Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-08-13
fGANfBL1Nc+ITs TEMPTATIONS

fGANfBL1NGrrs TEMPTATIONS
AND DANGERS
q I5ssrT1Sc v1cRsrh1T ,rApDESEs ANp DESTROYS
ID ~ the leading cities inthet Union the vice
of gSmblineis believed to5preTail to fearful ex-
tent II IS presented IN 50 many forms, and is
surrounded with so many fascinations for the
Young and experienced that It IS almost lrTesis-
table, The wonder is not that cases Ofruin Oc-
casionaIIy occur, but that so few, Comparative
" speaking are made public. The victims OF
the gaming liable may be counted by thousands
The system has been organized into a sort of.
profession and is now pursued with as much
GOODNESS and confidence as any trade or avoca-
ition Gamblers of the higher class assume to
be gentlemen and men of honor and regard
themselves as insulted, if charged with any i'm
moral practice. The Bankers of the Black art
often mix in reputable society, and by their ease
of manner and eloqucnce of address, become
most agreeable companions, and thus inslnuate
themselves into the good graces, not only OF the
confding and unsuspectng, but even those OF
many individuals who assume to be shrewd and
intelligent
The fashionable gambling houses of a great
metropolis are fitted up IN the most magnificent
manner, and abound with lrxnries and tempta-
tons Everything has an appearance OF fairness
and the master-spirits of the scene are at once
agreeable, liberal and polished They would,
according to their own representations, "scorn
mean or dishonorable act True, they will
play to accommodate a gentleman, and If IN
the end, he should find himself heavy loser,
the responsibility is his, not theirs. The vice,
tuo, is one that soon absorbs the whole being
1t is exciting and stimulating; and while success
maddens and intoxicates, failure only urges the
victim to new efforts, under a belief that the
chances that have thus far gone against MN, VIII
soon turn in his favor. The professional gam
bier meanwhile looks coolly on, and watches the
writings ofhis dupe, in spirit of heartless ex-
ultation. If the veil could be lifted even in this
| city, how many ruined families broken hearts
and desolated homes might be traced to the
curse of gambling The initiated can form no
idea of the stealtEy and insiuuating policy of tho
veteran gambler. He may be seen where stran-
gers most do congrcgate, at the leading hotels,
and fashionable resorts and at all national dis
plays and exhibitions, for there he looks for the
flushed, the excited and eager, and is ready to
pluck and plumber them.
Many the regular gamblers Of this country
arc migratory race. they travel from one sec
ton of the Union to another, and are particular
fly delighted with crowded cities, and especially
| in times of high excitement. They arealways
lready-always on the watch. With them, the
whole thing is business, a calculating, heart
Hess, mercanery pursuit When, too, they dlS-
cover an individual who has suddenly become
! possessed of large sum of money, and who
nature, is constantly boasting of his good for
tune, their attentions are Overwhelming, and
! they cannot be induced to leave him. They ply
/ him, not only with kind words, but with the
best ofewines; and when at last, he Is thrown en-
tirely off his guard, they rob and ruin him. with
out solitary thought or care FOR his future des-
/ tiny. Gamblers, at this season OF the year n
1 bound at summer resorts and fashionable wat
/ ering places. They repair thither TO single out
''the fast young men, "or such ofthe visitors as
have more money than brains. Generally spea-
king they are fond ofhorses and dogs, and some
of them sport quite dashing establishments
/ These, indeed, arc important essentials in the
art of quilting, wheeling and finally swindling.
i Only induce a young blood to believe that ne
is capital judge of hOrseflesh, or that his la
| Sorite trotter has no superior on the continent
that in fact, his stylen of riding and driving is
remarkably graceful and finished, and he will
soon be tempted into gambling room. Then.
and there, he will be made to pay dearly enough
/ for the compliment. Gamblers, too, are Won
derfully apt, in escaping the meshes OF the law.
/ Ever and anon arrests are made; but they sell
dom amount to anything, for satisfactory ar
Y Engagements take place, and even the deluded
victim is ashamed to make his appearance: This
system is carried on more quietly in Philadel-
phia, thanin any other city of the Union.
The masses of the community know little or
nothing of the existence of any such vice amongst
1 us; and yet we are told that some of our gam
bling hells" are adorned and beautitied by all
that art and industry can produce, and are visit
ed nightly by the sons of some of our best citi-
zens The habit is fearful one, and the temp
4 tation is-we OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES &
Some years since, one of the most accomplish
and successful statesmen in Market street. who at
that time received handsome salary, being full
" aware of his activity and energy, made an eff
| fort to become partner in the firm. A senior
objected, and asked as a favor, that he should he
/ excused from stating his reason. But this, UNI
der the circumstances, would not do. The oth-
err parties were perfectly willing to TAKE the ap-
/ plicant into the house, for they liked him and
Il appreciated his capacity. So circumstanced, the
Young clerk insisted that the WHOLE TRUTH should
Ebe told Thus, i'll fact, compelled to speak out
the senior stated and on authority that was every
way conclusive, that the applicant scas a regular,
UtsitOr at n celeJruted gambling house, and had
repedtelELy lost sums of money IN u single night
amounting an tie aggregate to hundreds Of dol
/ LlTSi The objection, we need scarcely add, was
y fatal The effect was to produce high degree
/ of excitement and despair, and IN less hah u
VeGr from TINT time tie infatuated young mar,
i gfrcr rory screre loss at tic gaabling table,
committed suicide! But the evils ofthe vice arc
countless There are, moreover, gamblers in the
various walks of-lifc. The intirnity leads to
many others 1t is the fruitful parent of intem-
i perance, of forgery, of fraud, of bankruptcy
| nay, even Of murder itself Avoid it then, gen
! tie reader, as fearful infatuntion; as moral
! pestilencc, and as the ''BRoAD WAY THAT LEApETH
i TO DESTRUCTION. ild. Inquirer.
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From the Washington Union, August.
a GARD.