Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-08-02

y simple game Of cards. played recently
in budapest by 4 Hungarian and an
Armenian merchant resulted in 100000
changing hands. For foriY-cisht hours
the two players sat At 4 small table in
Gaze New York, and. though hundreds of
people passed in ana out of the place. but
few were aware thAt a great fortune was
slowly lut surely being passed across a
small marble-top table. When The one
pisNcr's money WAS exhausted. and his
thirst for the game was san unsatisiied.
lie placed as i WAGER one of his most cher
ishod possessions. lhe thought of which
makes one hagk back to the pioneer days
When men hazardod tnoir all ON the turn
of a card. The details OF this rcmark-
able ~trd game read like 4 chapter from
some
Romance Of Olden Days.
Count Nikolaus Tanny Is a member of
owe OF she oldest families of hungary.
For many years he has taken an active
part in politics. His great wealth placed
him in q position where every wish could
ic eiat!icd. His vast estates. yielding Il
large yearly income. were pointed out rs
possessing every dctail in the way Of mod
,rn improvements His magnificent castle
near tn hungarian capital MAS often the
scene Of brilliant entertainment, and an
invitation to partake OF his hospitality
was looked ON as a coveted prize. Highly
educated and possessed Of all the attain
menls that 20 to make up The polished
courticr, Count Tanlfy held an enviahle
position In European society. But now
all that has changed, owing to the fact
that though possessed of a remarkably
strong character. there was in ii one de
feet that has caused his ruin. Like many
Others who have gone before. Count Taft
ny had the uncomfortable spirit of the
gambler. Thc sight of a card alone
caused this desire for play to take con-
troll of his better reason and guided him
to the gaming table. For years he had
fought against this one weakness. but at
times it proved too much for him. His
great craving for the fame unfortunately
was not coupled with luck, and as "A re-
suit he invariably lost when he gave his
weakness fun rein. An incident of his i'll
luck. prior to what is detailed In this
story. occurred two winters ago. when he
lost 10000 during one evening in an cx-
elusive club in Budapest.
y few days ago Count Taffny CHANGED
20 enter the Cafe New York and called for
a cup of black coffee. The place was
quite crowded at the time and at his ta-
BILE sat an Armenian merchant. AS IL Gus
tonary course the two men soon entered
into conversation. Visiting cards were ex-
changed. and in this way the count made
the acquaintance of Gerhard Ezbej. The
conversation drifted from one subject to
another. until the merchant CHANGED to
speak of Il
New Game Of Cards
which he had learned since his arrival
In Budapest. The mere mention of the
games name seemed to send the hot
blood charging through the counts veins.
1t was his favorite play. Evidently the
Armenian observed the look of pleasure
that crossed the counts face. for though
being II stranger to the noblcman he sug-
Scsted that they might play for a few
hours, If the count would honor one of
SO humble origin.
y table was selected In "A quiet corner
of the cafe, and II waiter was ordered to
bring cards and drinks. AT first the play
was nnintcrosting-the co0nt would win
n small bet. and then the tide would turn
In favor of the Armenian. Though the
play lacked interest. yet the count seemed
TO take keen delight in every dotail of the
game. ON he PLACED, Obvious of his sur
roundings. ono or two more plays and
still luck seemed to hover on the counts
side of the table. He then made a larger
warcr and won. Then another and an
Other. by this time 4 few friends had
collected around the table. One could
plainly see that the heavy play was tell
ing on the Armerian's nerves. His little
hcad-likc eyes were rivoted on every card
that fen ON the table. Great drops of per
SEPARATION stood out on the counts fore
head. as time after time he held the lucky
card and made note of his winnings.
But it WAS not long until the tide ceased
TO flow in the direction OF the Hungarian
noblcnan. and wager after wager was
won by the dark-skinned merchant from
the cast. Try as he would Count Taffny
could not turn the tide. and gradually
the game settled down 10 the Improbable
task of paying out a great fortune in sub
stantial ayers.
During Thirty Hours
the count never won n wager of any i'm
,an, ~, ., 40. a,I ,rat h. r1,,,,.n -. A..
table. Time ard time again the Armenian
suggested they stop playing, at least for a
spell, in the hope that the counts luck
would change. But the Hungarian would
not near Of 1t, and continued to lose every
wager. He did not realize, until too late,
that he had at last cone to .he end Of his
fortune. All his ready money, his magni-
nccnt estate, and his ancient castle had
gone the same way. Now 1t was that he
realized his position and appreciated that
his defect of character had brought ruin
down on him and family. He was pre-
pared to leave the table. after admitting
that he had nothing more to play for.
1t was at this juncture that the Armen-
IAN. showing no Pity for his defeated OBJ
ppncnt. made Il strange suggestion. He
begged the count to again be seated and
explained that he was willing to wager
all winnings against one possession yet re-
manning 10 the count. The Hungarian
IODltfl3n eagerly asked the Armenian TO
name it. and in the same breath assured
him that no matter what he should ask
1t would be wagcrcd against the sum
agreed OF by the Armenian.
The Ittle-lcad-likc eyes danced with ex-
Icctation. He now craved but one thing
and that WAS an assured position Of promi-
nence in society. He then said that the
count was in a position to CRAFTY his
great craving. and in return for the extern
sion of such a favor the Armenian was
willing 20 wager his on.,rc winnings of
500. $50. Between puffs Of his fragrant
, cigarette the merchant continued, and in
the end came out b.untly and asked for
the
Hand of the Counts DAUGHTER
in marriage. this to be placed against his
winnings of the last forty-eight hours.
one hand at cards was to decide All.
y strange look came over the counts
face rs he sat at the table. HIS great loss
and the fact that ruin stared him in the
face stirred every atom Of emotion within
him. Hero WAS an opportunity to win
back all he lad lost and possibly not have
to sacrifice his daughter. SURPRISING he
should lose. then not only would his fort
uao he gone but also his daughter. y,ro IS
not Yet of age. Then again If he should
WIZ. think Wha: it would moan 20 him,