"I'll wait till the lottery is drawn², 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 Herald³, 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 absurdity⁴ 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 suspense⁵ 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 credence⁶ 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.

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