The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-03

blOu III your u6Su!
"Why, do you think she's spent all the
money she got from the lottery2"
"She only got hundred dollars, and
she's put it on her back long ago."
How do you s'pose she heard of the
lottery?" persisted the Deacon.
"She saw the advertisement, of course
"Whar at, do you know?"
"ln newspaper, s'pose. But can't
say what one, for it's no consarn of mine.
We've got no business with lotteries"
The Deacon's financial troubles seemed
to have directed his thoughts in a very
unusual channel. Under ordinary cir
cumstances, merely to think of such
things, would to him appear sinful. Some.
way he gained the desired information
concerning the lottery. Before closing
OF the next mail, he had letter ready
and money enclosed to send for ticket.
| He carried the letter IN his pocket a
week, before he could summon courage
to speak to the postmaster about regist-
er1ng it.
At last he made up his mind the letter
must proceed on its way. He waited for
everybody to vacate the office and was
just advancing to the window to speak to
the postmaster, nerved for the effort. Up
popped figure before him. For min.
ute the DeRcons heart seemed not to
thump, then it struck up ivelier thump
than ever.
He heard the Postmaster say to the
figure in front, cts against the law.
Lottery tickets can't go through the
mails. Can't do any thing with it. Take
it away"
The figure turn ed round, and Deacon
Brown recognized member of his Sun
| dsy-school class.
ooh, Deacon Brown, you herel' said
the young man, with start, "Well I'd
rather anybody d catched me at this
than you, or maybe the pastor himself"
A blush coming up through the Dea-
cons leathery skin suffused his counten-
ance. This had tendency to increase
the youths contrition, for he considered
it the blush of virtuous indignation
caused by his wicked act
He continued to apologize, deacon,
my sister"
"But," interrupted the Deacon, "what's
the advice of the people about sending it,
il it can't go through the mail?"
Misunderstanding the Deacon and los
ing the latter part OF the inquiry in his
confusion, he answered "Oh, yes, sir, I
know you'd consider it device of the
devil to rob us. OF course long tried
Christians like you are never tempted to
indulge in such wickedness. But you
see, my sister, she heard Of it, and she
wouldn't let me rest till I promised to
send for ticket"
The Deacon watched his opportunity
next day, and sneaked around to the ex-
press office. He chose time that he
thought least likely to find many in the
office. The express agent CHANGED to be
out. Only boy was there to attend to
business in his absence.
When the agent returned, the boy
handed him letter in brown envelope
addressed to alottery company. He said,
"The man that left this wanted me to give
him a receipt for it. I told him you at
tended to that. He said to have you fix
it up and he'd call round after dark, in
few days and get it."
"What am I to give receipt for?"
"For two dollars enclosed"
allow do I know it contains two dol
lars? I can't see it, The things sealed
up. That's too thin. Who was the man~
"He said to make out the receipt to
'Lijah Brown"
"Elijah Brown, Elijah Brown. Don't
know any such man. Browns common
enough name. Obi why I believe that's
good Deacon Browns nsmel But he'd
never countenance scheme like this. It's
a put up job, perhaps, by wicked people
who can't appreciate sincere piety. Was
it large man that left?"
"He was small man, with thin crop
of gray hair on his head, and small black
eyes, set way back
"Why that answers the Deacon's de-
scription exactly. But he is too good a
man to be taken in by lottery swindle.
Some mistake Lay this aside carefully,
and the first time see him I'll find out
what it all means"
The Deacon supposed his two dollars to
be speeding toward their expected destin.
alton. From the time of depositing the
brown envelope in the express office he
was changed man.
His imagin alton pictured the sensation
awakened in the public mind in case he
drew prize. His success would consti-
tute him target for all eyes. Good Dea-
con Brown would be Immediately trans
formed into naughty Deacon Brown.
His great anxiety hinged on the fact Of
his success.
The unexpected appearance OF any one
startled him, lest he had come to apprise
him that his ticket held the lucky num-
Der.
He was especially spprehensiye OF a
meeting with the express agent. II he
saw him approaching he lodged corner.
He had even been observed to accelerate
his speed as near as venerable and dig