A MILLIONAIRE'S FREAK.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2293, 5 January 1900, Page 6

A MILLIONAIRE'S FREAK.

M. Blanc, the founder of the Casino at Monte Carlo—which means really Monte Carle itself—was very eccentric. If he had ever been young there iB no record of the fact, for he iB always described a little old gentleman, clad in a long coat, and walking with the aid of a yellow cane, without which he was never seen during his waking hours. Though enormously wealthy he was excessively thrifty in trifling matters, and woold haggle like an old clothes man to Bave a franc on articles for his personal use, though he thought nothing of expending thousands of frunes in beautifying the Casino and the miniature city. He was never known ts.play at the tables, excepting on one occasion, and then it was a somewhat costly experience. While on a visit to Wiesbaden Casino with Mme. Blanc, he was in the habit of accompanying her on a morning stroll each day. During one of these walks madame complained of the heat of the sun, and requested her husband to buy her a parasol. According the two entered the shop, where madame selected a very pretty article, worth eighty francs—about £3 4s. which M. Blanc, with a scowl and muttered grumble, paid. . When the Casino opened at noon great was the astonishment of the croupiers and the visitors to seeM. Blanc place two louis on the red at one of the trente et quarante tables. The attendants hastened get him a chair. But this he declined, saying he was only going to remain a few minutes. When the cards were dealt he won, and taking up the winnings left the original stake on the table. For a second time he won, and had now got back the price of the umbrella. But not content, he ventured another two louis, which this time he lost. Somewhat annoyed at this, the founder of the place doubled the and won, thus getting back the cost Of the umbrella again. . .. Determined, however, to regain bis two louis, he staked them again, only to see them raked in bythe bank. Thus he kept on win-, nin g and losing, but never able to recover the two louis, till at last he found himself twenty-five louis out, all the gold his pocket book contained. A thousand franc note he had was. quickly changed and swallowed up. Then, becoming exasperated, he cashed his cheque for a large sum, and, sitting down; commenced the battle in earnest. Hour after hour passed, but M. Blanc, his eyes fixed on the treacherous paste-boards, never budged from his post. He kept on planking down heavy stakes until the last deal was declared, when, calmly rising, he seized his yellow cane and made biß way through the gaping onlookers into the open air. On reaching home he found Mme. Blanc playing " Patience " with a pack of cards, the offending parasol being on the table. " Madame." said the old gentleman, " do you know what that thing has cost me?" " Mais oui, mon ami. It cost you eighty franca."

" Madame," rejoined he, " you are mistaken. I have just paid the bill—9l,ooo francs."

Madame's sunshade had cost no less than £3,640.