The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-10-09
ADVENTURE IN A GAMING HOUSE.

Otty, new OfieauS- sF1. 81
With single exception, had formed
no travelling acQuaintances on board the
boat, although had been nearly two days
upon my journey which was becoming some
what mouotonous. The individual with
whom l, singularly enough, fraternized.
seemed. like myself, TO have but little incli'
nation to extend his acquaintance among
the passengers, though he seemed TO be con-
stan,ly upon the lookout for some one, and
from the close manner in which he regard
ed the operations of two or three individ-
uals. whose profuse display Of vest chains
and jewelry, and proficiency with cards at
the tables in the saloon, betrayed their pro.
fession, more than once set him down as
some sort of police detective in disguise.
He called himself George Thorn, of Ken
lucky; so his card read, which he gave me
in exchange for mine. In truth he was
noble specimen Of the Buckeye State. Full
six feet in height, 4 clear intelligent blue
eye, broad forehead, and light curly hair,
muscular arms, and the chest Of Hercules,
he challenged the admiration Of more than
one of the passengers, as, with his serious
and never smiling face, he paced the prom
enade deck, or sat apparently buried in
thought in the saloon.
"Do you never play at cards" said to
him, as he left a group that were standing
about atable of four players, and noting the
progress Of the game. had frequently
seen him invited, but Re invariably, like
myself. refused to participate in the game.
"Oh, yes,' said he, "but where is the use
Of playing here; those fellows (nodding to-
wards the players) can tell every card in the
pack 10y the hacks, and they are trying hard
TO pluck some poor pigeon from among the
passengers, but with indifferent success; be.
ware Of them. sir"
thanked him for his friendly warning,
and at the same time expressed my aston.
ishment at his affirmation. To convince
me Of the truth Of it, he called the steward
Of the boat, and ordered him to bring him
fresh pack of cards, which were brought,
and he handed the pack to me, bidding me
TO shuttle them. did so, when he imme.
diately selected nearly every ace and king
from the pack, without looking at tho face
Of them. Next he dealt them in two par
GELS, one to me and one to himself, when,
upon examination, | found that the cards of
real value in the game were in his hand,
and could not detect the least unfairness
AS he dealt them.
"4"u see," said he, smiingly, at my look
OF astonishment, "the advantage an expert
IN these matters has over even a sklfui
player"
81 do, indeed" replied I. astonshed at
my fellow travellers dexterity, and begin
ming to think he might be r.. ,rmed gam.
bier, or "playing possum" for some purpose
or other; but, as he did not urge or even
invite ME to play, nor had played with any
one else, and threw the cards aside with an
expression of disgust too natural to be Rs.
sumed, / came 10 the conclusion that nv
suspicious were unjust, and my travel
ing acquaintance was riddle yet to be
solved.
Early the next morning the boat arrived
~ New Orleans. and, amid the hurry and
hustle of debarkation, lost my friend the
Kentuckian. not even seeing him 10 bid
adieu. That same evening, however, after
visiting the theatre, | was enjoying the cool
air and a fragrant Havana, in the rotunda
Of the ST. Charles lIo.eI, and conversine
with friend from the North, whom had
fortunately met, when whom should | en-
counter but my steamboat acquaintance
After the usual greeting, our conversation
turned upon our trip down the river, our
fellow passengers, DC, when my fellow trav-
eiler remarked that if | would like to wit
ness the interior Of a gambling house, or
hell" as i! issometim more appropriately
called, lie would be pleased TO show it to us
IA one Of the sights or lions of the city
Never having witnessed anything of the
kind, both | and my friend assented, and
after short walk, found ourselves within
th- precincts of one of those glitterng and
gorgeousiy furnished stablshments-vesti
huIes to the Internal regions-where men
a'e engaged in various games of hazard.
The interior Of n gambling house has been
too frequently described to need repetition.
The Faro Bank with its crowd of betters,
the Rouge ct Noir table with its anxious
circle and groups Of players at other games
OF which | was ignorant of the name, were
Rl>busily engaged as we entered. We had
passed through two apartments, and reach =,
ed third, in which were but four players,
playing in pairs at different tables Aswe
entered, we sat down at an unoccupied Ia.
lie for moment, when, MS we did SO, we
heard one of the two men nearest us say to
his opponent
"lnat's the last dollar: luck is yours, and
I'm cleaned out"
But you wear good ring" said his
opponent See! will give you chance
for revenge. I'll back my ring against
yours on the next game. It's ring ] won
at play from n Kentucky boy that came TO
New Orleans to see the sights" said he
carelessly.
How little did he know those words, so
lightly spoken, had sealed his DOOM
mo" said his opponent rising, IN
meet you 10 morrow night. Iwon't pledge
my jewelry yet"
AS the player, who was sitting with his
back partially turned towards us, mention.
ed Kentucky in his conversation, saw
Thorn listen with eagerness, and AS he twist.
ed The ring he offered to bet upon his fin,
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