The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-11-12
THE Queen OF SPADES i! !.
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from attending the Union club, where
gambling is extensively carried on,
and following upon the order Of Chan
cellor Bismarck in 1879. closing all
public gambling places in Germany,
has led to many a discussion as to the
extent to which gambling is carried on
in other parts of the world. 81
I. An old diplomat, who had resided
number Of years at st. Petersburg, be-
ing one Of a recent company, ayerred
that the mania which possessed the
military officers, as well as the whole
the country was something terrible,
An officer, he said, who did not gam
BILE, received no credit for it, and the
run the risk of being ruined, was con-
sidered to be a stingy fellow, and was
lightly esteemed by his acquaintances.-
the speaker, 'truthfully showing the
Russia was reduced. g
At a grand ball, on one occasion, to
which 1 had been invited, lady was.
pointed OF to me as the Princess ALI,
gustinoff. She was a charming wo-5
man, in spite Of her age, still pleasing
through her well stored mind and
faultless manners. s.
'sNow let me tell you her history.
Mer maiden name was Mary -.
She had been selected as maid Of hon
or to the cZarina, and was greatly at
tached to her. Her engagement .at,
eighteen, was, therefore,. the natural
consequence Of possessing much beau
ty and wealth and holding a high posi-
ton. /
"Peterhoff, her afianced, was fine
officer, 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 expressed wonder thereat,
saying: s'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 of preference?' ex-
claimed the car, coughing. You must
learn them, my dear general. A little
play drives off ennui. There's August
inoff, who has reached the apex of
perfection in preference. He must in
struct you
"Augustinoff was the iest player at
court prudent, skillful and inscruta-
BILE, a man to be avoided at cards. He
undertook with real zeal the instruc-S
ton Of Peterhoff; but he could rever,
infuse into his mind his own GOODNESS
and prudence. Feterhoff was hot
headed, and played with a dash \: hich
cftentimes made his game famous for
the amount Of his winnings and losses.
Gambling in a short time became a
mania with him, and had it seen Eeces-
sary he would have paid men to play
with him. On the occasion I am about
to describe he was found late in the
evening at the gaming table, where he
had passed most of the day. He had
won from his adverSarieS without in
corruption. Piled up before lin were
almost 100000 roubles. not to speak Of
200 promises to pay from brother Off
GERS. vat. hi
Gin burst of exultation he ex-
claimed: I will stake my days win
nings upon the chance Of q single
gamer
"'How much?' inquired Augustinofr,
who had just entered therooll.
""Three hundred thousand rubles,
in round numbers!
:':l accept your offer! exclaimed the
imperturable Augustinoff.
'"The game, for some time, was
equally well conducted. After an hour
or so Gen. Peterhoff was noticed to
move toward Augustinoff 100000 ru-
bles.- Hardly had the night reached
the hour of 3 when the beWildered GEN
eral had lost every ruble Of his days
winnings.
Now for retaking the citadelr lie
exclaimed.
"The game continued, the gains of
Augustinof continued, and before the
dawn Of day-and the nights are long
in Russia the aid-de-camp Of the czar
had parted with his vast landed prop,
erty in the central provinces, his pos
sessions in Moscow and his castle at
Ukraine.
Rising from the table, he filled and
enptied his glass several times,
walked up and down the room, passed
lis fingers nervously through his hair,
finally returning again to his seat.
Opposite still sat Augustinoff, who APP
peared to be amusing himself with
cutting and dealing the cards.
Pending over him, Peterhof said. in
a low whisper: 1t is not yet day, Au-
gustinof. Do not rise
And is there yet left some hidd 81
treasure, general ?
with livid lips and contracted brow,
he gasped: And are you ready to take
| it, Augustinoff? You love the same
woman as 1.-The woman to whom l
am engaged Us
''The cards were again taken up, but
both seemed loath to begin Augustin-
off, probably at the thought that the
princess might not fulfill the condi-
| lions of the victory. Peterhof at the
thought of his wrecked career and
future despair.
| AT the cut the antagonists pause,
like wrestlers overcome with fatigue
and impending defeat. The trick bal
anced at the first deal
"a bold play was now ventured on
by Peterhof which should have given
him victory. It brought him defeat.
however. His frenzy had passed
away. He was covered with prDfllse
perspiration.
''The agreement was carried out to