The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-05-17
Instability of the Gamblers Wealth
BY J. H. GREEN.

1
In almost every sinful profession OF lille
in which a man may enter, there may be
a shade of chance for general prosperity.
But we find in gambling vice standing
alone, separated and free from exceptions
unless the victim was in his nature consti
,uted callous hearted villain. They may
acquire wealth by stratagem. and hoard it
up But where one Of this class Of gamb-
lers has come under my knowledge. have
known thousands of class too common
within this polluted city. to live and die.iu.
the most abject poverty. Not day pas
ses without cases OF this kind coming TO
my knowledge. lneed not go further than
Broadway. any day, to prove the truth OF
hundred human victims could be brought
forward as shattered living monuments.
moving about as though they were thus
placed 10 warn the passers by to BEWARE
lest the ,sordid gambler should gather them
within the power Of his fatal fangs.
Reader, when passing up Broadway. ii
| YOU wish TO see those man-torsaken monu-
'nen,s here spoken Of look upon the cor
ners OF Barclay street. Park Place, War
rem and Chambers streets. and you can
generally have your desire gra,iiied. Aud
Why look in this part of the c,y2 Because
i, is near the Halls Of Justice. and in full
view of that clock whose hands point out
The hour TO more than one dozen gambling
hels, in which these wandering uniortu
males have been ruined. aud have ruined
others. There they have been Toasted and
made glad-there they have been dragged
and made sorrowiul. In those splendid
rooms yet remain the more fortunate OF
their former companions. and thus they
are bound. as by a speH.,ito these hells.
which have been the cause of misery so
great that language is not capable of de.
pic,ing il.
As an illustration we will call your at
teniion to the aitenuated form OF man,
poorly clad who stands. shivering with
cold, upon these corners, gazing with it!ioiic
stare upon all who pass by him. lIe has
been a gambler once. successful one. toe
and spor,ed his diamond pin and gold
headed walking stick. Bulior,une' $ wheel
rolled so fast, that he was unable to keep
pace with it, and was thrown outside the
screen.
None Of his former companions now
know him. Yetlhe same place where he
aud they once met to peep under the bon.
net of every female that passed, is now yoc.
cupied by him. lie is small, aud of ligh'
complexion; and when not found standing
upon those corners, he mayib be seen prom
enading Broadway. smoking cigar. lie
j is poorly clad having wern the same sui
of clothes Tor some Two years. His name
is McLusky, believe OF Virginia. where
he now has wife and several lovely chill
dreu, TO whomahe vas once kind hus
band aud an affsctionatca father. This
case is painful one, and only illustrate,
i the folly aud wickedness OF evil doors o
every kind. but particularly so Of gamblers
\ II the gambler is unsuccessful, his wicked
ness OF mind and feeling Of self.degreta
ton are more than is in his power ,s
withstand, without the aid of artificial slim
ulan,s to drown sorrow; and when those
die out he is, if possible. in more des
perate state. When the fires OF intemper
, ance and the excitement OF the gaming la
ble burn within man. he, will soon b.
j consumed. And il, on the other hand. hs
. is successful. his mental condition is scarce
u ly, il any. better, unless he has schoolet
, himself Into that state OF brutal insensibii
ity spoken of in the preceding chapter
I and he is even then, in the most profus,
!, luxury and gorgeousSsplendor. constant,
\ tortured wi,,.those pangs of remorse whici
5 ever harrow up the bosoms Of those wht
= riot in ill-goi,en gain. -. ,.........
2 And besides. young man remember ther,
$ is no wealth so precarious as that of tn,
gambler. To-day his Golfers are filed
and he is surrounded by fswning Aatterers
: and he. fondIy blesses himself that ..hi
r mountain stands strong" fortune vii
always smile propitiou>ly upon him. To
! morrow 'he-like poor McLusky-fnd
! iha, his riches have .'taken to themselve
:. wings" and flown away. and now non
Il are so poor as to do him reverence. Thi
y is a true picture Of the instability ot tn
J. gsmbler's wealth. But lei US trace him
. little further. Tor small is the space allo,,e'
t him beyond this stage. What claim Ca,
4 he have upon the Christian charities Of
r Christian comnunity?-for they are III
r ones To whom he must look for succor
i Behold him now so low that crime Cal
!. sink him no lower! lie asks no mercy, 10
s he feels consciousness within that he de
!. serves none-that his day OF grace ha
r passed by-,hat an eternity OF bondag
) awaits him; aud that all the comfort no,
!. letl him he must gather on the craggy roa
$ which is just bordering upon the ,wiligl
OF eternity.
And when he is dead. who has he lef
outside OF a broken hearted mother, or
deserted wife gapd forsaken children. .iha
!, will shed one kind tear over his grave
.. Where is that friend who introduced hir
/ 10 the first gambling house7 Where ar
! those jovial wine bibbers? They, toe
: may have preceded him. But IL they ye
Hive. they live not to write any praises 10 b
!. . inscribed as an epiraph on his tomb stone
. forshe IS a sordid and polluted gambler
\ But when he is summoned by death TO pa
this last tribute of sin, who will stantib b
g g him 10 dampen his parched lips. or wip
y !, from his brow the cold clammy dew drop
Of death? Where is the mother that Dor
u him? Where the kind brother. OF sister
= or that wife he had pledged to suppol
through life and comfort in death? Alas
they too, by his vices, have been shut o,
= OF his society, and can know nor serv