Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-05-31
A WOMAN THE STAKE.
SHE WAS PLAYED AGAINST $4,000 IN
A GAME OF ECARTE.

Though the Kcntuckian Won at the Ga'n'
He Was Beaten In Another Way-Strang
Story of an Old, Grewsome Lookin
House In San Francisco.
In 1867 there stood an old fashioned
shanty east of the locality now occupied
by the Presentation convent, in front O.
the graveyard, and the people III tn
neighborhood used to tell strange stories
about this grewsome looking dwelling
For several years its occupancy was ap
parently confined to decrepit old man,
who used to crawl in and out about once
day, his arms filled with packages
from the market.
He was known in the neighborhood as
the old dago, though in reality he was
a native of Alsace. For several years he
lived hermit's life, and the noighbors
got so accustomed to his conings and
goings that even the small boys forgot
to modest him. But one morning all the
gossips found food for conversation by
the appearance of a remarkably lovely
young woman who went out to and re-
turned from the butcher S stall and the
grocer's. She spoke English i,nperfectly
and with a very pronounced French
accent. This little cabin was destined
to be the scene of very dramatic Incl
dent in the history of California gam.
bling.
It was natural that girl as pretty as
Irene should not be long without adj
mlrers, SO it came to pass that tho Win
dows of 'the old house were lighted up
every evening, and the Frenchman de-
veloped the natural hospitality of his
race and gave little dinners and suppers
to his exiled countrymen. But among
those, as was only natural, there We're
some who existed not by honest indus
try, but by the gaming table. Among
them was young man of striking APP
pearanee who had served in France as
sous officer in hussar regiment, had
gone the pace, ruined himself, and final
y drlfted out to San Francisco, where
be became the hanger on of the gambling
able.
Louis LIE Marronais was strikingly
handsome specimen of the Partisan of
lis class. 1t did not take him very long
o gain the confidence of the old French
nan, and to him he contided the story
his life. 1t was not very oventful
ne lie was member of all old French
amlly and could use if he pleased a
tile which dated back to Charles the
sold. He had been ruined by the ex-
'avagance of his younger brother and
'as then living on the income of lit
@ property in Brittany, which he had
wed from the wreck. Irene was his
NY child, and he idolized her. For her
IKE alone he wanted to be rich. He
anted to take her back to France and
lnstate her in the position to which
n rank entitled her.
The ex-hussar won tho old man into t
@ belief that his only chance of getting S
ca was through gambling. So night
ter night old Lescant was found at a
o III Dorado or some other gaming S
IL losing his money under the direo. s
N OF the arch mentor. One night Irene o
Lowed him there to bring him back. S
d her first visit was a fateful one. t.
m Monroe. Kei1dckian, one of the 81
ldest and most reckless characters Of
At period, saw her, admired her and O.
ore that she should become his nron. VI
y. n
u Is not necessary to recite tho Incl il
IT'S that led up to the scene, which
re- related to me by an eyewitness. II pr
sufficient to say that LIE Ma1ronais til
convinced the old Frenchman that m
nroe would stake $50, 900 against lie
hand of Irene. If he won, she was ca
become his wife, but if he lost the fir
ley was to become the Frenchman,s til
perty and Irene was free to bestow
affections wherever she pleased wi
le was informed of this proposition. sa
She looked resigned and rather 10,
Used at the transaction. ma
ne eventful night arrived. Monroe
old man, Louis, Irene and a friend wi
countryman Of the host were the flo
inmates of the little room The fal
o was ecarte, and the cards, which
Is mad marked, lay upon the table. ing
old man got the deal. Monroo's Ger. ape
check for $50, 900 was placed in up
custody of the hussar. The old man
led the king in the first deal and
the pack changed hands he had
Jest OF the game. The play went on.
ID the last hand Monroe scored every pre-
{, y" o'oiy of ;
rene is minel" shouted the Ken. eall
an, reaching for his check. our
this moment the lights were dashed ~
ana Monroe fell to the floor from W"
troke OF some heavy instrument '1Ve
'hly dlslnterested spectator of the eau
neo from the room. The NEXT eo
ing there was no sign of life in tho qult
ouse, and in the evening when the owe.
nan knocked he heard a grooming aspl
inc inside. He forced his way into niys
ouse and discovered the wretcbod ana
lcklan bound hand and foot. Mon. rati
Vowlng murder, rushed the next gu II
ng to the banking ho,ao n 1n, time
had been cashed bv an ;na;..:1 1ne valu
the description of the 1ne
!. Inc other actors in this star. ana
Gene were never heard If Mo.s s:ai- there
mouse was disturbed, not even Aaile
rs wearing apparel. and the Incl.
ecame a portion of this strange A
sco.-San Frane;soa o Mig IN San thus
-- 0 ave" VS. Aeteer' gray
vio5;.es an, -. moirt
NOT true that "the tailor makes rosa s.
nan cannot sofa ~ 40 'iue that a plasti
sorv;ooo:s '"Aeiy neglect the ing, ,