The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-08-01
WHIMSICALITIES OF FORTUNE.
The Way Money Melts From Men Who
Become Suddenly Rich.
New York Sun.

EASY come, easy CO., remarked a
sportsman to his friend, on reading the
account in the Sun of the drawers of the
principal prizes in the late extraordi-
nary French lottery.
"Then you don't believe" queried the
friend, "that luck hits in lotteries are of
lasting benefit?"
81 never knew them prove so, and 1
have known of many so-called lucky
strikes"
"Can you mention a case in point?'
Eyes, half a dozen. There was Noah
Taylor, of Jersey City. He drew $7O,-
600 in lottery years ago. At first he
flourished. He built a large hotel in
Jersey City. Then he laid in a heavy
stock Of whisky before the war tax was
imposed, making heaps of money out Of
that. Finally, however, his fortune
| dwindled away, it is said, until he has
lost all.''
Then there was George Smith, of
Chicago. He came here about the time
the Crystal Palace opened. Within a
month he won 100000 cash. The next
summer he had to borrow n dollar to get
dinner"
"Take John Morrisey for another ex-
ample He made hundred lucky hits.
After his death his estate amounted to
little or nothing"
| t'The most remarkable case, however,
is that of Mr.. Penistan, the Philadelphia
liquor dealer, who five years ago drew
the largest priZe ever paid in America"
81 remember his Case" broke in the
| friend; shut have heard so many con-
fiicting stories that / don't know which
one to believe"
1.-THE facts are these" continued the
sportsman, "as / have them from Mr..
Penistan's associates: MIR. Penistan was
doing a comfortable business in Phila-
delphia, but was not making money
enough to indulge in his love for fast
horses. One day in the spring of 1873,
he read an advertisement for an extra
drawing of the Royal Havana lottery,
which was to take place April %, in
which the first prize was announced as
$500 600. The idea struck him that he
might draw that prize and show the
boys what he could do in the way of
fast horses. Acting on the idea, he
wrote to Martinez & Co., agents of the
Spanish lOtter in this city, inclosing
money for a ticket. On receiving the
letter, clerk of the agents took the top
ticket Q07O and sent it to Mr., Penistan.
In few days dispatch came from Ha-
vana to the effect that ticket 1917 had
drawn the capital prize of $500, 600.
Martinez s. Co, telegraphed Mr.. Penis
prize Mr.. Penistan jumped for JOY on
hearing the news. Shaping the brother
of his father-in-law, Thomas B. Whitney,
on the shoulders, he exclaimed, 'If this
is true, old fellow, I'll give you half of
it" Then he insured his life, and in
company with the brother of his father
in-law, came on TO draw the money.
They found that they would have to wait
: about q week until the Havana steamer
arrived with copies of the official draw
ing before the prize could be cashed.
SThe party enjoyed themselves seeing
the sights of the metropolis until the
official drawing came. Mr.. Penistan
who was then about As, tall, slender and
I gentlemanly, bore his good fortune with
rare modesiy, studiously avoiding any
display. AS soon as the drawings came
Martinez s. CO., paid over $4,000 in
cash, the amount due after deducting
the difference between American dollars
and Spanish money. This was the
largest prize ever paid here. Two years
] previously ticket 9444, drawing 500, O0C
had been paid.
THE tickle goddess who had smiled 81
: blandly on Mr.. Penistan now began hei
( capriciOus capers. The brother of hi
: fafher-in-law sued him for the ALLEGED
' promised half of suddenly acquired
3 wealth, together with a claim for ad
vances, or something of that nature.
d lawsuit doomed up and it is said tina
e Mr.. Penistan, nervous and worried, pal,
) over $4,000 for peace and quietness."