Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-11-12
OUR SAN FRANCISCO LETTER.
The Great Lottery!
SAN Francisco, November A, 1870.


to-day, and that piece of paper hid away in
pocket-book, or corner of desk or bureau drawer
might receive from her magic touch which would
clear the clouds from off the future and strew
the path of life with all the bounty that wealth
could procure. 1t was neither impossible nor
improbable undso under the influence of blessed
expectation, thousands of people sprang from
their beds.
TIE TEMPLE OF FORTUNE.
That large barn-lke structure, called the Pa
vilion, originally erected for the purpose of
holding Industsial Exhibitions, was the selected
Temple of Fortune. 1t was well adapted for the
occasion-as its holding capacity is enormous
and every portion of the building afforded clear
view of the temporary platform.
THE ALTAR OF FORTUNE
Had been erected at the East end of the buid-
ing, eight or ten feet above the floor. In front
stood the two lottery wheels between them was
placed a table for the Secretaries who were to
keep the official record. At the back of the
platform was a tier of chairs for the Committee
who were to watch proceedings, and in the gal
lery above were stationed men whose duty it was
to hang up large signs on which were painted
the lucky numbers and the prizes they had drawn.
WAITING.
While the wheels are making the preliminary
revolutions necessary for the thorough mixing of
the tickets, the ball has been rapidly filling. The
body of the building-occupied solely by men
begins to resolve itself into compact mass of
spectators and the galleries-set apart for ladies
and their escorts-to display an equally compact
though more variegated assembage.
THE GRAND CONCERT.
A brass band now takes up its position at the
end of the Pavilion and essays to shorten the
period of expectancy by playing the Grand March
from d" The Prophet The music is not appre-
cated. Its charms have no effect. A passion,
too strong to be allayed and soothed by sweet
sounds, fills every bosom. So the band is voted
a nuisance and presently, finding that its melody
falls dull ears, retires into another room from
whence during the day, an occasional drum beat
reminds those who hear it that the Grand Concert
is in progress.
FORTUNES MINISTER'S.
Half dozen boys dressed in gray, followed by
many girls in blue, now carefully led to
of seats. many-voiced murmur of pity
rises they sit down, for the Queen of the
Senses-sght- no throne in their darkened
orbs, and these blind landmarks of Fortune can
know nothing of what is passing except through
the imperfect agency of hearing.
THE FIRST PRIZE.
Now see how slim our chance of draw
ing gift. Surely in 628 chances" we have
heretofore thought, /" one must fall to So
Yes, but if you had two hours in which to pick
out certain number from that mass of tickets,
it would be safe to bet fifty to one that you could
not find it. A blind girl stands at the ticket
wheel-a blind boy at the prize wheel. The
doors are unsealed, the girl nervously puts in her
arm, (bare to the shoulder,) pulls out ticket
and holds it above her head. The boy does the
same with small gilt package, and the doors
are instantly closed. One of the Committee
reads off the ticket and calls out its number
l0,5ll. Another looks and calls out the numer-
ais, separately to the men in the gallery who
quickly hoist the numerals l-O-5-I-l. The boy
unfastens the gilt roll and pulls out piece of
printed paper. With delicate sense of touch he
holds up the printed side to the audience One
of the Committee reads off s Nineteen Thousand
Dollars" Some else looks and repeats it
and up goes the sign with the painted number.
A loud burst of applause greets the result and
ere the sound has died away the telegraph has
told the waiting thousands on the streets as
much as those in the Pavilion know.
THE GAMBLING SPIRIT.
The third prize drawn is $l0O and we laugh
at that in derison Some of us have not Ave
dollars in the world One hundred dollars next
week might save us from despair and suicide,
But to-day we are so rich in hope that none are
SO poor as TO do it reverence. 81 would rather
draw nothing than that" is the general remark,
and we actually pity those who have been put off
with such paltry amount.
At half past ten forty-one prizes have been
drawn, aggregatng $54, 200, and after an inter-
mission of few minutes, fortune again dispenses
her favors, commencing with $4,000. The
winner is German who sits in the body of the
hall and springs up spasmodically he hears
the number and then falls fainting back into his
seat.
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.
At seven minutes to twelve, Ito, 100 is drawn
and as the blind boy opens the package and
holds it up, thrill runs through those in the
front seats who can see the figures on the paper.
Fifty thousand dollars" shouts the caller in
clear, distinct tones, fifty thousand dollars, ev-
cry one repeats in an undertone of excitement,
and then there is pause followed by great
yell. Ere it has ceased, the next number is
called-$l00 and a shout of deFison mixed with
laughter makes the roof ring. 1t is noon now.
Business all over the city has been completely
suspended. The crowd has become dense,
Halls, galleries, aisles, every foot of ground is
choked with mass of humanity whose nerves
are strong to their utmost tension. The work