The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-03-05
HER LOTTERY TICKET


lived all alono in o tiny house in his
native village. We say %"alono," nj.
though no had an old servant with him,
but Brigitte WIS Of small account, a lit
Ito more valuable than tho dog, pcr-
haps, but loss than tho donkey, for that
cost forty crowns. She had entered tho
Landry family as cowgirl when only
twelve years old, and had remained
there over aince, and was q simple, hon
est soul, with a boundloss admiration
for "the master" Ho did not hositate
TO turn to good account her blind, dog
like devotion, and, Us a consequence,
Brigltte's savings were not largo,
though her duties wero arduous.
"You arc a good old fool" no would
sometimesls say to her, by way OF recon-
pense Tor hor c~easeloss industry, and
than her. wido mouth would expand
slowly in q delighted grin, which dis
played her toothlcss gums as sho OK
claimed a%dmiringy:
"Master loves to mako q little ioke!"
One day, the miser thought he could
save a mason's bill by repairing a
broken wall ut the side OF a pond, but
while ho was at work, happened
to slip and he fell into tho water Just
where it was most deep. He won't
il%oundering about for q minute or two
calling for help at tho top Of bis voice,
but no ono heard him, and his strength
being exhausted, he was about to sink
for tho third time when Brigitte caught
sight Of him, and lcaplng into the pond
ut tho risk OF her own life sho succeed
cd after desperate efforts, in bringing
him to land. The old man was uncon-
scious, but Brigitte took him under her
atsA as if he were n bundle Of straw, car
RIG him home, and rubbed him SO
vigorously that animation was restored.
When he opened his eyes the good crea-
ture she'd tears Of JOY, and be had tho
delicacy not to mention tho fact OF her
having neglected to save his trowel
which he had dropped in the water, and
which was q great loss, being quite new;
on the contrary, he eSclaimedin 4 burst
Of grateful generosity:
"You saved my life, and l shall not
forget II, l shall give you a present,
Brigitte."
True to his word, the next day he
called her to him and after somo hesita-
ton drow out his long leather purse
from his pocket, and then with as much
effort as If he were pulling a tooth, he
took out 4 coin and handed it to her.
twenty %cents," no said, cover and
above your wages, Brigette; you under
stand, this is not to be deducted, it lie a
present. Now do not spend it foolishly.
You can buy q l~ottery-ticket with it, and
pcrhaps you will win q hundred thou
sand francs
1t was the first time in his lilo that he
had been 60 generous, and he could not
forget it, but seemed to take a tender
interest in the fate OF his twenty-cent
piece. Again and again no asked the
old woman whether she had bought the
ticket.
"Not yet, MASTER" was her answer
every time he asked, but one day she
replied to his usual inquiry.
"Yes master, I have bought it."
"What number is it?' he said.
Number thirty-four."
"Take care that you do not lose the
ticket, I will lock it up in my closet for
you ii you like"
ooh, no, master, l will not lose it"
Alter tho excitement matters re-
sumed their usual course in old Ian
dry's house, plenty Of. work and very
little food continuing to fall to Brig
itte's share. The miaer was beginning
to forget his own %prodigality in reward.
ing the servant, when ono day, at the
barbor's shop, where he had stoppedi in,
MS ueual, to read the newspaper without
buying it, he caught sight OF a para
graph which gave him a terrific shock.
1t was the result OF tho drawing Of the
lottery, and one limo stood out in fam
ing figures which nearly dazzled him.
Number "a uins the Grand Prize Of
100000 FRATcs!!
The miser uttered such q cry as he
read that the startled barber grazcd
with his razor the ear Of the schoolmas,
ter, who was being shaved at that mo-
ment. g
"What is tho matter I" cried both mon
at once.
ooh, nothing. nothing" answered
Landry, recovering his presence Of
mind, and then he re-adjusted his spec
tacles and read tho line again, spelling
each word carefully. There was nc
mistake; number 81, Brigitto's number,
had won tho grand prize. Hc put down
the paper and rushed out Of tho shop.
AS he strodc along on his homeward
way, no became conscious OF tho fact
that old Brigittc, tho drudge, was now a
rich woman, and that it was by means
OF his twenty-cent piece that this won.
der had como to pass. His money, bic
reflected, had won tho prize. So, did
not the fortune belongt to him? A dozen
different schemes for possessing himself
of tho money passed. through his mind,
and at last he decided upon q desperate
plan.
"Well, Brigitte, any news2" no said
as he entered his house, whore the wo.
man was busy at her usual tasks.
"No Master, except-that h OF the
chickens has the pip.
1t was clear that she had not yet heard
the news, and the old man chuckled
with delight at tho thought OF his own
shrewdness. He began by ordering
Brigitte to kill a fowl and cook it fol
dinner with a piece Of pork, gave hel
money to buy coffee, sugar, and a bottle
Of brandy, and then went down to the
cellar to fetch some wine.
"What OWL spirit has got into him?t
thought Brigitte in amazomont at this
unheard Of extravaganza, but when the
meal was ready, and two places set a
table, her wonder increased at the pros.
pcct Of companyto dinner. Old Landry
however, told her to sit in the place op
posite him, and when she refused tc
take such a liberty he exclaimed stern,
w; Z