"Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend." (Prov. 19:4) "The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep." (Eccl. 5:12)

Bill Curry of the south Boston worked most of his life as a cafeteria cook for the Merit Food Company on a modest income by which he managed to provide for his wife, son, and daughter. When Bill Curry won the state lottery, 3.6 million dollars, his first thought was to buy a Dalmatian puppy for the youngsters. That was the extent of the celebration, but when the parasites converged -- lawyers, investment advisers, accountants, and financial analysts -- he was overwhelmed by them, and by people wanting handouts for all manner of charities. He returned to his job in the cafeteria, but even there financial advisers were everywhere. His nearest relative says there's no doubt about it, in the weeks since he won the lottery, it was not the money that caused his stress but it was all of those people who wanted to deal themselves in. Bill Curry died of a heart attack at age 37. (Associated Press, 9-25-90)