Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-05-27
What business are Jon IN,

tlasa sthesway, that reminds De-whefe
sSeweg Ah. this is No. ]. Ill. have m
errand at No. l 1,l23. took lottery ticket
on a debt, aud they say it's prize number
I'd ike to step in aud see If It's good for snf
thing. Here We are now; just drop in with
me. Mr.. Beckley."
''No, thank you" said Mr. Joe Beekley.
''oh. yes, just minute; then I'll 80 on
with you"
"yery we'll"
ats up stairs, ses Come on, sir" Mr.
joe Beckley followed him up three flights
of stairs to little from, Office, where clerk
stood busily writing at his dssk. belinda
long counter.
Good morning. Is this the once or The
Rio Janeiro LOttery2"
"It is SIR
al have a ticket, number 22, 2,2sa: Please
see if il has drawn anything"
The clerk looked into his books.
"It has drawn G75, 2 shilliDgs," and he
went back toward his safe.
.Do you hear that MIR. Beckley? Do you
hear thaR Luck, siri only allowed my
customer shiilings for the ticket
The clerk came back with 70 pounds in
clean Bank of England notes, and paid them
over the counter.
''Where are the 2 shillings2"
"we never give small change, sir. Twill
give You Two draws instead.
"Oh all right. Here, make il four draus.
Here are 2 shillings MORE"
ga shilling draw Is cheaper than Ne
usually allow. except for six draws at one
time" said the clerk. "Won't your friend
take handW
"Mr. Beckley, try q couple"
"No," said Joe, al guess not"
"IIl give you four, then, at the six rate,
this time," ta:d the clerk, and he took the
money.
A drum>like box was produced.
Mr.. Cowper put in his hand and drew QUE
four envelopes, each containing one ticket.
He opened them and called off the numbers.
Three drew nothing; the fourth drew e., L
shilling.
'This is splendid luck, BeckIey," whis>,
pered Cowpef. Dod'. you want 10 try ii!"
81 guess not," said Mr.. Joe Beckiey.
"Gentlemen," said the clerk confidential>'
ly, az saw remarkable sight here this,
morning. A man came and gave Q hundred
pounds, and drew a bushel of envelopes.
Will you believe me-there were only Two
prizes among 'eml Well. gentlemen, after
he went away, found that the Queen sent
him here to try for her. was sorry ,hsi
she had such poor pull, but could nos
go where it will. All the royal family pat
ronize us and most always have good luck.
And never knew such quantity Of blanks
drawn out without heavy run Of prizes
right afterward p'
"You're right about that" exclaimed Mr.
Cowper, with enthusiasm. "BeckIey. We
can make fortune here. Suppose We put-
in e5 apiece on trial?"
"No," said Mr.. Joe Beckley al guess
not"
81 will anyhow" said Dir. Cowper. He
nn;I ha AuI ISauv 40, aswkk .s~
pence.
Luck is against me-" said the clerk.
mournfulIy. "There's going to be run or
prizes now, sure!"
"Do you SEQ that1 Do you see that. Beck
ley? tell you We can make fortune! Try
a five-pounder ="
No. said Mr.. Joe Beckley, 81 guess not.
But l tell you, Cowper. you try 2 shil-,,
lings for me; If it wins I'll pay you back"
''But if it don't?"
"Then won't pay you anything"
"Better try it yourself, sir" said the clerk
affabIy.
mo" said Joe, 81 guess not"
Dir. Cowpcr looked az him dopbtfuliy.
"Well, IN try for you on those terms"
he said, at last. He tried and drew ft0..
Dir. Joe Beckley took it grayely, and handed"
ou. 2 sbilliDgs.
! every much obliged" said he.
"You're welcome" replied Cowper.
"Now let's try five pounds together"
"Wbat did you say your name vas Z"
asked Mr.. Joe Beckley.
"CowPer. Cowpcri cowperi rthoughs
you said Cooper 1 guess it wasn't me You@
me. in Sprinefeldl'
"Oh, yes, it was"
at must have been my sop james"
HNo IL WAS Won"
"or my son Jebediah. or Ephrsim, or
| Samuel"
"No, it was you"
"well, then, if ii was ms-good;bye. =
Cowper."
The men stared.
"what, sir Surely you will Try your luck
again!" said the clerk.
.sThis is not fair ~ exclaimed Mr. Cowper.
"By no means You must Try, sir, ex-
claimed the clerk.
Mr.. Joe Beckley retreated toward the
door. They followed him 6ercely, the clerk
with club in hand. Mr. Beckley looked sf
them, then out Of an adjacent window.
Upon the level the London fog 10 dense.
| but looked through from the house tops is
! quite penetrable. A policeman stood below.
on the opposite side of the street. Joe Beck
| ley suddenly threw up the broad window.
| "Do you see him?" he asked, poin ting
toward the officer. 81 must leave ron. Pray,
don't object, or shall have TO call him.
Good-day, Cowper-"
They glanced out into the street, looked
at Joe Beckley's brawny, muscular form, and
kept quiet, although hyid with rage, as hs
stepped out.
In the hall Mr. Joe BeckIey looked at the
EIO note. To his euTUrise IL was genuine.