The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-10-03

- outshined the Paris and
The Metropole. as the rendezvous oil
the elite. 1t was the evening OF
Christmas Eve two years ago, and,
rs is we'll known, with Christmas Eve
commences the season at The Sign
Of the Seven Sins.
The hotel had only been opened a
few days, and the only other occupant
of the reading-room was solitary
looking mana round-shouldered rath-
er haggard-looking old fellow about
60, with pointed grey beard and his
mustaches trained upwards. He was
an entire stranger TO me; but his shah
biness caused me some surprise, for
those who frequent the Hermitage are
always smart.
Good evening"" he exclaimed good
humoredly in English. when he had
thoroughly inspected me in that man
ner which sometimes becomes habit
with the elderly.
by the way, what's the day of the
month";"
The twenty-fourth," | responded
Christmas Eve
I've played here regularly for 10
years, and have never lost he an
swered, simply, looking me full in the
face with his black, piercing eyes.
Never lost" ] echoed. pricking up
my ears. why, that's impossible with
such chances against YOU"
AN. see you don't believe me-" he
exclaimed. with hard, dry laugh.
Il tell you l can win every time
play. I'm open to bet you thousand
pounds upon it. If you'd like ME to
prove what l say, come into the Ca
sine tomorrow" and taking from his
pocket a wellworn leather wallet, he
drew from 1t bundle of French bank
notes. adding: These are my usual
stakes for Christmas Day-100.000
francs"
The name archibald Grant was
printed upon the card he handed me
and before We parted l had accepted
his invitation to go with him and wit
ness his luck at the tables.
The morning was sunny, balmy and
cloudIess.
My gray-faced friend saunteret
along. paused at the last center table
in the roulette room, and watched the
ball fall upon the number %, which Ii
red. and then glancing at the revolv
ing wheel, and noticing that the mex
square to that wherein the ball wa:
lying was the number 10, black. hi
earelessly took from his pocket 81,
thousand-franc notes, and bendins
over. with his lean claw-like hant
placed them on the black.
The wheel was again revolved, The
croupier launched the ball. which ;
few minutes later fell with click
Black gained. and my friend won th'
maximum of 5000 francs, or 24'
pounds.
With the habitue's confidence he al
lowed his original stake to remain
and once more the invitation to pla.
arose above all other sounds. Agail
the wheel revolved. and again he. won
Next moment a dozen other notes
some gold plaques" and few five
franc pieces were showered upon hi
stakes. for the crowd of excited play
ers witnessing his luck were eager t
follow his fortune.
Again the wheel was spun, and tn
same wearied voice moment late
cried that the number 16 had won an
also the red, therefore the sum @
1900 francs was handed to my grfy
faced companion amid quite choru
of "Oh's,'
Well he asked. with a cynica
smile. as he raised his glass, "hav
! convinced you of my power of VIII
ning?-
''Of course" responded. but ma
you not lose II all again like so man
others do?''
"Ah!s he smiled. Il see you are nc
yet convinced. Well. tonight you sha
have further proof"
With a sudden grunt he twiste
some notes together, tossed them upo
the black. and won. The croupie
counted them and paid out ii
maximum. At that moment or
of the players who lost no.
and offered him a chair. whic
hs took. and then settled dow
TO play. stalking each time the MAY
mum. Around that table the crow
grew larger as soon as it was a
nouneed that high play was in pro
ress. and at each spin of the wheel n
strange friend placed his notes u
hesitatingIy. stalking the maximum. ,
ways. and scarcely ever failing 20 ga
the respectable maxincani of 60
francs.
Time after time he played, un
more than m hour had passed and
Winnings REV so great that his poe
ets could hold no more. The ball 4