“I suppose you don't care to tell what it is?” “Oh, I don't mind--it's a lottery.” “Oh!” said Herbert, in a tone of disappointment. “Yes,” answered Eben. “You may think lotteries are a fraud and all that, but I know a man in Boston who drew last month a prize of fifteen thousand dollars. The ticket only cost him a dollar. What do you say to that?” “Such cases can't be very common,” said Herbert, who had a good share of common sense. “Not so uncommon as you think,” returned Eben, nodding. “I don't mean to say that many draw prizes as large as that, but there are other prizes of five thousand dollars, and one thousand, and so on. It would be very comfortable to draw a prize of even five hundred, wouldn't it now?” Herbert admitted that it would. “I'd send for a ticket by Monday morning's mail,” continued Eben, “if I wasn't so hard up. The old man's mad because I ran into debt, and he won't give me a cent. Will you do me a favor?” “What is it?” asked Herbert, cautiously. “Lend me two dollars. You've got it, I know, because you were paid off to-night. I would send for two tickets, and agree to give you quarter of what I draw. Isn't that fair?” “It may be,” said Herbert, “but I haven't any money to lend.” “You have three dollars in your pocket at this moment.” “Yes, but it isn't mine. I must hand it to mother.” “And give up the chance of winning a prize. I'll promise to give you half of whatever I draw, besides paying back the money.” “Thank you, but I can't spare the money.” “You are getting as miserly as the old man,” said Eben, with a forced laugh. “Eben,” said Herbert, seriously, “you don't seem to understand our position. Mother has lost the post office, and has but eight dollars a month income. I've earned three dollars this week, but next week I may earn nothing. You see, I can't afford to spend money for lottery tickets.” “Suppose by your caution you lose five hundred dollars. Nothing risk, nothing gain!” “I have no money to risk,” said Herbert, firmly. “Oh, well, do as you please!” said Eben, evidently disappointed. “I thought I'd make you the offer, because I should like to see you win a big prize.” “Thank you for your friendly intention,” said Herbert, “but I am afraid there are a good many more blanks than prizes. If there were not, it wouldn't pay the lottery men to carry on the business.” This was common sense, and I cannot forbear at this point to press it upon the attention of my young reader. Of all schemes of gaining wealth, about the most foolish is spending money for lottery tickets. It has been estimated by a sagacious writer that there is about as much likelihood of drawing a large prize in a lottery as of being struck by lightning and that, let us hope, is very small. “I guess I won't go any farther,” said Eben, abruptly, having become convinced that Herbert could not be prevailed upon to lend him money. “Good-night, then,” said Herbert “Good-night.”