The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-01
OVER TABLES Ar MONTE CARLO.
The Gambling Matter of Cold
BIoOdcd BuSiness


BIoodcd Business.
William Drysdale in New York Times.
Not to see the gambling rooms by night,
however, would be to miss the grand show
of the place There are not people enough
in the town to make up the crowds that
press through the big corridor and the
atrium in the evening They come in the
trains from all the neighborlng places
from Cannes, Nice. San Reno, Mentone,
sometimes from as far as Genoa. People
ride down from Paris twenty hours in
the rapide, just for a little "shy" at The
tables. All outside is as bright as day.
though chilly When I set out for the
casino late last evening 1 came upon a
young English couple standing near the
big fountain. discussing some thing with
great earnestness. They were cookbook
ing, well dressed, with something of the
air of bridal couple. What became of
them at the moment l did not notice. and
inside l stood for a few minutes Watching
the roulette tables. Ten minutes later
went into the trente ct quarante room and
met them just inside the big arched door,
way. They were on their way out Her
rosy cheeks were roster than before, and
her face was wreathed in smiles. He was
fairly radiant and looked Every fit" as
the Londoners say. In one hand he held
a great bundle of French notes, all stretch
ed out at fun length, Just as they came
from the tables. 1t took no great shrewd-
ness to see that for ten minutes they had
been leading active, industrious lives, and
had reaped the reward of industry and
virtue and were getting out of the place
before they were tempted to try again
aud lose. | hope her ladyship had the
tact 70 negotiate on the spot for new
sealskin coat.
One elderly gentleman was at the mo-
ment doing the leading business in that
room, and attracting the most attention.
by risking ten 1,000-franc notes $4,000 at
every dealing of the cards. He was partic-
ularly interesting to me, because he was
beyond doubt an American. He was fine
looking man with gray hair, iron-gray
beard we'll trimmed. a shrewd eye that
watched every move the dealer made, and
of courses in the regulation black evening
clothes. His face showed him TO be man
who had made his money, not inherited il.
l think that lumber was the foundation
of his fortune, in the Northwest some
where. but long enough ago to give him
time to have the sawdust brushed out
of his clothes, for he was very smooth and
around The table, so there was no chance
to hear what language he spoke. He was
one of those men who would not look at
all out of place leading prayermeeting
but who might be depended upon for a
ready revolver If he caught the dealer al
any foul play The notes came out of one
of his vest pockets, but not earelessly
There was none of the usual effort to look
as if risking $1,000 every three minutes
was an everyday affair with him. lie
did everything with caution, always DELHI,
Grating over what square he should lay
his money upon and sometimes changing Ii
to some other square after he had laid 1t
down But whether he won or lost he
showed no emotion whatever. He won Oft
ener than he lost while I watched him.
putting the winnings carefully away into
the same vest pocket. At one time the
banker made asmistake in duplicating a
pile of his notes that had won, but this
did not bring word from him. His eyes
were open. and Instead of picking up the
pile he merely pushed it back toward the
banker, which was a sufficient hint for a
recount. When the mistake waScorrected
and the missing note supplied, he added
the pile 10 the big hump In his pocket.
Like almost every player around the
trente ct quarnnte tables he was there
strictly for business. II is not a few doll
lars laid on for the novelty of the thing.
but deliberate speculation in the hope of
winning. My experience of gambling
houses Is fortunately rather limited but l
have seen the big places of Saratoga and
Long Branch, and one or two in, New York
and Some very large ones in Cuba and
Mexico Never have I seen such business
like AR IN any gambling room as there is
here You may not be wicked enough TO
know that generally great deal of smok-
ing and drinking and some eating go with
fashionable gambling but that is the case
The sideboard IL almost as necessary as
the tables, and George and Samho and
Henry are kept busy carrying champagne
and cocktails to the thirsty players This
is pure business with the house." even
where these thiugs are not charged for, for
does not a man become the more reckless
the more alcohoth absorbs? But there is
meme Of thatNhereit There is no smoking in
the ROBINS, and DO drinks are served at the
tables. AS far as have seen there is no
place m The Casino building where drinks
can be had. though possibly there may be
some cozy corners that ! have not discov-
cred 1t is as much a business house as a
wholesale dry goods store, and the profits
are larger for the firm. This gives 1t very
cold-blooGed atmosphere, for there is not a
particle of interest in either of the games
outside OF the financial risks involved. They
are stupid games of doctored chance that
a navy can play as well as an arithmetic
ian