Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-02-14
A GAMBLING HOUSE.

The Washington correspondent of the
Cleveland Plaindealer, thus describesa visit
to gambling-house, and what he saw and
heard there:
"Having heard much Of the magnifcence
and grandeur of the metropolitan gambling.
houses, with several Cleveland friends paid
one 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; g
colored servant looks through the latticed
panel to see if all is right. If he discovers
well-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 be keeps Gamblers
understand human nature better than any.
body else. We were admitted first into 9
room beautifully carpeted, fresco painted,
with chairs, sofas, lounges, &c., of rosewood,
large centre.table, on which were the lead.
ing newspapers Of the country, and around
which sat several well.dressed gentlemen,
leisurely reading and discussing the news Of
the day. This was but half of double
parlor, the reception room, or as Milton would
say, the vestibule of HE'LL
"Our guide, who was well-known Wash.
ington gentleman, introduced US to the keep.
er of the establishment, telling him that We
had never been in such place before, and
was led by curiosity to explore his internal
domains. He appeared highly delighted,
and Immediately opened up the inner tenn
ple.' We entered, and found that the half
had not been told US. A chandelier, costing
from three to four hundred dollars, brilliant
ly lit up, flung its glittering rays on gold pa.
pered walls, satin damask curtains, sofas, &c.
In the centre, and near one end of the room,
stood long six legged table, with richly
embroidered spread, fallingin folds nearly to
the floor on the wall over the table hung a
massive gilt frame, and large as life huge
croucL:ng tiger, with eyes of glaring FIRE,
lips apart, and apparently ready for spring
upon his unsuspecting victim. The cloth
being removed from the table beneath, re-
vealed Faro Bank, with all the imple.
ments of that well-known fascinating game
ivory chips, representing 81, IS, S25, $3.50
each, lay piled up in one corner, for the con-
venience of the betters in small box be-
meath lay piles of bank bills and heaps of
double eagles, for the redemption of these
ivoryissues.
"It was early in the evening, and the
players had not got in. The keeper enter.
tanned US with tales of the table--how fool
ish young men came there as we had, out of
curiosity, and wereinduced to "try rytheirluck''
out of curiosity, which generally left them
out of cash, out of character, and out of
friends, in the end. We proposed leaving,
when he politely invited US to stay to supper;
he showed us his bill of fare, which inclu-
ded soup, roast beef, oysters in all styles,
ducks, venison, quail, fish, chocolate, coffee,
nuts, 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 these suppers
free of charge Don't gamblers understand
human nature? The keeper was impatient
to have the house organised, so members
could draw their mileage and make his bust.