St. Paul daily globe., 1893-01-29
III FORTUNE WON AT FARO.
Al Smith Beats New York Rank,
His Winnings Being $4,000.

AL Smith, the weli-known gambler
aud sporting man, has created furore
among the sporting fraternity by win
ming $4,000 at faro. Nothing else was
talked of today, says recent New York
letter, in the hauntS where the fancy
gentlemen of the race track and gaming
table cungregate. Smith was inclined to
be retlcenJ on the subject of his good
fortune, bnt personal friend related
the circumstances of his big winning.
lit was rather queer how it all hap
pened." he said. About a. year ago
Smith and'Several of his friends were
taking drink in the White Elephant,
when Smith tnen and there startled his
friends by swearing he would wager
$500 againSta like amount that he would
not touch another drop nor gamble any
more for year. This was on Oct. rs,
one year ago The bet was accepted
and the purse made up by Smiths
friends. several in number. Smith kept
his word, and on Oct. 26 last we all went
around To settle up; but Smith would
not accept the money, saying he had
been so much benefited by the bet that
he was satisfied.
st seems, however," he continued,
THAT the greatest benefit was still in
store for him. Smith started out last
Friday to try his luck at faro. He was
lucky from the start and won over 1000
twice at single sitting. He played
continually until Wednesday last, when
he broke down from eXauStlOn and went
off 10 sleep. He played perfectly
legitimate game, but was very reckless
in bis bets and seemed to have all the
luck his way.
while he made most of his plays on
case cards, it seemed to make very lit
tie difference to him whether he spent
his money on doubles or singles, he
would win right along.
''At some stage Os the game Smith
would be out us much as 5000, but he
stuck to it and always came out ahead
night after night. Finally" he sad,
"Smith began to count up his earnings,
and he found he had won $4,000 even.
He then lett and took his earnings over
to Buck Thompson. his partner at the
White Elephant, for safe keeping. The
next uay he returned, saying he wanted
some car money, and i'll short Wnlle lie
had won over 5000 more.
''Smith drank champagne and ate
light lunches during his long stay at the
tables, but seemed TO keep his head
sufficiently clear at all stages OF the
game to know what he was about. Only
very few OF his intimate friends" he
said, know of Smiths big haul and
some had been led to believe that he
had quit the gambling tables entirely"
This is probably the largest haul
made in any of New York's gambling
houses for years, but none is better
able to stand 1t than Darden & FltZger-
aid, who count such men as Phil DAILY
on their list Of DOCkerS.
Al Smith was enjoying light break
fast at the Gilsey house this morning
when reporter called Oh him to ask if
the report was true that he had won
over $4,000. He smiled contentedly
and forthw produced twenty l,0UO
bills in evidence of his good fortune.
When asked if he intended 10 swear off
..or another year. he said: II don't in
lend to if can help it. l missed too
tmuch fun last year."
Al Smith is well and tavorably known
to sporting men OH account of his q uiet
manner, and has of late been prominent
in the pugiistic world. He was until
recently the otncial referee at the Coney
Island Athletic club, and has time and
again acted in that capacity at many of
the big fights.