The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-10-31
A NARROW ESCAPE
BY vANDEWATER.

One cold rainy night, / found my
self in the city of Paris--the city o
all cities, where wee is never slam Der
ing, but stares you in the face ON eve
ry side in the most bewitching form
imaginable. eauoa sa5Ife512
And woe be unto him with veal
resolution to stand al0of from all fas
cinating temptationi for, when mos
unexpected, we find ourselves drag
ged down, down, into the unfathoin
able depths of iniquity.
Registering my name in the Hote
de Vile, thought would stroll ou
and admire beautiful Paris by gas
light. But a heavy mist hung ovel
the city, and all the beauty Gf it car
be called that), was the flickering OF &
! street lamp ahead. sauntered along
unconscious of the distance ] haC
walked, until l found myself on the
banks of the Seine. l was about re.
tracing my steps, when observed Q
brilliantly lighted house in one of the
side streets.
resolved to enter and ascertain the
way back to my hotel. l crossed the
street and assembled the broad marble
steps, which reminded me of some OF
our Fifth Avenue residences, as they
are same style. / rang the bell, and
Immediately very polite French
man opened the door, bowing and
smiling as if was some great person
age. l requested him to inform me
the nearest route to the Hotel de Vile
His face assumed very important
air and he answered. #eH
"Monsieur will step within and in
quire; am not allowed to converse
with visitors"
1 stepped into the hall and was soon
ushered into a large, elegantly furn-
ished apartment, and at glance i
took in the surrounding. Seated
around a large, cofin-shaped table sat
several men playing cards, who SEEM
ed to belong to the better class, who
staked their oil on luck, ii their dress
were indicative of responsibility and
at one corner of the room l noticed a
man turning an oblong box, out of
which dropped small, led balls,
with numbers on the side, which
he called in loud. clear tones.
And every few moments the cry OF
"Kenop would arise from long row
of men seated at table near the win
dow fronting on the street. The truth
dawned upon me that was in gam-
bling hell, SO common in Paris, where
ladies go i9scognito to invest in the
game of chance.
Distinguishing the proprietor of the
house, / gained the information 1
came in to ascertain, and he very hos
pitably extended a cup of coffee. at
same time exclaiming:
6.M ho Of and
fee ces very good in re wet weather."
/ took the coffee and drank it, ham
ding him some change in payment.
He held his hands up and shrugged
his shoulders in astonishment, and
and accepted his invitation to accom-
pany him, and hear an explanation of
the games. He explained how this
game was PLAYED, and what the cards
and checks on the table meant.
In ten minutes / understood exact
ly how to play the game of ruin and
a happy home Gas we'll in the New
World as in the Ofd) of that boon
called happiness, leaving nothing but
desolation and dark despair. Why
do such things prosper, when religion
may pass unnoticed? Oh world thou
artan enigmal
Finally, became SO interested in
the playing, that / seemed TO be as
much excited as the players them
selves. And an incomprehensible re-
solve prompted me to participate in
the game. 1 thought to myself. it
would do no harm, as [ would only
play just one game. Oh, human ma
ture, how weak thou artl when in
our estimation we are the strongest,
we find too soon, that we are the
weakest.
/ paid for my checks and quietly
waited for the game to proceed. pic
turing myself as a gambler and all
that was wicked.
But my musings were cut short bv
hearing the crier call the numbers
and one after another l covered my
card with the numbers CO responding
until the line of numbers were cover
ed, and then in trembling tones / cri-
ed Keno, and Immediately man
came and gave me large amount of
gold, How long I played | know
not, for was blinded by the excite
ment, and knew not when to stop. AT
last voice cried in French, that the
bank was broke for that evening, and
1 the winner-with a heavy bag OF
gold!
/ arose from the table, and was
about leaving the room, when a hand
was laid upon my arm, and voice
asked
"Monsieur, may ask your name ?"
/ turned around and beheld the pro-
rrietor. answered:
"My name is Summers /; from the
United States. What can l do for
your"
= "You may deem it quite imperti-
nent in me, Monsieur Summers, for
asking your name; but thought
perhaps you might never be heard of
again; and by knowing your name /
might be able to throw some light on
your murder F 81
"Murder ?" exclaimed In astonish-
ment. Hf
Monsieur; 1 presume you are
aware that all eyes are fixed upon
you, and as they know that yon
are o stranger in Paris they are likely
to take advantage of your ignorance of
the city and waylay you before you
are halfway between here and the ho-
tel. Na
"I have kept this place for fifteen
years." continued he, sand l leel
bound to protect all who enter this