Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-29
THE ACE LOSES.
A GAxBLERS SUICIDE.
ssskiss a Fortune an Ace nss Losing 4
TRAGEDY ef TbuInoE rntere~,.

hood OF Camargo an old and wealthy
rsnchnan who was ridden by one OF
the most singular gambling hobbies |
have ever seen. His name was Refngio
Garcia. lie was a devoted monte
player, and his iditsyncrscy WAS the
ace Of diamonds. BE had a tremen-
deus reverence for that card under all
conditions. but when it lay face upward
on the table, ftnked on either side by
q spade or club, his faith in il knew no
bounds. He was said to have obtained
his superstition from q dream Of his
dead wife. who was scalped by Lipans
three years before ] knew him. Il
may have been so and may not. Any
how, he clung to his card with q
reckless love. And the most sin
cular part Of il was that it rarely won.
He had wasted away many fat COW
on it when | first saw him, bat tire
away more afterwsrd. When the first
gamblirg-boOth was opened, and before
the trainmen had fairly prepared for the
opening night, Refugio was there.
gazing patiently at the dealer and wait
ing for the game 70 commence. ! knew
him. as said, when he had money. |
vas with him during a part Of his long
chase after fortune, and ] was to be
with him at the death. The train.
under command Of Juan NaDdez, ar
rived at Camargo and pitched its tents.
1t was a big one. and brought lots Of
goods and money.
There were several gamblers con-
nscted with 1t; in fact, they were near
" all gamblers by instinct, but the
loudest and the vealthiest and the fan
ciest, the man with the finest booth
and the greatest quantity Of money
spread on the table before him. was .
Freedman named Antoine. He was
the first man. too, who was ready for
business. and. Of course. he caught Re-
fugio. ] had learned that the old man
had sold his last rancho a few weeks
before, and be was supposed to have
the money with him. He entered the
tent, STOPPING low at the entrance, and
] followed him. Whom he Strengthened
up in the glare Of the lamps saw that
his face was very pale. His lips witch
ed nervOusly. and his hands shook as
be dived beneath his vest and unfas-
tened broad belt. lie spilled few
gold Gems On the table and carefully re-
placed the remainder.
80 Will play only little tonight,
be said but, Antoine. l dreamed Of
Julisnna last night, ard shall win
from you
The Frenchman showed his white.
canine teeth. and said, in sibilant Span
ISL
"'Glad. very glad to see You. senior
Garcia. The fair has only commenced.
We will have long sitting. In two
weeks time you should be able TO
win back all your ranches. and he
laughed.
- The deal began, the acc Of dia-
monds rustled TO the table. Garcia
placed his money on it-and lost. Con-
trsry TO my expectations, be arose AMI
s,rolled listlessly from the tent. i
viii play no more tonight he said.
on nay not believe it, friend, but
an directed.
Il saw no more Of him for a few
days. but learned that be hal lost a
few gold-pieces every night. waiting ps-
tiently for bis loved ace OF diamonds,
seeing the money swept in By the happy
fingers Of the dealer and then turning
quietly away. On the last night Of the
air walked over 10 Antoine's tent.
IN every side the hum Of trade, the
lsshirg Of lights, the swapping OF casti-
nets. and twang Of guitars were ac-
centuated by the sense that on the NOR
row the vast caravan would be gone
and the great prairie lie bald and bleak
in its loneliness. Inside the large booth
excited players were grouped around
the table and the clink Of dollars was
incesssnt. Antoine was dealing, and
his usually impassiye face was flushed
with mescal. Refugio sat almost in
front Of him, with strange. drawn
look on his features, and his great
heavy belt in front Of him.
81 have here he whispered. pat
ting It excitedly, the bill Of sale for
FIVE hundred mares aud three hundred
gold eagles, ell, 600 in all. | am wait
ing for my fate, and l shall win
Antoine glanced across the table az
him nervously, / thought, and raked
together his cards for fresh deal. His
fingers trembled as they felt Refugio's
eyes on them. The cards were shut
fed. cst by the right-hand man. and
the first two laid face upward on
the table. They were the deuce OF
hearts and king Of clubs. A feT
pesos were placed on the deuce. and.
turning his pack face downward. the
dealer drew the bottom card. and with
q slight, graceful motion tipped it on
the table. II was the fateful diamond
ace. Refugio reached over and show
cred 4 handful Of gold pieces upon il.
The next card was the four of spades.
and it fuitered down by the ace. Re
fugio's painted shibboleth was 1ankei
on either side by the club and spade.
- Do you take tap:' he said TO
Antoine.
- Bet all YOU like said the latter.
ssvsgelv, and pulling out drawer Of
his table he showed the ranged columns
OF coin.
- Eleven thousand pesos On the ace,
said Refugio. emptying his belt.
The game paused, while slowly and
quietly Antoine counted the money.
He examined the bill of sale carefully,
expressed his satisfaction, said the
money was correct, and, while the black
and blue eyes Of the assembled Mexicans
and Americans were fastened on his
why fingers with an eager interest, re-
sumed the deal. You know Mexican /
monte, of course. In placing his money |
on the ace Refugio simply wagered that,
the deck being turned face up and the top
cards removed successfully and placed I
on the table, an ace would show up be-
fore four. The tent lamp tiickered fit
fully, the figures around the green cloth /
seemed carved Of stone, and the deal
went on. RefugiO sat with his face hid /