Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-08-03
\ 8 ketf j.
CONFESSION OF A GAMBLER.
BY MAJOR NOAH.

In almost all occupations and pursuits
there are degrees in the downward tenden.
cies of life, if we could only keep the run
OF them, and understand the moral. The
dashing beauty, who has made the first false
step and all around whom is gay, flattering.
: and convivial, does not see in perspective
the strides that reach the bottom--how she
sinks degrees, like the barometer in an apa
preaching storm.
Stepping into popular Cafe, few days
since, for cooling drink, we heard the
rattling of billiard balls, and saw two lads
in fashionable attire, with cigars in their
mouths and coats of, playing at one of the
tables, an old fellow whose countenance
was familiar TO us, keeping game for them.
We remembered him in the prime of life
as gentleman gambler. We make that
distinction between professional gambler,
who cheats at cards, and one who plays
skillfully but honorably. He had some
consideration in society, for his occupation
was not generally known. He had respec-
table acquaintances gentlemen nodded to
him in friendly way his manners were
always correct; and his dress was neat,
without being flasby. He led the life of a
gambler, lioWever-to-day rich, tomorrow
poor-with all the phases and changes in
cident to that calling. We saw at once
that in his descent he had got as low as a
billiard marker, and could not throw off
his early habits, although he had no longer
any money to sport with.
'Well,' said we, 'here you are yet Al
ways at game of chance, or game of
skill YOU look as if fortune had dealt
hardly with you.'
81 don't complain--why should l q he
replied. Il never had any certainty in
my professional life. If had thousands
one day, was without dollar the next.
Now | am sure to get seven dollars at the
end of week, and am contented.'
do you know said we, taking scat
alongside Of him on the cushioned settce,
shat | have a curiosity to learn what was
the largest sum you ever won at cards at a
sittlngp
'One night won thirty thousand dollars
at brag p was his answer.
'Prodlgious Thirty thousand dollars,
do you say?
'Yes. I played all night, and lost ii all
back excepting eight hundred dollars. !
should have lost that, but it was Sunday
morning, and | heard the bell ring tot
church and recolecting that had promised
my wife 10 90 to hear the bishop preach, ]
washed my hands and face, smoothed my
: hair, and, with downcaSt looks and pious
features, joined in the litany and chaunted
! the pSalms.'
r From the gaming table TO the church !!
f yes and l am not the only one who
underwent that transition. II is not very
unnatural or unreasonable. II you wiz
, you have something 10 give thanks for; i
S you lose, you can pray for better luck IL
: future. This is the consolation OF the gam
r bler's life
, sDid you never forswear gamblingp WI
= inquired. .....
r 'Oh frequently but always broke my
t oath. One night lost three thousand dol
= lars-al l had in the world-and wen
home quite melancholy with friend. |
was past two O'Clock, and / invited him t.
drink glass of brandy and water. swor
all the bitter oaths I could remember that
= never again would handle cards. While
was thus swearing felt in my pocket 70
a little tobacco, and found bank-note Q
one hundred dollars rolled up in corner
1t All my gambling propensities revived i
y an instant. 'Let's go back,' said ], sand tr
II our luck once more with this hundred.
P, NAV win five thousand We went bac
and lost the note in five minutes! S
2, much for the virtuous resolutions of gan
id bier. Human nature is not to be trusted
y The gambling houses of the present day
lie said we, are ON rather higher scale, IN
10 old friend, than in your time.'
IL Everything on a similar scale is tf
e. same. We are a progressive people,
OF Houses cf questionable character used
re be in hooks and corners, where no lan
er bnrned-now they blaze on in splend'
lg quite near Broadway, and the lady able
~ rides in her own carriage.'
'Only to carry note or TO inquire 4
IT. some gentleman,' he answered, q am qui
lost in the splendor which surrounds IN
'e' / smell the rich viands of the kitchen as
Us ascend the staircase. | enter the suits
apartments, where the festooned hanging
y, the rich Turkey carpets and Persian ott
hu mans, the tall and elaborately carved al
L.; gilt mirrors, the ormula lamps and candel
MS bras. the painting of Venuses and Danes
eo gorgeous frames, the sllken draperles viii
vie with ancient magnifcence, the ri
'h- wines and delicate viands on the table, a
on the plate and attendants, all have the a
'V- uearance OF an enchanted castle-of W!
we read of Paradise. It is hell, whete
h". M pockets picked"
her sAte you acquainted with any Of
Keepers of these splendid establishment
no, sWho would know brother of the orr
.sd OF faro and rouge ct noir in a seedy C
and shocking bad hat! Yet | know tn
,art by instinct-by their bushy and well-trl
his med boards, the oily smoothness OF Ia
had hair, the richness OF their garments, q
watch-chains and diamond breast-pihs, I'll
II is easy lounging gait and the hnely-tiavo
, !, cigars in their mouths
I, ;s sDo our rich merchants, extensive
he kers and millionaires, patronise these