The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-30


where he came from, although he bore
letters from eminenily respectable gem
tlemen. dated at different parts of the
Continent. Fleischer had not been a
memi'er OF the club week when it was
suggested to Won Raclnitz that he should
Challenge this very Objectionable person
TO great bout at ecarte, in which. II his
lnck-which was by this time proverhial
in tie club-heid good Mr.. Raoul Fleisch-
er might be taught lesson.
Well, baron" said the latter one night,
addressing Won Raehnitz with vulgar as
sumption of familiarity, lucky, as usual
l suppose?"
Il don't know so much about luck, II
Fleischer; I'm prepared to back my skill
even against you. I'll play you few
games OF ecarte, if you wish. though per-
haps that's hardly your game Judging from
the way you lost the big pool last night"
'Ecarte not my game replied Fleisher,
Indignantly. Il lost the pool last night,
1t lis true. but the cagds were against me
that was why-I made no mistake. J.
will mein herr, play you, when you will
for what you will, hundred games OF
ecarte, and We will see VINO is the better
man. or you"
Very WELL" replied Won Rachnitz, cas-
you will. Tomorrow / will play you one
hundred games OF ecarte for 1000 francs
apiece"
The following night the club was crowd
ed. News of the match had spread abroad
among the members, and men who had
not been seen in the room for months
were present. 1t was evident that thu
sympathies of the onlookers were with
the baron, who although displaying adj
mirable GOODNESS and all his accustomed
skill. nevertheless lost steadily. Hand
after hand was played and Won Rachnitz
invariably lost.
What was most extraordinary about the
contest was that Fleischer's success came
to him in spite of the fact that his play
YVES contrary to all the canons OF the
game. I.e played ION authority" when
he seemed TO have hardly decent card in
his han 5, and yet lie won, and lie gave
''carl,' : hen ne held u good playing hand.
ard iuv"ri bly, snccee led in lettering IT,
Won it1chuitzs lace became study
Hnlistel is eyebro vs. from time to time
in vsprprised way, and clearly Indicated
il Is f'aiures that he was puzz ed A.
80 -" Irrational as was his opponents
pay, he cards were Invariably against
tic terror.
. many of the most expert plave;.s IL
the c.uh VINO had crowded about I taO
II s'-og fecdne evident that Fleisci q.
ma-l nave some peculiar knowledge Of
IL" t'a.f's 5 II IL in he pack. Apparent
~. "nf ve.. It'll nine games had beeH
pa..' . . waich had been won by lis
OF asuent, tn baron remained unsuspic-
iult~ nf alv C. eating.
he tent game was now in progress
fi'icher was -four up" and marked"
ths. king fer the third time in succession
At hat moment Won Rachu'z arose from
the CHAIR, and in voice OF assumed calm
mes. said: these cards are marked. !
demand all investigation Tae next in
stant lie lifted the pack which lay at his
si,e IN the table and flung them into his
OIL nents face, exclaimi9G; You are a
scoundrel and swindler-'
80 palpable to many members of the
ca ind been the cheating OF NJ Feischer,
In n disposition was at once manifested
by n number of those present to throw
hi y ato the street wit hout further cere-
IEO&.-.
:" this course the btron objected, and
apniog zing for the scene ne had created,
be..reh that a full and rigid investigation
OF tilr Charge OF cheating be made az once,
AMI i,r;ore any further violence was Of
fs'"d is opponent. The investigation
WIS made on the spot and the baron's
c =" G vas found to be abundantly sub
st:a lated. The cards were found to be
o, most ingeniously markell variety,
aid, as was established. had been snug
si,I into the club by Fleischer with the
co1nivance OF one OF The under servants.
1t was at this Tont that the generosity
of t baron asserted itself in refusing to
acce e the wishes of several of his friends
who desire,i that the imposter should be
I'm IN In, 20 1,n
baron accorded is la e adversary protec-
ton from personal violence at the lhands
of the ore hotHeaded members OF the
club. wlo were anxious to chastise him on
the spot, aa'i permitted the swinder to
depart unharined upon his assurance that
he would leave Paris at once.
When the door had closed on the dis
comfited Fleischer, and those who had
witnessed the dis.raceful episode had re-
tlrned to the card-room the baron begged
to be allowed to say wort publicly.
Gentlemen" said he, Il am about to
act on an impulse. Whether | am wise in
doing so will perhaps be a source Of dis
pute in the minds of my friends; but so
irresistibly am | impelled to the course
] am about to take that cannot, do not
dare delay announcing my decision. /
need not tell you, gentlemen. that this
ellSOu0 HAS Deeil 10 HE IL JetIlDte SHOCK.
Never before in my life have T seen cheat
ing at cards, and never again, God willing,
will l submit to such an experience.
From this moment, and in your presence,
| swear solemnly that neither in this
club. nor elsewhere, will l touch a card
again for the remainder of my life."
There were murmurs Of surprise,
mingled with slight applause, and it was
admitted on all sides that the baron had
conducted himself admirably.
Won Rachnitz is still member of the
Baccarat Club, but he plays no more. He,
with his wife, move in the very best Pa
risian society, and the baron has reputa-
ton for rare cleverness and courage. No
one however, has as yet given him credit
For having been clever and courageous
enough to have imported into the Bacca-
rat Club the unfortunate Fieischer, who
for handsome consideration, had agreed
to undergo all the contumeIy and risks at
lending the discovery of cheat, which
we're necessary to cover the baron's re-
treat from systematic swindling Of his
tello " members probably unparalleled in
Ia toto ~ o,.Ie.