Chinese Gamblers in Mauritius.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 220, 27 January 1874, Page 7

Chinese Gamblers in Mauritius.

Sometimes after losing his ready cash a Chinaman will stake his stock and trade — and lose. I remember an' instance of this reckless gambling mania. A shop close to my house was owned by a very respectable Chinaman,' a quiet fellow, who had his place well stocked with groceries, wines, &c, and owned one assistant, a boy of about twenty, as quiet and steady as his master.' For a few days his shop was shut, much to the inconvenience of his neighbours ; and on inquiry, T found it Was the annual festival, and both master and man had attended it. At length Mr Lung l?o: re'opened, hut, to everyone's astonishment,, he was busy sweeping out his shop, •and weighing out charcoal and lard to the customers, while the youngster sat leisurely smoking his pipe and making up the daybooks. It appeared that they had been Rambling from the time they left home. Lung Fohad lost to his servant all his money, ; his whole stock and house ; and then having nothing more wagered himself, and if he lost he was to be the servant of the other—and he did lose. But there was no appearance of triumph on the boy's face ; master and servant .reversed, their-, places w'th the most perfect san/j frt)id. — c ' Bab-Tropical Rambles, ''- by Nicholas Pike.