The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-06-15
Mexican Gambling,

held, lasting three days, at which probably
Saint Augustine would have look cd pretty
sour, for the Mexicans celebratethe mem
ory Of the great, patriarch with ali sorts OF
games of chance, monte, roulette, cards,
and dice. On this occasion the baron tells
us o very neat anecdote. r 81 at.
Some years ago on Whit Sunday, the
first clerk of the considerable German
house L. whose name do not state, as /
am afraid the present respected head of the
firm might not be pleased at it, went in to
to his principal who was engaged in Dress
ing, and asked for a janega--that is to say,
a sum Of one thousand pesos from his own
salary. ela "a, .,,tsg..f..
Most willingly, my dear BIZ the princi-
pal replied; 'but must ask you to fetch
the money yourself, as the cashieris away.
Here are the keys of the cash box, in (which
yon will find bags of counted piastres.'- -
The young man did as he was told and
shortly after arrived with his bag of mo-
ney at San Augustin, where he selected the
most elegant Of the gambling houses, He
went up to a roulette table and asked the
banker. while looking at him intently,
and placing the bag on the green cloth,
"Will You accept my stake on No. s3?''-
"Con niuchessimo gustos caballero" the
banker answered, without knowing ex-
actly what the bag contained; but Mexi-
can would feel ashamed to decline wager.
The ball was set rolling and No, 80 won.
A slight palor crossed the bankers face,
for he believed, like all present, that young
BIS bag contained a fanega, and as the
stake must be paid thirty-five fold, this
made no slight amount. The bag was
opened, however, for the purpose of verif-
cation; but who can describe the conster-
nation OF the banker and the amazement
of all present, when it was found that it
was fun Of gold, 1000 onzas instead Of
1000 dollars, or altogether $4,000 piastres!
A perfect tempest broke out among the
public. The most ,astounded Of all, how
ever, was young B. himself. who was un-
able to speak through fright. The banker
declared his inability to pay so fabulous a
sum; but as is always the case on such oc-
casions, the public tool, part against him.
1t was found out that he was not the pro-
prietor of the bank, but that rich Mexi-
lean house supplied the funds and was
consequently responsible for the losses OF
it's agent. After lengthened tumultuous
scenes, which collected the whole town, the
bank was sentenced by popular Justice to
pay Mr.. b. the fairly gained sum OF 80
900 pesos. All the ready money was hand
ed over, and bills given for the residue
Richly loaded, and accompanied by large
body of friends, who acted as his escort,
young b. retarned to Mexico. sse.
From the moment of winning. B. bo-
came a riddle to all his acquaintance. In
stead of participating in the marrime OF
his friends, he remained silent and tllought-
full, at times he even appeared affected with
n species Of melancholy. On reaching
home he rushed into his principals room.
"Mr. H." he cried obreafhlessly, 81 have
brought you your property; here are $780,
900 pesos which i have won with your
moneyt' I
1t was now LIS turn to be astounded,
until B. had explained to him how, on this
morning, he had taken bag out of his
cash box which he supposed to'contain one
thousand Tiiastres. 1t was not till the bag
was opened that he discovered to his ter
ror that he had taken one thousand gold
ounces instead.
"As should not have been able to re-
pay you if had lost, have no right to
keep my winnings
! Much affected by the young mans hon
esty, L. clasped him to his breast. Three
days later, two circulars We're distributed
in the city. The first informed the mer-
camille world that Mr.. B. had joined the
firm Of l.. as partner.
The second announced to friends and ac-
quaintances the betrothal of Miss L. with
Mr.. b., and invited them to breakfast.