The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-07
A THRILLING ADVENTURE IN A
Tn ys' GAMING HOUSE.

1t was in the spring Of 1S- that found
| myself gliding upon the waters Of the mighty
Mississippi, and bound for the Crescent City,
New Orleans. ~ aal % 81. .:.r. . .3g.ati, i,,.t
With a single exception found no travel
ing aeguaintances on board the boat, although
| had been two days upon my journey, which
was becoming quite monotonous The indi-
vidual with whom !, singularly enough fra
ternized, seemed, like myself to have little
inclination to extend his acquaintance among
the passengers though he continually seemed
to be continually on the lookout for some one !;
and, from the operations of two or three indi-
viduals whose profuse display of vest chains
and jewelry and proficiency at cards, at the
table in the saloon, betrayed their profession,
l more than once set him down as a police
detective in disguise. ... ,gsrr-.'a' .ss
He called himself George Thorn, of Ken
tucky-so his card read, which he gave me in
exchange for mine. In truth he was a noble
specimen Of that State Full six feet in height,
q clear, intelligent blue eye, broad forehead,
and light curly hair, muscular arm and the
chest of Hercules, he challenged the admira-
ton of more than one Of the passengers, as
with his. serious and never smiling face he
paced the promenade deck or sat apparently
buried in thought in the saloon.
"Do you ever play cards ?" said to him,
as he left a group that were standing about a
table of four players and noting the progress
Of the game. | had frequently seen him
invited, but he invariably, Ike myself refused
to participate in the game. ~
"0h yes said he . but where is the use
of playing here? Those fellows (nodding
toward the playcrs) know every card in the
pack by their backs and they are trying hard
to pluck some poor pigeon from among the
passengers, but as yetwith Indifferent sue.
cess. Beware of them, sir" .. ..... ..
thanked him for his friendly warning, and
Mt the same time expressed my astonishment
at his affirmation. To convince me Of it. he
called the steward Of the boat, and ordered
him to bring him fresh pack of cards, which
were brought, and he handed the pack to me,
bidding me to shuttle them. | did 50, when
he Immediately selected every ace and king
from the pack, without looking at the face Of
them. Next, he dealt them in two parcels,
when, upon examination, | found that all the
cards of real value in the game were in his
hand, although | could not detect the least
unfairness as he dealt them.
"You See," said he, smiling at my look of
astonshmcnt "the advantage an expert in
these matters has over even skillful player
Il do, indeed, ] replied, astonished at my i
fellow. travellers deXterity, and beginning to
think he might be reformed gambler, or one
playing the possum' for some purpose or
other; but as he did not urge or even invite
me to play, nor had played with any one else,
and threw the cards aside With an expression
of disgust too natural 20 he assumed | came
to the conclusion that my travelling acquain-
tance was riddle yet to be solved.
Early the next morning the boat arrived at
New Orleans, and amid the hurry and hustle
of Decentralization, lost my friend, the Ken
tuckian, not even seeing him to bid him adieu.
The same evening, however, after visiting the
theatre was enjoying the cool air and the
fragrance of Havansin the rotunda Of the
ST. Charles Hotel, and comersing with friend
from the North, whom | had fortunately met,
when whom should encounter but my steam
boa friend. v h-a n... .. p. s..."
Alter the usual greeting our conversation
turned upon our trip down the river, our tel-
low passengers, &c., wlHn my fellow traveller
remarked if would like to witness the Interior
Of gambling house, or "hell, as il isysomc-
times more appropriately called, he would be
pleased to show it to us as one of the sights or
"lions Of the city Never having witnessed
anything Of the kind, both I and my friend
assentcd, and after short walk found ourselves
within the precincts Of one Of those glittering
and gorgeously furnished establishments; vesti-