The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-07-03
a MONTE CARLO EPISODE.
John Bull Was Robbed. But Succeeded In
Getting His Money Back.

Getting His Money Back.
A wrong at the tables has the curious
effect Of turning the most placid
philosopher or the gentlest lady into a
bubbling fury, and I have seen rich
man, who would give one thousand
pounds to any out-at-elbows charity,
livid with rage at having five franc
piece or his claim to some trivial pay
ment disputed.
Some time ago was stalking On oc-
casional napoleon over the heads of the
crowd, and observed an enormous,
quite typical John Bull standing near.
Oh his other side was tiny, shabby,
shriveled, toothless French woman; and
felt the keen, shifty eyes, with their
fcrrety red rims, meant mischief. The
man stretched out an assured hand to
secure few louis paid for successful
coup, but before he could possess him
self of the money a greasy black kid
glove darted forth and quick as light
ming the gold pieces were dropped into
some mysterious personal recess. My
huge ncighbor gave gasp OF surprise,
then smothered below. Politely,
but with gathering thunder, he repre-
scnted his rights, while the woman
vociferated, shrugged and swore away
her little depraved soul in staccato
French. The croupiers patiently en-
deavored to Judge between the rival
claimants and then tried to cut short the
dispute by proceeding with the game.
"Messieurs, fates vos jeu," cried the
automatic voice.
Meanwhile John Bull was turning a
slow, dull purple and seemed visibly to
swell. Leaning forward he possessed
himself Of one Of the wooden rakes
from the table. "J'ai-Mee-Sla!" he ex-
claimed in stentorian tones that re-
sounded through the gold incrusted
palace; then, sharply rapping the old
woman over the shoulder, "Et cette
viale Dam lar pree" Gagged 1t under
my very nose), he cried, lapsing into
the vcrnacular in an appeal for popular
sympathy.
By this time the noise had attracted
loafers from all directions and crowds
pushed eagerly to the scene OF action.
Bill signed to me to slip through, but 1t
was easier said than done; however,
with his assistance, managed to es-
cape, and we loitered on the fringe OF
the seething mob to watch the de-
nouement. The powerless croupier,
with q deprecatory shrug, turned the
wheel, stakes were placed on the table
and play was resumed.
"Lar," said John Bull. "Thieving
devils. Prenez ca, and he flung gold
piece into the revolving machine. The
croupiers cried "Coup Null" as the ball
fell into No. 8. Then, to add to the
complication, a wall Of despair arose
from an unfortunate who had placed
twenty francs en- plein on that number.
A babel Of tongues arose and the
croupiers, losing their heads, told off a
minute official to demonstrate with the
aggressive one. An impudant pygmy
tapped the giant on the shoulder, and
John, without even glancing round,
Tapped his elbows and sent the little
man sprawling. The original offender
continued to protest like screech owl,
and everyone offered advice amid an
indescribable melange Of excited sound.
Then play was once more resumed.
The croupiers looked doubtfully, al
most appeanngly, at John; but that
magnificent person, who seemed to rev.
el in the. storm and ride triumphant
over the tempest, flung reso1ute five-
franc piece into the revolving cylinder.
"si vous poorer par me payer" he
shouted. III fault fermay lie boutique!"
Twas struck dumb at the celebrated,
the grandiose, the far-famed "adminis-
tration" being bluntly advised to shut
up shop. Shouts Of prayer lei" rose
on every hand, and, with the fear OF
Judge Lynch before their eyes, the
croupiers thrust the money hastily into
the Englishman's big fist.
"Now, you can ally gu diarrble ns
quick as you please, madam" said
John, coolly, pausing to wipe the pers-
piration from his bald and streaming
brow. "Great Scottl 1 thought moth
ing but dynamite would have struck
the French out Of me."-London World.