"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.