The Louisiana populist., 1898-02-18
A MILLlONAIRE'S FREAK,
How the Founder OF Monte Carlo Canbled
Once and Onca Onlv

How the Founder OF Monte Carlo Canbled
Once and Once Only
Mons. Blanc, the founder of the
Casino at Monte Carlo which really
means Monte Carlo itself, was very &C.
centric. If he had ever been young
here is no record of the fact, for he is
always described as a little old gentle
nan, clad in a long coat, and walking
With the aid of a yellow cane, without
which he was never seen during his
waking hours.
Though enormously wealthy, SAYS
the London Mail, he was excessively
| thrifty in trifling matters, and would
haggle like an old clothes man to save
a franc on articles for his personal use
though he thought nothing Of eXpend
ing hundreds Of thousands Of francs in
beautifying the Casino and the minia-
ture city.
He was never known to play at the
lables, excepting on one occasion, and
then it was somewhat costly expert
ence.
While on visit to the Wiesbaden
Casino with Nine. Blanc, he was in the
habit of accompanying her On a morn
ing stroll each day. During one of
these walks madame complained of the
heat of the sun, and requested her hus-
band to buy her a parasol. According
ly the two entered the shop, where
madame selected very pretty article,
worth eighty francs-about $1G-which
NJ. Blanc, with scowl and a muttered
grumble, paid.
When the Casino opened at noon
great was the astonishment of the
croupiers and the visitors to see NJ. |
Blanc place two louis on the red at
one OF the trente ct quarante tables. |
The attendants hastened to get him a
chair, but this he declined, saying he
was only going to remain few min
utes. When the cards were dealt he
won, and, taking up his winnings. left
the original stake on the table For a
second time he won, and had now got
back the price of the umbrella. But
not content, he ventured another two
louis, which this time he lost Some
what annoyed at this, the founder Of
the place doubled the stake and won,
thus getting back the cost of the UNI
brella again.
Determined, however, to regain his
two louis, he staked them again, only
to see them raked in by the bank Thus
he kept on winning and losing, but
never able to recover the two louis, till
1t last he found himself twenty-five
ouis out, all the gold his pocket-book
A thousand franc note he
lad was quickly changed and swal,
owed up. Then, becoming exasperat-
ID, he cashed his check for large
um and, sitting down, commenced the {
'attle in earnest. Hour after hour I
'assed, but NJ. Blanc, his eyes fixed on /
he treacherous pasteboards, never t
judged from his post. He kept on i
'lanking down heavy stakes until the S
asst deal was declared, when, calmly '
Using, he seized his yellow cane and S
made his way through the gaping on I
ookers into the open air. j a
On reaching home he found Nine. |
'lanc playing patience" with pack: I
t cards, the offending parasol being on f
he table. j,
Madame" said the old gentleman. s
do you know what that thing has cost 7
le?" -
"Mais oui, mon ami. 1t cost you 6,
lightly francs" - -
Madame" rejoined he, "you are y,
listaken. l have just paid the bill b
[ 900 francs" =
Madame's sunshade had cost no less -
Ian $4,000. H.