It is not surprising that a people so intensely speculative, excitable,
and eager as the Americans, should be desperately addicted to gambling.
Indeed, the spirit of gambling has incessantly pervaded all their
operations, political, commercial, and social.(85) It is but one of
the manifestations of that thorough license arrogated to itself by the
nation, finding its true expression in the American maxim recorded by Mr
Hepworth Dixon, so coarsely worded, but so significant,--'Every man has
a right to do what he _DAMNED_ pleases.'(86)
(85) In the American correspondence of the Morning Advertiser, Feb. 6,
1868, the writer says:--'It was only yesterday (Jan. 24) that an eminent
American merchant of this city (New York) said, in referring to the
state of affairs--"we are socially, politically, and commercially
demoralized."'
(86) 'Spiritual Wives.'--A work the extraordinary disclosures of which
tend to show that a similar spirit, destined, perhaps, to bring about
the greatest social changes, is gaining ground elsewhere than in
America.
Although laws similar to those of England are enacted in America against
gambling, it may be said to exist everywhere, but, of course, to the
greatest extent in the vicinity of the fashionable quarters of the large
cities. In New York there is scarcely a street without its gambling
house--'private,' of course, but well known to those who indulge in the
vice. The ordinary public game is Faro.
High and low, rich and poor, are perfectly suited in their requirements;
whilst at some places the stakes are unlimited, at others they must
not exceed one dollar, and a player may wager as low as five cents, or
twopence-halfpenny. These are for the accommodation of the very poorest
workmen, discharged soldiers, broken-down gamblers, and street-boys.
'I think,' says a recent writer,(87) 'of all the street-boys in
the world, those of New York are the most precocious. I have seen a
shoe-black, about three feet high, walk up to the table or 'Bank,' as it
is generally called, and stake his money (five cents) with the air of a
young spendthrift to whom "money is no object."'
(87) 'St James's Magazine,' Sept., 1867.
The chief gambling houses of New York were established by men who are
American celebrities, and among these the most prominent have been Pat
Hern and John Morrissey.
PAT HERN.
Some years ago this celebrated Irishman kept up a splendid establishment
in Broadway, near Hauston Street. At that time his house was the centre
of attraction towards which 'all the world' gravitated, and did the
thing right grandly--combining the Apicius with the Beau Nash or
Brummell. He was profusely lavish with his wines and exuberant in
his suppers; and it was generally said that the game in action there,
_Faro_, was played in all fairness. Pat Hern was a man of jovial
disposition and genial wit, and would have adorned a better position.
During the trout-fishing season he used to visit a well-known place
called Islip in Long Island, much frequented by gentlemen devoted to
angling and fond of good living.
At Islip the equally renowned Oby Snedecker kept the tavern which was
the resort of Pat Hern and his companions. It had attached to it a
stream and lake to which the gentlemen who had the privilege of the
house were admitted. Mrs Obadiah Snedecker, the buxom wife of 'mine
host,' was famous for the exquisite way in which she cooked veal
cutlets. There were two niggers in the establishment, named Steve and
Dick, who accompanied the gentlemen in their angling excursions, amusing
them with their stolidity and the enormous quantity of gin they could
imbibe without being more than normally fuddled.
After fishing, the gentlemen used to take to gambling at the usual
French games; but here Pat Hern appeared not in the character of
gambler, but as a private gentleman. He was always well received by
the visitors, and caused them many a hearty laugh with his overflowing
humour. He died about nine years ago, I think tolerably well off.
JOHN MORRISSEY.
John Morrissey was originally a prize-fighter,--having fought with
Heenan and also with Yankee Sullivan, and lived by teaching the young
Americans the noble art of self-defence. He afterwards set up a 'Bar,'
or public-house, and over this he established a small Faro bank, which
he enlarged and improved by degrees until it became well known, and was
very much frequented by the gamblers of New York. He is now, I believe,
a member of Congress for that city, and immensely wealthy. Not content
with his successful gambling operations in New York, he has opened a
splendid establishment at the fashionable summer resort of Saratoga,
consisting of an immense hotel, ballrooms, and gambling-rooms, and is
said to have a profit of two millions of dollars (about L400,000) during
the season.(88) He is mentioned as one of those who pay the most income
tax.
(88) _Ubi supra_.
Morrissey's gambling house is in Union Square, and is said to be
magnificently furnished and distinguished by the most princely
hospitality. At all hours of the day or night tables are laid out with
every description of refreshment, to which all who visit the place are
welcome.
This is a remarkable feature in the American system. At all 'Bars,' or
public-houses, you find provided, free of charge, supplies of cheese,
biscuits, &c., and sometimes even some savoury soup--which are often
resorted to by those unfortunates who are 'clean broke' or 'used up,'
with little else to assuage the pangs of hunger but the everlasting quid
of tobacco, furiously 'chawed.' Another generous feature of the American
system is that the bar-man does not measure out to you, after our stingy
fashion, what drink you may require, but hands you the tumbler and
bottle to help yourself, unless in the case of made drinks, such as
'mint-juleps,' &c. However, you must drink your liquor at a gulp, after
the Yankee fashion; for if you take a sip and turn your back to the
counter, your glass will disappear--as it is not customary to have
glasses standing about. Morrissey's wines are very good, and always
supplied in abundance.
Almost every game of chance is played at this establishment, and the
stakes are very high and unlimited. The visitors are the wealthy and
wild young men of New York, and occasionally a Southern-looking man
who, perhaps, has saved some of his property, being still the same
professional gambler; for it may be affirmed that all the Southern
planters were addicted to gambling.
'The same flocks of well-dressed and fashionable-looking men of all
ages pass in and out all through the day and night; tens of thousands of
dollars are lost and won; the "click" of the markers never ceases; all
speak in a low tone; everything has a serious, quiet appearance. The
dealers seem to know every one, and nod familiarly to all who approach
their tables. John Morrissey is occasionally to be seen, walking
through the rooms, apparently a disinterested spectator. He is a short,
thick-set man, of about 40 years, dark complexion, and wears a long
beard, dresses in a slovenly manner, and walks with a swagger. Now and
then he approaches the table; makes a few bets, and is then lost in the
crowd.'(89)
(89) _Ubi supra_.
OTHER GAMING-HOUSES.
The same writer furnishes other very interesting facts.
'After the opera-house and theatres are closed, Morrissey's gambling
house becomes very full; in fact, the best time to see it to advantage
is about two or three o'clock in the morning.
'A little below the New York Hotel, and on the opposite side of
Broadway, there is a gambling house, not quite so "respectable" as the
one I have been describing; here the stakes are not below a dollar, and
not more than twenty-five; there are no refreshments gratis, and the
rooms are not so well furnished. The men to be seen gaming in this house
differ but very little in appearance from those in Union Square, but
there seems to be less discipline amongst them, and more noise and
confusion. It is a rare thing to see an intoxicated man in a gambling
house; the door-keepers are very particular as to whom they admit, and
any disturbance which might call for the interference of the police
would be ruinous to their business. The police are undoubtedly aware
of everything going on in these houses, and do not interfere as long as
everything goes on quietly.
'Now and then a clerk spends his employer's money, and if it is
discovered where he lost it then a _RAID_ is made by the police in
force, the tables and all the gaming paraphernalia are carried off, and
the proprietors heavily fined.
'I witnessed a case of this: a young man in the employment of a
commission merchant appropriated a large sum of his employer's money,
and lost it at Faro. He was arrested, and confessed what he had done
with it. The police at once proceeded to the house where the Faro bank
was kept, and the scene, when it was known that the police were below,
beggars description. The tables were upset, and notes and markers were
flying about in all directions. Men, sprawling and scrambling on the
floor, fought with one another for whatever they could seize; then the
police entered and cleared the house, having arrested the owners of the
bank. This was in one of the lowest gaming houses, where "skin" games
(cheating games) are practised.
'In the gambling house in Broadway, near the New York Hotel, I have
often noticed a young man, apparently of some 18 or 20 years of age,
fashionably dressed, and of prepossessing appearance. On some days he
would play very high, and seemed to have most remarkable luck; but he
always played with the air of an old gamester, seeming careless as to
whether he won or lost. One night he lost so heavily that he attracted
the notice of all the players; every stake of his was swept away; and he
still played on until his last dollar was lost; then he quietly walked
out, whistling a popular Yankee air. He was there next day _MINUS_ his
great-coat and watch and chain--he lost again, went out and returned
in his shirt sleeves, having pawned his coat, studs, and everything he
could with decency divest himself of. He lost everything; and when I
next saw him he was selling newspapers in front of the post-office!
'The mania for gambling is a most singular one. I have known a man to
win a thousand dollars in a few hours, and yet he would not spend a
dollar to get a dinner, but when he felt hungry he went to a baker's
shop and bought a loaf of bread, and that same night lost all his money
at Roulette.
'There is another house on the corner of Centre and Grand Streets, open
during night and day. The stakes here are the same as in the one in
Broadway, and the people who play are very much the same--in fact, the
same faces are constantly to be met with in all the gambling houses,
from the highest to the lowest. When a gambler has but small capital, he
will go to a small house, where small stakes are admissible. I saw a
man win 50 or 60 dollars at this place, and then hand in his checks
(markers) to be cashed. The dealer handed him the money, and said--"Now
you go off, straight away to Union Square, and pay away all you have
won from here to John Morrissey. This is the way with all of them; they
never come here until they are dead broke, and have only a dirty
dollar or so to risk." There was some truth in what he said, but
notwithstanding he managed to keep the bank going on. There is a great
temptation to a man who has won a sum of money at a small gambling house
to go to a higher one, as he may then, at a single stake, win as much as
he could possibly win if he had a run of luck in a dozen stakes at the
smaller bank.
'In No. 102, in the Bowery, there is one of the lowest of the gaming
houses I have seen in the Empire city. The proprietor is an Irishman;
he employs three men as dealers, and they relieve one another every four
hours during the day and night. The stakes here are of the lowest, and
the people to be seen here of the roughest to be found in the city. The
game is Faro, as elsewhere.
'In this place I met an old friend with whom I had served in the army of
Northern Virginia, under General Lee, in his Virginia campaign of 1865.
He told me he had been in New York since the end of the war, and lived
a very uncertain sort of life. Whatever money he could earn he spent at
the gaming table. Sometimes he had a run of luck, and whilst it lasted
he dressed well, and stopped at the most expensive hotels. One night he
would sleep at the Astor House; and perhaps the next night he would
not be able to pay for his bed, and would stay all night in the parks.
Strange to say, hundreds live in this way, which is vulgarly called
"scratching" in New York. I afterwards saw my friend driving an omnibus;
and when I could speak to him, I found that he was still attending the
banks with every cent he earned!
'It is amusing to watch the proprietor of this place at the Bowery; he
has a joke for every one he sees. "Hallo, old sport!" he cries, "come
and try your luck--you look lucky this evening; and if you make a
good run you may sport a gold watch and chain, and a velvet vest, like
myself." Then to another, "Young clear-the-way, you look down at the
mouth to-night! Come along and have a turn--and never mind your supper
tonight." In this way the days and nights are passed in those gambling
houses.'
There is also in New York an association for the prevention of gambling.
The society employs detectives to visit the gambling saloons, and
procure evidence for the suppression of the establishments.
It is the business of these agents also to ascertain the names and
occupations of those who frequent the gambling rooms, and a list of the
persons thus detected is sent periodically to the subscribers to the
society, that they may know who are the persons wasting their money, or
perhaps the money of their employers, in gambling. Many large houses of
business subscribe.
In the month of August the society's agents detected among the gamblers
68 clerks of mercantile houses, and in the previous six months reported
623 cases. It is stated that there are in New York and Brooklyn 1017
policy and lottery offices, and 163 Faro banks, and that their net
annual gains are not less than 36,000,000 dollars.
AMERICAN GAMBLERS.
At American gambling houses 'it is very easy,' says the same writer, 'to
distinguish the professional from the ordinary gambler. The latter has a
nervous expression about the mouth, and an intense gaze upon the cards,
and altogether a very serious nervous appearance; while the professional
plays in a very quiet manner, and seems to care but little how the game
goes; and his desire to appear as if the game was new to him is almost
certain to expose him to those who know the manoeuvre.
'Previous to the struggle for independence in the South, there were
many hundreds of gamblers scattered through the Southern towns, and
the Mississippi steam-boats used to abound with them. In the South, a
gambler was regarded as outside the pale of society, and classed with
the slave-trader, who was looked upon with loathing by the very same men
who traded with him; such was the inconsistency of public opinion.
'The American gambler differs from his European brethren in many
respects. He is very frequently, in education, appearance, and manner, a
gentleman, and if his private history were known, it would be found
that he was of good birth, and was at one time possessed of considerable
fortune; but having lost all at the gambling table, he gradually came
down to the level of those who proved his ruin, and having no profession
nor means of livelihood left to him, he adopted their mode of life.
'On one occasion I met a brother of a Southern General (very famous in
the late war and still a wealthy man) who, at one time, was one of the
richest planters in the State of Louisiana, and is now acting as
an agent for a set of gamblers to their gaming houses. After losing
everything he had, he became a croupier to a gambling house in New
Orleans, and afterwards plied his trade on the Mississippi for some
years; then he went into Mexico, and finally to New York, where he
opened a house on his own account.
'During the war he speculated in "greenbacks," and lost all his
ill-gotten gains, and had to descend to his present position.'(90)
(90) _Ubi supra_.
AMERICAN GAMES:--DRAW POKER, OR BLUFF.
Draw Poker, or Bluff, is a favourite game with the Americans. It is
played by any number of persons, from four to seven; four, five, or six
players are preferred; seven are only engaged where a party of friends
consists of that number, and all require to be equally amused.
The deal is usually determined by fixing on a card, and dealing round,
face upwards, until such card appears. The dealer then places in the
pool an _Ante_, or certain agreed-upon sum, and proceeds to deal to each
person five cards. The player next to the dealer, before looking at
his cards, has the option of staking a certain sum. This is called the
'blind,' and makes him the elder hand, or last player; and when his
turn comes round he can, by giving up his first stake, withdraw from
the game, or, if he pleases, by making good any sum staked by a previous
player, raise the stakes to any sum he pleases, provided, of course,
that no limit has been fixed before sitting down. The privilege of
raising or doubling on the _blind_ may be exercised by any one round the
table, provided he has not looked at his cards. If no intervening player
has met the original _blind_, that is, staked double the sum, this must
be done by all who wish to play, and, of course, must be made good by
the last player. Each person then looks at his cards, and decides on
his plan of action. It should be understood that every one, except the
_blind_, may look at his cards in his turn before deciding if he will
meet the _blind_. Before speaking of the manner of drawing it will be
better to give the relative value of the hands, which will much simplify
the matter, and make it more easily understood. Thus: four aces are the
best cards that can be held; four kings next, and so on, down to four
twos; four cards of the same value beating anything except four of a
higher denomination.
The next best hand is called a _full_, and is made up thus:--three aces
and a pair of sixes; three nines and pair of twos; in fact, any three
cards of the same value and a pair constitute a full hand, and can only
be beaten by a full hand of a higher denomination or fours. The next
hand that takes precedence is a _flush_, or five cards of one colour;
after this comes _threes_, vis., three cards all of the same value,
say, three aces, kings, queens, and so on, downwards (the two remaining,
being odd ones, are of no value). The next is a sequence, as five
following cards, for instance, nine, eight, seven, six, five; it is not
necessary they should all be of one colour, as this, of course, would
constitute a _flush_. Next come two pairs, say, two knaves and two
fives; and, last of all, is a single pair of cards. Having explained the
value of the hands, let us show how you endeavour to get them. The bets
having been made, and the _blind_ made good or abandoned, or given up,
the dealer proceeds to ask each player in his turn how many cards he
wants; and here begins the first study of the game--_TO KNOW WHAT
TO THROW AWAY_ in order to get in others to make the hand better if
possible. Your hand may, of course, be so utterly bad as to make it
necessary to throw away the whole five and draw five new ones; this is
not very likely, as few players will put a stake in the pool unless, on
looking first at his cards, he has seen something, say a pair, to start
with. We will suppose he has this, and, of course, he throws away three
cards, and draws three in place of them. To describe the proper way to
fill up a hand is impossible; we can but give an instance here and there
to show the varying interest which attaches to the game;--thus, you may
have threes in the original hand dealt; some players will throw away the
two odd cards and draw two more, to try and make the hand fours, or, at
least, a full; while a player knowing that his is not a very good hand,
will endeavour to _DECEIVE_ the rest by standing out, that is, not
taking any fresh cards; of course all round the table make remarks as to
what he can possibly have.
It is usually taken to be a sequence, as this requires no drawing, if
originally dealt. The same remark applies to a _flush;_ two pairs or
four to a flush, of course, require one card to make them into good
hands, a player being only entitled to draw once; and the hands being
made good, the real and exciting part of the game begins. Each one
endeavours to keep his real position a secret from his neighbours. Some
put on a look of calm indifference, and try to seem self-possessed; some
will grin and talk all sorts of nonsense; some will utter sly bits of
_badinage;_ while others will study intently their cards, or gaze at the
ceiling--all which is done merely to distract attention, or to conceal
the feelings, as the chance of success or failure be for or against; and
then begins the betting or gambling part of the game. The player next
the _blind_ is the first to declare his bet; in which, of course, he is
entirely governed by circumstances. Some, being the first to bet, and
having a very good card indeed, will 'bet small,' in hopes that some one
else will see it, and 'go better,' that is, bet more, so that when it
comes round to his turn again he may see all previous bets, and bet as
much higher as he thinks proper; for it must be borne in mind that a
player's first bet does not preclude him from coming in again if his
first bet has been raised upon by any player round the table in his
turn; but if once the original bet goes round and comes to the _blind_,
or last player, without any one going better, the game is closed, and it
becomes a _show of hands_, to see who takes the pool and all the bets.
This does not often happen, as there is usually some one round the table
to raise it; but my informant has seen it occur, and has been highly
amused at watching the countenance of the expectant _small better_ at
having to show a fine hand for a mere trifle. Some players will, in
order to conceal their method of play, occasionally throw their cards
among the waste ones and abandon their stakes; this is not often done;
but it sometimes happens where the stakes have been small, or the player
has been _trying a bluff_, and has found some one whom he could not
_bluff off_. The foregoing is a concise account of the game, as played
in America, where it is of universal interest, and exercises great
fascination. It is often played by parties of friends who meet regularly
for the purpose, and instances can be found where fortunes have been
lost in a night.
The game of Pokers differs from the one just described, in so far that
the players receive only the original five cards dealt without drawing
fresh ones, and must either play or refuse on them. In this game, as
there are more cards, as many as ten persons can play.
LANSQUENET.(91)
Lansquenet is much played by the Americans, and is one of the most
exciting games in vogue.
The dealer or banker stakes a certain sum, and this must be met by
the nearest to the dealer first, and so on. When the stake is met, the
dealer turns up two cards, one to the right,--the latter for himself,
the former for the table or the players. He then keeps on turning up
the cards until either of the cards is matched, which constitutes the
winning,--as, for instance, suppose the five of diamonds is his card,
then should the five of any other suit turn up, he wins. If he loses,
then the next player on the left becomes banker and proceeds in the same
way.
(91) This name is derived from the German '_landsknecht_' ('valet of the
fief'), applied to a mercenary soldier.
When the dealer's card turns up, he may take the stake and pass the
bank; or he may allow the stake to remain, whereat of course it becomes
doubled if met. He can continue thus as long as the cards turn up in
his favour--having the option at any moment of giving up the bank and
retiring for that time. If he does that, the player to whom he passes
the bank has the option of continuing it at the same amount at which it
was left. The pool may be made up by contributions of all the players in
certain proportions. The terms used respecting the standing of the
stake are, 'I'll see' (_a moi le tout)_ and _Je tiens_. When _jumelle_
(twins), or the turning up of similar cards on both sides, occurs, then
the dealer takes half the stake.
Sometimes there is a run of several consecutive winnings; but on one
occasion, on board one of the Cunard steamers, a banker at the game
turned up in his own favour I think no less than eighteen times. The
original stake was only six-pence; but had each stake been met as won,
the final doubling would have amounted to the immense sum of L3,236
16_s_.! This will appear by the following scheme:--
L s. d. L s. d. 1st turn up 0 0 6 10th turn up 12 16 0 2nd,, 0 1 0
11th,, 25 12 0 3rd,, 0 2 0 12th,, 51 4 0 4th,, 0 4 0 13th,, 102 8 0
5th,, 0 8 0 14th,, 204 16 0 6th,, 0 16 0 15th,, 409 12 0 7th,, 1 12 0
16th,, 819 4 0 8th,, 3 4 0 17th,, 1,618 8 0 9th,, 6 8 0 18th,, 3,236 16
0
In fair play, as this is represented to have been, such a long sequence
of matches must be considered very remarkable, although six or seven is
not unfrequent.
Unfortunately, however, there is a very easy means by which card
sharpers manage the thing to perfection. They prepare beforehand a
series of a dozen cards arranged as follows:--
1st Queen 6th Nine 2nd Queen 7th Nine 3rd Ten 8th Ace 4th Seven 9th
Eight 5th Ten 10th Ace
Series thus arranged are placed in side pockets outside the waistcoat,
just under the left breast. When the sharper becomes banker he leans
negligently over the table, and in this position his fingers are as
close as possible to the prepared cards, termed _portees_. At the proper
moment he seizes the cards and places them on the pack. The trick
is rendered very easy by the fact that the card-sharper has his coat
buttoned at the top, so that the lower part of it lies open and permits
the introduction of the hand, which is completely masked.
Some sharpers are skilful enough to take up some of the matches already
dealt, which they place in their _costieres_, or side-pockets above
described, in readiness for their next operation; others keep them
skilfully hidden in their hand, to lay them, at the convenient moment,
upon the pack of cards. By this means, the pack is not augmented.(92)
(92) Robert Houdin, 'Les Tricheries des Grecs devoilees.'
In France the stakes commence at 5 francs; and it may be easily
imagined how soon vast sums of money may change hands if the players are
determined and reckless.
EUCHRE.
This is also a game much played in the States. I suppose it is a Yankee
invention, named by one of their learned professors, from the Greek
(gr euceis) (eucheir), meaning 'well in the hand' or 'strong'--a very
appropriate designation of the game, which is as follows:--
In this game all the cards are excluded up to the sixes,--seven being
the lowest in the Euchre pack. Five cards are dealt out, after the usual
shuffling and cutting, with a turn-up, or trump. The dealer has the
privilege of discarding one of his cards and taking up the trump--not
showing, however, the one he discards. The Knave is the best card in
the game--a peculiar Yankee 'notion.' The Knave of trumps is called the
Right Bower, and the other Knave of the _same colour_ is the Left Bower.
Hence it appears that the nautical propensity of this great people is
therein represented--'bower' being in fact a sheet anchor. If both are
held, it is evident that the _point_ of the deal is decided--since it
results from taking three tricks out of the five; for, of course, the
trump card appropriated by the dealer will, most probably, secure a
trick, and the two Knaves must necessarily make two. The game may be
five or seven points, as agreed upon. Euchre is rapid and decisive, and,
therefore, eminently American.
FLY LOO.
Some of the games played by the Americans are peculiar to themselves.
For instance, vast sums of money change hands over Fly Loo, or the
attraction existing between lumps of sugar and adventurous flies! This
game is not without its excitement. The gamblers sit round a table, each
with a lump of sugar before him, and the player upon whose lump a fly
first perches carries off the pool--which is sometimes enormous.
They tell an anecdote of a 'cute Yankee, who won invariably and
immensely at the game. There seemed to be a sort of magical or mesmeric
attraction for the flies to his lump. At length it was ascertained
that he touched the lump with his finger, after having smeared it with
something that naturally and irresistibly attracts flies whenever they
can get at it. I am told that this game is also played in England; if
so, the parties must insist upon fresh lumps of sugar, and prevent all
touching.
The reader will probably ask--what next will gamblers think of
betting on? But I can tell of a still more curious source of gambling
infatuation. In the _Oxford Magazine_,(93) is the following statement:--
(93) Vol. V.
'A few days ago, as some sprigs of nobility were dining together at a
tavern, they took the following conceit into their heads after dinner.
One of them observing a maggot come from a filbert, which seemed to
be uncommonly large, attempted to get it from his companion, who, not
choosing to let it go, was immediately offered five guineas for it,
which was accepted. He then proposed to run it against any other two
maggots that could be produced at table. Matches were accordingly made,
and these poor reptiles were the means of L500 being won and lost in a
few minutes!'
THE CRIMES OF AMERICAN GAMBLERS.
Suicides, duels, and murders have frequently resulted from gambling here
as elsewhere. Many of the duels in dark rooms originate in disputes at
the gaming table. The combatants rush from play to an upper or adjoining
room, and settle their difference with revolver-shots, often fatal to
both.
One of these was a serio-comic affair which is perhaps worth relating.
Two players had a gambling dispute, and resolved to settle it in a
dark room with pistols. The door was locked and one of them fired, but
missed. On this the other exclaimed--'Now, you rascal, I'll finish you
at my leisure.' He then began to search for his opponent. Three or four
times he walked stealthily round the room--but all in vain--he could
not find his man; he listened; he could not hear him breathe. What had
become of him? 'Oh!' at length he exclaimed--'Now I've got you, you ----
sneak--here goes!' 'Hold! Hold!' cried a voice from the chimney, 'Don't
fire! I'll pay you anything.--Do take away that ---- pistol.' In effect
his adversary held the muzzle of his pistol close to the seat of honour
as the fellow stood stuffed up the chimney!
'You'll pay, will you?' said the former; 'Very well--800 dollars--is 't
a bargain?'
'Yes, yes!' gasped the voice in the chimney.
'Very well,' rejoined the tormentor, 'but just wait a bit; I must have
a voucher. I'll just cut off the bottom of your breeches by way of
voucher.' So saying he pulled out his knife and suited the action to the
words.
'Now get down,' he said, 'and out with the money;' which was paid, when
the above-named voucher was returned to the chimney-groper.
The town of Vicksburg, on the Mississippi, was formerly notorious as the
rendezvous of all sorts of desperadoes. It was a city of men; you saw no
women, except at night; and never any children. Vicksburg was a sink of
iniquity; and there gambling raged with unrestricted fury. It was
always after touching at Vicksburg that the Mississippi boats became
the well-known scene of gambling--some of the Vicksburghers invariably
getting on board to ply their profession.
On one occasion, one of these came on board, and soon induced some of
the passengers to proceed to the upper promenade-deck for gambling. Soon
the stakes increased and a heap of gold was on the table, when a dispute
arose, in the midst of which one of the players placed his hand on the
stake. Thereupon the Vicksburg gambler drew his knife and plunged it
into the hand of the former, with a terrible imprecation.
Throughout the Southern States, as before observed, gambling prevailed
to a very great extent, and its results were often deplorable.
A planter went to a gambling house, accompanied by one of his negroes,
whom he left at the door to wait his return. Whilst the master was
gambling the slave did the same with another whom he found at the door.
Meanwhile a Mexican came up and stood by looking at the game of the
negroes. By-and-by one of them accused the other of cheating, which was
denied, when the Mexican interposed and told the negro that he saw him
cheat. The latter told the Mexican that he lied--whereupon the Mexican
stabbed him to the heart, killing him on the spot.
Soon the negro's master came out, and on being informed of the affair,
turned to the Mexican, saying--'Now, sir, we must settle the matter
between us--my negro's quarrel is mine.' 'Agreed,' said the Mexican;
they entered the house, proceeded to a dark room, fired at each other,
and both were killed.
About six and twenty years ago there lived in New York a well-to-do
merchant, of the name of Osborne, who had an only son, who was a partner
in the concern. The young man fell in love with the daughter of a
Southern planter, then on a visit at New York, to whom he engaged
himself to be married, with the perfect consent of all parties
concerned.
On the return of the planter and his daughter, young Osborne accompanied
them to Mobile. On the very night of their arrival, the planter proposed
to his intended son-in-law to visit the gaming table. They went; Osborne
was unlucky; and after some hours' play lost an immense amount to the
father of his sweetheart. He gave bills, drawn on his house, in payment
of the debt of honour.
On the following morning the planter referred to the subject, hinting
that Osborne must be ruined.
'Indeed, I am!' said the young man; 'but the possession of your daughter
will console me for the calamity, which, I doubt not, I shall be able to
make up for by industry and exertion.'
'The possession of _MY_ daughter?' exclaimed the planter; 'do you think
I would marry my daughter to a beggar? No, no, sir, the affair is ended
between you--and I insist upon its being utterly broken off.' Such was
the action of the heartless gambler, rendered callous to all sentiments
of real honour by his debasing pursuit.
Young Osborne was equal to the occasion. Summoning all his powers to
manfully bear this additional shock of fate, he calmly replied:--
'So be it, sir, as you wish it. Depend upon it, however, that my bills
will be duly honoured'--and so saying he bowed and departed, without
even wishing to take leave of his betrothed.
On returning to New York Osborne immediately disclosed the transaction
to his father, who, in spite of the utter ruin which impended, and the
brutality of the cause of the ruin, resolved to meet the bills when due,
and maintain the honour of his son--whatever might be the consequences
to himself.
The bills were paid; the concern was broken up; old Mr Osborne soon
died broken-hearted; and young Osborne went as clerk to some house of
business in Wall Street.
A year or so passed away, and one day a lady presented herself at the
old house of Osborne--now no longer theirs--inquiring for young Osborne.
She was directed to his new place of business; being no other than his
betrothed, who loved him as passionately as ever, and to whom her
father had accounted for the non-fulfilment of the engagement in a very
unsatisfactory manner. Of course Osborne could not fail to be delighted
at this proof of her devotedness; the meeting was most affectionate on
both sides; and, with the view of coming to a decision respecting their
future proceedings, they adjourned to an hotel in the vicinity. Here,
whilst seated at a table and in earnest conversation, the young lady's
father rushed in, and instantly shot down Osborne, who expired at
his feet. With a frantic shriek the poor girl fell on the body of her
betrothed, and finding a poniard or a knife concealed in his breast, she
seized it, instantly plunged it into her heart, and was soon a corpse
beside her lover.