The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-12-15
THE LOTTERY TICKET

so you want to hear tho story of
my marriage? Listen then, and you will
say that it is an odd enc. 1t was late
near midnight-onc cold, stormy night.
L came out of Il cafe, when "a slender
little girl, with disheveled hair and
wrapped III an old ragged shawl, beg
ged me to buy tho tenth of Il lottery
ticket. took it and gave her an enor-
nous sum-in her cstilnation-for it, 1
gave her peso. Her sweet smile fully
repaid my generosity.
1t will bring you luck, senorito,
she affirmed, with the soft, clear pro-
nunciation of the girls of Madrid.
Arc yOu surc?' / asked jokingly,
as 1 slipped the ticket in my overcoat
pocket and folded my silk muffler close
~ around my throat to protect me fomr
the chill December winds.
"'Of course I'm sure of it-iust rs
sure as you arc that you have bought
tho ticket. The number-you watch tho
list when it comes OUTS /, APO. the
exact number of the years of my life.
"A, and the days of the month over, 20.
L wish L had bought tho whole of the
ticket instead of tho tenth
Well, child, L responded with the
generosity and tranquility of an old
gambler who knows that he has never
gained cent, don It worry If the ticket
draws d prize, half of the tenth is for
you and half for me-
SerOrito, for heavens sake tell mo
your name, your street and number. L
know That i'll four days moro we shall
win the grand prize.
II llesi;ated for moment, then told
her my nano aud where L lived Ten
minutes later, when hurried through
the Puerta del Sol to the Gale dc la
Montera, I had forgotten tho incident.
-Four days passed. was still in bed
ono morning, about 10 O'Clock, when [
heard the grand list being called out
through the streets. J. sent my servant
out TO buy one, and when he brought it
to mo my eyes Immediately fell upon
the number OF the first prize. | thought
must DO dreaming. No, was awake.
There it Yas-l APO, my tenth part of
tho ticket the ago of the seller and good
luck for her and me! Those blessed
clphers represented many thousand
duros (dollars).
Il got up hastily, completely over
whclmcd by my good luck. My legs
shook and cold perspiration came ont all
over my body. Do mo the justice to be-
heve that | never for ono moment
thought Of taking back my Offer. The
little girl had brought me luck she had
been my mascot. 1t was IL. business
transaction. We must divide the gains.
Then it occurred to me To take :.
took ut the ticket. | remembered per-
tectly that put it III an outside pocket
or my oyercoat III order not to nnbutton
1t. Where was my coat? All, there,
hanging on its hook. searched that
ovcrcoat thoroughly. Not sign of tho
ticket
81 shouted furiously for my man and
asked him if no had shaken my coat out
Of the window. OF course lie had shaken
1t and brushed it carefully, but he had
seen nothing drop out of the pockets
absolutely nothing. / looked al him
His face showed his veracity and honor
During the five years he had been III my
service | had mover detected MIN in The
smallest theft
II blush NOW when ,hinl, how l
sworo II that poorfcllow. was fian;ic
Over ny loss. / i;gstad a candle and
searched III ovory corner onpticd my
w"rdrohcs, looked over my old papers
and carefully investigated the waste pa
per basket. NOTHING, nothing! My hands
Were burning. NY riouth dly, my heart
filed with rage.
Late i'll the afternoon, was lying
ia the Hanse smoking and still pom
Gerins over my horrible disappointment,
wien ! heard . sharp ring at the bell,
the sound Of Il discussion at the door,
the protcstGtions Of some one WHO
wished to enter, ana then there appeared
HCfnrn mo The LITTLE lnftnrv ficl;ct snllnr