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


BY J. H. GREEN.
...... .... NO. III.
a Youag man Victimized by Gansbl RI without
xaking bet. .
There are many innocent people in New
York, who read with great horror, accounts
Of gambling in California, New Orleans, Tex
as, Paris and London, and having been quite
familiar with Crockford's and other maxnif-
cent houses in St. James,, who never dream
that they daily walk in the shadow of heIls
quite as brilliant, and more dark and damra-
lie bthan any in those places or cities. Young
gentlemen are enticed to such places at first
by an unbounded curiosity. They are led by
gaming hawks or stool pigeons, by promise
to put them through without charge, where
they can seat themselves at table surrounded
by the highest " bloods," covered by the most
costly elegancles Of the day and spread in Law
ish pIofuson.
hispromise is fulfilled, and much more be-
sides which this painful sequel will show:
After the victim has partook of the hospital.
ity of the gaming table, he stands committed;
he must reciprocate.
This step opens the door for the "hawk, -
who is leading him to the slaughter rack.
From the supper table he is Gshered into the
gaming department. Here they are rawn in
to the alluring malestrom by love of excite
ment, or by hope Of gain or some other similar
motive. Excitement of some kind all men
(excephng oEly few human sloths) require,
and they will seek it as thev will food--with-
out any thought Of consequences.
Unthinklng philosophers have done great
mischief, in moral sense, by recommending
to the youth, as preventive of vice, the visit
ing of fashionable places of amusement, that
they may have a just appreciation Of their
moral worth. To all such, l would call their
attention to the language Of the poet, where he
says:
There is many a spark In paint and plume,
Bedeck'd and wreathed In natures bosm,
That's Just trap-and ev'ry tsy
Is but a snare made to decoy."
An instance of the kind here referred to,
will give:-When the gambling house at two
hundred and ffty-six Broadway, N. Y. was
more generally in favor OF the police and other
officials Of the city, than others of tn same
teaor; few were the weeks that passed by with
out the most heart-rending incidents traospir-
ing. Suicides and acts of fraud were as COM
mon among the higher order Of foreigners as
any other class. As " stool pigeons " to cater
to his will, Moore, the proprietor, who en-
ployed men who understood and spoke the
different anguages-iisgraced officers of the
army and navy, profigate editors and "black
mail reporters, superanuated and ruined gentle
men, iudicials. bankrupt merchants and dis
honest clerks, &c congress men Of both hous.
es, and even down as low as bribed alderme, !.
with others, who at one time represented and
stood high in their professions. They were
the most expert workmen 10 the "black art.''
Among his victims, was young man of ex.
cell,nt habits and fine intellect, who came to
TO the city to read law. He was the SON of a
devoted father and mother, and their only child.
They had not means to educate him, and at
the same time save suficien. for support in
their old age. Their son was their idol. In
him they knew no harm. Their all was spent
that he might graduate in honor; and upon
this rested all their earthly hopes. gentle-
man In Wall street, New York, in high stand
ing at the bar, gave him desk in his Office,
and employed him as his clerk. For two
years he was close student and confden-
tial clerk Of the Office. No young man with 50
limited a chance in that city had more friends
--none we~e more deserving. He had com
pleted his studies and applied fo- admission to
the bar. He visited his parents in the inter.
val, for the first time in two years. While or
this visit, he renewed the passion OF love he
had at an early period Of his life, embibed for
beautiful young lady Of wealth. She accept
cd his suit. Their engagement was made
known to their parents, and by them approved.
The wedding lay was set, and, he in fine hopes
Of future blesss dness, returned to the city and
with double energy commenced his arduous
duties. His salary being small, he was de-
prived Of many Of the luxuriss Of life His
whole soul was bent on his preparatory studies
and the anticipations of his matrimonial en-.
gagement. Much Of his attention was requir-
ed by his employer. Large amounts of money
for collection and deposite were frequently
placed in his hands. II was not an uncom.
mon thin & for the Office business to prevent
him from making depssites in bank, snd then
he with great care kept the money about his
person until such tune as the bank might open
All bis responsibilities, as well as his op.
pressed pecuniary circumstances, were soor
found out by one of the accomplished hawk.
OF the law profession, who was acting in con
cert with the proprietor Of No. 256. More
than one invitation had been extended by thi.
accomplished villain to the student, for him tc
drive, or sup with him at this splendid gaming
saloon, but had been refused upon two prinei
plss--ons, that his poverty would render hin
unable to reciprocate; the second, upon a
moral basis. He reasoned thus: eshould m,
visit to such house reach the ears Of my en-
ployer, or should my aged parents or afianced
bride know that had ever condescended ia
mix with such men as compose the society oi
gambling houses, they would be much troub
| led"
These objections the sshawk" met with thai
assumed composure only to be initiated bv In i