Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-02-16
8 Peep into 81 Washington Hell.

Having heard much Of the magnficence and
grandeur Of the metropolitan gambling houses,
|, with several Clerelf nd friends, paid one a
visit the other night. The entrance was
through narrow, lighted way, opening from
the Avenue, just east OF the National A pair
of stairs at the further end of the hall brings
you abruptly against small door, fastened on
the inside you ring bell; a coored servant
looks through a attieed panel, to see if all is
right. II he discovers a we'll known customer.
or frequent visitor of such places, the whole
party is admitted, on the principle, Of course,
that "a person is known by the company he
keeps" Gamblers understand human nature
better than anybody else, and they know this
old adage Is as true in he'll as it is out We
were admitted first into room beautifully
carpeted, frescoe painted, with chairs, sofas,
lounges, &c, OF rosewood, a large centre-table,
on which were the leading newspapers of the
country, and around which sat several WELL
dressed gentlemen leisareIy reading and dis
cussing the news of the day. This was but
the half Of double parIor-the reception room,
or, as Milton would say, 'the vestibuIe Of hell"
Our guide, who was well~knOWn Wash
i1gton gentleman, introduced usto the keeper
OF the establishment. telling him that we had
never been in such place before, and was Fed
by curiosity to explore his internal domains
He appeared highly delighted, and Immediately
opened up TO the ''inner temples" eAntered,
and found the half had not been, told us-a
chandelier, costing from three to four hundred
dollars, brilliantly lighted up, flung its glitter
ing rags on gold papered walls, satin damask
curtaEAs, sofas, &c. In the centre, and near
one end of the room, stood long six>legged
table, with richly embroidered spread, falling
in folds nearly to the floor; on the wall over
this table hung massive gilt frame, and large
as life huge crouching tiger, with eyes Of
garing fire, lips apart, and apparently ready for
a spring upon his unsuspecting victim. The
cloth being removed from the table beneath,
revealed Faro Bank, with all the implements
of the we'll known fascinating game-ivory
chips, representing. 81, S5. 1875, $3.50 each,
lay piled up in corner, for the convenience of
the betters; in small box beneath lay piles of
bankbils and heaps of double.eages for the
reds@pfion of those ivory issues.
h Was early in the evening, and the players
had not got in. The keeper entertained US
with tales Of the table-how fooIishly young
men came there, as we had, out of curiosity,
and were induced TO 'try their luck" out Of
curiosity: which generally left them out of
cash, out of character, aRa out of friends in the
end. We proposed leaving, when he politely
invited us TO stay for supper; he showed US his
bill of fare, which included soup roast beef
oysters in all styles, venison, quail, fish, eho-
colate, coffee, and all the wines and liquors to
be found in the best restaurants. Whoever
is admitted to the rooms, either as players or
spectators, are also admitted to their snppers,
free Of charge; don't they understand human
nature? The keeper was impatient to have the
House organized, so members could draw their
mileage, and make his business betterC) This
is but one of many institutions'in this city, and
the Tiger is bound to be fed, though the peo~
pie starve.