
at twelve o'clock the Office closed, etc.
In this manner he fairly pushed her out
of the house. Four days passed. None
knew the bright visions that floated
through the brain Of the joyously hope
fhl cobbler. His work was not neglect
ed; on the contrary, he piled his wax
ends with more zeal than ever, and his
toll was lightened by some merry air
that he sung or whistled increasingly
"Tis true. his neighbors found him less
companionable than before. He no
longer laughed at their good jokes OF
cracked his own. He was absorbed by
ambitious hopes, or philanthfopic pro
iects for the amelioration of the condi-
lion of superannuated cobblers. Be
that as it may, his manner to his old
companions was kind and patronizing,
but he was uncommunicative. Perhaps
he deemed their intellects unable to
comprehend the vastness Of his views
perhaps he feared by premature disclo-
sure. to detract from the grand coup de
theatre, when he should stand before
them . rich man. an influential patron
of the whole Crispin genus. No subse-
quent disclosures have ever thrown a
light upon his lofty imaginings.
Monday at length arrived, and with
it the five lucky members which decide
the fate of hundreds of tickets. The
cobbler arose early; he could not eat
the simple meal already disguised him
he perhaps was thinking of the contrast
which the repast Of the morrow would
furnish; he drank, however freely; he
was nervous and restless. The hours as
they tolled from the old clock OF St.
Reparatre, seemed to him interminable.
He could not ascertain his fate until 10
o'clock. He sailed forth to while away
slar sans las-s1l |1fcty sylH lurrea-
sing as the moment of announcement
approached, and as he continued still
to make libations to the goddess Of For
tune. Atlength the doors and windows
Of the royal lottery Office are unclosed,
and the magic board containing all the
drawn numbers is suspended at the door.
The cobbler stood on the opposite side,
waiting in breathless anxiety until the
oflicious clerk should remove his person,
which, for the moment; masked those
well remembered numbers, sure harbin-
gers to him Of ease, Of wealth, of i'm
portance. Tho clerk withdrew. Oh,
amazement q krlelight! The numbers
were there-aI three. The old man
could scarce believe his eyes, although
he had never for moment before doubt
ed his success. His head swan; he
could scarcely stand, 50 great was his
emotion, and 50 many were the glasses
of wine he had poured down uncon-
sciously to cool his impatience he
reeled home to get the ticket and claim
his prize. On meeting his wife he threw
his arms around her neck, and in a voice
almost ;narticulate with delight, he ex-
claimed, aQuick, Marion! quick give
me the ticket-quick-quick. Did ]
not tell you they would come out
There they stand just as saw them in
my dream; and get me . strong bag OF
pccket-handkerchieftotie up themoney
in.n M
So saying, he kicked over the low
table and leather stool which for &C
many years had been the faithful com.
panions Of his laboEs. His wife adjust.
ed the ragged and soiled cap upon hel
head which his most unwonted embrace
had dislodgsd, gased upon him in fea,
and astonishment muttering, Surely,
the old fool has gone mad p Thecob
blers impatience Vas wound up b q
high . pitch that every momenfs delay
seemed 10 madden him. So, seeing hi
wife remained standing, while he nIged
her to hasten, he shook her iudely b
a . l. -