Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-11-25
PLAY AT MONTE CARLO
AN EVENING IN THE ROOMS IS
A STUDY FOR A LIFETIME.
Lovely Nature Is ForgOtten-Tho Scene
Outside the Casino Ia Ono OF
Ever-Changing Beauty, Yet tho
Gamblers Cannot Enjoy 1t.

Gamblers Cannot Enjoy 1t.
The large sums that are carried
away from here are very few and far
between; generally what Is won in one
day is lost the next, says the Ludgate
Magazine. There are no amusements
OF any kind. The adm. nistration looks
after this detail with admirable judg-
ment; everything is absolutely concen-
trated in the Casino. This is the mag
net pur ct simple. You have delight
full concerts free of charge, theatrical
performances with the very best Of
talent at extremely moderate prices;
hut all within the walls Of the all-ab-
sorbing Casino. Very few can resist
the magnetism Of play. II you win
even small sum you feel obliged to
continue; II you lose you wish to re-
gain, and so it goes on until in the
end you have dropped more than you
can well afford, and are obliged to re-
tire sadder but wiser man, or wom-
an. with the option Of applying to the
Casino authorities for the wherewith-
Gl to return home this request is never
refused player who has lost.
An evening, or even afternoon, in
the rooms Is a study for lifetime.
The indescribable air of doubt, death
ly stiffness, pervades every apartment;
the strained look of even the onlook-
ers, the peculiar, dense atmosphere,
the slckening odor Of scent (mingling
with even worse), a queen Of the demi-
English duchess (democratism pre-
walls here to an excessive degree), is q
ver-to-be-forgotten picture.
Watch the faces Of the invetera tie
gamblers who pass their time between
this den of vice and Ostend: Interest
ed in nothing but the roll Of the ball
or the turn of the card, forgetting en-
tirely beautiful nature outside, having
no other thought but Of play and sleep,
probably induced by artificial means,
the haggard look and sunken eye. the
trembling hand, all tell their tale. The
pleased smile of the fair young Eng
lish bride as she arises from her place
at the table, the smile of congratula-
ton from her immediate neighbor, the
extremely friendly cropier, who only
too we'll knows that she will return
again and leave what she has gained,
and more besides-it is all study!
The dense crush of humanity, the heat,
the intense excitement, the magnifi-
cent jewels and costumes-one is more
than satiated; for the outsider it be-
comes nauseOus.
You leave the rooms with a sense Of
oppression and glad to breathe the
pure air of heaven again and gaze upon
the beauties of nature which God has
provided in such magnificent abund-
ance. For the beauties of this spot are
endless; sea and sky are constantly
changing.
Even on gray or gloomy days, which
very rarely occur there is always an
study in tone. Strange to
say, one never has the feeling of being
at a seaside place in Monte Carlo.
There is an utter lack of the briny or
exhilarating effect of salt water and
but for the boundless horizon Of the
Mediterranean you might as easily
imagine yourself at either AK les
Bains or Spa. But for the occasional
visits of priva' yachts, there is scNrce-
ly ever a sail to be seen. and never
passing steamers or other craft; but
still there is never sense of isolation
in any way, and the charming little
place Is always trimming over with
gayety; always crowded with the very
creme of society of all countries
great celebrities jostle each other, and
pretty and smart women predominant.
Monte Carlo to be thoroughly a9pre-
ciated and properly studied should be
visited more than oIce, and then for
a longer stay. The general public.
who have a run over there for week
or ten days and lose a hundred or two
on which they expected to amuse them
selves on their return to Paris and
then storm against the "hades on a
rock" are not always to be considered.
| one day overheard guide to party
Of exceedingly simple-looking Ger
mans-the usual tourist lot, side-elas-
tic boots, etc.-telling them: Gentle
men, here is the celebrated Casino, the
hell of the world; daily men
and women are ruined and duped at
the tables. The most selected spot for
suicide is just to your left under the
palm trees; although you will find no
bodies there now, In the morning
plenty will be carried away If you
wish to enter, gentlemen, do so. l
shall await you at the cafe opposite"
It was all too comical for words, but
such is the general idea conceived of
me of the most charming and fascin-
,ting spots in the world.