Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-09-26


A Curious SCENE FOR New ENGLAND
A writer in the Boston Traveller, swho recently
visited the muster-feld, or what they would call in
other parts, training ground, at Newtonvllle, gives
this description of the scene
At numerous booths were vended eatabcs and
drinkabes, and of the latter, ardent spirits bore no
small proportion. Shows of various kinds were in
full blast, attracting crowds of spectators. In one
tent were number ofnegro singers, and in another
an exhibition of wax figures and wild animals At
little distance an aucliOneer was endeavoring to
sell an accordoon but for lack of bid he was treat
ing the crowd to a tune. Country lads and lasses
were crowding around in every direction, seeing
sights and scenes they never saw before.
sWhere are the gamblers was general inqui-
ry. Turn down a shady lane, and after a few min
utes walking they will begin to appear. At first
their tables appear under the trees at the side of the
road, with heaps of silver and a few bills to tempt
the passer. To hear them, one would Judge that
their money was waiting for you to come and take
it. but oftener the result is addition TO the glitter
ing pile. The game of props seemed to preponder-
ate, though roulette tables were quite plenty The
keepers were generally calm, unless some desperate
gamester had run of luck, which would speedily
reduce their gains and threaten an entire ruin
The chance OF this, however, to Judge from what was
going on, was but small 1t is an established fact
that in most cases the keeper of the table must be
the winner. After passing perhaps fifty of these ia
bles, you come to a place where the business OF
g milling is more Systematically carried on. In
field, shanty, large tent, and numerous small
ones, have been erected.
Appropriately, numerous drinking booths guard the
entrance, where ardent spirits are dealt out to the
thirsty throngers to the scene Some of these deal
ers, with an eye 10 change, have their bars located
IN wagons and other vehicles ready to fit upon the
first alarm. One shanty had upon ii large piece
of cloth upon which is painted, in large letters
'The Shakers Home Upon the large tent is the
significant sign of The Elephant AT the door of
the former stood man who, in loud tone, when
customers were scarce, cried out, sCome in and
gamble 'Ah, yes, shouted liquor seller from
without, in Joyous tones 'co ne in and gamble, for
then my trade will flourish; with gambling comes
drinking. The scenes within can hardly be desert
bed. Heated and flushed men stood about the tables
making their be.s and watching with feverish looks
for the fatal throw. Boys of tender age and har-
dened ruffians, wee mixed together. Men whom
one would fear to meet in dark night urging on
those who had never but seldom seen such sight
bofore.
An attempt was made early in the day to dis
perse the gamblers, but, driven from location neaI
the muster ground, they hired the field as above sta
ted. During the mig int number of men sailed
forth from the lane in body, and forcibIy robbed
two oithe booth keepers of all their receipts during
the day. An attempt made to rob a third, bn
he saved his money by throwing it INTO the grass
One person was robbed ola watch, and an unsuc
cessiui attempt was made upon another