True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-01-02
A Peep into a Washington He'll.

Having heard much Of the magnif-
cence and grandeur of the metropolitan
gambling houses, ! with several Cleve-
land friends paid one visit the other
night. The entrance was through nar-
row, lighted way, opening from tho Av,
enue, 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
colored servant looks through a latliced
pannel, TO see that allis right. If he dis
covers well known customer OF a fre-
quent visitor Of such places, the whole
party is admitted; on the principle Of
coursethat ga person is known by the
company he keeps" Gamblers under.
stand human nature better than anybody
else, and they know this old adage is a:
true in hell as it is out We were adj
mitted first into aroom beautifully carpet
ed, fresco painted, with chairs, sofas
lounges, &c., Of rosewood, a large centre
table, on which were the leading news
papers Of the country, and around whicl
sat several well dressed gentlemen leisure
y reading and discussing the news of The
day. This was but the half of double
parlor; the reception room, or as LiltoI
would say, 1.-The vestibule of hell"
Our guide, who was a well know
Washington gentleman, introduced us Il
the keeper of the establishment, tellin
him that we had never been in such
place before, and were led by curiosit,
to explore his internal domains. He ap
peared highly delighted, and Immediately
opened up the ''inner temples" we en-
| tered and found the half had not bee
told us"-a chandelier, costing from thre
to four hundred dollars, brilliantly lit up
flung its gli,terng rays on gold papcre
walls. satin damask. curtains, sofas, &t
In the centre, and near one end Of III
room, stood long six.legged table, viii
curved limbs and lion paws, covered vii
a richly embroidered spread, falling
folds nearly to the floor; on the wall owe
this table lung massive gilt frame, an
large as life, huge crouching tiger, wit
eyes Of glaring fire, lips apart, and appa
renlly ready for spring upon his unsu
pecting victim. The cloth being remo'
ed from the table beneath, revealed
"Faro Bank" with all the implements
that well known fascinating game-chip
: ivory chips, representing 81, S5, 50
$3.50 each, lay piled up on one corner. T
the convenience Of The betters: in stroi
! box beneath lay piles of bank bills al
4 heaps of double eagles for the redemptic
Of these ivory issues.
1t was early in the evening, and 4
players had not got in. The keeper e
tertained US with tales Of the table, -ho
: foolishlv young men came there as ,
: had, outof curiosity, and were induc
: 10 "try heirluck" out Of curiosity, il
generally left them out Of cash, out
character, and out Of friends, in the en-
We proposed leaving, when he polite
n invited us TO stay to supper; he show
|. us his bill Of fare, which included SOL
!. roast beef, oysters in all styles, duel
veuison, quail, fish, chocolate, coffee, u,
4 and all the wines and liquors to be fou
y in the best restaurants. Whoever is a
" mitted to the rooms, either as players
spectators, are also admitted to these 81
pers free Of charge; don't gamblers
derstand human nature! The keeper v
$. impatient to have the House organic
If SO members could draw their mileage /;
n make his business better, % This is
v. one of many such institutions in thisci
!. and the Tiger is bound-to be fed thor
the people siarve.-=G Wash, Cor. Of,
Cleveland Plain Dealer. paa 1853
I, FWe tranefer to our columns Fl
~ 4I.a M D.aIasI....I H. ell. Il