The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-02-18

his eye on the envelope which lnd been
drawn. and when tho operator took away
his hand. said:
"what viii you bet that ] can not draw
that samo ticket ?"
.'oh, I'll bet you ten dollars you cam
not"
Then could easily win your money,
for here Is your ticket;" saying this the
visitor detached the envelope from the
others and handed Il to Mr.. Peter Funk,
who opened It and exclaimed, with well.
feigned surprise /: "Sure enough. 1t is,-a|
lucky hit! Now I have something to|
propose. Here, I will mark q fresh ticket
for $500. and deposit 1t with the others.
So. Twill give you q chance to draw
that ticket for fifty dollars" At this mo-
ment u slouchy-looking man stepped into
tho store and inquired the price Of one Of
tho watches hung in tho window. peter,
told him '.ten dollars" Tho man made
rs II he would 60 out, when the operator
said:
"Supposc you try your hand ut draw,
you might get one for dollar"
The man then stopped and appeared to
reflect on the situation for few seconds,
and then said, II guess will. and drew
an apparently well.filled wallet from his
pocket, from which he selected green
back of tho denomination required, and
deposited It upon the counter. Then no
carefully drew m envelope from the box,
and taking It out. the ticket read, mo.
40. One seal ring. g."
That's poor draw" said tho mana
ger of tho ..institution," with shrug of
his shoulders, rs hc opened tho glass case
and took out y big hashy brass ring, worth
perhaps three cents.
TRY again, sir. You may do better
next time. But how would you like to
try for this'"
Peter here drew forth the identical en-
velope which contained the ticket for $500
"But," by the way, my friend" said he to
our acquaintance, "you have the first
choice In this offer. For fifty dollars you
may have the opportunity to draw this
ticket, which will entitle you to $500 In
Government funds. Here they arc, too"'
And hc opened drawer inside the coun-
ter, and displayed what seemed to be a
very respectable pile Of fresh grecnbacks
of rather high figures, COS, 5os, and zoos.
The newcomer seemed deeply interested
his eyes glistened, hut he said nothing.
Peter put back the envelope, and while he
was doing SO our friend watched his move.
ments closely, and noticed that the opc.
rator kept his little-fnger on one corner
of It while no carefully srnoothed over
the others, and had evidently marked its
position In the box.
"Will you give me tho opportunity To
draw that ticket, merely to sec how near
I could come to II tho first timer"
Certainly"
Examine this, them" said our friend,
rs he drew forth the envelope. from which
his attention had not wandered.
"Ihavcn't fifty dollars about me to-day"
Here the ncw.ccmer, who had venturcd
his dollar, stepped up to our friend and
said, In u whisper:
"ITow much do you nccd' I'll lend
you the money, and well divide the profits.
1 I'm sure you can draw It,"
"No, I thank you. You may try your
luck If you wish"
"Sce here, mister" said slouchy. "sup
pose I deposit fifly dollars on that ere
ticket, will you allow this gentleman to
draw for me?"
"Ycs." very blandly said Mr.. Funk.
Our friend thonght matters were become
ing little too serious, 50 ho declined to
accommodate them, and bidding both par
ties, who, he WAS convinced, were confcd-
crates. "Good.mtrning," hc lcft them u
their disappointed counscls. Had hc ac-
ccptc'l any one Of the propositions. no
would inevitably have lost, for this mode
of practice, called envelope stufllng," Is
one of the most ingenious cheats yet intro
duccd.-M 7. journal.