The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-01
THE OPERA HOUSE FINALLY DISPOSED OF.
Return of Mr.. Lee from Chicago.


The great Crosby Opera House lottery is at
length finally wound up, and the fortunate and
worthy holder OF ticket No. 5S 800 has sold his
elephant and is once more IN his secluded
home, two hundred thousand dollars richer for
his investment OF five dollars, so indlterently
made last August. Contrary to the general
belief created by his humorous letter to his
brother-in-law, Mr.. Lee visited Chicago himself
the latter part of last week, being persuaded to
make the visit by an agent OF Crosbys,
who went over to Prairie du Rocher
for that purpose. On arriving in Chicago,
Mr. Lee was the observed of all OBJ
servers" being beset and pestered by all sorts
of people, from little boys who gaped at him as
he walked the streets, and sharpers OF every
hue, to ambitious spinsters who, notwthstand-
ing the publication OF Mr. Lees letter announcing
TO the world that he had a sick wife at home
that ne priced more than all the Opera Houses
that were ever built, entertained vague hopes
of obtaining an interest, direct or indirect, in
the cash value of 5S, 600. As might be expected,
Mr.. Lee received innumerabe offers tor the
purchase of the Opera House. propositions and
Schemes in endless variety were hourly sub.
mitted to him. When at mis- hotel visitors called
without end and go where he would, some
purely disnterested party was sure to pounce
upon the unfortunate gentleman with some pro-
position different from any offered before, or
with some afectionate suggestion as to the
course he ought to pursue
1t was impossible to enjoy the moments quiet
ness or seclusion. All the sporting fraternity of
Chicago, which apparently embraces two-thirds
OF the male population of that famed city, were
on the alert The fact that tbe winner OF the
as If on the "wings of the wind" "The fame
thereof was noised abroad, ," and the people were
agog to see the wonder. Now, all this was not
q little perpeXing to the quiet common-sense
miller from a country village, and he very soon
was sick of the city, and anxious to dispose OF
his prize almost at any price, and breathe the
air of the country and honesty again, aud hence
when Mr.. Crosby called on him and offered in
plain terms $500. 900 cash down for his claims
on the splendid building, represented Oy slip
of paper bearing the magic number, 5S,6O0, he
concluded to accept the proposition. In few
minutes the necessary papers were made out
and signed, the money handed over to Mr.. Lee,
and the Opera House was sold.
Having thus disposed of his bargain, the next
thing was TO get home, and Notwithstanding all
the perils unavoidably surrounding man with
two hundred thousand dollars in his pocket in
Chicago, Mr.. Lee erected a mastery retreat;
and arrived safe and sound in ST. Louis, and
deposited the funds in the Boatmen's Saving
| Institution, on Main street.
The announcement of the actual amount re-
| ceiyed Tor the Opera House will no doubt sur
| prise not few of our readers. 1t was the
! general belief that the house represented a cash
| value OF nearly halt million, and 1t seems i'm
! possible to avoid concluding that 1t was worth
! considerably more than the amount paid to Mr..
! Lee; yet we can well understand the circum-
stances which induced him to close the matter
up, and accept two hundred thousand dollars in
! hard cash.
chroncling the final scene in the great rattle that
| the prize has fallen into the hands OF worthy
and respected man, who. no doubt will spend
the great fortune in a sober and sensible way.
Dame Fortune mas certainly vindicated her
! character tor caprice and uncertainty. When
the tickets were selling we heard Of various in
divIduals who adopted all sorts of magical
methods to hit on the lucky number, sought the
aid OF fortune tellers, canyassed the stars and
the dreams of the night, and then actually sue
ceeded in many cases, in getting the very mum
Der so mysteriously pointed out. but OF what
avail? 4 middle-aged practical miller, in 6
country town, sends letter, ordering one
| ticket, without mentioning even any number in
| he pockets $500, ,OOO.-,S. Louis Repub. SOh dt.