The first prize was a house and
grounds valued at ten thousand dollars. Following
were minor prizes, among them one
thousand dollars in gold.
Leonard's fancy was captivated by the brilliant
prospect of such a prize.
"Price of tickets--only one dollar!" he read.
"Think of getting a thousand dollars for one!
Oh, if I could only be the lucky one!"
He took out his purse, though he knew
beforehand that his stock of cash consisted only
of two dimes and a nickel.
"I wonder if I could borrow a dollar of that
boy Carl!" he deliberated. "I'll speak to him
about it."
This happened more than a week after Carl
went to work in the factory. He had already
received one week's pay, and it remained
untouched in his pocket.
Leonard joined him in the street early in the
evening, and accosted him graciously.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Nowhere in particular. I am out for a walk."
"So am I. Shall we walk together?"
"If you like."
After talking on indifferent matters, Leonard
said suddenly: "Oh, by the way, will you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Lend me a dollar till next week."
In former days Carl would probably have granted
the favor, but he realized the value of money now
that he had to earn it by steady work.
"I am afraid it won't be convenient," he answered.
"Does that mean that you haven't got it?"
asked Leonard.
"No, I have it, but I am expecting to use it."
"I wouldn't mind paying you interest for it--
say twenty-five cents," continued Leonard,
who had set his heart on buying a ticket in the
gift enterprise.
Pages:
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97