The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-27

listed IN Leicester square, DoD1uu IHe
Globe Theater. He gave me the num-
Der and told me that he had pulled it
often with his chief. I learned from him
that an old woman sat every night, while
gambling was going on, at the end of the
corridor, and that hidden in the wall
within reach of her right hand was
button, which, when pushed, rang.
bell to warn the gamblers when the
police arrived.
'"This information was a ray of light
to me. 1 picked up an italian in want
like myself. and asked him if he would
like to gain 500 francs without much
trouble.
"'Willlngly, answered he; what is
there to do?
II informed him of what knew, and
gave him his institutions.
"To-night shall go up into the saloon
and ten minutes after you are to run
AGAINST the old woman and push the but
ton. Your 500 francs will be gained.
"He executed punctually what l had
charged him with. When the bell rang
and the lights were turned down, every
BODY picked as we'll as he could his
stake, and 1, who had staked nothing,
raked about three hundred pounds sterl-
ing in gold and notes into my pockets;
then, rushing to the stairs, l went out
sure of not being arrested by the police.
This sum in hand, started the next
day for Weisbaden and for fifteen years,
thanks to this adventure, lived on
gambling in every bank on the Rhine.
You see that the money protited me-"
To show to what degree of abasement
Capt. Gondino had arrived, 1 will cite
another history respecting him, which
came to my ears on subsequent occa
sion through gambler who had known
him well. When the roulette table ex-
listed at Aix-la- Chapelle, the inhabitants
of the town were not allowed to enter
the bank, foreigners only having that
privilege.
A little Jew of the town, knowing that
the bank took all foreign notes at par
which were presented by the gamblers,
used to change first by one, then by
another. English, French and Belgian
bank notes, as the case might be and
thus realize daily handsome profit.
Knowing Gcndino by sight, he once
gave him a French bill for two hundred
francs to change. Only as he has not an
absolute confidence in his probity, he
followed him up stairs and watched him
through the half-opened door which the
rules of the bank interdicted him from
passing.
Gondino approached the croupier dis
creetly, and slid the note on the table,
saying, mezzo voce, 1.-TWO hundred on
the red"
The red won, and 400 francs were
handed the Captain, who asked for 2OC
francs change, and with the most limo
cent air in the world took and handed
them to the Jew down stairs. But the
tricks, observed:
'That won't do for me; you have 4O(
francs to give me
"What! 400 francs? You are joking
you gave me bill for 200 francs, and
the dealer will attest it If necessary, fol
the changed it for me"
EYES, but he will prove that you
played and won. 1 have right to al
least one-third of the profit"
At this Gondino burst out in hearty
laughter
per Bacco," Gondino cried, chats &
good oner'
Come now," said the Jew, ''if YOU
had lost would you have paid me?"
At this the Captain laughed louder
and replied:
"Come, come, my dear fellow; you are
only noodle; just think yourself very
lucky that you have your money back
for had l lostt you know as well as
that the law does not recognize gambling
debts.
Nv friends son seemed much moved
by the enormities he had heard, anG
having learned from Gondino that l hao
aided him, had called on me to enlighter
me as to the character OF the old rogue
and to recommend me to get rid OF hin
as soon as possible.
A we were speaking about him, the
Captain arrived out of breath, his eyes
purple with exertion, and bearing on hl'
arm basket loaded with hams, sausages
game, cheese, liquors, etc.
"Ah ah!" cried he, on entering, with
out seeing my young friend, I'VE wil
just lead jolly life now and pass thu
winter gayly You helped me when
was in trouble, and I am going to prove
to you that am not ungrateful.
Without allowing him the time to say
more, showed him the door by ges
ture which did not admit OF reply, ant
begged him never again to set loot in m,
house. The Captain, who little awaited
such reception, was thunderstruck
He looked at me stupidity. and seemed t.
say. WHAT when had nothing 70,
took care of me, and when l bring
abundance you kick me out 2" He un
derstood not a VOID of such absurdity
At last, seeing that still held the dool
for him, and nc. without impotence,
can assure the reader, he decided on 60