Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-08-05
From the Chicago Democrat, July &c.
Tho aaC hfeaon.

few nights since while the honest and peaceful CT
tizens of this great metropolis were doing upon their
pillows, and these only walked whom vice or crime kept
from sumber curious was Transporting in the
inner apartment of one of the most fashionable and we'll
known faro banks in this city. The parties present were
not numerous At one side of the table, and at the right
of the dealer, sat a certain welEknown Kentucky gen.
tleman now resident of this city, and very popular
an auctioneer Opposite to him were two clerks from
dry goods stores on Lake street At the foot of the table
were three young gentlemen connected with certain OF
our city banks, and four professional fancy men, The
game commenced at o'clock in the afternoon. 1t was
now past o'clock in the morning, and the contest was
kept up with undimnshed vlgor Fortune early IN the
evening had declared for the gentleman the right of
the dealer and although luck occasionally deserted him,
it again returned until his winnings were enormous.
He had up to this time won $4,000. The perspira-
ton stood in beaded drops upon the brows OF the young
men, and as they nervously laid down their counters
the squares their hands shook with emotion they
could not conceal Even the practised GOODNESS of the
professional gamblers deserted them, and they gnawed
their lips in undsguised anxiety The Kentucky gentle
man suddenly laid down checks to the amount of $6000
and as the dealer began to draw out the cards from the
silver box in which they e left the table, and walked
to the sdeboard The cards are dealt and the $4,000
are lost This reduces the winnings OF the Colonel to
$4,000. A temporary cessation Of the game takes
place. TASTY supper is taken; the Colonel proposes
to play no more. The others object; they firm in
their belief that luck has changed and that they will
win their LOSSES which hs1~ oeen fearfuy heavy back
again The Colonel consents and the game is resumed
It is now o'clock Day has begun to break, but the
thick curtains of the apartment keep out the strengthen
ing light
The young men consult among themselves The Colonel
has won $4,000 again. He is winner to the tune OF
$4,000. They have $4,000 between them. They
put their funds together place it in the hands of OF
their number and direct him to play until he looses it
ALL or until he wins back what they have already lost
The game goes on The Colonel wins $l000-then
looses $4,000 Hope springs again into the breasts OF
the young men, Their representative makes bet Of
$4,000 The company gather around with desperate In
teres The cards fall from the boX-they lose Their
funds reduced to $G000or they have lost some to
the bank, besides that paid to the Colonel. And now
their agent bets more cautiously lOO0-then $500
He loses steadily. His last $500 is reached. He is
pale deaths palor is reflected in the faces of his
comrades. He places their last stake on the CLOTH
The Colonel doubles it upon the opposite color The
dealer hesitates-but only for a moment. The
cards are dealt-the Colonel wns-the $500 is showed
over to him. and $500 more from the bank-and the
play is over The Colonel rises with $4,000 winnings
in his pocket The others leave the table, having lost
nearly that sumthe bank itself coming out nearly
The next day the fortunate Colonel settled $28,O0C
upon his wife, and swore off from the gambling hes
Whether he will keep his word remains to be seen.
What the young gentlemen did who in one night los
$2S 600 remains to be seen.
But can $4,000 be lost at single sitting, at sucl
work this by such men these, without serious con
sequences? The scene we have related actually die
occur. There are plenty of men who will read thes
| lines who know how true it is Is a community in a
healthy condition when such things occur?
There nearly dozen gambling rooms in this city
kept in first rate style, and doing business like thi
every night Their location is well known-they are t.
be easily found The police have orders not to disturb
them, and they flourish like a green bay tree.