The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-22
CHAPTER vi.

lNLAD TO see you gentlemen extreme
Hf ly glad TO see you. It's rather cool
TO night, and was just thinking Of
brewing bowl of punch, the real "moun-
tain dew" or if either of you prefer, there
is some capital brandy on the side-board (;
very rare old stuff; been bottled for fif-
teen years to my certain knowledge; " ak
up and make yourselves perfectly at
home"
This gracious and very obsequious ad-
dress, was delivered to Henry Winters
and James Gordon, by The proprietor Of q
fashionable gambling establishment. II
will be remembered that Winters had
spoken to Gordon of an engagement which
they had at SIS for the night succeed
ing the one they were to pass at the opera t;
and with the readers permission we will
follow them to this worthy's very genteel
and we'll patronized quarters.
After leaving their lodgings, they passed
up and across variety Of streets, until
they found themselves at the door of what
appeared to be large, but rather COM
mon looking private residence. Henry
rang the bell, and was answered by very
neatly dressed and genteel servant, who
without word admitted them, and pass
ing on through long and narrow pas
sage, they came to the foot of a neatly
carpeted staircase which they ascended
to the second story, where another door
was opened into a splendid back parour.
Here they were met by Mr.. s. in pro-
pria personG. Hshad one of those bland,
ever smiling faces which so we'll becomes
man of the world; an eye at once quick
and searching in its glances and features
that would form quite study for physi-
economist. There was mellowness in
his voice, and his words came with LIQUID
flow from his lips-with kind Of un-
sti died persuasiveness, which made it i'm.
possible for those who were present to re-
fuse his invitation. The punch was ac-
cordingly made, and we need scarcely
add that it was drank; cigars were intro
duced, and our worthy friends seated ther,-
selves among tho crowd already assem-
bled.
The room in which they sat, might
have rivalled in splendor, the boidour OF
an eastern princess. It Was furnished in
tasty style Of elegance--every article In
it Of the most costly description beauti-
ful landscapes were hung upon the walls,
with paintings Of various descriptions, not
exactly remarkable for their tendency to-
wards morality, yet none OF those giaring
!asciyious pictures that are displayed in a
low order Of gambling hells. All the com
pany evidently were Of the supper ten
gentry, y,none but fashionable men ever visit.
ed this establishment; here the young
bloods met to play for amusement, and to
he eased Of their surplus cash by scientific
blacklegs.
The party smoked and drank all seem.
ed in high state Of exhilerstion. Pop
pop, went the Champagne bottles, ming.
led with the uprorious mirth melted by
their sparkling contents. This continued
until the hour Of ten, when a change came
over the scene. The wide folding door
that separated them from the next room
were thrown open, and they entered ar
apartment furnished fully as rich, though
somewhat differently from the other. A
number Of small tables Of elegant descrip
ton, were scattered in different parts of th.
room, around which gentlemen can cit ant
sip their SHERRY coblers," or play single
handed games ss their pleasure might die
tate. But in the centre Of the room il th,
principal attraction. It is a table Of darl
mahogsny--rich and heavy--carved an,
elegantly polished, some twelve or ilftees
feet in length, by three or four ia breadth
Upon one end Of the table Is piled heaps
| ofred and white checks beau.ifnl silve
box stands upon the centso Of the table
aud contains apsek Of cards Of the fines