Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-02-07
EASTERN SHOREMAN
VISITS MONTE CARLO
Tells i'll Chestertown Tran
script How the Game is
Played and the Result of
Bucking the Tiger.

Id ySo Siilo tiiN \Nobit VI
Bucking the Tiger.
Your legend of Monte Carlo" is no,
half so strange as the real truth. Per.
sons often enter that guilden hell never
intending to bet, but are drawn into its
vortex irresistibly by the passions dis
played around them and the glitter OF
wealth piled upon the table that they
may win by trifie: but once they be
gin. all is invariably lost. for they new.
err know when to leave off.
The following is a story of what oc-
CURED in our visit some years ago:
Like all visitors we went to see the
great gambling saloon, gorgeous in its
mirrors, paintings. buildings, and light.
cd up almost like day. while throngs Of
men and women of all ages were group.
ed around the table on which were
piled heaps of gold. silver, notes of all
nations. and very many jewels that the
wearers had staked, after losing all
their money.
Faces blanched with anxiety. fear and
trembling. hands still pressing their
hard earned money or their last valu.
able in hopes chance would come their
way. and the glitterlng pile that would
make them wealthy for life be their
winnings.
Silence prevailed except for the click of
the wheel as it went round dealing de
spair to many "A straining eve, and some
one reeled from the table ruined only to
fall back OH the luxurious couch to make
room for another victim.
While the game was at fever height
we entered. my lady companion gay as
school girl just home from distant
college. Her free and joyous manner
impressed one of the players so much
that without leaving the table he caught
her by the dress, and in accents of des-
peration asked in French. ..Do you play,
Miss" and was answered. no. The
man would not let her go, but almost
screamed, prick for me, which meant
to put "a pin in the color of the wheel of
fortune. and if it stopped at tia: it
would win.
My permission was asked and reluc.
family granted The man laid down
his handful of gold; my lady friend was
almost dragged to the table by him to
throw the chance. But. not SO fast; the
wild CHANGING of the gambler was not in
the game. The lady looked well at the
wheel and saw thousands of pin marks
in almost every color but one, a narrow
streak. and which had few marks in it,
and into this the pin was stuck Every
head was raised. every pair of eyes fixed
upon the wheel, and 10 the man had
won. His pockets could not hold the
wealth. His hand was full and he tried
to force upon the lady some of the ill.
gotten gains, but it was refused, and at
that moment loud pistol shot was
heard. Stiffness reigned, and from be-
hind the door suicide was brought,
who had been beggared at the same mo-
ment the other was enriched
The poor wretch was removed, the
game went on. though by only few
who still had something left to gamble
with.
We made a promise never to play at
any game for money. and though it s
over twenty years, that promise is still
kept.
Our inquiries resulted in being told
that hardly a night passes but that some
poor mortal loses either his own or some
one else's money. entrusted to them.
Disgrace and beggary staring them in
the face, they end their life that only
twenty four hours before was all bright
ness and without a thought of the dan
ger they were running into by only
going to took on. ID. GENESE.