The Washington herald., 1908-02-15

New York, Feb 4-Herman Lancut,
whom stuss and pinochle had robbed of
his musical career, and from whom they
had taken his wife and his two little chill
dren, killed himself to-day in an East
Side tenement. He had closed all the
doors of his room. turned on the gas.
and had laid down to die. When they
found him he lay dead on the bed. In his
hands rested his violin, his dearest pos
session, and the only one that he had
saved from the wreck, and near him a
kitten played unharmed by the gas which
filled the room.
Two days ago, after his position. his
savings. his helpmate's savings and her
jewels had gone 10 satisfy his passion
for gambling. his wife. and his two little
children had been compelled to leave and
so home to the womans mother. After
that there was nothing left but the gas.
Herman Lancut came to this country
ten years ago. His only capital was the
command of six languages, a strong am
bition to be a great violinist. and, most
valued of ALL the violin which his father
had given him. He did not have many
friends, and the best position he could get
was in the orchestra Of the Cairo He had
come from Austria-Galicia and the first
violin in the orchestra. old David Gross,
was a native OF the same place.
Plans Brilliant Career.
Between the old musician and the young
one. whose ambitions took him far be-
yond the position Of the member Of a
cafe orchestra. there grew up a strong
friendship. The old man took the young
one TO his home and introduced him 10
his family. He spent almost every even
ing there while Gross practiced his music
with him and discussed with young Her
man the career which he was to carve
out for himself with his violin
After two years young Lancut married
Gross eldest daughter, Lillian. They went
TO live in East Houston street. Herman
furnished a pleasant fiat there and they
pTOspered Every year for a while the
young musician seemed TO be getting
nearer the career of which he had dream
ed. In the meanwhile the two children
We're born, Abraham. the elder who is
now five years old, and has already be-
gun TO show his fathers talent on the
violin. and Adeline. the younger, now four
years old.
It was a year ago. when the savings
which they had started for the children's |
education We're assuming a respectable
size that Herman began to develop new
habits In his idle moments before he
had spent his time in his home, pTac-
ticing on his violin and playing with the
children. He then seldom returned home !
except 10 sleep and often did not 60 home !
till daylight When he did return he was |
haggard and wan The children began to |
ask their mother questions about their /
father which she could not answer. Stuss |
and Dinochle, which flourish along East |
Houston street. had got him in their grip. /
seeks to ReeOup Losses.
Each time that he lost he went back /
TO recoup. and each time he went back /
he lost more. Finally the savings which /
We're to have been for the children went /
the way of the rest over the stuss table. /
Not only did the money 50, but in his I
anxiety TO get back what he had lost /
Herman neglected his work
Two weeks ago he returned home more /
downcast than ever before He had lost /
his position. he told his wife. but he did /
not have the courage TO tell her the rea- |
SON The union had crowded him out. /
nc said, and he could not get another /
job until he joined II. That would cost f.
him 800 Would Lillian give it to him? /
She told him that the only money she /
had was the 500 that she had saved for /
the cildren.
well. give me that" said Herman. Il /
must have work" She drew II out OF the !
bank and gave it to him. He went TO /
the stuss table with II that night. He /
came back in the morning and when his /
wife saw the look on his face she knew 4
what had happened. The 800 which she /
had saved for the children had gone the /
way OF all the rest He pleaded for one /
more chance.
IF I could get $50 I could get back all /
that 1 have lost" ne told her. and |
enough more 10 start over again. Then /
] will stop
Pawns All Her Jewels.
She took the jewels which he had given
her during the ten years that they had |
been married pawned them, and gave
him the money which she received. It
amounted TO $50. When he came back
ear ~ tiF next mus lltilb lC lbuiu utt anu /
the children waiting for him. Without a
word he grabbed a razor which lay near
by and started for young Abraham.
Il will XIII them both and YOU" he said.
"and hen I Will kill myself"
She was stronger than ne now, and she
to take the razor away from
him and 10 quiet him. He promised her
that nothing like that should ever hap
pen again. Each day after that for a
week he went out TO look for work."
but each time he went some household
valuable disappeared and never came
back The children were hungry and
2. two days ago. Lillian could stand
longer
man." she said. Il am going TO
he children and go TO my mother. L
re hungry, Herman"
an had no reply TO make, except
1y; I guess that is the better
,od it for two days, but last night
stand il no longer He put what
OF the furniture in order. read
letters in his desk, and arranged
neat piles Then he closed the
all the windows, turned on the
bar, 10 7ou-F1 n die