Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-16
The LOTTERY TICKET.
A PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY.

pear to have so much taste in dress or art al
most Partisan ladies have; but that was q
deiect-lf defect it be-that was fully COM
pensated for by her housewifely excellencies.
1t was understood both by NJ. and Nine.
Maillard, as well as their daughter, that I
came to their house in the character of q
suitor, but, as 1 had frequently remarked to
them, did not think that any man should
marry before he was 80 years of age and
possessed at least a sum representing double
| his annual income for three years-an opin-
ion they most warmly applauded. The fact
that had not yet declared myself was not
matter Of surprise. Celestine was 20. She
would be % at the time 1 was expected to
ask for her hand.
1t was on the Sunday previous to the day
| on which the lottery was to be drawn.
AS usual had been spending the evening
with the Maillards. While; tea was being
/ served, previous to my departure, told
Mrs. Maillard about the foolish hopes of my
! iellow-elerk, against whom. as the day for
the realizations of his expectations drew
near, my irritation had steadily increased.
NJ. Maillard had not heard of the lottery.
'What is the prize?" he asked.
"There are several said, "but I be-
| lieve the grand prize is e20, ,000.'
And what is the price of the tickets?"
asked Nine. Maillard, looking up.
"Only franc EACH"
Have you any?''
"No," answered, ST do not care to waste
my money like that"
"Oniy FRAME" repeated Madame. 81
say, Maillard, we ought to have few, A
cousin OF mine won $4,000 f. once in a lot
terry at Lille. Just think what a good
dowry we could give to Celestine''
YES, we might as we'll take few" said
fhn hnc hanA h
added, "And you also might take one. If
you were TO win, that would singularly
hasten the realization of your dearest
hopes" As he spoke he glanced at Celes-
tine, who flushed slightly, and said:
'Yes, do take one, too"
grumbled little. It was against nv
principles, 1 said. A franc wasted was
franc lost.
Meanwhile Mime. Maillard had rung for
her servant, and was giving her a few
francs.
"You give franc, too, she said, address
ing me- Tnen the girl can just bring ten
tickets"
1 gave the franc somewhat reluctantly,
and shortly afterward received in exchange
from the servant girl one OF the blue tickets
of the lottery of the Decorative Arts. L
crushed it eoutemptuously into nv waist
coat pocket, and that nj sht on reaching nv
room entered the franc as "wasted" into
the account book in which L kept the record
of my personal expenses
did not think OF the matter again until
on the evening of the following day (Thurs-
dsy). when was walking home from the
Office and heard the street hawkers crying
out the list of the winning numbers of the
lottery of the Decorative Arts. 1t then
struck me that Brunot whose absence from
hp off uIl hoA
strange to me, must have been away al the
drawing, which was public
81 wonder if he has wonP' cried, with a
lump rising in nv throat. My anxiety was
such that 1 dined very badly, and as soon as
possible hastened off to his house, where
was expected that night.
81 shall be able to tell by his faee,"I
said to myself as 1 climbed the stairs to
the fifth story on which he lived. 81 shall
be ableto tell at glance if he has won or
not"
It was my friend who opened the door.
His appearance was the same as usual: his
expression such as had always seen it
one of resignation under difficulties and of
calm content.
''Well?' 1 said, halting at the threshold
1T is very good Of you, nv dear friend,''
he said, putting out his hand and grasping
mine. SIT is really kind of you to show
such interest in my little hopes. But am
sorry to tell you that they are not to be
realized this time. I have won nothing, not
even little blue bank note of 1,0OOf" 1
felt greatly relieved. Then feeling OF dis
gust at my own meanness came over me,
and 1 cried out: 81 am really very sorry;
you have counted so much on a piece of
good fortune. 1t is a real shame. Nobody
more than you deserved to be fortunate"
was almost profuse in my condolences, far
more so indeed than was at all warranted BY
the condition of my friend. who seemed
resigned. Luckily" he said,
after he had again thanked me for nv SYM
pathy, 81 have got six tickets in the AL
gerian lottery. You know-the one which
was got up to succor the native farmers who
lost their crops by the plague of locusts L
am sure to win something then. the draw
ing is in May"
signed. I found her sitting at the dinner
table, which had not vet been cleared. COM
pairing her tickets with a printed list that
was propped up against the tureen.
ut is real swindle," she cried when she
had seen me. mot one of our tickets has
won anything, and we had 40" Then,
turning round to her husband. she added
very irritably, sit was Just like you to go
and waste 40 francs on that rubbish"
she pushed the bags of tickets con-
aside-"40 francs, as if we
could spare them. Just think of all the
things we want-we sadly want-absolute
Of which we have to deprive our
selves, and which we could have bought
with those 40 francs. Charles boots are
quite worn out, and the girls haven't re-
ipectable frock among them. I don't say
lnythiug of all the things / want for myself,
or, of course, don't count
Then, grumbling and scolding, she began
clearing away the dinner things. While
he was washing up in the kitchen, Brunot
ook up the prize list.