Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-11-08

but you would not lose your son If he
should be fortunate in drawing a prize"
said Mr.. Goldwood. "My Philip is not
going to run away this money is step
pingstone to his future su ccess in life."
at is a stepping-stoneto ruin," return.
ed my father.
l do not think Mr.. Goldwood quite
liked fathers reply, for he went away
soon after. thought my father strange
man; how two hundred and fifty dollars
could ruin any one was beyond my com.
prehension. So l sighed, and told my
trouble to little Ella, who said again, in
her quiet way, "You won't care when
you get big" Philip came to see me
often, and urged me very hard to buy an.
other lottery ticket, but had no money;
besides, was still owing my sisters, and
Alice could not forget her gold dollar.
tried every means to earn money to pay
my debts, but ill.luck seemed to follow
me. The next year was poor one for
farmers, 1t being one of those late,
dry seasons, and the crops were failure.
Heretofore had gathered nuts and sold
them, but that year could not find a
handful. The few apples we raised were
sold to pay taxes and interest, and the lit.
tie that remained went to buy our winters
supply of clothes, school-books, and other
needful articles. The Goldwoods did not
seem to feel the straits of the season.
Philips father built houses all summer,
and the owners of them turned everything
they could into money to pay the builder.
We noticed that they papered their house,
which was one of the luxuries that few
in our town could afford. Philip had a
new suit throughout, and it was said it
was bought with the interest of the
prize money. Winter school commenced
and l cannot tell which of us was the
more to blame, but Philip and l did not
seem to be on as good terms as formerly.
Perhaps was little envious of his good
luck, and he somewhat proud of it.
"Sec here" said he one day before
school commenced, would change my
ma ue if were you. People do make fun
of your fathers foolish speeches sup
pose he thinks he is as wise as old Solo
mon, and as big prophet as there ever
was. Next year would hire out some
where and earn money and buy another
ticket; you'll draw something sure next
time"
"It is my duty to stay and help father"
l replied.
Couldn't you help him more if you
drew big prize? tell you those sisters
want lots of things; my only one does,
and girls can't earn anything" and so he
went on, half believing what he said,
and the next moment angry for listening
ct ALL
81 say" continued he, "when the
teacher asks you your name, tell him it's
Miles"
The idea struck me as being a
good one, for as wise as Solo
mon," did not sound as agree
| Inll 10 RI 7 xtriCh 40
when the teacher came around next day,
gave it to him in a firm voice, while
looks of surprise and some tittering
among the girls expressed their wonder or
approval, l hardly knew which.
! "M-i.l-e.s F.is h." bawled out the row.
! dy of the school, as soon as we were let
out at recess. "That is the longest string
of fish for a short one l ever saw" con-
tinued he.
Somehow, Philip got angry with me
and called me "Miles of FISH" and in
the afternoon recess there was printed in
red chalk, on the side of the school house,
| these words:
"AIiles O'Fish, Prophet"
l knew, and so did all the others, that
no one had red chalk but the builders
son, and no one could print as well as he.
walked in silence homeward, and just
as opened the gate, little Ella, who had
shared my speechless walk and grief, put
up her face to mine, and said that dear
sentence of hers, "You won't care when
you get big" Tears came, the first had
shed that day.
Time passed on, and l was sixteen.
Philip had bought q number of lottery
tickets with his extra change, but he
drew blanks only. He still talked of
being merchant, and there was not a
boy or girl but that expected to see the
gold-lettered sign of p. P. Goldwood at
some future time-the Co. had been long
since left off.
Twenty one found us both going out
into the world to seek our fortunes. Our
town had a railroad running through it,
and depot had increased the wealth of
the place, so that my father was out of
debt, but not wealthy. Ihad been through
the preparatory department of college
and was ready to enter collegiate course.
| received but little aid from home, as
there were five girls, younger, trying to
fit themselves for schoOl-teachers. Philip
studied bookkeeping, as that was the only
thing that would benefit him, he said, and
left home to go into business, as he eX
pressed it. At the end of two years | was
obliged to stop for want of means, anC
finally decided to study law. / collected
ran on errands, and did all kinds of worl
to help myself, and at last was admitted
to the bar. During this time the country
was flooded with all sorts of gift enter
prises, schemes, ETC., and at last our towI
people received advertisements with thu
name of "P.. p. Goldwood g. Co." at thu
head of grand lottery that was to bt
drawn at some future time. Almos
every one in the county bought tickets
and some received cheap receipt books
trash they called plated ware, and wors
than brass jewelTy. The name of p p
Goldwood disappeared, and still simila
, advertisements came from New York anC
, other places denouncing other "gift en-
} terprises" as "shams," but their one a
, genuine.
/ Meanwhile was but young lawyer
! and those that knew me best knew | de
) sired to engage on the side of right
"Fish," said gray-haired lawyer
J whom | very much respected, "there is
/ poor fellow who is going to be tried TO
+ swindling, or something; no one seem
: willing to be his counsel; for from wha
| can hear he is the guiltiest dog that eve
stole sheep. But, then, he has hinteC
i that he has got the cash, and as you nee
some just now, go over and offer you
I services"
l 40 not know What made me 70; IL wa
not tho money, surely, but / felt that
| could not stay away, and walked rapid
? ly to the Court House. The prisoner So
) with his head bowed and partly covere,
3 with his hands. He sat thus until tn
= words, "The prisoners counsel has al
7 rived" were uttered, then he raised hi
Y head, and saw the face of my old play
) mate. Instantly was seized with a.
impulse to save him. / ceased to remem
/ ber the red.lettered sign on the school
9 house and all the bitter things of the past
e Save him, o. if could. The trial wa
a postponed, that l might talk with tn
t prisoner cannot tell you all the paI
a ticulars, but they proved that he had bee
engaged in different lotteries ever sine
b he had left home; sometimes under hi
}, own name, but mostly under assume
}. ones; that he had received any amount @