Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-25
WINNING AMIFE.

An old diplomat who had resided
number of years at st. Petersburg. be-
ing one of a recent company, averred
that the mania which possessed the
military officers, as well AS the whole
Russian aristocracy, during his stay
In the country was something terrible.
An officer, he said, who did not gamble
| received no credit for 1t. and the public
man who did not now and then run the
risk of being ruined was considered to
be a stingy fellow and was lightly es-
| teemed by his acquaintances.
| 81 know of one instance" continued
the speaker. .truthfully showing the
straits to which liberal player in Rus
STA was reduced.
| "At grand ball on one occasion. to
| which had been invited. lady was
pointed out to me as the Princess Au-
gustinoff She was a charming wom-
an in spite of her age. still pleasing
through her well stored mind and fault
less manners.
Now let me tell you her history.
! Her maiden name was Mary -. She
/ Ddu DStH stittAtu as Aldiu VI hunOI W
the czarina, who was greatly attached
to her. Her engagement at IS was,
therefore. the natural consequence of
| possessing much beauty and wealth
and holding high position.
"Peterhoff. her afiianced. was a fine
1 officer, having reached the grade OF ma
| jor general at an age when most off,
GERS are serving as captains and lieu
tenants. But he did not play. He was
often rallied about it, and the car him.
self had one day expressed wonder
thereat, saying, Come. general. let us
have game of preference
This was an invitation not to be re-
fused, but so great an aversion had the
officer to gambling that he did not know
the rules Of the game. Not know the
rules for preferencev exclaimed the
car, coughing. You must learn them.
my dear general A little play drives
of ennui. There's Augustinofr. who
has reached the apex of perfection in
preference. He must instruct you
"Augustinoff was the best player at
court, prudent, skillful and inscrutable,
q man to be avoided at cards. He un-
dertook with real zeal the instruction
of Peterhoff, but he could never infuse
into his mind his own GOODNESS and pru-
dence. Peterhof was hot headed and
played with a dash which oftentimes
made his game famous for the amount
of his winnings and losses
/ Gambling in a short time became q
mania with him. and had 1t been neces-
sary he would have paid men to play
with him. On the occasion am about
to describe he was found late in the
evening at the gaming table. where he
had passed most Of the day. He had
won from his adversaries without in
terruption. Piled up before him were
almost 100000 rubles, not to speak Of
200 promises to pay from brother Off
GERS.
I'm burst Of exultation he exclaim-
ed, I will stake my days winnings
upon the chance of a single gamer
"'How muchr inquired Augustinoff,
who had just entered the room.
Three hundred thousand rubles in
round numbers
az accept your offerv exclaimed the
| imperturDaDle AugustlnoH.
1.-THE game for some time was equally
well conducted. After an hour or two
General Peterhon was noticed to move
toward Augustinoff 100000 rubles.
Hardly had the night reached the hour
of when the bewildered general had
lost every ruble of his days winnings.
Now for retaking the citadelg he
exclaimed.
THE game continued. the gains OF
Augustinoff continued. and before the
dawn of day-and the nights are long
in Russia-the aid-de-camp of the car
had parted with his vast landed prop
erty in the central provinces. his pos
sessions at Moscow and his castle at
Ukraine.
"Rising from the table. he filed and
emptied his glass several times, walk
! ed up and down the room. passing his
fingers nervously through his hair,
finally returning again to his seat OPP
posite still sat Augustinoff. who APP
peared to be amusing himself with cut
ting and shuffilng the cards.
Bending over him, Peterhoff said in
low whisper: 1T is not day yet
Augustinoff. Do not rise
i "'And is there yet left some hidden
treasure. generalY
"With livid lips and contracted brow
he gasped: And you are ready to take
1t. Augustinoff? You love the same
woman as 1.-The woman to whom am
engaged
1.-The cards were again taken up, but
both seemed loath to begin the game
Augustinoff possibly at the thought
that the princess might not fulfill the
conditions of the victory, Peterhoff at
the thought of his wrecked career and
future despair.
"At the cut the antagonists paused.
like wrestlers overcome with fatigue
and impending defeat The trick bal
anced at the first deal.
"a bold play was now ventured on