The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-12
TIE JERICHO POsTOFFIcE.
Pap Perkins, Postmaster, Tells About
Lottery.

It was during the palmy days of lot
terry schemes that sleek, slick stranger
arrived in the village of Jericho one ev-
entng and told the landlord of the taE-
arn that he had come out into the coun-
try for couple of weeks to get rid of
dyspepsia.
He walked around the town next day
and met the people and everybody liked
him. He was suave and soft-spoken,
and he let 1t be known that as soon as
he could cure his dyspepsia he was go
ing to Patagonia as a missionary He
had studied I'd on the Patagonians and
knew just how to tackle them and turn
them from their sinful ways and he
had decided to make that his life work.
Gentle were his ways, and it seemed
eninently proper that his name should
be the same. &c. Gentle" he wrote it,
and added the letters m. T. P which
stood for Missionary to Patagonia
Mr. C. Gentle had been in Jericho
three days when he asked Deacon Good
heart to take a stroll with him down
by the milldam. They strolled, and
when they had reached the pond and
taken seats on a saw-log, the stranger
announced that he had secret to con-
6de to the deacon.
He wanted to confide secret and ask
advice at the same time. He had select
ed the deacon in preference to any one
else, and with considerable anxiety in
his face and emotion in his voice he
went on to say that reformed gamb-
Ter, whose reform might or might not
be permanent, but who seemed to be
much interested in missionary work. ha d
given him as donation 20 lottery tick
cts, each one of which was certain of
drawing a prize. The sum total would
be about $40 600, and with that amount
he felt he could convert at least $4,000
Patagonians, but of late his conscience
had been pricking him. Was it right to
use lottery money for such d purpose?
He had decided in his own mind that
1t was not. but he wanted to hear from
others.
Deacon Goodheart had heard of a case
where a horse jockey had donated q
church bell, and of another where n
gambler had paid off a church debt but
he didn't approve of such things IT
this lottery money was used to convert
Pata gonians he wouldn't guarantee that
they would stay converted over four
weeks. He wanted them boosted up,
but not at the sacrifice of a principle
Mr.. G. Gentle agreed with the deacon
and was glad to have the matter settled,
but the look of anxiety did not leave his
face What should be done with the lot
terry tickets? The reformed gambler had
positively guaranteed that each ana
every one would be good Tor at least
81 COO and what should be done with
the money? 1t could not be used for
churches, asylums. Sunday school IL
braries or even common charities with
out a sacrifice. and OF course G.. Gentle
would not think OF deVoting it to any
base cause
Deacon Goodheart sighed and hitched
around uneasily. and after pursuing up
his lips and scratching his head threw
out a hint that If he had $1,000 TO spare
he would know how to use it for the
benefit of his fellow men. He would fill
up the mud holes in the highways
around Jericho. cut down the thistle
patches alnog the asylum lanes and
build bridge or two, and II there was
any money left it should be used to
paint the school house.
Exactly, Deaeon-exactly,' replied G..
Gentle. as he rubbed his oily palms to-
gether. IF you had one of these tickets
you would draw $1,000. and or course
the money would be we'll expended.
Now, if you were to pay me SO for
ticket I could use the money on the
Patagonians and not feel at all troubled
over it. 1t would be money from a
Christian man instead of a reformed
gambler, who may not have thoroughly
reformed after all
The deacon didn't let any grass grow
under his feet in closing the deal If he
could aid the moral and physical well
fare of the Patagonians and the Jeri
choians at the same time, it was his
duty to do So and he was glad of the
ahance.