The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-05-17

ed. "What! is this Mr.. Beck?
most certainly is. How do you doi
And the spare man shook han6
cordially with him.
',Really. you have the better {
me-" said Mr.. Joe Beck, perplexet
II don't recollect your name, IN
dear sir"
"Cowper, sir, Cowper. We met i
Massachusetts some months ago, yo
remember"
ooh, did we? Where was il?-a
the horticultural meeting?" inquire
Mr.. Beck.
He could have sworn he had neve
met the man before.
eyes, that was the time. How i
Mrs. Beck, sir2 and how are th
twins getting on2 I should like t
see them all. Are they in London P
A light broke over Mr.. Beck's face
All uncertainty vanished.
"They are with me, Cowper, at tn
Merry Go 1nn,' he said.
"Ah! glad to hear it. You are go
ing that way? l shall be glad to &C
company you. When did you com,
over::"
''Last month";
Then they walked on APPARENT,
full Of good feeling.
II am proud to welcome you to on
country. What do you think Of Heng
land, Mr.. Beck?"
"Wcll, I think it is superior tt
America in some respects, but
wouldn't care to live in England
You are we'll organized, while Ame
RIGA is still crude; but you have
great many poor people here, Will,
We have almost none. What bushes,
are you in, Cowper?''
'Stock raising. I am just testing
a theory of my own. l have learned
in what temperature cattle will fat
ten, and have built sheds so as t,
keep them in chat temperature til,
year round. Don't know how it viii
operate. l am in town now to sci
some cattle. By the way, that re
minds me-where are we? All, yes
number twenty; l have an errant
here. ! took lottery ticket on deb
and they say it is prize number.
would like to stop in and try if it il
good for anything. just drop in {
moment with me, Mr.. Beck"
"No, thank YOU"
"Oh, yes, just a minute; then II
go on your way With you"
every WE'LL"
''lt is up stairs, see. Come on
sir"
Mr.. Beck followed him up thre,
flights of stairs to little front offic,
where clerk stood busily engaged
writing at bis desk behind Ions
counter"
"Good morning. Is this the office
of the Rio Janciro lottery?"
at is, sir.''
II have ticket. Please see if i
has drawn anything
The clerk looked into bis books
ut has drawn seventy-6ve pounds
two sbillings." And he went back to
ward the safe.
'sDo you hear that, Mr.. Beck? D.
you hear that2 Luck, sir! only
gave my customer three shillings TO
the ticket"
The clerk came back With seventy
five pounds in clean Bank of Eng
land notes aud paid them over til,
counter.
"Where are the two shillings2''
eve never give small change, sir
l give you two draws instead"
"Oh, all right! Here, make it fou
draws. Here are four shillingl
more"
"a shilling draw is cheaper thar
we allow except for six draws at on,
time," said the clerk. .'Will you
friend take a hand2'
''Mr. Beck, try couple"
"No, l guess not"
"rll give you four, then, at thesi,
rate" said the clerk.
A drum.like box was produced
Mr.. Cowper put in his hand ant
drew out four envelopes each con
tanning one ticket. He'opened then
and called of the numbers. Tire,
drew nothing. The four drew fouI
pounds.
"Tbis is splendid luck. Don't 70,
want to try it, Beck7"
II guess not
"Gentlemnn,'' said the clerk, con