Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-01-09

nary Investigations, single-handed,
were so severe a strain, coupled with
he succeeding daily excitement, that
the plucky plunger did not live many
years to enjoy his hard-earned rest.
He died at Nice four or five years
after of heart disease. His name was
Jaggers. His partner, a Dutchman,
who ran off with an Irish lady, was
seen in Paris much later, looking sleek
and prosperous. d.
Many witnesses remember the ex-
element that grew latterly around
the three players-for the Irish lady
became one of them. Their persistent
success caused an inevitable rush to
their table, people standing in rows
six deep, and struggling to throw their
money on when and where the play
ers staked. But it was difficult to fol
low them, for they played on many
numbers en- plein, and the moment
they were ready the ball was spinning.
The plan of Mr.. Jaggers was this:
Starting from the premise that few
lutely flawless, he began taking accu-
rate statistics himself of different Ia
bles. He thought he found one to suit
his purpose, and he took his statistics,
noting down the numbers as they fell
from the first ball to the last. Hard
work, since he could neither eat nor
drink betweenwhile, and seldom sit
down, there being a stringent rule
against chairs being occupied by non.
players, and he had no money to stake
with. After the rooms were closed he
had to find time to eat, sleep and work
out his calculations.
He ed this wearying existence, 1t
is believed, for over six months. His
investigations then proved to him, to
his complete satisfaction, that in one
cylinder, which he followed from table
to table (for all were changed occa-
sionally. and he knew it by the grain
Of its woodwork, the ball fell by pref
erence in nine of its cells, so niue ~
its numbers in varying degrees came
up oftener than the remaining twenty
seven numbers. In other words, in
stead of each number coming within
a given space of time, say a week,
once in thirty-six spins nine numbers
came more frequently, and others more
rarely.
When that fact was to him incontest-
able, he set about finding, if not syn
dictate. at least partner, able and will
ing to risk sufficient capital to play
on these nine numbers and share prof
it's with him.
But the many old players he ap-
preached would have none of it.
They declared, and as a rule with
reason, that numbers could. would,
and did come or stay away, frequently
beyond the average, for months, and
then right their balance, making up for
lost time with vengeance, and then
woe to the punter who was calculating
on their previous performances con-
tinuing.
Disconsolate at seeing wealth just
eluding his grasp, poor Jaggers went
on piling up his daily statistics, until
the runaway Dutchman. This man
listened, saw and believed. The COM
pact was made, and the play began.
It succeeded admirably, some OF
those nine numbers always coming up
more frequently than the remaining
twenty-seven, though, as even they
fiuctuated daily, it was difficult for peo-
pie who only followed Jaggers & Co.'S
steady, constant play for an hour or
so not to lose. Many did, and were
highly disguised thereat.
This fact only strengthened the
mystery. The croupiers and the ad-
ministration fully believed that the
tide would turn. Also, the administra-
ton fully valued the effects of such
an advertisement. So the crOupiers
were told to be complaisant and allow
time for stalking, etc. Moreover, they
were quite unaware that Jaggers and
his partner were playing with one cyl
inder and, that, when one month they
were at one table, and another month
they were at another, this cylinder was
their attraction.
One day the lady player foolishly
opened the eyes of the administration.
For some reason, perhaps for repol-
ishing, perhaps because the mcchani-
clan with his spirit level had discov
cred defect, the precious cylinderwas
removed altogether. In tears the in
discreet lady went to director and
, implored its return, saying: 1--WE can
only play with that cylinder"
This gave the clue. Mechanicians
from Strasburg were called in. All the
cylinders were adjusted daily land
are stilD, and were also daily changed.
Jaggers' game was up. But his for
tune, if not colossal, was sufficient
and was madei He and the Dutchman
divided between them G120, 000.--
| London Express.