The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1902-12-04
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70 study the theory Of chances, that
philosophers stone of al gamblers,
and gambler IN the strict sense II
the word | have never been. was
heart whole from the cOrrudng passion
for play, My gaming was a mere idle
amusement / never rcsortcd to it by
necessity because | never know what
ii was 10 want money, | never prac.
ticed It SO necessarily as TO lose more
than could afford or to gain more
than ! could co0lly pocket without be.
Ing thrown of my balance by my good
luck. In short, had hitherto frequent.
cd gaming tables just as ! frcqucntcd
bathrooms and opera houscs-bccausc
they amused ne and because | had
nothing better to do with my leisure
hours.
But on this occasion Il was very diff,
frrent; now, for the first time in my
life, | felt what the passion for play
really was, My success first bewllder-
cd and then, in the most literal mean
ing Of the word, intoxicated me, In
credible ~ 1t may appear, it is never
thelcss true, that | only lost when al
tempted To estimate chances and played
according TO previous calculation. II |
left everything to luck aud smkcd with
out any care or consideration. | was
sure To win--tO win in the face Of ev.
cry recognized probability in favor Of
the bank. At first some Of the men
present ventured their money safely
enough on my color. hut | speedily in.
creased my stakes to SUMS which they
duret not risk. One after another they
left OF playing and breathlessly looked
on AT my game.
still, time after time, ! stakcd higher
and higher and still won. The excite.
mcnt In the rOOm rose to fever pitch,
The silence was interrupted by a deep
multercd chorus Of oaths and exclama.
lions in different languages every time
the gold was shoyclcd across to my
side ~ the table; even The mperturb.
able croupier dashed his rake on the
floor in FrPncEl fury OF astOnish.
ment AT my success. But one man pres.
eut preserved his self possession, and
my side and, whispering in English,
begged me to leave the place. satisfied
with what | had already gained. l
must do him the justice Ia say that he
repeated his warnings and cntrcatles
several times and only left me and
went away after had rejected his ad-
ali to al
gambling drunk In terms which rem
derpd IL impossible for him to address
me again that night.
Shortly after he had gone a hOarse
voice behind me cried; Permit me, my
dear sir permit me 10 restore to their
proper place two napoleons which you
have dropped. Wonderful luck. sir. I
pledge YOU my word Of honor, ms an old
soldier, IN the course Of my long cNpe-
rlencP In this sort Of thing | never saw
such luck ~ yours never. Go on. sir
sacre mile bomhcs, Go on boldly aud
break the bank"
turned round aud saw, noddmg and
smiling ut me with lnveterate civillty
tall man dressed In a frogged and
braided surtOut,
If had been in my senses, should
have considered him personally as be-
ing rather suspicious specimen Of an
old soldier. He had gOggling, blo0dshot
eyes, NANCY mustacheS and broken
nose. his voice betrayed a barrack
room information Of the worst order,
and be had the dirtIsMt pair OF hands |
over saw, even In France. rhoOe Bttls