Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-03-12
CHAPTER V
By H0aATI0 ALcER, JR.


In due time, to Joshua's great delight.
the lottery ticket reached him. 1t vas
several days in coming, and he had FL
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 TIE
prize came 10 hand: how the odd man
would be astonished and treat him with
increased respect how he would go 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 50 hard 10
bear
Whenever he was by himself. he uTad
70 pull out the ticket and gaze at It with
the greatest satisfaction. as the key that
was to unlock the portals of fortune. m
dependence and happiness
But at length the long-expected letter
arrived. Joshua did not like to open it
in the postoffice, lest it should attract the
attention Of the postmaster. He there
fcre withdrew to 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 it tap.
But no, it was an announcement of the
drawing. Joshua's numbers-for each
lottery ticket contains three numbers
were 8, To- 30. But of the thirteen lucky
numbers drawn out of sixty-fve, neither
OF them was one.
Slowly it dawned upon Joshua that he
had drawn nothing. that his five dollars
had been absolutely thrown away. Hut
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 he dis
couraged. Some of our patrons who have
been most fortunate have commnuced by
being unlucky. Indeed, singularly enough,
this is a general rule
Hoping to hear from you again, and
20 send you in return better news. we
subscribe ourselves, very respectfully
"GRABB & CO"
The effect of Joshua's i'll success was
to make him very Respondent. 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 das-
perate. and he determined to make the
attempt. Accordingly, just after supper.
In, 1otoino1 of inst no
returning to the store. and said
Father, | wish you'd let me 90 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
20 a while longer" said his father. UNI
der the impression that he had made
witty remark But Joshua did not ap-
prcciate the humor of it.
I've lived in Stapleton ever since l
was BORN grumbled Joshua, land have
got tired of it. want to see something
Of life"
do you? Wen, I'm sure I've no objec-
ton"
May | go, them"
Yes but. of course, you will pay your
own expenses"
How can II" exclaimed Joshua, in an
g,'y disappointment Il have no money"
Then you can save up your allowance
till you have enough"
Save up en- twenty-five cents week
| 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 way"
You treat me like a little boy :" SAID
Joshua, angrily.
You are better of than | am. | 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
Il 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 ard
crossed the street to the store, leaving
Joshua in a very unflial frame of mind.