The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1879-11-06
Freaks of Tickle Fortune.

freaks OF F1ckle Fortune.
"Easy come, easy CO." remarked a
sportsman to his friend, on reading the
account OF the drawers of the principal
prize in the late extraordinary French
lottery.
Then you don't believe quiried his
friend, "that luck hits are lasting bene-
fts?"
III have never known them to prove so,
and and have known of many so-called
lucky Strikes
"Can you mention case in point?:
eyes, half a dozen. There was Noah
Taylor of Jersey City. He drew $4,000
in lottery years ago. At first he flour
ished. He built large hotel in jersey
City. Then he laid in 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 had lost all.
''Then there was George Smith of Chi
cage. He came here about the time the
Crystal Palace opened. Within month
he made 100000 cash. The next sum-
mer he had to borrow a dollar to get
dinner.
Take John Morrissey for another ex-
ample. He made hundred lucky hits.
After his death his estate amounted to lit
tie or nothing.
"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"
Il remember his Case" broke in the
friend, "but have heard so many con-
hicting stories that I don't know which
to believe"
''The facts are these,' continued the
Penistan's associates: Mr.. Penlstan was
doing 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 1878
he read an advertisement of an extra
drawing Of the Royal Havana Lottery,
which was to take place April %, in
which the first prize was announced as
$500,000. 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
lottery in this city, enclosing money for
ticket. On receiving the letter the
clerk Of the agents took the top ticket
QO77) and sent it to Mr.. Penistan. In
few days dispatch came from Havana
to the effect that ticket 1077 had drawn
the capital prize of $5Q0,OOO. Martinez
& Co. telegraphed Mr.. Penistan that his
ticket had drawn the great prize Mr..
Pcnlstan jumped for joy on hearing the
news. Shaping the brother of his IA
ther-in- law, came on to draw the money.
They found they would have to J. wait
about week until the Havana steamer
arrived with copies of the official draw
ing before the prize could be cashcd
Tie party enjoyed themselves seeing
theFsigi.s Of the metropolis until the
officials drawings came. Mr.. Pcn1stan,
who was then about 45, tall, slender and
gentlcmanly, bore his good fortune with
rare modesty, studious]y 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 cashed here. Two years pre-
viously ticket 9444, drawing $500, 900, had
been paid.
t'The tickle goddess who had smiled so
blandly on Mr.. Penistan now began her
capricious capers. The brother of his
father-in-law sued him for the alleged
promised half Of his suddenly acquired
wealth, together with claim for advanc-
es; or something of that nature. A law
suit doomed mp, and it IS said that Mr..
Penlstan,, nervous and worried. paid
over $4,000 for peace and quietness.
"Then wide awake horsemen received
him with open arms. He was what they
term an angel-one with plenty of mo-
ney to expend on horse-fesh. A few OF
his horses turned out we'll, and made a
noise at the time. One great and respect
ed horscman, who will never gamble a
penny on a horse, paid Mr.. Penistan
$4,000 for splendid stallion. He
boug ht Fellowcraft after his great
achievement at Saratoga. In the main,
however, Mr.. Penistan's ventures turned
out poorly. The fcklejade seldom smiled !;
she seemed to have forgotten her old IA
votite. Mr.. Penistan, however, was
hail fellow well met with lovers of the
horses. He kept extensive breeding farms,
poured out money lavishly, while the
best vintages moistened the lips of his