The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-07-02
ROMANCE OF A LOTTERY TICKET.
Tho Strange Incidents That Occurred TO
California Legislator.
[San Francisco Post.l

Tho Strange Incidents That Occurred 70
California Legislator.
LSan Francisco Postl
About fifteen years ago there lived
near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, hard.
working, homespun farmer, whom sue
cession OF bad crops and divers reverses
had brought to great financial distress.
Finally his property, the farm which he
had struggled 50 many years to secure,
was advertised for sale by the SheriR.
The poor man resolved upon one last effort
to save his house and started for Loudon,
then the mStropoKs cf that section. One
business acquaintance indorsed . mote
which the bank discounted; smother pur.
chased his cattle, and so on with infinite
trouble and many rebufts he ct last sue
ceedsd in raising 1900, very nearly the
amount needed TO satisfy the execution.
In q few days he set out upon his return,
burdoned with debt, but with spark of
hope for the future warming his heart.
As he approached the lower ford Of the
Potomac after midnight, man stepped
out OF the bushes and leveled q shotgun at
his head. Some robber had become ap-
prised OF the large sum tho farmer car.
ried in his saddle bags, and waylaid him
To the challenge TO stand and deliver, the
farmcr answered by putting spurs to his
horse, for death itself was preferable to
the loss Of his only hope Of the future.
The next moment he tumbled from his
saddle at the report of the footpad's gun,
and when he regained consciousness found
his right arm broken by load of buck
shot and his treasure missing. He reached
home with difficulty, and the sale was de-
layed for month in Difference to the
double misfortune.
Every effort was made to find the high.
wayman, but in vain, although certain
clew existed. So close was the shot deliv-
cred that the wadding of the gun, which
proved to be an old tattered lottery-ticket,
was found sticking in his coat-sleeve. At
last the day upon which he was to find his
family beggars and homeless again ar
rived. All the previous night the wretched
man paced the floor and brooded upon his
miserable fate. When the morning
dawned he kissed his sleeping wife and
children, and then, walking with firm
step to the closet, took therefrom his gun,
which he loaded.
| Placing the muzzle to his mouth, he was
about to press his hand to the trigger,
when pebble struck sharply on the win.
dow-pane. Looking out, he observed the
muffled figure of man, who beckoned him
1 to ascend. He did so mechanically, and
the stranger led him some distance from
the house. Then throwing open his coat,
the visitor said:
"Do you know me?"
The farmer shook his head.
swell, am man who robbed you and
have come TO make you proposition"
"IndeedW said the farmer, grimly.
"Walk into the house." o e,
81 guess that isn't necessary" replied
the footpad, dryly. just listen to me. Do
you remember the number of the lottery
ticket you found that night" sl
sit was B, No. 4,5s2,6G1," replied the
puzzled victim. la b &
EXACTLY" said the highwayman, hand
ing him printed list Of the Havana draw.
ing; "you see it has won 100000. Now,
my proposition is this: Keep that ticket
and call Off the detectives. Let me alone
and the prize is yours; arrest me, and
will claim that money, and with quarter
OF it l can, as you know, fight my way ou
of any court in this State. What do yor
say~
"I'll do it," said the farmer.
And he kept his word The reward was
withdrawn, and the robber. very natural
ly, was never again heard Of. The farmer
casbed his prize, less the usual enormous
Discount" in such cases, and became the
richest man in his county, as some who
read this can testify. Unfortunately, he
was one of those who cannot bear pros.
perity. He gradually sunk into politics
and to-day is member of the State Legis
lature.