Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1906-08-23
Frasquita's Lottery Ticket
though II Mas Never Bought,
II Serred lis Purpose.

Bomba was of sanguine temnera.
ment. Although he had never
bought lottery ticket in his life he
was nevertheless firm in his belief
that some day he would win the cant
TAI prize In the States Lottery. He
nad the faculty OF always looking at
the bright side of things. and his
cheerfulness never left him. His vo.
cation was that of barber in the EN-.
ploy OF Don Simon Pesetero in the
town OF Talavera. When there vas
a lulu between the arrival of custom.
ers he would sit in a corner and
ouAd castles in Spain, imagining him:
self tie possessor OF untold wealth
he made no effort TO acquire these
since he felt convinced that he and
MS beloved Frasquita would live to
see his dreams realized.
So far neither he nor Frasouita
looked as IL they were on the high
ROAD TO wealth; at least there seemed
10 De no sign of foundation for
such having been laid. Both worked
Tor Don Simon, the greatest miser
VINO ever walked this earth: and
whlie Jose assisted in tooth pulling
and accompanied his master when lie
went to cup his patients. Frasouita
would lather chins and use curling
! irons on gay young swells. Each
received yearly wage of 800 francs.
besides free board and lodging:
BOARD meaning piece of bread.
TWO sardines, and six tomatoes. and
the privilege of drinking as much
water as they had a mind to.
Jose did not even lose his good
humor when he babe goodbye to
Frasqlita, knowing that his military
service would last four years. and
while her tears flowed copiously he
tried to console her with maxims of
his philosophy Don't worry. darling
no matter what happens, I am con-
Sinced that some day you and I shall
Dc happy and rich. To be sure.
don't know as yet how il is all to
come about, but that's no matter.
DON fret, let fate take its course
UP there in heaven there surely sits
one more powerful than We are. Why
then make trouble and sorrow for
ourselves? Should our efforts be in
accord with His intentions, then orr
niue help might hasten success; on
the other land, should they be in Oh
position to His plans you may be
sure we gain nothing. Be brave:
nave confidence. and leave everything
TO Him above" Still smiling he
pressed her closer TO his heart, then
with a short farewell he left her to
Join his regiment.
Jose's parting words lef: a deem
Impression on Frasquita's hear. and
MIND; and surely she stood in need
OF support. for the old miser seemed
TO make IL the great business of his
life TO render existence unbearabIe
for her. He was too close to get n
substitute for Jose. and insisted that
frasquita pull teeth and cup pa
tlents; but she proved such a failure
at this that he was obliged to do the
work himself lest he lose some O. his
customers. He revenged himself by
abusing her, calling her vile names
and berating her incompetence. She
listened patiently, but as soon - his
back was turned she expressed her
regard for what he had said nv mill
ing the lohes of her little pink ears.
Ehich 10 Spaniard means defiance.
AS weeks and months passed in
their deadly monotony Frasauita AL
most lost heart. Then one fine morn
ing she came hurriedly into the sbon
hnd asked Don S...:on to advance her
twenty francs on her wages. "Twen-
" francs. Senior. IL you please;
need them, indeed"
Twenty francs, you trifling spopd.
thrift? And for what object do Won
ask such sum-
For-for-because had ,
dream, senor."
"A dream? What on earth has y
dream to do with twenty-franc gold
piece?" e''u
Will tell you, senior. dream,
that at the next drawing, which
comes OF in Mardi Gras Tor carni-
vaD, No. 5555 will win the cani,.,
prize, and I want twenty francs IN
buy the ticket"
The old rascal shrugged his sboul-
oers, but as he owed her half a years
wages, he handed her the money
growing and muttering the while
oVer)oyed. as IL she had the zoo. 900
francs already in her pocket. Fras-
quita ran out OF the room.
Mardi Gras was a holiday. She
was determined to enjoy 4 to its full
est extent: she whirIed around while
dancing the tarentella like a top. ate
eruhers and roasted chestnuts to her
hearts content. and finally made n
votive Offering TO st. Koch. the pa
tron saint of the village, by burning
three candles on his shrine; for was
he not watching over her beloved
Jose. in order TO bring him safely
home?
Three years had passed, and Jose
was still serving his country at the
northern frontier. AZ this time a %,