The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-20
BLUCHER A HIGH ROLLER.
Dropped Il Hundred Thousand Tina
Iers at n Single Sitting.
From tho PhfIadefuhis Times


Iers at Single Sitting.
| From the Philadelphia Times.
In these times anecdotes of great
soldiers are being revived. and many Of these
! stories throw side light on the private
| lives Of men famous in the worlds history"
| remarked an erstwhfle sergeant in the Ger
man army the other day.
"Old Uncle Blucher or Bluecher as the
Germans called him. who saved the day at
! Waterloo. and brought about the defeat OF
| the great Napoleon. was character and
| he was inveterate gambler, according to
the stories handed down in the German
| army said Mr.. Meyer. "BIucher was
curious old fellow. according to the army
what he said about the officer accused OF
] drinking? Well, fine day the colonel of
regiment went, to Butcher, to complain
about another colonel. who. he said. was
always drunk. The great general opened
drawer and produced notebook. from
which he read about the gallant conduct
ments. Closing the book with a bang and
throwing 1t on the table, he looked the &C
| cuser steadily. in the face and said: 4 wish
| to God, sir, that you would get drunk, tool!
Yes. / know somewhat similar story Is
told OF President LINCOLN in reference to
Gen Grant" continued Mr. Meyer after
published more than half century ago,
tell that story about old Butcher.
but Gen. Bluchers own habits gave his
friends much concern. Butcher, like many
| prominent men Of his time, was reckless
| gambler The king, who was much attached
| to him. had paid his debts over and over
again. but it was no use The old marshal
had gone through his wife's property as well
| as his own, and his pay was always spent
| in advance. Once he was dead broke and
| had to go to the king.
" If l get you out of this scrape will you
| promise me not to gamble again?' said the
Butcher gave the promise and added as
! the King gave him 100000 thalers: L will
go straight home to my wife and settle half
| of this money upon her so that l shall not
| be able to touch it. and I will then Fay up
all my debts and never touch card any
more
"Blucher went home gave $4,000 to his
wife and after dinner sailed forth to pay
| his debts. At midnight Blucher's wife was
reused from her slumbers by one of her
| husbands staff officers, who had been sent
| for 25. coo thalers.
% Dear, good man. said the lady, 4 knew
he would want 1t before morning, 50 have
| put up that sum in package for him. Here
| 1t is, and tell him to be careful about the
cold air coming home and to mufffe up WELL.
THE officer departed, only to return after
a. few hours for the rest of the money. with
penny of the kings gift at play.
| again Butcher went to the king, told
him the whole story and listened attentively
! to all the reproaches until his majesty said
! 'Uncle'-for he always called Butcher uncle
| Of honor that you would not play cards for
money again No. SIR answered Butcher.
! did not give my sacred word of honor. >
| Will you give 1t to me now?' asked the king.
'Ach! Mein Gott! That is hard thing to
Waterloo But after some grumbling the
| sacred promise was given, and old 'Vorwarts'
stopped gambling