The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1894-10-27
"ANAWFUL Bed
4 True story.

a True story.
Shortly before the period when
gambAng-houses were suppressed BY
the French government, I happened to
pc staying in Paris with a friend. We
were Doth young men then, and, I am
AFRAID led rather a dissipated life in
that city Of designations.
One night we determined to do d lit
Tie playing and, as I was anxious
to e a real gaming-house pur ct
simple, with none Of the fashionable
glitter about it which bored me so,
we searched for and found q &
lar shop" in one Of the side streets
not far from the Luxembourg.
We did not find many people assem-
bled in the chief gambling-room into
which we were admitted. But. few
as they Were. they interested me far
more than I an express. Generally,
Dlackguardism-which was here pre-
scented in all its varied forms-has
something Of the comic element In 1t;
put here was tragedy-mute, weird
tragedy. The quiet Of the room was
horrible. The players never spoke, so
intent were they on their cards; even
the voice Of the croupier sounded
strangely dulled and thickened in the
atmosphere Of the room.
had entered the place to laugh, but
I felt that II I stood quietly looking on
much longer I should be more like to
weep. So to raise my spirits 1 unfor-
tunately went to q table, and began to
play. Still more unfortunately, as the
event will show, I won prodigiously-
won incredibly; won at such q rate,
that the regular players at the table
crowded round me, and staring ut my
stakes with hungry, superstitious eyes,
whispered to n another that the Eng
fish stranger was going to break the
bank. 49,.
Now. for the first time in my life, I
felt what the passion for play really
a AT first some Of the men pres
ent ventured their money safely
enough on my color; but I speedily In
creased my stakes to sums which they
dared not risk. One after another they
left off playing, and breathlessly look
ed on at my game. Only n man pre-
served his self-possession, and that
man was my friend. He came to my
side and begged me to leave the place,
satisfied with what I had already gain
ed. But I was nov practically mad
and would not listen to him, and after
a few angry words he left me.
A tall military -looking-though
withal disreputable-old man stood
near me, encouraging me; and even In
the madness which held me I was at
tracted by him-and yet repulsed.
My phenomenal luck continued. In
another quarter Of an hour the Group
Ter called out: Gentlemen, the bank
has discontinued for to-nightw I had
broken the bank" and all the gold In
that bank now lay in a heap under my
hands. "'f.
'Tfe up the monty in your pocket
handkerchief, my dear SIR" said the
old soldier. cite it up so-that's tt"
and he d~exteriously secured 1t in two
double knots. "Now, nothing remains
for me to do but to entreat monsieur to
toast the Goddess Of Fortune in q bot
tie OF champagne before we part"
To cut q long tale short, we had not
one, but i've or six bottles. Then the
old xeteran called for coffee. We had
now the room to u selves, and the
old. soldiers manner became changed
from the reckless gaity Of q few min
utes before to an almost %portentous sol
emnity Of demeanour. ~
Listen my dear sir" he said, in mys-
terious confidential tones; II have sent
for some extra strong coffee which you
must drink before you think Of going
horne with all that money. Do this,
and you and your money will be safe
but not unless"
Just then the coffee ca me In, ready
poured cut in two cups. My attentive
friend handed me one with q bow,
I was parched with thirst, and drank
1t of at o gulp. Almost instantly az
forwards I was seized with q ut of
giddiness, and felt more compl stely In
toxicated than ever. The room whirled
FOUND and round furiously. / rose from
my chair, holding on by the table to bal
ance myself, and stammered out that
II felt 81 horribly unwell, that / did
not know how I should get home.
MY dear friend" answered the old
soldier, 1T would be madness to 20
home in your state; you might be rob-
bed and murdered with the greatest
ease. I am going to sleep here--you
sleep here, too; they will give you q
capital bed; you win sleep of the eff
lfects Of the wine, and be able to 20
home safely tomorrow with your win
nings."
I had no power Of thinking-no feel
ting Of any kind but only that / must
lie down somewhere directly, SO +
agreed to his proposal, and took the
proffered arm OF the old soldier and Of
the croupier. They led me along some
passages and up q short fight Of stairs
Into the room which ! was to occupy.
Then they left me for the night.
I ran to the wash-stand, drank some
Of the water In my jug, poured the
rest out, and plunged my face into 1t,
and then sat down and tried to COM
pose myself. I soon felt better. The
|giddinesS left me, and I began to feel
like a reasonable being again. MY first
Thought was of the risk OF sleeping
III night IN q gambling house. How
ever, I had slept In ors places than
this In the course. Of my travels, SO I
determined 10 lock, bolt, and barricade
Inv door.
Accordingly. I secured myself agar st
Intrusion; and after satisfying myself
that I had taken every posslhble pre-
caution, pulled or my upper clothing
|GLd got into bed, with my money TN
ler my pillow, leaving the light burn
Ing.
But I could not sleep. / 3 felt
that unless I found out some method
3f diyerting my mind, I was In the con
Hilton to imagine oil sorts or horrors.
I CARED round the o There
was the bed I was lying ina four
post he'd, of all things Ia the world
to meet with m Paris! From It my
eyes sought q dark old picture, which
the feeble candle dimly showed me.
1t was the picture OF q fellow In y
high Spanish hat crowned with g