The Hartford republican., 1913-09-12
BIG STAKES ARE UP
Gambling In Fashionable West
End, London, Heavy.
Many Women Are vIetims-one Loses
Trousseau Money sent by Her Fs-
ther In indIa-Eine Free
Meals for kosers.

Londop.-An investigation by the
standard has produced abundant evi-
dence that q certain area Of fashion
able London is infested with gaming
establishments, some open from early
afternoon to early morning. In and
around Piccadilly, ST. James street,
Gackyille street, Hyde Park corner
and Sloane street the gambling hells
flourish. Large sums frequently are
expended for suitable accommodation.
In one instant a young ofIicer living
near St James paiace was able to
: jet his fiat Tor ego CSi00) night for
six weeks, he himsslf going to live
at one Of the hotels in Northumber.
1apd avenue.
- While there is NO suggestion OF
cheating at these places, gradually the
capital of both winners and losers ID
absorbed by the "kitties' or percent
age of the house"
Several girls who recently made
their debut in society and many young
married women are to be found In
three OF the gambling houses near
Bond street. Some of these young
women are very lucky, but the unac-
countable possession OF large sums OF
money often results in trouble with
the mother or husband.
One case in point is that OF man
occupying an important post in India.
Last Christmas he sent his daughter
lR26O ($l,25O) to enable her to buy the
frOusseau for her approaching mar
fiage Accompanied by her sister, the
girl came to London on a shopping
expedition. On the way they called
on a cousin who took the two sisters
to q restaurant for lunch. The con-
versation turned on card playing and
the bride-elect expressed desire to
see one of the places where gambling
WAS carried on.
Nothing is easier" said the cousin.
Occasionally i have a 'futter' my
self"
In half an hour the cousin was deep
IN Q "ohemin de fer" The two sis
tsrs soon followed her example, and
within an hour the trousseau money
had disappeared and a note for fS5
$685., signed by the widowed sister,
vas IN the hands o: the house The
London cousin was unable to help, SO
there Was nothing for it but to write
home The mother sent an angry let
tsr and q check for $500 ($1,500), all
she could raise at her bank. A day or
two later the sisters returned home
and tearfully confessed that the f30O
likewise had gone in an attempt to
recover the first amount. The we'd
ding has been postponed indefinitely.
The wife of q member Of parliament
n known to have squandered in card
Staying three or four times the f40O
(S2,O00) her husband receives In re-
&arn for his services to his country.
She has confessed to losing 1.450
(S7,160) since the end of last year.
Ang house close to the Brompton ora,
tory. is practically destitute and has
the brokers In her home at the present
time.
These card houses are not the
worst places in London for gam
blers," said a we'll known broker. In
some private houses the stakes are ex-
cssdingly high, whereas in many reg
uiar gambling places lots Of punters
seldom win or lose more than E5
($25). Out Of that the punter pays
I'VE per cent, and has a good supper |
free and all his drinks. There is al |
ways a table covered with cold meats
and raised pies. Sometimes oysters
are provided, also cups Of soup and ex-
cellent wines. Every kind OF drink I;
and table water Is to be had. The !
loser of s1O $50, also gets his sup.
per and drinks without charge. Stop ,
the present lot of gambling and there'l !
be others going within six months.