The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-05-05
The school-Boy's Lottery.

"Father," said Jerome Chase, "the BOYS at
school have got a lotteryl'
''Have theyf' said Mr. Chase, who was
busy in Strengthening up the stem of young
beech-tree which he had just transplanted,
and who to tell the truth, was paying very
little attention to what Jerome said.
"And 1 wish you would give me quarter
of dollar, to buy a ticket" added Jerome.
"a ticket?" said Mr.. Chase. "a ticket for
WHAT"
''For the boys lottery. father"
Nonsense" said Mr.. Chase.
"But it isn't nonsense, father. Aleck Hyde
and Paul Porter have got it up, and there are
three grand prizes,-a ten-dollar gold-piece,
a real little ship, with sails and rigging and
everything, that you can sail on the pond,
. and brand-new writing-desk of rosewood
all lined with red velvetl'
''Does Mr. Davidson know of itI"
''Of the lottery, father? Oh, no-it's
secret. Old Davidson always spOils our fun
ifhe knows anything of it!'
"But, had he been consulted, he would
probably have I'D you that lotteries, of any
kind, were illegall'
"Yes; but father"
"Dont tease me, Jerome" said Mr.. Chase,
impatiently Il certainly shall not give you
any money to buy lottery tickets with. L
disapprove of the whole thingI"
''But, father, you said ysu woald give me
quarter of dollar for helping you chop
kindling wood last Saturday"
did L? Well, L didn't say it was for
Lottery tickets"
"You told me 1 might spend it as 1
pleased" pleaded jerome.
ga debt is one thing" said Mr.. Chase,
Etand gift is another If l really owe you
ba Of II Rtrt Lot
me advise you not to squander it on lottery
tickets"
He took a silver quarter of a dollar from
his pocket as he spoke, and gave it to Je-
rome, who ran off in high glee.
"Father may say what he pleases," said he,
"but there's no reason l shoulnd't draw the
writing desk, or the little ship, or, even the
SO gold piece, as well as any Of the other
boys. Of course 1 would't buy a ticket if
my father absolutely forbade il. But he
only said he advised me not to have any
thing to do with such things"
And so Master Jerome quoted his con-
science as he ran along toward the school
house.
AS he came to the corner of the village
street a dusty little lad, with a swarthy skin
and dark Italian eyes, stood there, playing
on violin, with a crowd of little people
around him. Just then old Mr.. Grumblepeg
came driving around the corner very fast
sect out of the way. you young vaga-
bonds" cried he, in great rage.
The children, who knew well what were
the angles of old Mr.. Grumblepeg's temper,
scattered, some to the right and some to the
left, but the little Italian boy was not quick
enough. The wheel of Mr.. Grumblepeg's
pony carriage passed over his foot and
knocked the violin out of his hand, crushing
it upon the paving stones.
The little lad began to cry piteously.
"Why didn't you get out of the way,
then?' snarled the cross old man, as he drove
away, without ever stopping to see whether
bone was broken or not.
The children all gathered around the poor
italian boy.
'Are you much hurt2" said Willie Vane,
kindly.
John Elton brought his cap full Of cool
water to wash the dust off the poor boys
face-Harry Jones brushed his shabby, but
well-mended coat, and little Patty Price, a
cherry-cheeked three year-older stood on tip
toe TO offer him bite of her red apple.
"No," said the boy, in his broken English,
as he strove to keep back the sobs, 81 am not
much hurt Oh, thanks, a thousand thanks,
good friends-the foot is painful, but it Will
soon be gone. But my violin-oh, my violin.
1t is all broken in pieces-and it was hired OF
old Antonio, at dollar week-and what
can / say to old Antonio? He is stern,
hard man. He will believe broke the vio-
lin out of carelessnessp
"Why do you go back at all2" said Willie
Vane. "You can sing songs quite nicely
without any violin at all. Don't go near old
Antoniol"
Little Francisco lifted his liquid brown
eyes in grave surprise to Willie's lace
1T would not be right" said he, "Antonio
trusted me with the violin. / could not be-
come falsel'
"Boys, look here" said Johnny Elton. 81