The Arizona sentinel., 1895-12-07
APASO DEL NORTE ROMANCE.
Dug Up By Correspondent or tue
 Buffalo Express.

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 lengthy story about the Iuare' "Queen of Gamblers" from whict the SENTINEL takes the following:
 "It is a long time ago that Louns Paquita ruled at Paso del Norte Mex, over the cowboys and outlaws and greasers. It will be 8 much longer time until her successor ap- pears. Gambling as a fine and all consuming art with women is not so marked as in old days, when laws were fewer and crimes were commoner Women play at games of chance, perhaps, just as devoted ly as of yore, but the days have passed when it was not an extra ordinary happening for a woman, fair and gentle, to outplay cowboys, outlaws and gamblers and not only win all their money, but also drain the bank, Louna Paquita often did this.
 And who among the old timers of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona does not remember Eouna Paq quita? |? She of the black hair and laugh ing eyes; whose cheeks were bright as morning, whose smile muddled the brain and confused the fingers of the deftest dealer. Close your eyes again and see the slim petite figure at the gatHbling table and hear once more the soft voice man. ing the card which seemingly could not resist the charms of the player. Listen as of old to the sympathy and sorrow lavished on the losers as the queen of gamblers gathered up her winnings when there was nothing lett the others to lose. True, that the Paquita has been dead these fifteen years, but the oldest gambles will stop his play to tell you of her, and his hard, cold face will relax and his voice will soften as he tells you of the one woman he acknowledged as hls mistress in his art.
 "Louna Paquita, or as she was known, the Paquita, was born in Chihuahua 1850. No one knows who or what her parents were. When 6 child about twelve years old, a gambler named Qualetor found her homeless and friendless in the city in which she was born. She was then remarkably pretty Qualetor taught her all his tricks with the cards. He spent hours instructing her in the 1ntricacies of Mexican monte. She learned rapidly soon equaling Qualetor in skill and dexterity.
 "None of the old timers have for gotten her first appearance at Paso del Norte. She was 16 years old and small for her age: She came with Qualetor, who said he was her uncle. When Qualetor was there to gamble he practically lived at Lark Garrettson's. Garrettson ran the biggest gambling house on the border His game was practically without limit. The Paquita ap- peared ciinging closely to her alleg, ed uncle. The bank expected QuaIetor, who was a heavy player and had made proper preparations for his play. As Qualetor played the Paquita stood beside him silent and observant. Luck was against the Mexicah ahd he lost heavily Finally, when his pile of gold had diminished to a few coins, he turn. ed to the Paquita, and showing the money before her, said gruffly "Here, child, win with them "
 ''Dealer and players smiled sym pathetically; thinking Qualetor had quit backing his luck for the night and desired to let the child amust herself moment before he wen away. The Paquita seated herself leaning both elbows on the table with her hands supporting hel chin. The play went on. The child won. As she played th' dealer eyed her in wonder. It wal not strange that child knew how to gamble, but never before had child played with such skill anc judgment. The bank lost rapidly
 The Paquita won bet after bet
 The heaps of gold grew on the tabl'
 in front of her Decks were chang
 ed, but without avail. The batl
 continued to lose. A new deale was tried but with no better suc-