The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-11-28

ting in his quarters endeavoring to re-
sist the game that was calling him he
began to argue with himself
THE colonel win not descend to set
a watch on the gambling house to
catch any Of his officers who may
play there. Therefore how is he to
know If his order is disobeyed? No
officer will inform on another; citizens
take no interest in the matter. while
the proprietors desire the presence Of
all persons who have raeans."
There being no one but himself to
reason with and he and himself being
on the same side. the argument was
convincing Within half an hour be
was tossing pieces of money on the
tables In the salon. most of which the
croupier dragged In to the credit of
the bank. He played with varying
luck for an hour. at the end Of which
he staked all he had left on the red.
He won. Leaving his stake and his
winnings where they were. the ball
ratified on the roulette wheel, spun
around merriiy and won for the red
again. Wechtell decided not to risk
a third time all he had with him and
was about to stretch forth his hand
to grasp the amount when. looking up.
he saw the eyes Of his commanding
officer bent upon him.
Now as to the colonel's being there
he was too much Of a gentleman to
go there to learn if any of his officers
were disobeying his order. Then what
could have drawn him? Nothing less
than relapse. Gambling with those
who are naturally constructed to be
gamblers is one Of the most enslavin,
of passions. Colonel Won Hollert had
been seized with desire to play
which was Irresistible. Not even the
disgrace attending his breaking his
own order couldaprevent his going to
the gambling house. He bad but just
arrived and was feeling In his pock-
cts for stake when he saw WechteIl
Won Hollert would have withdrawn.
but 1t was too late Wechtell thought
only of his own position. Why the
colonel was there he did not ask him
self. The hand stretched forth to
grasp the money on the red was with
drawn. Its owner argued that though
the colonel saw him at the table nj
may not have seen him put down a
stake. This might save him.
The man who makes the announce
ments called out in his monotonoua
way, 1.-THE red has Won" Wechtell
did not even hear him. He sat pre-
tending to be mere locker on. leaving
bis winnings where they were The
red won again and again, and there
was heap of gold pieces before the
young officer. Then the colonel said
to him.
Take your winnings and go to your
quarters"
Wechtell. seeing that his subterfuge
had been ineffective, obeyed the order,
filing his pockets with the money
Going out the colonel touched him on
the shoulder and said, Report In per-
son at my headquarters tomorrow
morning at 8 O'clock"
When the lieutenant reached his
quarters he called in his two most In.
Innate friends and told them of the
situation. None Of the three could
fathom the colonel's presence at the
gambling house. He was not the man
to go there to spy upon his subordi-
mates, and such an act would have
been unmilitary. He could not have
gone there to play in the face Of his
own order against others playing.
Not one Of those discussing the matter
surmised that so great had been the
temptation that 1t had overwhelmed
all other considerations.
One OF Wechtell's friends advised
him to send In his resignation at once
and not obey the colonel's order to re-
port at headquarters. This, he argued.
would simplify matters. Quite likely
the lionel would recommend It's &C.
cenfanca fnr. 70 prafer charges AGAINST