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Sam's Chance And How He Improved It, a novel by Horatio Alger |
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Chapter 12. How Sam Succeeded |
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_ CHAPTER XII. HOW SAM SUCCEEDED Sam did not tell Henry of his purchase of a lottery ticket, being well aware that his roommate would not approve such an investment. "I'll wait till the lottery is drawn, and then if I get a prize I'll tell him about it. He can't say anything, then." Such were Sam's thoughts. He knew, of course, that he might draw a blank; but he did not take much account of that. He lived in a dream of wealth till the day when the result was to be made known. On a certain day the lucky numbers were to be published in the _Herald_, and for this issue Sam was anxiously waiting. The number of his ticket was 7,567. "Seven is a lucky number," said the acquaintance who induced him to buy. "Your number begins and ends with a seven. It's likely to draw something." Sam listened to this prediction with complacency. He did not reflect upon the absurdity of one number being luckier than another, and congratulated himself that he had been so fortunate as to get a number containing two sevens. Sam was not usually an early riser. As a general thing he lay in bed as late as he dared to; but on the particular morning which was to terminate his suspense he jumped out of bed at half-past five o'clock. "What are you going to do, Sam?" inquired Henry, opening his eyes. "I'm going to get up," answered Sam. "What's up? Do you have to go to work earlier than usual?" "No, that isn't it," answered Sam, evasively. "I'm tired of lying abed." "Rather strange!" thought Henry. "Can it be possible that Sam is turning over a new leaf?" He did not give much credence to this, but concluded that Sam had a particular reason, which he would learn in due time. Sam dressed hastily, and walked round to the _Herald_ office, and purchased a copy of the paper, which he unfolded eagerly. He did not immediately find the list of lucky numbers, but at length his eye rested on them. He looked eagerly through the long list, hoping to see number 7,567 in it, but in vain. A prize of fifty dollars was drawn by 7,562; but that was the nearest approach to good fortune. Poor Sam! His heart sank within him. He had been dreaming golden dreams of fortune for a week past, but now he was brought down to the cold and barren reality. All his money was gone except a dollar, on which he must live for two days and a half, till his weekly wages were due. "It's a shame!" muttered Sam, in bitter disappointment. "I was sure my ticket would win something. Wasn't there two sevens in it? I believe they cheated." It was too early yet for breakfast, and he sauntered about idle and purposeless. Suddenly he came upon the young man upon whose advice he had purchased his ticket. He, too, had a _Herald_ in his hand, but was not looking particularly elated. "He hasn't got anything, either," thought Sam, shrewdly. Just then he caught sight of Sam. "Did you draw a prize?" he asked. "No, I did not," said Sam, gloomily. "I wish I hadn't bought a ticket. That ten dollars is just throwed away. I wish I had it back." "Better luck next time." "What good'll that do me?" inquired Sam. "I'm dead broke. I haven't got money enough to buy another ticket. Didn't you tell me I was sure to win with two sevens in my number?" "I didn't say you were sure. I only said it was a lucky number." "Well, I wish I had my money back, that's all. I've only got a dollar to last me till Saturday night." "I ain't much better off myself, Sam; but it's no use giving up. Of course a feller can't be sure to win a big prize the first time. It's worth trying five or six times." "Where's the money coming from? Ten dollars don't grow on every bush." "Can't you borrow?" "My credit ain't good." "Then, save up till you have enough money." "How am I to save when I only get five dollars a week?" "Well, I am sorry for you, Sam; but I'm just as bad off as you are." "Are you going to buy another ticket?" "As soon as I can." The two parted, and Sam began to reflect. "Perhaps he is right. I couldn't expect to draw a prize the very first time. I wish I could get money enough to buy another ticket. Henry could lend me it as well as not; but I know he wouldn't. He'd just give me a lecture for buying a ticket at all. I wonder if there is any way." There seemed to be none except to try Henry, and, small as the chance was, he decided to do it. Henry was just thinking of getting up when Sam returned. "Back so soon, Sam?" he said. "Have you had breakfast?" "Not yet." "I see you have the Herald there. What's the news?" "I haven't looked to see." "You don't generally buy a morning paper." "No; but there was something I wanted to look at this morning." "You haven't found another ring, and bought the _Herald_ to see whether it's advertised?" "No; I wish I could find something." "Have you thought about putting part of your money in the savings-bank, Sam?" "How can I, when it's all gone?" "Twenty dollars gone in little more than a week!" exclaimed Henry, in genuine amazement. "Yes," answered Sam, rather confused. "What on earth did you do with it all?" "I guess I must have spent about ten dollars going to the theater, and so on." "What has become of the other ten dollars then?" "I bought a lottery ticket," said Sam, little uncomfortably. "Well, you were foolish!" said Henry. "What made you do it?" "A friend of mine advised me to. He had one himself." "He couldn't have been much of a friend of yours. I suppose you didn't draw anything?" "No." "I didn't expect you would." "Other people did, though," said Sam, inclined to uphold the lottery system. "Do you see that long list of prizes?" "I never knew anybody that drew a prize," said Henry, quietly, "though I've known a good many who bought tickets." "Forbes tells me if I buy another ticket I'm pretty sure to get something." "Then, you'd better not mind what Forbes says." "Of course somebody must draw prizes," said Sam, obstinately. "It's a poor way to get money, even if you could win one." "I'd risk that. I'd like to buy another ticket." Henry shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think you are very wise, Sam. It is well you haven't any more money to throw away." This was not promising, but Sam did not mean to give it up. "Henry," he said, "I wish you'd lend me ten dollars." "What for?" "I want to buy one more ticket." "I can't lend it." "I should think you might. If I don't get anything this time I'll never buy again." "I can't oblige you, Sam." "You mean you won't," said Sam, sulkily. "No; it happens to be true that I can't." "Haven't you thirty-five dollars in the savings-bank?" "I had." "You haven't spent the money?" "I have invested it." "How?" "I've given the book to my employer as security to pay interest on a loan." Then, seeing that Sam's curiosity was aroused, he proceeded to explain that he had borrowed five hundred dollars of his employer to pay for a share in a mercantile venture. "Do you think you'll make any money out of it?" asked Sam, eagerly. "I hope to." "About how much?" "Perhaps I may make a hundred dollars." "I wish I had that much." "I suppose you would buy ten lottery tickets," suggested Henry, smiling. Sam admitted he should invest a part that way. "I prefer to invest my money in legitimate business," said Henry. "I don't know about that," said Sam. "I might have drawn the twenty-thousand-dollar prize. That's better than a hundred dollars." "So it is; but if I keep on I have a good deal better chance of getting up to twenty thousand dollars than you." "I wish my boss would lend me five hundred dollars," said Sam. "I wouldn't advise him to," said Henry, smiling. "Now let us go to breakfast." _ |
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