The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-03

Vitatioh TO come when please with any friend
l may see proper 10 invite, free OF cost.
"Then," said the youth, ''you have personal
knowledge as to the direct character of this
house2n ......
"That have" said he: "I 60 there and sup
every night, at their expense and" continued
ne, 81 only extended this liberty have grant,
ed me (by the proprietor to you, through the
purest motives Of Friendship. lam well aware
OF your humble situation at present, and Pc
cuniary matters are at low ebb with You, bat
ask you not to game or revel; only wish to
give you just appreciation of gaming sa-
looms moral worth; to see and hear for your
self how others have misrerresented the same
wish, likewise, to satisfy you that these
houses are not peopled with such friends as
you uhave depicted iny your Imagination. "But,,
continued he, "th,nk of my invita,ion; do
not wish to press it upon you.D
After he left, the young man ponde,ed the
polite Invitation over in his mind. He thought
that he should be amused and probably be
highly entertained as well as informed by the
visit. Besides, that, he would be under the
protection of one of his own craft All this,
with hungry student, was calculated to have
salutary effect upon his mind, and he finally
came to the conclusion to accept the invita-
ton.
Little thought he, when the fawning hawk
was pouring such fattering descriptions of the
gaming house, and the characters who associ-
ated with the Inmates and proprietor, that up
on the answer be gave rested all his earthly
prosperity.
But all his former prejudices were removed,
and the mex: day he accepted the invitation
The time set for their meeting at the door Of
the gaming house. was ten O'Clock that even.
ing. According to their engagement, they
met. The hawk rang the bell, aud door was
opened that led through an entrance to an
"ante-room," where stood the Inspector of
those who sought. admittance. He politely
ushered them into the gaming room. where,
around large table richly covered and cush-
ioned with velvet, was seated about twenty
five or thirty gentlemen, from the beardless
youth of sixteen, to the gray-headed sire of
seventy. Many of these latter carried upon
their haggard, care-worn countenances the in
dex of the gaming table:
At half-past eleven, there was fine supper
placed upon the table, and the guests invited
partake, free Of cost. Soon were the game.
sters made glad by the influence of the spark.
ling wine, which acted upon some like a scene
Of snchantment. Supper over, they again re
turned to the large table, and seated themselves
and renewed their game. The game played
was called the game Of Faro Behind the
beautiful table just spoken of, sat the iron-fac-
ed gambler. Upon his right hand sat beau
tiful rosewood box, about 1S inches long and
Twelve wide, partitioned off in a way to con-
tain about twenty-four packs Of cards. By
the side Of this box, upon the table, sat about
one thousand pieces of ivory, the largest in
size and shape something like twenty dollar
gold coin, with the figures of 100, so, 25, 10, s.
1, representing the same number Of dollars a
on them were marked or engraved. By their
side sat a fine silver "Faro boxo This box is
made Of silver, and is just large enough to con-
tain pack Of cards. 1t was plain as to its ex-
ternal appearance, but the inside was quite aif-
ferent, and very complicated.
Upon the top of this table, and in the CEN
ter was placed an ornamented black velvet
cloth, upon which was laid and attached thir-
teen cards, being the snit of Diamands, one OF
each kind. These cards were called clay
outs" and were placed there for those who
played, to signify their bets and the amount
hazarded. When all is ready, the gambler
deals out these checks to those who pass il
their money, in the same manner as Wal
street broker or any other broker-with this
differences: he deals out ivory in place of golt
and silver. The gambler terms this kind O
coin "Fish." II the player should be fortu
nate enough to have any Of these checks O
"fsh" at the close Of the game he receives the
amount designated by the figures upon the face
All parties being served, the game, is com
menced. The manner in which they play, I
shall not at present atremptto describe, having
fully explained the game of Faro in my work
entitled. SCREEN on Gambling.o Seated like
supreme judge, high up and with much i'm
pudence he, the trained journeyman robher,
"deals'' out the cards to those who have funds
and wish to play. The stool pigeons, who
have nothing better to amuse themselves with
generally discuss politics and smoke their ci.
gars. Moore the keeper aud proprietor Of
this polluted den, with folded arms strode up
and down the rooms with as much dignity a
though he had been commander-in- -chief oi
the American army. This was different
picture indeed, from that which the student
had anticipated. His companion seated hi m
self at the table, and after about an hour
play, drew out Of the gamblers bank fit
dollars more than he had deposited. This be-
ing done, without further ceremony he bowet
politely to the proprietor, and he and the stu
dent left the room. This visit pleased tn
young man, and for several nights in success
sion did he ant his friend visit this beautiful
and gaudily furnished house Of dissipation
He at times was much excited, but never mad
bet.
He felt the temptation great one. Th
time was fast approaching when he expecte
to be happy husband, and as ret he had mol
sufficient money to clothe himself decen.ly TO
the occasion. This fact he made known to hi
companion Of the gaming room, and had i