The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-23
THE POLITE
| !. BARONPS GAME.
Adnnted from the French.

Adapted from the French.
or all the human passions, gambling
Ia the one which does the greatest harm
to humanity. Love. hatred, even war,
are loss devastating than the passion TOT
gambling. 1t offers an almost magical
means to wealth and fortune and the bust
ness OF cheating at cards brings In millions,
1t Ii said. E'' ~
The following story was told as authef-
tai '' ~ pig, Nv
Several years ago a person whom we
will call the Baron de Rabeustorg, ohans.
ing his name somewhat, rented, in one of
the Provinces OF France, which will merely
designate as one OF the richest and mostifn-
portant, a magnificent chateau which had
been the home OF one OF the most famous
families OF the country, and whose PARK
rolled harmoniously and gently TO ING
banks of very beautiful river. 80,
1t was at the time, naturally, OF the SUM
mer season, and the surrounding villas
were filed with the owners and their guests.
NJ de Rabeustorg moved into his new
home, and soon. more from cuTiosityy &C
first his neighbors came to call. H..
The Baron received them with the most
refined courtesy and cordially and afnird
the greatest luxury. He explained that
he possessed great domains In Austria,
and that it was his habit to spend a part
Of each summer, somewhere. In France,
thus accomplishing a sort OF intellectual
cure, enjoying, amid the French people,
pleasures whose memories frightened the
loneliness OF his sojourn in Austria, where
he was surrounded by heavy, embarrassing
people. .. ..-. 80 -.,..,,
He declared his intention Of giving great
entertainments, in which he would try 70
revive the pomp and luxury which two
centuries before had been the distinquiBh-
ing mark of the family whose chateau be
now had the honor OF occupying. .,.'g
At the sight Of so much courtesy and
wealth and also at the promise Of the en-
tertainments the Baron speedily won for
himself a, very important position IN the
countryside. ~ ~
home delighted promising to return often.
The Baron treated his guests with unequalJed
splendor, fully realizing his wish to reviva
the pomp Of the former seigneurs. -. s-s''
For twenty miles around every one knsw
that on each step of the grand stairway
stood two lackeys bearing flaming candles.
The magnifoence Of the refreshments was
a theme OF universal admiration, and the
smallest details received their due praise. ~
a week tdVeT iii til6 dllotoCIhOy- VI kkto
countryside hastened to a second enter.
tainment, which won even more enthusiastic
encomiums for the Baron. -.
At length he gavea Louis XIV. ball, during
which, for one night, the. castle glowed
with all the splendor Of its brightest. days,
when titled guests had danced there, 70
celebrate the victories OF the famous lord
who served the King, a ball which WINS both
glimpse Of fairyland and a homage to this
castles noble memories, The Baron, srepu-
I,lt aI<.I IA har
famous throughout the whole countrysida
and every door was thrown open to him..
About this time he announced that he
would give an entertainment for gentle
men only. Then would follow fresh
pass all the others. But first he desired
to give the poor lonely bachelors a good
time. - go
The evening came and a dinner worthy a
Lucullus was served to the Baron's guests,
story came from the lips Of the usually most
taciturn Of men,. Z. ~. 80
The fun was at its height, when, about
o'clock in the morning. some one lpro7
posed a game Of cards. But the Baron
cried hastily: 81,
II beg of you not to play here j should
be desolated indeed II IL was said that1
allowed gambling in my house. s.,e, - - ~
2 pae a of ca4s Of an hs e. ~
regret the tables were quickly arranged. i
A few hours later, the Baron,s GUESTS
had lost about 5000 900 francs, which had
been won by four young men, irreproach-
ably dressed and with the most distinguished
manners. 70 -
NJ. de G., Captain OF the Hussars,
who had lost, on parole, about 50 900 francs,
departed the following day for Paris to ask
one Of his relatives to come to his aid 6nap,
cially He explained the circumstanoes
by which he had been led toplay and spoke
Of the baron and his distress at the sugges-
ton of game of cards and also his won
derful entertainments.
His cousin questioned him narrowly and
then exclaimed:
1But you were simply feeced! Rabeus4
tory Is merely false name assumed by O
miserable scoundrel He does the same
thing every year, plays this little .gaIno
Of the chateau. was once one of hisvics
tims --, '-.! go { - co,1
sometimes no Ia q General, an italian
Prince. Lord or an Archduke.. He, rents
castle, gives wonderful entertainments
that dazzle every one. and then, one fne
evening, a game Of cards la started and his
accomplices, who are pastmasters Ia the art
of shearing his unwary guests, come or with
all the gains. -.-......---. e,-;.r
'For PHYS sake, don't think OF paying
1Pardon! but gave my word. "a. pay
$4,000 francs. II Is none Of my buAhesi
II my partner was or was not thfef11
will pay it. -. t.:s,,..
But two days after the bachelors dinner
the Baron de Rabeustorg had Disappeared
as If by epchantment. -