Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-27
SAD TRIAL OF A GAMBLER.
Tough Experience in Washington
Sports Career.

| YES" said veteran of the sporting fra
ternfty Though Pm on the retired list now,
/ confess to have been in my time an ac-
complished devotee to the cloth OF green
and have invaded the lair of the tiger with
varying degrees Of success" The old gam
bier was in no way reticent in these ad-
missions to a party OF friends and COM
pantons who were talking about times In
this city when, as every one knew. the
town was. so to speak. wide open," so
far as faro roulette. rouge ct noir ct Id
omne genus, were concerned.
II suppose you have had hosts OF an
sorts of experiences" said one of his lis
teners "What was the toughest OF the
trials you metz" he suggested
The old sport looked in an oblique way
at the man who made the Interrogation
He evidently didn't appreciate the WORD
trials but he was not an excitapie char,
acter and was convinced in his own MIND
that nothing offensive was to be inferred
from the language and continued 10 talk
II can tell you the Saddest experience
T met in nv career he remarked. 1T
was such sorrowful trial that l am al
most inclined to shed tears over 1t even
now at this late day, and 1t happened right
here In this lovely burg. This was away
back in the old reconstruction period, not
very long after the close of the war. l
was proprietor then of one OF the most
tony faro banks in this city, and there was
tele Of 1 may use that word) was large
and distinguished one. OF course l mem
ton no names, but tell you my place was
every night graced by distinguished group
which included-well l expect It's Just as
well not to say who comprised numbers of
my friends.
well there came in one Saturday after
noon a middle-aged man. who showed a
disposition to put on the gloves with us
and naturally he was accommodated He
was regular personifcation of purple and
fine linen. He wore as neat SILK tile as
ever 1 saw on a mans headpece. and had
sparklers In his shirt bosom and on his
fingers to beat the band. Too many by far
to spot him as a regular honest gambling
man, and his necktie was a downright
kaleidoscope in the way OF colors. 1t beat
Joseph's coat a mile and hall ana ne was
that proud and naughty and ordered half
pints Of Mumm's extra dry. while he was
playing in a way to make the walters think
he was the Count OF Monte CristO.
well to shorten up this mournful story
the way that fellow made safe bets was
narrowing In the extreme. and he cashed
up Saturday night with eight hundred and
fifty dollars, drank another half pint or
champagne lat his own expense. OF course).
and stall,ed out Of the house as super
cilious and conceited as a peacock on dress
parade.
well, next morning. Sunday morning.
mind you. he came In and wanted to renew
his triumphs and perhaps l ought to be
ashamed to admit. but opened the game
There were several old fellows loaftng
about the room and they Joined in. But
the tide turned and the winner of the day
before became the loser He played the
limit every time and we soon had all our
losings back and cool thousand from
him.
This wasn't bad. but now comes the ca
lamity This proud man. who, as l learn
ed, was drummer for tewelry house
somewhere up north, sent for me Sunday
evening and actually cried shed bitter. burn
ing tears, and demanded that the money he
had lost. be returned to him. He said 1t be-
longed to his employers and asserted that
II l didn't give 1t back he would report 1t
to the police authorities. Well l had no
desire to get into trouble and l gave 1t
back. and at the same time gave him a
piece of my mind. He had lost his stately
and ostentatious mien of the day before
and showed up as low. ignoble. whining
pup. That's what he was and that, mister
that giving him back the shekels fairly
won from him after he had been stalking
about with over eight hundred dollars of
my money in his pocket-was the saddest
trial 1 experienced in my career as
sporting man."