Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-07-31
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CHAPTER X.
BY HoRATIO ALGtR, JR.

IL,
the lottery ticket reached him. 1t was
several days in coming, and he had sI-
most given it up, but the sight of it rails
cd his spirits to the highest pitch. 1t
seemed to him the first step to a fortune.
He began at once to indulge in dazzling
visions of what he would do when the
prize came to hand; how the "old man"
would be astonished and treat him with
increased respect how he would 90 to the
city and have a good time seeing the
lions, and from henceforth throw off the
calling yoke of dependence which his faith
er's parsimony had made it so hard to
bear.
Whenever he was by himself. he used
to pull out the ticket and gaze at it with
the greatest satisfaction as the key that
was to unlock the portals of fortune, in
dependence and happiness
But at length the long-expected letter
arrived. Joshua did not like to open it
in the postofice, lest it should attract the
attention of the postmaster. He there
fore withdrew to a place where he was
not likely to be disturbed, and with trem-
bling fingers opened the letter. Some
thing dropped out.
81 wonder if it is a check?" thought
Joshua. stopping over and picking II up
But no, it was an announcement of the
drawing. Joshua's numbers-for each
lottery ticket contains three numbers
were 9, 10. 30. But of the thirteen lucky
numbers drawn out of sixty-ive, neither
of them was one.
Slowly it dawned upon Joshua that he
had drawn nothing. that his FIVE dollars
had been absolutely thrown away. But
there was a letter. Perhaps this would
explain it. Joshua read as follows:
Dear Sir-We regret to say that we
are unable to send you a prize this time.
We hope, however, you will not be dis
couraged. Some of our patrons who have
been most fortunate have commenced by
being unlucky. Indeed, singularly enough,
this is a general rule.
Hoping to hear from you again, md
TO send you in return better news, we
subscribe ourselves, very respectfully.
"GRABB x CO."
The effect of Joshua's i'll success was
to make him very despondent. He thought
of all he had intended to do, and now
his castles had crumbled, and all in con-
sequence of this letter. He had been so
sanguine of success. Now he must write
to Sam that his visit to New York was
indefinitely postponed-that Is, unless he
could induce his father to provide MIN
with money enough to go. The prospect
was not very encouraging, but he felt des-
perate, and he determined to make the
attempt. Accordingly just after supper,
he detained his father, just as he was
returning to the store, and said:
Father, l wish you'd let me go to
New York on visit"
what for?" asked Mr. Drummond, ele-
waiting his brows.
Because I'm eighteen years old, and
I've never been there yet"
'Then. if you've gone eighteen years
without seeing the city, | think you can
go a while longer" said his father, un-
der the impression that he had made a
witty remark But Joshua did not ap-
preciate the humor of it.
1--WE lived in Stapleton ever since l
was born,'' grumbled Joshua, "and have
got tired of it. | want to see something
of life"
"Do you? Well, I'm sure I've no objec-
ton"
May l go, them"
Yes; but, of course you will pay your
own expenses
How can II" exclaimed Joshua, in an
gly disappointment. Il have no money"
o1l n, 40
till you have enough"
Save up en- twenty-five cents a week !!
l couldn't go till | was an old man "
IL know of no other way" said Mr.
Drummond, with provoking indifference,
unless you earn the money in some wav."
You treat me like little boy" said
Joshua, angrily.
You are better of than l am. l have
to work for all get. You get your board,
clothes and pocket money for nothing"
"Other boys go to New York when they
are much younger"
II have told you you can go when you
like, but you mustn't expect me to supply
the money"
Mr.. Drummond put on his hat and
crossed the street to the store, leaving
Joshua in very unfilial frame OF mind.
CHAPTER XI.
Two days later two women entered Mr..
Drummond's store. One was Joshua S
customer and she wore the same shawl
which she had purchased of him. 1t nap
ptned that Walter was out but Mr..
Drummond and Nichols were both behind
the counter.
"Have you got any more shawls like
this?' asked the first lady, whom we will
call Mrs. Blake. Mrs. Spicer, who Is a
ncighbor of mine, liked it so well she
wants to get another just like it."
,IN;I ,.n,, hun thia chnwl of 1S2 ~ IL.