The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-13
STORY OF A HIGH ROLLER.
Going the Pace at the Rate of SIS, 900
Year.

Lloyd Aspinwall, the young man who
has come into undesirable notoriety
through his gambling habits, which have
broken up his family. ruined his for
tune, given him an experience in jail
on charge of forgery, caused his expul-
sion from the Union club and his deser-
ton by all his fair-weather friends-has
been allowed to say what he could for
himself in a New York paper. His story
is not uncommon except fer the magni-
tude Of the fortune which he has dissi-
pated in gambling-not in Wall-st. spec
ulations. where ability as well as luck
counts for something but in the roulette
wheel. where there is nothing but chance
IN the gamblers favor at the best, and
absolute defeat is inevitable in the end.
The interviewer tells the story, because,
he says. the man is more sinned against
than sinning-a much abused phrase.
The story is this: Lloyd AspinwaIl
was heir to one of the soundest mer-
camille businesses in New York city,
founded by the Hewlands in the last
century. and developed by his father
and grandfather, who came into the
house, both of whom were eminent and
respected merchants. The firm had at
one time the largest trade with the
Pacific coast and owned the Pacific
steamship company; the name has al
ways stood high. Lloyd was married
in 1881, when he was twenty-three years
old; he then had salary of $500
year as correspondent of the house;
his father made him an allowance of
$500 more. Then, he says, he was a
happy man. When his father died in
1886 he inherited his entire interest in
the business and 900 in cash.
At once he went into heavy specula-
tions, and says ii would be hard to say
how large his income was after that.
His interest in the firm paid him $780, 600
a year; and his expenses amounted to
from $4,000 to $50, 900 a year; at times
he had as much as 100000 balance to
his credit. From the exciting, and, as
he found it, profitable gambling of the
stock exchanges, he passed to the gam
ing table. In about three and a half
years he had run through a quarter of
a million dollars. Il played nothing
but roulette. The money was lost grad
ually, and Of course luck f1uctuated, but
in the end I was invariably a loser. The
heaviest loss | remember making at one
sitting was 500 900; the biggest coup 1
ever made was about Sc 000' That seems
TO tell the story Of this high roller"
and Of all others who try his game,
except that few get rid of so much in
so short a time.
When this gamester's passion pos
sessed him, the business began to go to
pieces. How much attention he had
ever given to it does not appear-but
probably the work was done by the
X
wall was draining 1t and putting moth
ing back. But the sugar trust cut into
the great trade of the house in that line,
and he says it used to amount to So
100000 pounds Of sugar a year. The fall
ing Off began about 1889 and eighteen
months ago the business was only pay
ing office expenses. When a man Is get
ting nothing and spending everything
it is not long before his credit goes.
The first judgment taken out against
him was by a tradesman about eighteen
months ago. 81 had paid that man from
$500 to $500 a month for years I owed
him for two months and he got judg-
ment against me of 81 200. That was
the signal for everybody to jump on
me-" He had some money at that time,
but it all went in living expenses. And
ever since 'ft has been a series of judg-
! ments, supplementary proceedings and
troubles Of every kind" But he AYERS
that he is not a foIger. That note, pur-
porting to be indorsed by his brother,
was bought by the man who originally
negotiated it when he gave 1t for a
gambling debt and who has received a
usuriOus remuneration" This Mr.. Del
ahunty, finding that Lloyd Aspinwall
was mot in a financial position to settle
it, brought suit against him and his
brother, but the brother questioned his
| indt rsement. Aspinwall says IT was a
mistake in judgment on his brothers
part-"he thought he could obYiate the
| necessity for its payment because it
was a gambling debt; he did not want
to pay the note himself and he wanted
to save me from paying it. He merely
| questioned his Endorsement; he did not
say it was not his. Then Mr.. Delahunty
got on his high horse about the moral
ity Of the question, and turned on the
thumbscreN g" Such is the story of the
| ruined gamester.
Another entirely characteristic expert
ence. which ranlSles bitterly IL Aspin-
wallis breast, is the ingratitude and de-
| sertion of his friends. IF one-twentieth
part of the money were paid me now
that have loaned my friends, 1t would
put me on my feet if some of the men
who helped expel him from the Union
club would pay what they owe him. he
would be able to begin life again. But
not one Of these men has paid him cent
nor offered him any help, not even SYM
pathy. While he was in Jail the off,
Gals treated him courteously and he
had many visitors, peculiar people,"
he said, many of whom he hardly knew,
cabmen walters, restaurant keepers,
policemen, flremen: but especially old
| servants, and he was particularly
touched with the fidelity Of his English
valet.
And now, eff a man writes me a let
ter that has any decent show of SYM
pathy In It, why Z sit down and cry
like a child" All he asks for is a
chance to regain his position and make
his children independent-his two child
rem. who are not with him because his
wife and he have had domestic diff
fculties. 1t is certainly a sad case,
but who is responsible for IT.? The moral
of the history is plain enough.-Spring
field Republican.