The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-25

Two weeks before Christmas there was a
novelty in San Francisco-not the great
City of to-day, but the rough and happy
go-lucky one of early days--the Christmas
of 1852.
The frequenters Of the Bella Union, on
Washington street, opposite the plaza.
then one of the many gambling-houses in
the lively young City, were astonlsheo
on entering the brilliantly lighted hall to
see seated in the dealers chair at one of
the rouge ct noir tables a woman.
A woman in a gam bling den was indeed
a novelty, but when she was heard to call
out in a soft voice, yet clear and somewha at
musical, strongly marked with foreign
accent, "Make you game, gentlemans,
make you bets; red to win, black TO lose
make you bets, gentlemans," they recog-
nized that she had supplanted the regular
dealer.
"Who is she?' and "Where did she
come from ?'' were questions asked, but not
answered.
Before the first game had been made, the
table at which she sat was surrounded by a
throng anxious to see the new dealer and
to tempt chance at her table. The cries of
the dealers at the other tables were uttered
again and again, but they had no attrac-
ton that night for those in the hall, who
had come there to play.
Not in the least embarrassed by the
crowd in front of her, the woman quietly
watched those who, in response to her in
vitation to make their bets. crushed and
elbowed their way to reach her table. Oc-
casionally she bestowed smile upon some
reckless individual who made an unusually
large bet.
Curiosity prompted questioning and be-
fore the first deal it was announced from
one to another that the mysterious stranger
was MADAME Jules" who had but few
days before arrived from one of the great
gambling centers of Europe. Further than
that none could say.
The Heterogeneous crowd watched Nine.
Jules closely. Among them was one who
took his stand at the corner of the table
and held his place, despite the pushing
and cnowding. He watched the dealer
most intently. His eyes were shaded
by the rim of a brown sombrero.
Nine. Jules was a woman of slender
type, brunette with the olive complexion
OF Southern Europe. Her dark tresses
were worn in the mode introduced by
Eugenie- Marie de Guzman when she ap-
peared at the Tuilleries before she became
the bride of Napoleon I'LL Nine. Jules
black eyes flashed or were subdued ut will,
and there was a mark of determination
about her mouth when her features were
in repose which only faded away when
she smiled
The man in the brown som brero staked
some money on one of the colors. Occa-
slonally he glanced at one OF the players
making bet, but for the greater part his
eyes were fixed on the dealer. Once or
twice he attempted to speak to her, but in
the excitement, the rush for place to add
to the piles of glittering gold on the red
and black spotted cloth of green, his
movements were not observed by the play
ers or by the fascinating woman who
called, Come, gentlemans, make you
bets"
At last came the long awaited announce
ment, Game made, gentlemans; roll. ="
Those who lost watched the dealer rake
in their money and prepared themselves
for the next deal, while those who won
smiled as they pocketed their winnings.
The man in the brown sombrero had won,
but he made no attempt to reach for his
money, and when the croupier drew his
attention to it he simply moved his hand
in manner indicative that he wanted it
to remain on the table for the next play.
Suddenly he leaned forward, saying as he
did so, marie" At that moment he
raised his head and h is eyes met the gaze
OF tall, administered man who wore a
glazed cap and who stood behind the chair