The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-04-17
Written for The drkGnSau Tiareisr
 g Lottery Ticket.
By Mrs. Nj. C. Kellar.

When the babbe of tongues and the newspaper columns first informed me of the approaching rattle, scorned to notice it. In the first place opposed it on high moral grounds, besides had always been unluckv
 In childish games drew the shortest straws; in girlhood luck still eluded me.
 Hence, all the fine fancies born to the expectant winner in this lottery failed to move me
 Foolish the moth that would flutter near the seductive and destructive blaze Besides two dollars would buy SO many little things necessary to q girls happi- ness. Notwithstanding this saguei0us opinion the fever of desire unexpectedly seized me. Determined to be on the safe side, I beguled tender-hearted, slim-pursed youth into partnership with me, so that in the event of loss one dollar would cover my case
 If the joint ticket drew gentleman < gift my associate would keep it, paying me royalty, and riee ptrsa The agree ment was put in writing, and went down to buy the ticket l made scv- eral different pilgrimagcs to the glitter ing Mecca
 The courteous head of the establish ment possessed infinite patience He encouraged me to take my time did SO. practieed throwing dic" Ia,ked questions impossible for a solon to answer Whether from the lroiund. ity of the questions k not for Ine to say
 After volumes ofeXplan&tion l looked tenderly at two-new siNer dollars. laid them down and walked out with the precious bit of paper in my pocket book
 From that moment my hopes grew like Jonah's gourd Half tEe value of the capital prize would not have bought that bit of paper
 " Is life worth living2 should have answered, not withorta lottery ticket" began to regret not having taken the entire risk but armed with the strength of certain victory, bani,hed every an noyance. Forgetting all the luckloss past, l went up every day to gag" at my possessions While engaged in this pleasant occupation noticed that every passer-by looked at me enviously; every one saw at a glance that held the cn- chanted ticket.
 portioned of each dazzling jewel for some special occasion. One or two not being to my taste. concluded to have changed
 Among my friends were many who smiled derisiycly at me. Not one whit did l care Does the sailing summer cloud mind the dust and wind2 Do the stars care for the sensele-s, bab bling brook looked on those about me in vague wonder. somewhat a- Il scholar looks at an ignorant lout pitied, but did not hate How could people endure the dull, unexpectant monotony of life without Il lottery ticket? How had lived day without one in my pocket? did not know. walked on air; time lagged the days crawled, Inc hours Were provoking dull- ards and crept by like lame creatures. Insomnia seized me until prayed for q tithe of Elesmire pink sleep. Was l miserable2 No Restless? Not unhap- oily so, for ioyed in every phase of feeling for the sake of the cause Sub tie thrills ran through my veins It is something to have purpose; to beable 10 expect. Life was no longer dead load; the ratde and my prize were just ahead The small thorn-pricks of daily life were no longer felt; the gad-hies of ungratitied wants failed to sting me.
 Among the multitude of charms for earth's ills, lottery ticket towers Saul like above them all It is fairy tale; a romance instinct with bounding. exul-