_SPORTING-HOUSES_
We now come to a consideration of the so-called 'sporting-houses,'
otherwise, the firms who supply sharps with the appliances and tools of
their craft. These places are many, and, as a rule, prosperous. Their
dealings in 'advantage goods,' as these things are called by the
fraternity, are of course 'under the rose,' and the real nature of their
business is covered by the fact that they are supposed to be dealers in
honest commodities of various kinds. Some of these people keep
'emporiums' for the ostensible sale of genuine gambling appliances, such
as faro-tables, billiard-tables, dice, cards, &c. Others will run
businesses which are far removed from anything in the nature of
gambling. The cheating business is, of course, kept in the background,
although no great secret would appear to be made of it; the inference
being, one may suppose, that it is not criminal to sell these things,
although it is undoubtedly so to use them.
Until quite recently it was no uncommon thing to find advertisements in
certain of the American newspapers, to some such effect as 'Holdouts
and other Sporting Tools.--Apply to Messrs. So-and-So,' giving the name
and address. An advertisement of this kind would, of course, be simply
Greek to the majority, although the sharps would understand its meaning
readily enough. Upon applying to the advertiser, a sharp would receive a
voluminous price list, setting forth the manifold beauties and
advantages of the wares at his disposal, and showing conclusively that
no other dealer had things so good to sell, and that the advertising
firm was the most fair dealing and conscientious in the world, if their
own account of themselves might be trusted.
The first specimen of these literary and artistic productions to which
we shall refer is a very exhaustive affair; so much so, in fact, that
space will not allow it to be reprinted in its entirety. Besides
cheating appliances it quotes all kinds of genuine gambling tools, which
are of no importance to us in our present inquiry. Such parts, then, as
have no reference to cheating have been excised, to avoid crowding these
pages with unnecessary matter. The reader who has conscientiously
followed, and taken pains to understand the explanations contained in
previous chapters, will have no difficulty in arriving at a very fair
notion of the various items given, and the significance of much that,
otherwise, would possess no meaning for him. This catalogue is issued by
a firm in San Francisco.
THE ONLY
SPORTING EMPORIUM
ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
(_Name_) & (_Name_), COMPANY.
_DEALERS IN AND MANUFACTURERS OF_
Sporting Goods.
(_Address_) STREET,
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
_READ THIS! OUR TERMS ARE STRICTLY CASH_.
All orders MUST be accompanied by a deposit, and no order will
be entertained unless the deposit is indorsed or sent with the
order, to show a guarantee of good faith. On small orders send
the full amount, and thus save the double charges.
Goods sent C. O. D. ONLY where a deposit comes with the order
or guarantee from the Express Agent. All remittances can be
sent by Express, Mail, Post Office Order, Stamps, or Registered
Letter.
All business strictly confidential, and all inquiries answered
by return mail.
_WE WILL NOT DEVIATE FROM THE ABOVE TERMS_.
_Always say whether you want Letters and Goods sent by Mail or
Express._
(_Name and Address_.)
FARO TOOLS
DEALING-BOXES, plated $10 00
square, heavy German silver 16 00
" " " " plated 20 00
plated, sand tell 15 00
heavy German silver, sand tell 20 00
" " " plated, sand tell 25 00
side lever, heavy plated 50 00
square, size-up 60 00
end squeeze, plain 75 00
" " and lock up 100 00
" " plain, to squeeze top and bottom 85 00
" " lock-up, to squeeze top and bottom 100 00
balance top, plain 75 00
" " to lock up 100 00
end squeeze, lock-up and size-up 125 00
" " " " needle 125 00
latest style combination box, to work in four
different ways, size-up, end squeeze, and
needle, to lock up to a square box 175 00
shuffling board with needle 12 50
needle for table 2 50
very latest combination box to work in five
different ways, size-up, sand tell, end
squeeze, and needle, lock-up to a square box 200 00
In ordering, state exactly the kind of top that is desired,
also if the box is to have bars inside or to be without bars.
Our boxes are made with a view to simplicity, durability, and
finish, are guaranteed to work perfectly, and pronounced by
experts to be the best in the United States.
Boxes of any style made to order and repaired.
We are constantly making improvements in this line.
Lever boxes altered into end squeeze.
TRIMMING SHEARS, metal block $40 00
metal block, to cut, size-up, and the odd 50 00
latest improved, with extra set screw 65 00
LEVER PATTERN, metal block 40 00
to cut, size-up, and the odd 50 00
latest improved, with extra set screw 65 00
metal block, small size, suitable for travelling 35 00
" " " " to
cut, size-up, and the odd 45 00
latest improved, to cut, size-up, and the odd,
with extra set screw, and attachment, to
hold monte cards while trimming 75 00
In ordering shears or lever-pattern trimmers, state what kind
and style you want.
TRIMMING PLATES (new style), our own design, to
cut any size card, rounds or straights. A
knife, razor, or any other sharp instrument
can be used $7 50
CUTTER, for cutting round corners on cards
(something new), our own invention 20 00
for the odd only 20 00
Trimming shears sharpened and squared equal to new at short
notice.
You can do more and better work with our shears and trimmers
than any other manufactured in the United States. They are made
of the very best materials, and under our personal supervision.
The cutting parts are made of the finest steel, and forged by
hand, making them all that could be desired.
SHUFFLING BOARDS, very thin iron, broadcloth
cover $3 00
for the odd 15 00
FARO DEALING CARDS, best quality, either
squared or unsquared, per dozen 15 00
per deck 1 25
best quality, cut for size-up 1 75
cut in any form, either wedges, rounds, and
straights, end strippers, or any other kind,
ready for use, per deck 2 50
In ordering cards cut, always send a king or ace that fits your
box, or if your box is numbered, send the number, and state
particularly how you want them done.
Cash is required with all orders for trimmed cards.
HIGH-BALL LAYOUTS, 3 by 4 feet $6 00
Other sizes and styles painted to order.
HIGH BALLS, walrus ivory, each 20
boxwood 10
HIGH-BALL BOTTLES, leather, two in set, one
square, $2 50, one holdout $7 50 10 00
CLUBROOM FURNITURE
FARO TABLES $75 00 to $100 00
POKER TABLES, our own invention 250 00
DICE TABLES, electric, complete, our invention 150 00
POKER and DICE TABLE combined 350 00
GRAND HAZARD DICE TABLE, electric, complete,
our own invention 175 00
ELECTRIC DICE, 1/2 inch, each 2 50
IVORY DICE TOP, to throw high or low as required,
and one square to match 7 00
IVORY DICE, 1/2 inch, round or square corners, each 25
9/16 inch, round corners, each 35
5/8 " " " " 45
3/4 " " " " 80
IVORY DICE, 7/8 inch, round corners, each 1 25
1 " " " " 2 00
Horse for crap game, 1/2 inch, per pair 50
for top and bottom and 3 fair 1 00
3 high, 3 low, and 3 fair loaded (Eastern), per
set 6 00
loaded, our own manufacture, 1/2 inch, each 2 50
" " " " 5/8 " 2 75
" " " " 3/4 or 7/8 inch, each 3 00
In ordering dice, please state which side you want to come up;
also state if you want a square set to match. All kinds of
ivory dice made to order.
BONE DICE, per dozen 25c. to 50c.
DICE BOXES, leather 25c. and 50c.
smooth inside $1 00
KENO OUTFITS
KENO, consisting of globe and stand, 100 cards,
pegging boards, 100 pegs, ball board, 90
walrus balls and buttons, very fine $70 00
with boxwood balls, very fine 60 00
with walrus globes, plain globe 50 00
with boxwood balls, plain globe 40 00
INDICATORS, for registering cards sold 10 00
PULL-UP PEG BOARD, for 100 cards 20 00
KENO CARDS, 9 rows, 5 in a row, 100 cards 15 00
KENO GLOBE, for holding out extra balls 65 00
SHORT GAMES
VEST HOLDOUT, our own pattern $25 00
SLEEVE HOLDOUT $25 00, 30 00, 50 00, and 150 00
TABLE HOLDOUT, to work with the knee 15 00
THE BUG, to hold out extra cards from the table 1 00
TABLE REFLECTOR 5 00
REFLECTOR, in seven half-dollars 7 50
" in one half-dollar 2 50
REFLECTOR, in one dollar $3 50
" in pipe 5 00
" to work on any ring 2 00
" to fasten to greenbacks 2 00
" plain 1 50
" attached to machine, can be brought
to palm of hand at will 25 00
DUMMIES, to imitate a stack of twenties, used to
show in bankers' or money-brokers' windows,
to represent $100 $2 75
to represent $200 3 25
" " $300 3 75
" " $400 4 00
" " $500 5 00
NAIL PRICKS, each 50
ACID FLUID, for shading cards, 3 colours, very
fine and entirely new, complete with directions,
per set, 6 bottles 5 00
single bottle, any colour 1 00
MARKED CARDS
Per dozen 1 0 00
Per deck 1 00
Glazed backs, round corners, per dozen 1 4 00
" " " " " deck 1 25
By mail, 5 cents per deck extra.
STRIPPERS, cut to order for any short game, per
dozen 7 00
cut to order for any short game, per deck 75
By mail, 5 cents per deck extra.
In ordering these cards, state what kind of card preferred, and
be particular to give full directions--just what you want them
for, and what cards you want stripped.
* * * * *
The next catalogue to which we refer hails from the State of New York,
and is that from which extracts have been made during the progress of
this book. It is particularly amusing, and deserves careful perusal on
that account.
THE LATEST SLEEVE HOLDOUT
The finest machine in this country. All late improvements,
better made than some machines that are sold for $300. A better
machine than the Kepplinger, of San Francisco, holdout. Made of
fine and light pen steel, and works as well in shirt sleeves as
with a coat on. The machine is fastened in a double shirt
sleeve. The cards go in between the wristband and cuff. The
wristband and cuff closes up when the cards are in, and anyone
may look up your sleeve to your elbow and cannot see anything
wrong. The holdout is worked by spreading your knees. The
string runs through steel tubing that has capped pulley wheel
joints. The string cannot bind or catch, and will work smoothly,
easy, and noiselessly, every time alike. Give length of arm and
size of shirt worn when ordering. Price, $100. Will send one
C. O. D. $75, with privilege to examine, on receipt of $25.
KEPPLINGER VEST, OR COAT MACHINE
New, never before advertised. Made on same principle as the
sleeve holdout, and works by spreading knees. String goes
through adjustable tubing. Vest closes up tight when cards are
in, and looks to be all buttoned up tight. Works equally well
in coat. (This is almost a nickle-in-slot machine, and I
will guarantee perfect satisfaction to anyone that wants a
first-class vest or coat holdout.) Sent in vest all ready to
put on and work. Price $75. Will send one C. O. D. $60,
privilege to examine and try in express office, on receipt of
$15.
STUD POKER HOLDOUT
Very light and compact, works under any ordinary cuff. Cards
come out to palm of hand and go back out of sight. Works
automatically by resting arm on edge of table. Also a good
machine to cap the deck with. Price $30. Sent C. O. D. $20,
privilege to examine, on receipt of $15.
ARM PRESSURE VEST MACHINE
This machine weighs about three ounces, and is used half way
down the vest, where it comes natural to hold your hands and
cards. The work is done with one hand and the lower part of the
same arm. You press against a small lever with the arm (an easy
pressure of three-quarters of an inch throws out the cards back
of a few others held in your left hand), and you can reach over
to your checks or do anything else with the right hand while
working the holdout. The motions are all natural, and do not
cause suspicion. The machine is held in place by a web belt;
you don't have to sew anything fast, but when you get ready to
play you can put on the machine, and when through can remove it
in half a minute. There are no plates, no strings to pull on,
and no springs that are liable to break or get out of order.
This machine is worth fifty of the old style vest plates for
practical use, and you will say the same after seeing one.
Price $15. Will send one C. O. D. $10, with privilege to
examine, on receipt of $5. Will send one by registered mail on
receipt of price, with the understanding that you may return it
in exchange for other goods if not perfectly satisfactory.
ARM PRESSURE SLEEVE MACHINE
Same price and style as the arm pressure vest machine. (This
holdout is the lightest and smoothest working arm pressure
sleeve holdout made.)
TEN DOLLAR SLEEVE HOLDOUT
Light and compact, can be put on or taken off in two minutes,
works by raising and lowering your arm. A good machine for
small games. Sent by registered mail on receipt of the price.
AUTOMATIC TABLE HOLDOUT
Lightest made, fastens by patent steel claw. Can be put under a
table and taken off instantly, as there are no screws or
anything to fasten permanently. Works by knee, and brings the
card up on top of the table. Price $20. Sent C. O. D.,
privilege to examine, on receipt of $5.
_Notice._--I can make this holdout or my stud poker holdout,
either one, to work a fine reflector for reading the cards, at
same price.
TO SMART POKER PLAYERS
I have invented a process by which a man is sure of winning if
he can introduce his own cards. The cards are not trimmed or
marked in any way, shape, or manner. They can be handled and
shuffled by all at the board, and, without looking at a card,
you can, by making two or three shuffles or ripping them in,
oblige the dealer to give three of a kind to any one playing,
or the same advantage can be taken on your own deal. This is a
big thing for any game. In euchre you can hold the joker every
time, or the cards most wanted in any game. The process is very
hard to detect, as the cards look perfectly natural, and it is
something card-players are not looking for. Other dealers have
been selling sanded cards, or cheap cards with spermaceti
rubbed on, and calling them professional playing or magnetic
cards. I don't want you to class my cards with that kind of
trash. I use a liquid preparation put on with rollers on all
cards made; this dries on the cards and does not show, and will
last as long as the cards do. The object is to make certain
cards, not prepared, slip off easier than others in shuffling.
You can part or break the deck to an ace or king, and easily
'put up threes,' no matter where they lay in the deck. This
fine advantage works fine single handed, or when the left-hand
man shuffles and offers the cards to be cut. These cards are
ten times better than readers or strippers, and they get the
money faster. Price $2 per pack by mail, $20 per dozen packs.
If you order a dozen, I will furnish cards like you use.
CUFF HOLDOUT
Weighs two ounces, and is a neat invention to top the deck, to
help a partner, or hold out a card playing stud poker; also
good to play the half stock in seven up. This holdout works in
the shirt sleeve, and holds the cards in the same place as a
cuff pocket. There is no part of the holdout in sight at any
time. A man that has worked a pocket will appreciate this
invention. Price, by registered mail, $10.
RING HOLDOUT
Fits under any ring worn on third finger. A fine thing to top
the deck. You can hold as many cards as you wish in your hand,
and no one will mistrust you, as your fingers will be at
perfect liberty, and it is not necessary to keep them together
as you have to do when palming. Price, by registered mail, $3.
TABLE HOLDOUT
Very small and light. It can be put under and removed from any
table in less than half a minute. Works easily from either
knee. It will bring three or more cards up into your hand, and
take back the discards as you hold your cards and hands in a
natural position on top of the table. It is the best table
holdout made. Price, by registered mail, $10. Will send one
C. O. D., with privilege to examine, on receipt of $3.
THE BUG
A little instrument, easily carried in your vest pocket, that
can be used at a moment's notice to hold out one or more cards
in any game. Simple, yet safe and sure. Price 50 cents.
NEW MARKING INK
For line or scroll work. Any one can apply it with a fine steel
pen or camel's hair brush. This ink dries quickly and does not
require any rubbing. Will guarantee it to be the best ink made.
Price $3 per bottle. Two bottles, red and blue, $5. Best
shading colours, $2 per bottle.
REFLECTOR
Fastens by pressing steel spurs into under side of table. A
fine glass comes to the edge of table to read the cards as you
deal them off. You can set the glass at any angle or turn it
back out of sight in an instant. Price $4.
MARKED CARDS
First quality cards, hand marked, $1 50 per pack, $14 per
dozen. First quality cards, shaded plain or fine, $11 per
dozen. I can mark any style card you use if ordered by the
dozen packs. Strippers cut just as you want them. Price $1 per
pack.
LOADED DICE
Made of selected ivory loaded with quicksilver, and can be
shaken from the box so as to come high or low, as you wish.
With a set of these you will find yourself winner at all dice
games, and carry off the prize at every raffle you attend. Sold
in sets of 9 dice, 3 high, 3 low, and 3 fair. Price, per set
complete, $5.
DICE TOPS
For high and low. Sure thing. Made of best ivory, $4 Black
walnut, just as good, $1 25.
Eagle claw, to hold out cards in shirt sleeve. Price $5.
Knee holdout, to hold out cards from edge of table. Price $2
50.
Prong, improved, to use as cuff pocket. Price $4.
New method of marking cards like scratch work. This work leaves
a white line or mark on the card that cannot be shaded. Price
of material, tools, and full directions, $10, This is the kind
of work good men have been trying to get for some time.
NOTICE
It will _pay_ any man that plays cards to come and see my work.
I will meet you at Chatham, New York, and will pay all expenses
if I don't show you the _best_ goods made. If you want any
reference regarding my standing, write to ---- Bros., merchants,
or any business firm of this town. They don't recommend
advantage goods, but they will tell you that I am good for all I
advertise to do. If you want to get a holdout or anything in the
sporting line that you have ever seen used or advertised, write
to me about them and see how my prices compare with others. I
know all about every kind of advantage ever advertised, and am
getting new ones every day, but only advertise those I know to
be practical. If you send me an order, no matter how large or
small, I shall try to give you the worth of your money, so that
you will send again. I am the only manufacturer of holdouts in
this country. I am the only man who makes the holdouts he
advertises for sale himself. I will bet $500, ---- to hold the
money and decide the bet, that no other dealer advertising
advantage goods can make a sleeve or vest machine themselves as
good as either of mine. If you play cards it will pay you to
come here and see my machines work. I will pay all expenses if I
cannot show you the best holdouts made. Send money by registered
letter, postal note, or money order on Chatham, New York. Send
all orders to ----.
* * * * *
The educated man who does not smile at the bombast and 'Yankee-brag'
contained in the above, surely cannot have his risible faculties
developed in any degree whatever.
The next catalogue we shall notice comes from New York City itself, and
is couched in the following terms:--
OUR LATEST MARKED BACK PLAYING CARDS
Round corners, big squeezers, first quality linen stock,
warranted. Price, per pack, $1 25; six packs, $7; one dozen
packs, $12.
TO CARD PLAYERS
These cards are by far the finest-marked cards ever printed,
and are fully equal in every way, quality of stock, print, and
finish of both back and face, to any first quality square card
made.
This fills the long-felt want among the sporting fraternity,
and it is the best offer ever made to club-rooms and private
parties. They are new, and never before this season been placed
on the market.
They are especially adapted for fine work, and great care
has been given to the marking of both size and suit, and
it is almost an impossibility to find the marks and earn the
combination without the key and complete printed instructions
which we send with every pack; but when learned they are as
easily read from the back as from the face.
Nos. 1, 2, and 5 are marked in all four corners alike, so as to
be readily played by either right or left-hand players and are
marked on an entirely different principle than old style
stamped cards.
Attention is requested to our 'Montana,' No. 3, and to our
'Star,' No. 4. We furnish them in the colours mentioned and
used in all games throughout the entire country. Order the
cards by the numbers directly over them. Price, per pack, $1
25; six packs, $7; one dozen packs, $12.
We can furnish square cards to exactly duplicate Nos. 1, 2,
and 5, at $3 per dozen, by express.
Strippers of all these cards, for poker and all games,
furnished with either fair or marked backs. For prices and
particulars see our circulars. Address all orders to ----
* * * * *
The following is a hand-bill issued by the same firm as the last, and
specially addressed--
TO FARO DEALERS
We handle, and keep constantly in stock, all the latest and
best combination boxes, both end squeeze, top balance, lever
and side movement, etc., etc., but we make a speciality of our
own boxes, and recommend them to any one needing a _good
reliable box, that can be depended on at all times_. These
boxes are simple, durable, and by far the best boxes ever
placed on the market. We make them up perfectly plain, without
bars, have the bottom movement (entirely new), and they can be
locked to a dead square box by a table movement which cannot be
detected. We make our boxes up to lock by three combinations,
and we _guarantee them in every way_.
End squeeze, three combinations $100 to $125
" " without bottom movement 100
Top Balance, bottom movement, three combinations 100
Needle or 'spur tell' for the odd, bottom movement 65
" " " " without bottom movement 50
We also make an end squeeze that no one can tell from a square
box, as the end of box is immovable, the metal of the end being
thinner than rest of box, being able to spring or give as it is
pressed, and doing the work. This is one of the finest boxes
ever made. Price $100.
We also make plain tell boxes, without bars, _which can be
charged_ [query '_changed_'] from a square to a tell box in an
instant without the possibility of detection, and we will
guarantee that no one can find the combination. (Do not
confound these with the ordinary lock-up sand tell box.)
Our boxes are perfect in every particular, and will do the
work. The cards for these boxes are specially prepared by a
machine which takes the place of sand and all kinds of
preparation. They are by far superior to any cards sanded or
prepared by hand. Our manner of preparing cards for these boxes
is by having the twelve paint cards prepared, so by playing in
the high card _the money is won without creating suspicion_, by
being always actually on the card with the work on.
Price $25
With six packs prepared cards 35
* * * * *
These are the instructions sent out with the fluids used for marking
cards. The spelling must not be criticised. It is similar to that of the
original:--
'DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING AND USING OUR COLORS.
'Take the color that comes nearest to the color of the card you
want to use it on, put a few drops in an empty bottle, and
dilute with Alcohol untill you get a Shade as near like the
Card as possible. To avoid spilling, as sometimes happens in
trying to pour or drop, the dye may be lifted out of the
bottles with the brush, by repeatedly dipping the brush into
them, and then wiping the brush on the mouth of the empty
Bottle. It is better to put the Alcohol into the empty bottle
_first_, then when you lift the dye out on the brush you can
dip the brush right in the Alcohol, and tell better when you
have the right shade. As you mix the colors, try them on a
surface like that on which you may intend to use them, in this
way any shade may be obtained. Always bear in mind that the
Colors show _deeper_ when _moist_, (as is the case when they
are first put on), and become fainter as they dry, and when dry
if they are _too light_, go over them again. Eveness is more
apt to be obtained by using a little lighter shade of color
after the first application.
'A little care and practice will enable any one to handle these
colors satisfactorily.
'In marking you can pick out any number of figures from four
to six, having them as near the upper left hand corner as
conveneient, a Flower which has 5 leaves is best, or the right
number of figures in a circle.
'Shade all the figures except No. 1, leaving it light or
natural for the Ace, No. 2 light for King, No. 3 light for
Queen, No. 4 for Jack, No. 5 for 10 spot, 1 & 2 light for 9
spot, 2 and 3 for 8, 3 and 4 for 7, 4 and 5 for 6, 5 and 1 for
5, 2 and 5 for 4, 2 and 4 for 3, and 3 and 5 for 2. In doing
_very nice work_ we shade the entire back of the card _except_
the _figure_ which denotes the size and suit.
'For suit pick out two figures near those you use for size,
and have _both dark for Clubs_, and both light or natural for
Diamonds, have one of them dark for Spades; and the other dark
for Hearts. With six figures the combination runs similar to
the five figures which we have ezplained, and a four figure
runs the same down to the seven spot. After a little practice
you will see many ways of marking your cards.
'The Dyes we use are the Diamond Package Dyes, and can be had
of most any Druggist. Make the Dyes according to Directions on
the package, using only one _half the quantity of water_
directed, and strain through a cloth, if there is any sediment
in the dye after adding the Alcohol strain it again as it is
necessary to have it as clear as possible. Do not try to use
the dyes without the Alcohol, or it will be a failure, as it is
the Alcohol which causes the Dye to strike into the card.
Always keep the bottles well corked when not using them.
Brushes and bottles should be kept clean, and if the brushes
are washed in water, they must be thoroughly dried before
using, as water will blister smooth, calendered surfaces. Never
let your brush get dry when using, but dip it occasionally,
care being taken not to have too much on the brush, and use
immediately, if the alcohol evaporates from the dye it makes a
much eifferent colour.'
* * * * *
The foregoing price-lists, &c., as may be expected, are all printed. It
is not always, however, that the dealer in 'advantages' goes to the
expense of print in connection with the documents he issues; he
sometimes uses the cyclostyle or mimeograph, particularly in the case of
directions for use accompanying the various articles in which he deals.
When, in this way, he has no longer the friendly aid of the compositor
or the printer's reader, his vagaries of grammar and construction are
revealed in all their primitive innocence. To commence one of his
sentences is like embarking upon an unknown sea, or following a
half-beaten track through a desert. Onward the course runs, apparently
for ever, and no man can tell when the end is coming, or what it is
likely to be. Pelion is piled upon Ossa, and Parnassus is over all.
A few days ago two or three of these documents were sent to be copied
out in type, so as to be somewhat legible for the printer; and, as an
evidence of their singularly explicit nature, it may be mentioned that
the typist was under the impression that they were all parts of one
document, and copied out the whole as one, without break from beginning
to end. Such a thing, of course, was quite excusable under the
circumstances, as the reader may judge from the following example of how
not to do it. The entire manuscript consists of one sentence only, so
far as punctuation is concerned, and is supposed to contain directions
for the use of the prepared cards mentioned upon pp. 223-227. It runs to
this effect:--
'Directions.--When you part the pack to shuffle press down a
trifle and the cards will part to an Ace (the Ace will be on top
of the lower part) put that part with the Ace on top and part
again to another Ace now shuffle in all but the four top cards,
part the cards again to the third Ace and shuffle in all but the
top four cards, then put three cards on top of the last Ace
(this puts up three Aces with three cards between them and three
on top and is for a four handed game) if one more or less than
four are playing shuffle in one more or less cards, (always have
as many cards between and on top of the Aces as there are
players excluding yourself) when the left hand man deals and
offers the cards to you to cut you can shuffle them up in the
same way (but you must put "one less" card on top of the three
Aces to get the Aces yourself)'
Presumably this is the end of the 'instructions,' as there is no more
matter to follow; but one cannot be surprised that an unhappy typist,
endeavouring to make sense of it, should follow straight on to the next,
under the impression that the general effect of disjointedness thus
produced was part and parcel of the whole occult scheme.
The directions sent out with the 'Jacob's Ladder' vest machine are very
similar in character to the last. There is, however, one 'full-stop' in
this case, probably the one which the typist was looking for. This is
the manner in which the dealer instructs the purchaser in the use of his
machine:--
'DIRECTIONS FOR VEST MACHINE
'Fasten the Belt around your waist so that the Machine will
come on left side far enough from the edge of Vest to let the
cards go back out of sight. Pin the under lap of Vest on the
edge to the belt opposite the third or middle button, if you
are a large man or if you want the mouth of the M- to come out
farther, turn down the screw on front part of Lever, to hold
out 3 cards place them back of a few others held in left hand
with a break or opening between them on the lower ends, press
against the lever with the lower part of arm and as the mouth
of the M- comes out to the edge of Vest put the cards in (let
your little finger come against the lower side of the mouth)
this will be a guide and you can put the cards in without
looking down, (a good way is to reach over to your checks or to
"put up" with right hand while working the Machine) less than a
1/2-in. pressure will throw out the cards'
The instances above quoted will be sufficient to give the reader a fair
notion of the barefaced manner in which these nefarious dealings are
carried on. There is no beating about the bush in any instance; no
hiding away of the real intent with which the goods are supplied. They
are not called cheating-tools in so many words, but no attempt is made
to smother up the actual nature of the articles. The dealer does not say
'Special Cards,' or 'Comical Cards,' or anything of the kind. He puts
the matter plainly before his customers, and says, 'Our Latest Marked
Back Playing Cards!' There is no mistaking his meaning; he is proud of
it, and likes to let the world know the kind of things he has to sell.
'And where are the police all the while?' you ask. Echo answers 'Where?'
and that is the only reply which is forthcoming. They must know of these
places where the implements of robbery are made and sold; yet, as a
rule, they appear to take no notice of what is going on. Now and again,
in those places where the regulations are particularly strict, they have
a spasmodic burst of activity; and then the dealers lie low for awhile,
until all is quiet again. Occasionally it may happen that some dealer,
whose advertisements have become too flagrantly palpable, is pounced
upon and compelled to desist; but even when such a person is obliged to
close his business altogether, he simply migrates to the next State, and
supplies his former customers through the medium of the Post Office.
Very little hardship is entailed upon him, as those who deal with him
are necessarily scattered far and wide in various parts of the world,
and the stock is not very difficult to remove.
The 'Express Offices' in America must surely know all about this kind of
traffic, since they allow the swindling machinery to be tried in their
depôts. The C.O.D. system is ample evidence of their connivance.
In sending marked cards through the post, a whole pack is seldom
despatched in one parcel. As a rule they are sent a few at a time. This
proceeding avoids the payment of duty upon them, effecting a
considerable saving sometimes. Other articles are described as sample
parts of machinery, and duty is paid upon them in accordance with their
value.
The system upon which the business of these firms is conducted shows
that not only have they sound commercial instincts, but also that they
know their customers particularly well, and have had experience of the
class of people with whom they have to deal. They are prepared to send
their goods on approval at any time, but on condition that they receive
a certain amount of cash with the order, or at any rate the equivalent
of cash, and a guarantee of payment of the balance on delivery. The fact
is, they take good care to let no article go out of their hands until
they have been paid a little more than it is really worth; and,
therefore, if the sharp who purchases it should prove so forgetful of
his obligations as to neglect payment of the remainder, the dealer still
makes a profit. As one firm states upon the cover of its price-list, _We
will not deviate from the above terms_--and they don't. Cash on delivery
is what they require, or, as it is usually abbreviated, 'C.O.D.' There
is a good deal of C.O.D. about these transactions, in more ways than
one.
In spite of their supposed 'cuteness' one often finds that sharps are
as apt to be inveigled into the purchase of worthless articles by means
of bogus advertisements as any of their dupes. In certain of the
American papers the following advertisement was at one time often
seen:--
'Electric cards, as used by professional gamblers. $1,00, &c. Apply--.'
On sending his money to the dealer, the sharp would receive a common
pack of cards, with the same instructions as those sent out with the
varnished cards which slip at the aces (p. 304). A separate slip was
enclosed, however, which informed him that these cards would only retain
their electricity for twenty-four hours. He was, therefore, advised to
buy a battery wherewith to recharge (?) them; for the sum of $30.00.
When he had made this additional purchase, he found what a little
knowledge of electricity would have told him at first, that he had been
'had on toast.' Honour among thieves, again!
Among the dealers in 'advantages' there are some humourists. One man who
kept an 'emporium' for the sale of these things in New York City, but
who was moved into an adjoining State by the police, used to have his
envelopes embellished by the semblance of a bull dog, and the motto 'We
still live.' Not bad, is it?
The price lists issued by this same individual were in the form of
pamphlets, and contained very exaggerated descriptions of his apparatus
and the results produced thereby. Interspersed with the more prosaic
details of his wares, one found now and again wise saws or proverbs,
altered to suit the tastes of his patrons. Some of the choicest of these
'modern instances' ran as follows:--
'A bug is far above rubies.'
'A holdout in the vest is more use than snide jewelry in the pocket.'
'Get proper tools and use them with discretion, and you will win and
last.'
And so on. This kind of thing exhibits the lighter and brighter side of
the sharp's nature with much vividness.
The reader may have noticed, at the end of one of the price-lists, that
the dealer is able to give references as to his trustworthiness to
respectable firms 'who don't recommend advantage goods.' This will not
be a matter for surprise when it is understood that the man is supposed
to be an honest tradesman carrying on a reputable business. In all
probability his referees would have no idea as to the sort of person to
whose _bona fides_ they are attesting. On the other hand, of course,
they may know all about it, in which case they are manifestly no better
than the man they are recommending. Still, even in that event, the
reference is quite good enough for the sort of people who are likely to
be buyers of swindling apparatus. The author has a few dollars' worth of
this kind of thing; so perhaps the reader may be inclined to observe
that 'Dwellers in glass houses,' &c. However, that's another matter.
This book would never have been forthcoming if the author had any
objection to a few pounds finding their way into the pockets of those
who don't deserve them. The end must justify.
The fact that these people should be allowed to carry on their trade in
the way they do is nothing short of a standing disgrace to America and a
satire upon civilisation. All men have an admiration for America, though
some may only half express it. Let her only be true to herself, true to
her traditions, and true to her _origin_; let her deal firmly with
those who mar her fair fame; let her learn to cherish that which is best
and brightest among her children, and she will one day become the glory
of the world--but that day is not yet.