Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-12-06
GcIettc0 1tlisfcIlallD.
A GAMBLING ADVENTURE.

One cold, rainy night, found myself
in the city of Paris-the city Of all cities,
where vice is never slumbering, but
starcs you in the face on every side in
the most bcwitching forms. imaginable
And woe be unto him with weak resolu-
ton to stand aloof from all fascinating
temptation for, when most unexpected,
we find ourselves dragged down, down,
in the un(athomablc depths of iniquity.
Registering my name in the Hotel de
Vile. thought would stroll out and
admire beautiful Paris by gaslight But
a heavy mist hung over the city, and
all the beauty Gf it can be called that),
was the Pickering Of u street lamp ahead.
sauntercd along unconscious Of the dis
lance | had walked, until found myself
on the banks on.tho Seine. was about
rctracing my steps, when | observed a
brilliantly lighted house in one Of the
side streets.
resolved to enter and ascertain the
way back to my hotel. I crossed the
street and asccndcd the broad, marble
steps, which reminded me Of some of oui
fifth avenue residences, as they were
of the same style | rang the bell, and
Immediately u very polite Ffcnchman
opened the door, bowling and smiling as
if WAS some great parsonage. re-
qnested him to inform me the nearest
route to the Hotel de Vile His face
assumed very important air and he
answered:
Monsieur will step within and in
quirc | am not allowed to converse
with visitors
! stepped into The ball, and was soon
ushcrcd into large, elegantly furnished
apartment, and at u glance took in the
surroundings Seated around large,
coflin-shaped table sat several men play
ing cards, who seemed to belong to the
better class, who stalled their all on luck,
if their dress were Indicative of rcspccta-
bility, and at one corner Of the room |
noticed man turning an oblong box, out
which dropped small, red balls, with
numbers ON the side, which he called in
loud, clear tones. And every few mo-
ments the cry Of "Keno !" would arise
from long row Of men seated at Ia
bic near the window fronting on the
street. The truth dawned upon me that
| was in gambling he'll, so common in
Paris, whore ladies 60 incognito to invest
in the game of chance.
Distinguishing the proprietor of the
house, gained the information / came
in to ascertain. and he Hospitality extend
ed a cup Of coffee, at the same time OK
claiming:
Monsieur must be vet, re coffee
ees very good in re wet weather."
took the coffee and drank it, hand
ing him some change in payment. He
held his hands up and shrugged his
shoulders in establishment, and seemed to
be offended. | apologizod, and accepted
his invitation to accompany him, and
hear an explanation Of the games. H.
explained how this game was played,
and what the cards and checks on the
table meant.
In ten minutes l understood exactly
how to play the game Of ruin and misery
which had blighted many happy home
Gas well in the New World, as in the
ODD Of that boon, called happiness,
leaving nothing but dcsolation and dark
despair. Why do such things prosper,
when religion may pass unnotieed? Oh
world, thou art AN enigma!
Finally, | became 50 interested in the
playing, that | seemed to be as much cx-
cited as the players themselves. And
an iacomprehensible resolve prompted
me to participate in the game. ! thought
to myself it would do no HARM as [
would only playjust one game. Oh hui
man nature, how weak thou art when
in our own estimation VIC arc the strong
est, we find too soon that We are the
weakest
/ | paid for my checks and quietly wait
cd for the game to proceed, pisturing
myself as gambler AMI all that was
wicked