Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-08-16

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meeting a friend there, we passed ou
time very pleasantly. especially between
the acts. when we usually descended t
fortify ourselves with punch and cigarettes
before leaving the theatre and emergin,
into the night air.
At length the play was over, and W
went into cafe near by and refreshe,
ourselves still more. and played quie
game of ecarte. After the second gam,
was over. my friend proposed we shoulc
60 somewhere and try our luck, or, il
other words, fight the tiger" I agreed
and be hailed facre. We got in anc
ne told the driver to let US out at some
number do not recollect, in Rue Feuvt
des Petits-Champs. We ratified along a
good pace, and after some time, drew
up before very respectable looking house
IN which there appeared no light anc
whose inmates thought had long since
retired to rest; but when we stood on the
upper steps [ could see there was blind
over the fan.light, through the chinks Of
which came dusky, red glimmer. My
friend rang the bell; the sound of foot
steps followed, and the door was opened
then, after a few whispered words from
my friend. we were shown up two pair oi
stairs, and were ushered into large sa-
loon which seemed to be an addition in
the rear. Folding doors, which had been
drawn back, showed there were two rooms
which now seemed but one.
We entered amid confused sounds from
various parts of the room. At one side
were four roulette tables; on another side
was rouge ct noir, and dispersed literally
around the room were number of small,
round tables and chairs, at which several
gentlemen were playing ecarte, pique. &c.
l remarked there were also some ladies
who 81 ipped their liqueurs, some playing
and others looking on. My friend and
sat down and played ecarte, he telling me
in the meanwhile that the house was kent
by rich lady who had three others be-
side. but this was the smallest and most
private of all. '.You see that clerical
looking parsonage leaning against the
oaantieplece z, he said: "Well. that's
whom he is conversing, and whose golden
hair looks still brighter beside his raven
locks, is his daughter. Take care you
never get caught in her tolls" added my
friend. I assured him there was not any
danger of that. Little thought then in
what strange place l would afterwards
see her.
After getting tired of our ecarte and
champagne my friend suggested that we
should try our hand at roulette, and we
went over to the table. The keeper was
just calling out, "Choose your colors,
gentlemen" and then when the ball ceas-
ed rolling, ''Red wins this time," while
he raked the shining pieces in from the
loosing eolors. I put fve-franc piece
on the black. The ball rolled, and I won.
I left the money still there, and won again.
I had left off playing for few.minutes
and was standing at the side-table, eating
some roast fowl. when I noticed young
man, dressed very we'll, but rather dashy.
What called my attention to him was the
glitter of his diamond studs, which sparkl-
ed with that white and peculiar glow which
only pure gems emit. He had been play
ing very high during the evening, and
though winning now and then. must have
lost rather more than he gained. He ad-
dressed me, as we stood there, by saying
young man, why don't you cover the
red sometimes when you play, if you're
afraid to 60 any higher?'
said: Il am not afraid. but only
play for amusement"
"You must excuse me-" he said, "for
giving you hint, but I did not think
you were gambler; I. myself. only play
for amusement's sake, but still like to
win. if only to be able to balance my play,
and if one plays enly on one color, he is
sure to lose sooner or later; the black, no
doubt. wins often, but if you have luck
and win, your gains are SO much more as
you ascend from black to blue"
Our conversation continued in like
strain for some time, when we agreed tc
try our luck once, and it being only about
half-past one o'clock, we took our places
at the table
I played very coolly on black and red
venturing occasionally on the blue, .and
had my share of luck, for, in about al
hour and a-half, found myself in posses
sion of nearly 800 francs. my friend il
the meantime playing on high colors, anc
the young man with the diamonds playing
on them too, but loosing heavily, anc
drinking deeply of champagne between
each roll of the ball. By this time. as
judged, he must have lost nearly LOO
francs. Soon he came round to my side
touched me on the shoulder and said =
"Can | speak to you one moment ?"
} I said certainly. and followed him int
: the refreshment saloon Arrived ther
, he said: 4 would ask a great favor G
j you, were I sure it would not be inconve
nient," at the same time taking from hi
i pocket small. jeweled watch. "Woul
you lend me five hundred francs until te
; morrow. aud take this as security p b
i oolx