A TRUE STORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1691, 20 October 1887, Page 3

A TRUE STORY

Moro'enr Micromegaa Is a very clever oot: juror, end well known m all the Paris saloiis for hia skill iv handling a pack of card?. Early one morning au elderly gentleman called upm biro, and after giving hie name, addressed blrn as follows : "Sir, I haye come ti aek a great favor ; I have a son twenty-two years of ape."— "A youug masher ?"— " He Is pr-BMonately aidioted to gambling and has already loat 35,000 francs. Now I wish io «mte him by horrJanpathio treatment "— " Plena*) to explain." — Monßieur.Mlcromegap,'! kn'o* you by repu'atiou aa ;a -clever 'conjuror and an honeat man. I have eomo to ask yon to cure my son."—" How am I to do it V'~— "It Is quite Bltnple. Go to the S Club. There you will find my son. Invite him to a game of cards. Cheat, double-shuffle, conceal a paok up your eleeve, play any Bort of trio's upon him you lik% but at allevents get him to lose a large cum of money." ."Sir, that is a > delicate mission, I accept It, however, m appreciation of your confi* i denoe." The same evening tbe con- > jurer encountered the young man, played, cheated and won 50,000 francs from him. Though receiving a liberal allowance from bis father, this was a larger sum that he happened to have m his pecket-book. Returning to hia lodgings more dead than alive, he there peuned tbe following note : " Dear father, I am m great trouble I have been playing at the club and lost 50,000 franca. My honor and my life are at stake. Will you help me ? The money has to be paid at 5 p m." At one o'olook no reply bad come. Getting desperate he was about to load his revolver when there waa a ring at the door. It was his father. "My boy, I got your note. A serious business this 1 However, as my honor Is as muoh involved as your own, I will see yon out of the scrape but on one condition viz., that yon never again touch a oard m your life, Promise me tbat." The young man gave his eolemn promise, and Bfterwardß trotted off to M. Mioromegas and paid his 50,000 francs. An hour later the. conjurer called npou the father to repay the money. And for the distinguished service he had rendered to a reapeotable family he would acoept pc, reward, V Journal Poor ftiro." •