davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24

and after A few minutes anxiety the
faU fell
~euiTzei Noir. impair 81 manQuor'
The rakes went swiftly 10 work. and
"a Few seconds later SIX thousand
francs were pushed before the lucky
player
-Aieszl,urs. faites vos 5euxr' the
uo0otunous cry again SOUNDED.
The young Italian tossed a hundred
and nifty francs on zero. while a gray
haired man with long side hiskers.
sitting next 10 Mother Viau. folded
three hundred franc notes. and with
som. hesitation placed them on the
next line Co that where the Italian had
just won. thus covering the two num-
beers "A and i. He also tossed six
thousand francs on the black.
Again the red and black wheel re
yoived. Tie little ivory ball fell. and
the cT0upier cried.
'Dix-sept. Noir. impair et mal ue,'
The Italian had lost hut the man
opposite won eleven thousand francs.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24

Then again there Is a pair Of silver
bracelets on which is a representation
OF Sed on his throne with a fly wh.sk
IN his hand, while the Queen stands Ia
front Of him. They appear 10 be
pleogtng one another in wine cups. and
behind each is a bouquet Of flowers.
A great number Ofag0Id rosettes have
also been discovered inscribed with the
names Of both King and Queen. They
were probably attached 10 a dress,
since a stud Of gold with hook has
been passed through the center Of each
The cartouches Of Seti are further
found on six plaques Of gold which
formed part Of a poctoraI. and there in
large gold ring with the vulture god
dess lnlaid in precious stones. ana s,,r-
mounted by Fhe symbol OF the sun god.
which also has upon il the name -
Seti, and must therefore have been the
stgnet OF that monarch. Another ring
which IS an exquisite product Of art.
consists Of open gold work forming The
name and titles Of Rameses II We
must thus see IN IL an heirloom Of the
Pharaoh Of the Oppression"
All the other jewels belong 10 Ia
usert. Among them are some hun
A'NdS u oLSil"oIh Dttlls aLG PENDANT
poppy heads. which are strung alter
nstely on a series of threads so as to
form a pectoral, which as everything
Is of solid gold. must have been or con-
siderable weight
There are no less than seven finger
rings Of various sizes and all u gold
Three OF them are set with scarabs
containing the Queens name; two Of
them consist of double rings support
ing Lhe royal cartOuches while one
very beautiful one is formed OF four
strands of gold wire, the chaton con-
sisting OF an inlay of eight precious
stones.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24
anern SITS ON Wheel

coed afternoon" / exclaimed, rails
inA my hat as 1 got level with her.
Madame is on her way 70 temot for
time on the quatre premier-and
Wednesday, tool"
'.Ah. m'sieur." she exclaimed, start
ing. a smile overspretding her brown,
wrinkled face. yes. # is true-it's
Wednesday"
''Hadame-s unlucky day, D believe" Do
said I.
yes" she croaked. briefly. ION
Wednesday, the Devil sits on the
wheel"
I smiled. And yet you ara going
today" said. Has your luck
changed?"
at is always changing. Six months
ago i always Won on the dozens.
Nowadays I can never win there. 1
play the transversales -always the
transversales."
But on Wednesday" ] said. rather
amused. Surely it is playing in the
face Of Fate! Whatever can be your
object I'm nnging away good money
on your unlucky day?''
7 shall not fling away money" she
answered with a convincing air. Il
never do. / leave that 10 the tourists.
Mon dieu. what would the administra-
ton do without those English" and
she laughed a strange harsh laugh
as she hobbled along at my side.
Holding an official post It Is not my
policy 70 discuss IN public the action
nrby-Iaws OF the administration; there
fore 1 merely expressed a hope that on
shis occasion Wednesday would prove
fortunate.
~Ahi'' she said. Monte Carlo is the
r-aelstrom of the fortunes OF the
world-the mode and the demi-monde. 0"
Then. turning TO me. she eyed me
eurlously and added; You OF the
surveillance are shrewd enough, but
I hold tie secret which the tripot
would willingly pay half a million to
know"
Half a miinonr I exclaimed. prick
ing my ears. That's a large sum"
The assertion OF this eccentric old
woman was curious, yet reflected
that she was a little childish. and
often spoke at random, making all
sorts Of false charges against her fell
low players.
81 repeat that De Thezillat would
pay NE half a million at this moment
in exchange for my knowledge" she
declared
Then why don't you oner TO sell
this secret of yours il you consider II
50 valuable
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24
Antoine

day after day, an excited mob stood
watching every throw Of the three
players. and apDiauding as each coup
was made. From the second day q
this run Of luck an account had been
kept Of their gains, and the admins
tration was appalled, Do ind that al
ready they had placed nearly 5000
francs in their pockets
At last IL was decided 10 try the
same system as that being worked. so
one night, after the Casino was closed.
a dozen OF JIe chief officials, including
Mons. de Thezillst, the director. went
10 the table and commenced playing
on zero and afteTward d chevaI on
the numbers which The trio always
played together, the chances Of 6 and
a.
Ia an hour they had won. approx
mately. over 5000 fraucst From
that. all were confident that al last
sound system had been discovered.
Somehow. the three lucky players
got wind Of the fact that The directors
had privately tried the system. for
next morning Mother Vlau came q
me in my private office aHe without
apology, babe me suggest 10 the direc-
tor that he should pas 10 each Of ths
three ffty thousand francs fin ex-
change for the secret At first the offer
was Indignantly refused but the
threat that they Intended TO continue
playing until the Casino was ruined
caused De Thezillat 10 take immediate
counsel with NJ Blanc and hts feIIow-
directors, the upshot Of their delibera-
tons being that the ugly old woman
and her two companions were called
into the private bureau and paid the
sum greed.
M sieur," exclaimed Mother Viau.
as she thrust the notes into her worn
ont bag with a grin OF satisfaction,
you viii remember that you once re-
fused TO pay me seventeen louis that
were stolen from me. Well. Marfs
Wan Is no fool. Had you behaved gen
erously I would have sold you my
secret a month ago and saved the
Casino Heavy losses"
well madame. what IS the secret
OF your remarkable success the d.
rector inquired. eagerly. Upon what
calculation is your system based2"
1T Is not a system. yet IT is very
simple. laughed the hideous old wom-
an. 7 discovered II while playing e
month ago. and formed a small syn
dictate. II our winnings had not at
tracted your attention we might have
won millions"
But what IS it?" he demanded, i'm
patiently.
IF m'sieur will have the cylinder
tested he will find that IL is not quite
round. and. therefore. does not run
true" she answered, showing her three
yellow teeth as she smiled in triumph.
There is a fault In the rouletter'
This assertion dismayed us all. and
and De TheziIlat demanded further ex-
PLANTATION. The cylinder ar that table
was certainly new from the makers
at Strasburg a month before.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24


creJs OF Monte Carlo which
are never allowed to reach
the public.
II is, OF course. injurious
70 the Casino II ruined
gambler commits suicide IN the vi
entity, and therefore the sum OF 5OO-
600 francs IS yearly distributed 10 the
press. while the railway employees and
French postoffce officials each re-
oeive a qualification" Of 100 francs
month, To readers Of these remlnls-
cences IL may also be surprise 10
know that since 1877. uD TO the present
time, the average number Of suicides IN
s5s municipality of Monaco with us
k.OQ0 inhabitants has been more than
one daily! In other words, the Prince
Rouge ct Noir reigns over a larger
number Of the dead than the living.
The administration of the Cercle des
Etrangers may, of course, a1ect iS-
norance Of this unfortunate state OF
affairs. but one cannot fail 10 recog-
nize that .h's epidemic Of suicide Is
due TO the tables,
This story IS not. however, of sui
eides. but OF a combination Of cir
cum noes SO EE44leA- EA--Al-- a. ~
unparalleled IN the history OF the Ca
sino through the forty years Of It's
existence.
The prologue OF this curious drama
was enacted one october afternoon
two years ago. There were few play
srs that day. for the Riviera season
had not yet commenced, and the visi-
tors were mostly OF the professional
element, together with a fair sprin-
king OF Cookies. The air was bright
and baImy as. stroIling leisurely up
from, Ia Condamins upon the steep
road which leads TO the casino, l
overlook a decrepiJ old Lady Who,
neatly dressed in black was hob5iing
along bv the aid of her stick she
was Mother Niau, an inveterate gam
bier. and one OF the most prominent
characters freQuentiug the rooms.
Those who know Monte Carlo have
known her we'll by sight for years,
strange wizen-faCed. ugly old woman,
who seldom If ever sits down, but has
a habit Of standing behind the chair
OF the CroupIer at the end of the Ia
bic, and grooming TO herself as she
plays She is extremely lucky, ana
DlAGLLG14aE ma -t.- --H- AN ms Lg a-----
bling. or at least has gained sufficient
TO keep O. coy little fat down in la
Condamlue. Like most gamblers, she
was superstjrious, ana, although she
climbed Charles Mount regularly
At O'Clock every afternoon and re-
naeJned in the rooms till half-past ..
che had never been known 70 enter
be casino on a Wednesday. II was
Ter '.HluCky day.
WV. this was a Wednesday after
rlo2u- and, therefore. knowing her lit
&c seceutricitles so we'll 1 was sur
r-g1sd 10 see her climbing the hill
with her weu-worn capaciOus bag
purs- in her hand. 1 frequently chat
ted with her, because, being tribe
GRAZ. she was often extremely anus
ing. Indeed. her eccentricites and
her scathlng remarks uttered soto
voce often Afforded the greatest en-
tertainment to the croupiers, any lit
tie relief in the moH0tony OF their
work being welcome.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24
Irritated by Laugh.

She noticed my amusement and il
iTritated her.
You may laugh" she exclaimed
angrily. But one day you will O.
knowledge that what have said is
the truth Do Thezillat would willing
~ pay me half a million for my Sc
cret."
1T concerns the Casino-eh?" / in
quired, rejecting that II there were
really any truth IN her assertion 1. as
chief OF the surveillance, should know
something OF It.
Yes. It concerns the Casino"
a SYSTEM I hszarded.
SYSTEM" she echoed In a voice OF
whitening contempt. Il hav MT play
ed here for twenty years without
knowing that all systems are synony-
nous with ruin, I'm not <ooI
~ sieur."
II was on the point of my tongue
to remark that she was more OF an
idiot than a fool, but 7 remained ST.
lent and merely smiled.
We walked together 10 TIE entrance
Of the Casino. where l wished her
good fortune. and then strOIled across
TO the Met:opole
An hour later / noticed the ugly
old woman who had uttered this
strange prophecy standing behind one
Of the crOupiers playing with varying
fortune, but winning so little that
approached her. and with a smile
veutured 10 remind her that 1t was
Wednesday.
Yes. I know well enough" she
snapped. as she watched her piece on
the hrst four being swept away, but
l am content 10 lose and 10 wait"
A few days later / again saw her at
that center table which stands OppO-
site the pigeon hole where foreign
banknotes are chan sed. She stood
behind a young man. who, seated, was
intently registering tie numbers upon
those little ruled cards distributed. 10
known players. while she. bending
over. talked earnestly 10 him in that
low. mysterious whisper habitual 20
her
he was a pale-faced dark-complex-
toned young man Of about four and
twenty, whom ] had noticed about the
rooms for a week past. His play had
not been marked by any very great
success. but from the fact that I had
seen him in the vicinity al all hours
of the morning and quite late at night
I judged that he was living at one Of
the hotels in the principally.
For a few minutes 1 stood behind
them, but neither played. though both
were watching intently. The numbers
fell always in the last dozen, and, as
1 well knew. Mother Viau never play
ed on any number between twenty
five and thirty-six. She held them in
supersuti0us horror.
Suddenly, as the ball clicked into its
socket, the CrOupier cried;
HUT! Noir, pair et manque"'
Mother Viau's bony hands trembIed
with excitement as she watched the
young man before her take from his
pocket a note for 100 francs and toss
1t across to the crOUpier &c be placed
en- plein on the number eight
Those round the table smiled at the
holiness of this young man, a bold
ness undoubtedly begotten of inexpe-
rience. Had he put it on the frst
dozen he might, they thought, have
had a chance
''Messieurs, faites vos jeuxr'
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24
Pockets Bullying With Notes.

There is, OF course. some delay at
table where the bank IS broken;
therefore the young player, whose
run Of luck had been 80 remarks BILE,
rose YEARLY, and after exchanging
glances with his female vis-a-vls,
Mother Viau, and her neighb0r, stroll
ed alone about the rooms. his pockets
bullying with thousand-franc notes
He seemed to be sim preoccupied.
and throughout his success had not
apparently given him any great sat
isfactlon. As he strolled about his
exterior was calmer than that OF
many who win dozen louis, and
going out into the atrium, he smoked
a cigarette while strOlung up and
down.
Mother Niau passed him on her way
out. uttering some words of congra.J-
ulation, but he only laughed. And
then they parted.
The glances the pair exchanged
when the bank was broken had puz-
zled me. ! found myself wondering
If the gray-haired man. who also
played with thousand-franc notes,
was a friend Of the young Italians,
llEAt- SUMO StA~E iaA-b4A mat AAV F'e-'f
although the pair had not spoken Al
any rate, their run Of luck had been
astonishing.
Put Bordoni did not play again. He
stroued across to the Cafe de Paris,
drank = book alone. and smoked Gig
arettes while listening 10 the band.
He lett by the yellow" express for
Nice at O'Clock, and, the report
spreading that he had broken the
bank. quite a little host of the en-
vtous assembled about him on the
railway platform.
Next day. expecting that he would
return. looked for him in vain. Yet,
strangely enough, the bank was again
broken at the same table by the gray
haired man with the long slde-whis-
kers. who made his coups always on
zero. Mother Viau was there, OF
course, and she could not restrain an
expression OF wild glee when. time
after time, this strange man won
zero with a stake Of thousand
francs.
Three days passed, and Z saw Meth
eT OF the fortunate men. Even Mother
Viau did not appear, but on the
fourth BOrdoni came again. 1 smiled
within myself when 1 saw him IN a
suit OF dark tweed strOlling up the
room toward the table where he had
won so reavIly. The successful gam
bier is always so fascinated that the
temptation 70 renew play becomes
Irresistible Mother Viau was al
ready seated in the chair she had
occupied on the afternoon when the
young man had effected such a coup.
He went 10 the spot where he had
sat before. glanced at her with =
smile of recognition, and then flung
on his usual stake or a thousand
francs
He lost. 7 counted mis- losses, and
calculated that within half an hour
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24

the bank had received from him the
respectable sum OF 1900 francs.
Then he hesitated and did not play.
Presently he exchanged glances with
Mother Viau, and, with a strange,
mysterious smile. pushed some gold
on zero.
The friend Of the house" turned
UP, and he gained clear 600 francs
thereby causing a profound sensation
among the players. Then he com
meuced the tactics he mad adopted
on the previous occasion. playing a
cheval the numbers Y and Is and %
10 81, thereby winning many times.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24
How II Was Done.

The wheel AZ that table always -
peats itself on certain numbers" she
continued. The numbers are zero. g.
y, H. Is. l.. q, 2s, and 81. That being
the case we ran but little risk In
deed, the greater part OF our losses
We're pUrposely made, tn order not 10
attract the attention of the croupIers."
Within half an hour the new wheel
was removed from the table and
tested
II was at once prove1 that Mother
Viau's astounding revelation was cor
rect There was a slight fault i'm it.
a fault which had cost the administra-
ton OF the Cercle close on a million
francs.
Nothing more was seen OF the two
successful Italians, and even Mother
Niau Is satisfied with the result OF her
shrewdness, for, although she still
lives down In Ia Condamine. and
sometimes drops I'm at the afternoon
concerts, she is never now seen in the
rooms
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24

manning. found that it only amounted
To g.00r francs. a sum insufficient to
pay the winnings.
They rose. and all around knew that
the bank vas broken
Money was. Of course, quickly forth
coming TO pay the debt, and the on
lockers crowded around BOrdOni s
chair cOngratulatinE him
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24
Excited Mob at Casino.

Yet another week passed. and the re-
port spreading Of these wonderful
winnings caused the Casino to be
crowded TO excess. Around the table
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24

Copyright in Great Britain and tbs
United states, by VIM lie QueuxD
Copyright 1865 by W c. Chaumau1
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24
Sensational WINNING.
faites vos jeuzg'

- y \
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-09
THE DEMOCRAT.
81. 20 per year In Advance.
TELEPHONE 74-2.
LOCAL NEWS ITEMS.

Mrs. J. C. Squires is here for a visit
with her sister Mrs. John F. BOynton,
and with her daughter Mrs. Albert j,
Walker.
Mrs. H. r. Howells of Des Moines,
Iowa, is visiting in this city, the guest
of her friend Miss Matte Hutchison.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Raine visited
last week at the Murray home in Cal
anime.
Miss Emma Roger returned from
Milwaukee on Saturday, where she
has been for the past few weeks visit
ing with relatives and friends.
A valuable horse belonging to F..
w. Philips of the town of Mineral
Point was so badly kicked by another
horse that it was found necessary to
kill the injured animal.
E.. p. Lenahan has returned to
Spokane and Frank Lenahan to Vul-
can, Wash, after spending the holt
days at the home of their mother,
Mrs. p. Lenahan.
The third number in the entertain
ment course at the P. M. lecture room
on Wednesday evening was very
good, and highly entertained large
audience.
Rev. Thomas Kent preached at Bos-
loo +o1y
charge of the Congregational church
there for the present.
Mrs. Edith Harwick has been called
to Denver, on account of the death of
brother Bert, who died after an oper-
alton for appendicitis.
Charles Schlater of Marion, Iowa,
after spending New Years with his
grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs. John
Jeuck, returned to his home on Satur-
day.
The annual party of the Masonic
bodies of Mineral Point will be hold
on Tuesday, Jan. %. The marine
harp orchestra of Baraboo has been
engaged for the occasion.
Miss Mae Prince and the Misses
Emma, Grace and Luella Stephenson,
and Jack Stephenson enjoyed a pleas
ant drive to Dodgeville last Friday.
Fred Dunn and r. H. Beckerleg
started on Tuesday for Brownville,
Texas. They expect to visit old Mex
leo and the Pan Handle region before
returning home.
MIR. and Mrs. John Toms of Omaha
are in town visiting relatives and
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-09

organized for the season of '0S with
Harry Whitford as captain and Ber-
nard Tyrer as manager. The boys
have every prospect of a winning
team this year and they are unana-
nous in the decision that if constant
practise and working together will
count for anything, they twill be there
with the goods" and the reputation
that the school has had four winning
teams will still hold good.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-09

friends. They came here from Chica-
go, where they visited the parents of
Mrs. Toms, Mr.. and Mrs. W. J. Cox.
The Democrat regrets to learn that
Mr.. Cox, who has been in poor health
for a long time, is no better.
The exhibition of the Mineral Point
Poultry association at the city hall
hall this week has proved a great
success. The show of fine birds is
immense.
Mr.. and Mrs. Alvin Temby and
TIRES children are here from Des
Moines; the guests of Mr.. and Mrs.
John Temby.
Frank Day will go on Saturday to
Beloit, where he expects to remain for
about ten days, after which he will 90
to Lewiston, Montana, with the expec-
tation of remaining there.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Thrasher
came up from Beloit to attend the fu-
neral of Melvin Ching. They return
ed to Beloit on Wednesday.
Rev. P. Allen, Jr. will preach in
the P. M. church on next Sunday
morning, and Rev. VIM. Croft will
preach in the evening.
The W. G. T. U. will meet at the
home of Mrs. Lleweylln Dunn on next
Monday, Jan. 13, at 2:3O.
The home of Mr.. and Mrs. William
Fl. Jackson was delighted on New
Years day by fine baby boy.
After spending the Holidays with
his parents in this city, VIM. N. Jeuck
departed to resume his studies at St.
Francis Seminary.
W. T. Priestley has returned to
Hazel Green after spending the holi-
days here.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-09

~er-er-now looky yere, Mr.. Eastman,
l don't want to have no trouble with
you-it hain't never been my motto to
jump on to a little man till after I've
tried to scare him away-but I reckon
you'd better move along an leave me
before l forgft my traditions Come
around we're calm the refined an in
telligent people of this community
iconoclasts! Gosh dang it, I've a no
ton to-
"But really you are laboring under 8
grave misapprehension, my dear fel
low! | beg your pardon, but you evi
IDENTITY do not know what an iconoclast
isp'
Don't, harp" demanded the alkaline
citizen pugnaciously. How in sizzlin'
tawment do you know 1 don't? Why,
dad blame you, I've shot all kinds Of
varmints that ever wore hair betwiXt
the Kaw river an the Rio Grande-
iconoclasts an all! You go on now or
thar'u be one of the liveliest little two
men fights you ever heard about. An
when your friends pick you up an
bring you to your senses you'll tell 'em
you met a bear, an they'll believe
your
But, my dear
"Git.'
And the gentleman from New Eng
land got.-Harper's.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-09
A Radical Departure.

The most popular illustrated week
lies and monthlies are produced at
enormous cost. Competition for the
work of the leading authors and illus
TRAITORS has established a scale of ex-
pense that is almost prohibitive.
Yet in addition to its many attractive
features The Chicago Sunday Record
Herald furnishes its readers with a
Sunday Magazine which compares
tavorably with the independent peri
odicals in every way and has some
merits peculiar to itself. The most
famous writer's and illustrate contrib
ute to it. Fine paper and press work
and handy size make it a pleasure to
read this entertaining publication
which marks a radical departure in
Sunday journalism.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-09

ooh, my DEAR" said the new proud
mother to her husband, II wish you
could see the new baby across the
way. It's perfectly lovely. Such a del
icate, sweet little creature gas it is!
It's a perfect little cherub, with the
loveliest eyes, the sweetest little mouth
and the cunningest little nose. 1t looks
as if it had just dropped from heaven
and every tiny feature had been fash
toned by the angels"
us it as nice as our baby?" asked
her husband.
Mercy, no-not half!' was the en-
phatic reply that came from the vicfn-
ity of the dainty ruff1ed crib.-Ladies'
Home Journal.