The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-09-12
FFaSquita'S Lottery Ticket
S--G
Though II Was Never Bought,
II Served Its Purpose.

Caramba! Our good friend Jose
Bomba was of sanguine tempera-
men Although he had never
bought a lottery ticket in his life he
was nevertheless firm in his belief
that some day he would win the capt.
tai prize in the States Lottery. He
had the faculty of always looking at
the bright side of things, and his
cheerfulness never left him. His yo-
cation was that of barber in the en-
ploy of Don Simon Pesetero in the
town of Talavera. When there was
a lull between the arrival of custom
ers he would sit in a corner and
build castles in Spain, imagining him
self the possessor of untold wealth.
He made no effort to acquire these
since he felt convinced that he and
his beloved Frasquita would live to
see his dreams realized.
So far neither he nor Frasquita
looked as if they were on the high
road to wealth; at least there seemed
to be no sign of a foundation for
such having been laid. Both worked
for Don Simon, the greatest miser
who even walked this earth; and
while Jose assisted in tooth pulling
and accompanied his master when he
went to cup his patients. Frasquita
would lather chins and use curling
irons on gay young swells. Each
received a yearly wage of 800 francs,
besides free board and lodging;
board" meaning a 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
Frasquita, 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, l am con-
WINGED that some day you and / sEall
be happy and rich. To be sure, /
don't know as yet how it is all to
come about, but that's no matter.
Don't fret, let fate take it's 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 our
little help might hasten success; on
the other hand, should they be in OPP
position to His plans you may be
sure we gain nothing. Be brave;
have 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 left a deep
impression on F~rasquita's heart and
mind; and surely she stood in need
of support, for the old miser seemed
to make it the great business of his
life to render existence %unbearable
for her. He was too close to get a
substitute for Jose, and insisted that
FrasQuita pull teeth and cup pa
tients; but she proved such a failure
at this that he was obliged to do the
work himself lest he lose some of his
customers. He revenged himself by
abusing her, calling her vile names,
and berating her incompetence. She
listened patiently, but as soon IS his
back was turned she expressed her
regard for what he had said by pull
ing the lobes of her little pink ears,
which m n Sno rto ,l ooano lc-z.
AS weeks and months passed in
their deadly m%onotony Frasquita al
most lost heart. Then one fine morn
ing she came hurriedly into the shop
and asked Don Simon to advance her
twenty francs on her wages. "Twen-
ty francs, Senior, if you please;
need them, indeed"
Twenty francs, you trihing spend
thrift? And for what object do you
ask such a sum-"
"For-for-because 1 had a
dream, senor."
"A dream? What on earth has a
dream to do with a twenty-franc gold
piece?"
Il will tell you, senior. l dreamt
that at the next drawing, which
comes off in Mardi Gras Cor Carni-
vaD, No. 5555 will win the capital
prize, and l want twenty francs to
buy the ticket"
The old rascal shrugged his Shout
ders, but as he owed her half a years
wages, he handed her the money.
growing and muttering the while.
Overjoyed, as if she had the 200, 900
francs already in her pocket, Fras-
quita ran out of the room.
Mardi Gras was a holiday. She
was determined to enjoy it to its full
est extent; she whirled around while
dancing the t~arentella like a top. ate
crullers and roasted chestnuts to her
hearts content, and finally made a
votive offering to st. Roch, 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