Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-30
HER LAST STAKE.
She Bet on the Races and Ruined Her
Husband.
(New York Herald.)

'-N'N ipih ilFihlhsi
1t is not the racing man alone, whether
he be owner trainer, better, or jockey.
that is now showing unwonted cheerful
ness over the first days OF the racing
season, but there are women, thousands
of them In this city alone. that are de-
lighted with the thought that they can
HE themselves away of an early morning
TO play their own particular part In the
assemblage that will witness the first Of
the years contests In the great sport
of kings"
IL Is only a few years ago that the
story Of what one woman's betting led
to was current among the frequenters Of
the race courses. Her husband was her
senior by several years and he dotted on
her He had worked hard for many
years, and his savings were placed in her
hands. for he felt that they would be In
safekeeplng.
An era Of prosperity was just dawning
for him. and he was preparing to so en-
large his business as to assure for him
and her a very comfortable. IL not
moneyed future.
Without his knowledge. however, she
had contracted a liking for the race
course. 1t came to her suddenly. An in
innate friend had suggested to her one
summer afternoon that, just for Il lark,
they should take a run down TO Mon
mouth Park without letting their hus-
bands know anything about 1t. The
sail down the bay would be delightful
and they would be back in time to avoid
suspicion.
1t was just lark, nothing more. but
to maintain il they were bound, of course,
to have a bet, and so they wagered some
slight amount, we'll within their means
so small that loss would have involved
no embarrassment.
They won, as it seems fated all be-
ginners shall do, and they were flushed
with the eagerness to win again. SO they
had another lark not many days later,
and then another and another. Their
losses multiplied until one Of them was
forced to halt, however much against
her will
The temptation to win back that which
she had lost so completely enthralled the
other that she unhesitatngly plunged the
further into the game The love Of her
husband was so deep that 1t was easy for
her to deceive him as to her golngs and
comings. and she pressed on, unsuspected.
Occasionally she won, and this stirred her
the more Her losses gradually crept
through the hundreds and into the thou
sands, until the time was fast approaching
when her husband would need the money
he had entrusted 10 her for the enlargng
OF his business. There came a final day.
when she knew she must win, II ever, for
IL was her last chance for saving herself.
Her capital was far spent, and to increase
IL she pawned her jewels and borrowed
where she could. All must be staked on
the final play. IL was at Sheepshead Bay,
during the fall meeting and she had u
seat i'm the front row of the grand stand.
She had tip on a horse in the third
race and with a feeling that she could
not lose, she wagered every dollar in her
possession.
The race was run. and in the home
stretch, the horse she had bet on was
running easily in the lead. He was sure
to win, and she was eXultant In the
thought that she was saved. But there
came another contestant, fast overhaulng
the leader, and as they neared the win
ming post. the jockeys went to the whip.
Past the judges they dashed, and were
so close together that few of those who
saw the finish could say which had won.
Moments passed before the judges hung
up the winning number and then
The woman tainted, and that night the
unsuspecting husband learned that he was
a ruined man.
Yet women who bet on horses resent the
imputation that they are gamblers.