Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-23
A STUDENTS VENTURE AT CARDS.
He Won S46, 900, Had Brain Fever,
and Gave the Money to Charity.

Several years ago, when Samson street, Phila-
dslphia, was filed with gambling dens from
one end TO the other, there was enacted ascene
in one Of these illegal retreats that really ex-
ceeds belief, says the Wilmington Nesos. The
principal actor in one of the most venturesome
and successful gambling deals was Q young col
lege student who had never played at gaming
table in his life. Having heard and read con-
siderable about the wonderful fascination Of
home one evening" decided 70 1sis eo one no. Of the
dens and try his luck. He had but els in his
pocket, and was willing to spend that amount
for his experience. Being alone upon the
evening introduced he selected what he sup
posed was the most conspicuous establishment
He entered the room, seated himself at one
OF the tables, and oontented himself by simply
watching others play. No one molested him,
and he soon had . fair insight into the game.
As soon as he manifested a desire to play,
cards were brought and his opponent allowed
him to win the first game, doubtless for the
purpose Of leading him on and inducing him
to play for larger stakes. The second game
was played with a little more spirit and he soon
won again. The next bout was enlivened by q
strenuous effort Of his opponent to win, but
that game like its predecessors, was destined
for the hero Of the evening. The first stake Of
% had been doubled at each new game, and
the young student began to warm up to his
work.
Game after game was played in rapid sue
cession, and the student had quickly accumu-
lated small fortune Notwithstanding the
shrewd manipulations Of his opponent, the
student never lost game. Other men came
along and tried their hand against the young
player, but they all met the same fate the
f rst player, and soon left the table completely
broken in purse and spirit. As the hours rolled
by the interest in the young stranger became
intense. Games were stopped at all tables ex-
cepsing his. and all eyes were fixed upon the
players OF the house. The stakes now ran into
the Thousands and still the student won. Ten
thousand bets were quickly followed by
twenties, twenties doubled themselves up into
forties and still the student won. His luck
never deserted him, and when he left the
gambling house instead of SIS he carried in
his pockets Gas. 900.
The following morning the student was I'M
able TO leave his bed. His parents summoned
their physician, who insisted that the young
man was threatened with O severe attack Of
brain fever. To make matters worse the pa
tient persisted in telling the doctor about bis
adventure. The physician then declared that
the young man was insane. and 80 informed
his parents, who were naturally frantic with
grief. Later in the day an intimate friend Of
the family called and was ushered into the pa
tents presence in order to test the insanity
theory which the physician had advanced in the
morning. The student told his friend the
whole story of his nights experience. He
graphically described how he went into the
gambling house with but few dollars in his
pocket and came out with a moderate fortune
Now" he said, as he reached the end of
his narrative, 1.-The doctor says am insane;
am not. To prove to You that know what I
am talking about, I will tell you where to find
the money" And sure enough the money
Gas, 0O0) was found where it had been secreted
the night before. After his friend had brought
the pile of greenbacks to the sick man bed
side the family were let into the secret, and a
more thoroughly astonished household perhaps
never gathered under one roof. As soon as the
excitement had in a measure subsidized the
young man said that the possession of the
money for one night had been the cause Of his
fever. He declared that the dollars we're not
his, and as he did not know to whom they
righfully belonged he gave them to a charita-
bic institution. As incredible as this story may
appear, every word Of it is true, and it hap
Pened in Philadelphia during the reign Of
Mayor William b. Smith