The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-25
THE QUEEN OFsPADEs

The order of Prince William forb1ddtng
the officers under his command from at
tending the Union club, where gambling
Is extensively carried on, and following
upon the order of Chancellor Bismarck in
1875 closing all public gambling places in
Germany, has led to many discussion as
to the extent to which gambling is carried
on In other parts of the world.
An old diplomat who had resided a
number Of years at St. Petersburg, being
one of a recent company, averred that the
mania which possessed the military Off
GERS, as well as the whole Russian aristoc-
racy, during his stay in the country was
something terrible. An officer, he said,
who did not gamble received no credit for
it, and the public man who did not now
and then run the risk of being ruined was
considered to be a stingy fellow and was
lightly esteemed by his acquaintance.
II know of one instance, continued
the speaker, ''truthfully showing the
straits to which a liberal player in Russia
was reduced.
"At a grand ball on one occasion, to
which had been invited, a lady was
pointed out to me as the Princess Angus
tinof. She was a charming woman in
spite Of her age, still pleasing through her
well stored mind and faultless manners.
''Now let me tell you her history. Her
maiden name was Mary --. She had
been selected as maid of honor to the cZa-
rina, who was greatly attached to her. Her
engagement at is was, therefore, the nat
ural consequence of possessing much
beauty and wealth and holding high po-
sition.
"Peterhoff, her afianced, was fine Off
GER, having reached the grade of major
general at an age when most officers are
serving as captains and lieutenants. But
he did not play. He was often rallied
about it, and the car himself had one day
expressed wonder thereat saying, Come,
general, let US have a game of preference.
''This was an invitation not to be re
fused, but so great an aversion had the
officer to gambling that he did not know
the rules of the game Not know the
rules for preference! exclaimed the czar,
coughing You must learn them, my
dear general a. little play drives of en-
nui. There's AugustinofG, who has reach
ed the apex Of perfection in preference.
He must instruct you.
'fAugustinoh was the best player at
court-prudent, skillful and il scrutable,
3 man to be avoided at cards. He under
took with real zeal the instruction of Pc
terhoh, but he could never Infuse into his
mind his own GOODNESS and prudence Pc
teFhoH was hot headed and played with
dash which oftentimes made his game IA
nous for the amount of his winnings and
losses.
Gambling in a short time became
mania with him, and had it been necessary
he would have paid men to play with him.
On the occasion am about to describe he
was found late IN the evening at the gam
ing table, where he had passed most of the
day. He had won from his adversaries
without interruption. Piled up before him
were almost 100, 900 rubles, not to speak
of 900 promises to pay from brother Off
GERS.
In burst Of exultation he exclaimed,
7 viii stake my days winnings upon the
chance of q single game!
50 How muGhs' inquired AugustinoG,
who had just entered the room.
- Three hundred thousand rubles in
round numbers
" I accept your offerP exclaimed the
tmperturbable Augustinof.
1.-THE game for some time was equally
well conducted. After an hour or two
General Peterhoff was noticed to move to-
ward Augustinof 100. 900 rubles. Hard
" had the night reached the hour of 8
when the bewildered general had lost every
ruble of his days winnings.
'' Now for retaking the citadalr he ex-
claimed
The game continued, the gains of Au-
gustinof continued and before the dawn
of day-and the nights arc long in Russia
the aid-de-camp of the car had parted
with his vast landed property in the cen
tral provinces, his possessions at Moscow
and his castle at Ukraine.
Rising from the table, he filed and
emptied his glass several times, walked up
and down the room, passing his fingers
nervously through his hair, finally return
ing again to his scat. Opposite still sat
Augustinoff, who appeared 30 be amusing
himself with cutting and shutting the
cards.
Bending over him, PeterhoT said in
low whisper: 1t is not day yet, Augusta
noff. Do not rise
s. And is there yet Left some hidden
treasure, general?'
with livid lips and contracted brow, he
gasped; And you arc ready to take it,
Auugstinof? You love the same woman
as 1.-The woman 30 whom GIl engaged
''The cards were again taken up, but
both seemed loath to begin the gane-Au-
gustinof. possibly at the thought that the
princess might not fulflu the conditions Of
the victory, Petarhof at the thought Of
his wrecked career and future despair.
"At the cut the antagonists paused, like
TrestIers overcome with fatigue and i'm
pending defeat. The trick balanced at the
first deal
"A bold play WIS now ventured on by
PsserhoR which should have brought him
victory. 1t brought him defeat, however
His frenzy had passed away. He was GOV
cred with profuse perspiration.
1.-THE agreement was carried out to the
letter The cars aid-de-canp, however,
obtained permission to join the army In
active service. He departed for the front
and never returned more.
And the princessR She paid the gam
b1er's debt and became the wife of An
gustinoG, who had won her fairly with &lR