The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-27
BOY MILLIONAIRE
LOSER AT ROULETTE
He Pays Over $4,000 to a
Gambling House.
Youth Said to Be a Member of One of the
Most Prominent and Wealthiest New
York Families.

NEW YORK. March 27.-One Of the
great fortunes Of this city has recently
been depleted by about 81 900. the amount
lost in play lasting two nights. at
roulette table in a gambling house in
East FOrty-fOurth Street.
Many stories OF the game have been told
in club circles and in the TenderIoin dur
ing the last week, but most Of them hare
been exaggerations. According to some
reports, and these from men VINO were
in the club" when the gambling was
going on, the loss sustained by the player
amounts to a quarter of a million dollars.
Others have said that about 500. 600 went
across the green covered table to square
accounts when the final reckoning was
made. But from one Of the proprietor's
employees it was learned that the fgures
here quoted are approximately correct.
Hints at His Family.
As the story goes, the youngest son Of
one Of the best known Of New York
families had the losers end Of the rou-
iette game His father was. and most Of
his relatives are. deeply interested in rail-
road affairs. He is now at home on a
short vacation from his university.
There have been many merry parties
during the last fortnight. in which this
young man has taken a leading part. It
was after a theatre party and a late sun
per that a visit was paid to the East
FCrty-fourth Street house On that oc-
casion the young man began plunging in
a reckless manner at d roulette wheel
and as luck ran in his favor he won rather
heavily One OF those in his party said
the bank paid him IS. 600 and returned the
check he gave when he began his play
When he played again a ew nights
later fortune still smiled upon the youth
He was in the gambling house the greater
/ part Of the night, and his wagers were
even larger than on the previous occasion.
When he left the place he carried with
him about $4,000 Of the proprietor's
money.
Fortune Turns Her Face.
On his third attempt TO beat the rou-
lette wheel fortune turned her tickle face
in the other direction. Luck ran per
sistently against the player. and long be
fore the cocks were growing in the nearest
barnyard the $50. OCO won at the first two
sessions had disappeared. and with 1t had
gone half as much more, for which a
check was given
Obviously there was only one thing %
be done. That situation has often &c
CURED before, and il has been solved IN
only one manner The young student re-
turned for revenge. When he arrived II
the club" the roulette wheel was spin
ming and there was no need Of delay The
first bet Is said to have been on the black.
and Tor $1,000. 1t came red, OF perhaps
II was double 90 and the green Anyway.
ii wasn't black, and the thousand was put
out OF sight.
Called for Checks.
There was a call for checks. and the
play was on, with the limit being reached
at almost every turn OF the wheel For
few minutes the advantage rested with
the player, but soon the gold all flowed
in the other Girection. How much the
young man would have lost is a matter
Of speculation. He was. il is said. de-
sirous Of continuing. even after he had
let 81, 600 pass from him. At that Juno
ture the proprietor interfered He told
the boy he could have his opportunity az
another time, and so induced him 10 de-
sist An older brother, learning Of tue
incident IS said 10 have persuaded the
youth 10 give up his expensive sport
When reporter last night saw Reginald
Vanderbilt at Sherry's and asked him
whether be had been concerned in the
heavy play, he said: Il know nothing
about any game such as you refer TO-
Any report that connects my name with
an affair Of the sort is a mistake / can
give you no more information"
Mr.. Vanderbilt is the youngest Of the
sons OF the late Cornelius Vanderbilt He
came Of age a few months ago. and then
entereu into possession Of a large share
Of the fortune left to him by his father.