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The Gaming Table by Andrew Steinmetz, Volume II

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Anecdotes Of The Passions And Vicissitudes Of Gamesters

Being always pre-occupied, gamesters are subject to a ridiculous
absence of mind. Tacitus tells us that the Emperor Vitellius was
so torpid that he would have forgotten he was a prince unless
people had reminded him of it from time to time.[8] Many
gamesters have forgotten that they were husbands and fathers.
During play some one said that the government were about to levy
a tax on bachelors. 'Then I shall be ruined!' exclaimed one of
the players absorbed in the game. 'Why, man, you have a wife and
five children,' said the speaker.

[8] Tanta torpedo invaserat animum Vitellii, ut si principem eum
fuisse non meminissent, ipse oblivisceretur. Hist., lib. iii.

This infatuation may be simply ridiculous; but it has also a
horrible aspect. A distracted wife has rushed to the gaming
table, imploring her husband, who had for two entire days been
engaged at play, to return to his home.

'Only let me stay one moment longer--only one moment. . . . . I
shall return perhaps the day after to-morrow,' he stammered out
to the wretched woman, who retired. Alas! he returned sooner
than he had promised. His wife was in bed, holding the last of
her children to her breast.

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