Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1891 — THEY SWALLOW THE BAIT. [ARTICLE]

THEY SWALLOW THE BAIT.

Stories of Big Winnings Bringing Crowds to Monte Carlo. It was a lucky day for the imyiagers of the Monte Carlo Casino when, in studying how to avoid being bled by journalistic blackmailers, they hit upon the plan of devoting part of tho'r illgotten gains to the formation of what Prince Bismarck would have called the “reptile fund” for the purpose of subsidizing the purchasable press in their interest. Since that time the world has been edified from time to time by circumstantial accounts of the most tremendous runs of luck on the part of frequenters of the Monte Carlo tables, and winnings have been reported as of common occurence sufficient to break the bank though it had been backed by the Rothschilds. That these ingenious baits have been swallowed is apparent from the increased attendance at the salons. The latest story of the kind was to tho effoet that the Duchess of Montrose had left Monte Carlo richer by 250,000 francs than when she arrived there. Following tTpon this announcement came a rush to the famous gambling place, tho crowds being ixrger than ever known there before. The receipts of the bank in the last month have been something fabulous. As one result there have been no less than seven suicides of "mined players since May 1. The last self-mur-der to be recorded is that of a Bavarian banker, who is said lo have lost a million francs of his own and his clients’ money.