The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-10-25

visit the interior Of q gambling house, or
nhell,n as it is sometimes more appropri-
ately called, he would be pleased 70 show
II TO us as one Of the sights or "lions" Of
the city. Never having witnessed any
thing Of the kind, both and my friend
assented, and after short walk found
ourselves within the precincts Of one Of
those glitteriDg and gorgeously Furnished
establishments ts-yestibules to the infer
nal regions s--where men were engaged IN
various games at hazard. ss5st FRS vaTl
The interior Of gambling house has
been too frequently described TO need q
repetition. The Faro Bank, with its
crowd Of betters-the Rouge ct Noir ta-
Bile, with its anxious circle, and groups Of
players at other games, Of which wasig-
noraut Of the name, were all busily en-.
gagged as VIC entered. We had passed
through two apartments and reached .
third, in which were but four players,
playing iu pairs at different tables. AS
we entered VIC sat down at an unoccupied
table for moment, when, as we did SO,
we heard ono Of the two men nearest us
say to his opponent:
"That's the last dollar luck is yours,
and I'm cleaned out"
"But you wear good ring" said his
opponent. "See! I will give you a
chance for revenge. I'll back my ring
against yours on The next game. It's a
ring won at play from Kentucky boy,
who came to New Orleans 10 see the
"sights," said he carlessly.
How little did he know ih,se words so
lightly spoken had sealed his doom
.'No,' said his opponent, rising "Pll
meet you tomorrow night. ] won't pledge
my jewelry yet" -
As the player, who was sitting with
his back partially towards us, mentioned
Kentucky in his conversation, I saw
Thorn listen with eagerness, and as he
twisted the ring he offered to bet upon
his finger, saw the Kentuckian, turn
deadly pale. His eyes glowed like fire
for an instant; then his couutenance as
sumed its usual calm and placid look,
and, to our amazement, he rose and
walked across the apartment to the play.
or, who had just been left by his com.
paniou, aud corteously proposed to Try
hand with him, if agreeable, and if we
his friends, would excuse him for q
abort ttima, OF aanese We assented SO
did the gambler, who appeared at first
somewhat surprised at the proposition,
but probably resolved to try his skill on
the new conner. -
The cards were dealt and the gamt
proceeded, We were sufficiently near L
see that the pieces of gold which cOnsti
tuted the first stake was won by oul
friends opponent; so, also, was the sec
opd. The third stake Thorn gained
and thus they went on, alternately win
ming and losing, till at last Thorn care
lcssly said: =,
"fhat's pretty ring you offered t
bet awhile ago, stranger. Will you sell
it |"
aWell, as to that" said the other, III
pretty enough, and cost me enough, fol
a young fellow pledged it to me som'
three years ago as a sert Of note OF hand
which he promised to redeem with fv'
4 hundred dollars that he owed me-
debt Of honor, sir but he never paid i
SO | retain the ring. No, stranger,
guess that will not sell it,"
"But the owner, you should have mad
him pay. Five hundred dollars is deal
price for such bauble."
"Why as to that" said the player, a
he gathered up his cards for the mex
hand, "he couldn't come to time yer.
we'll, for he paid the debt Of nature, a
thew say, the same night, and that can
ccled my obligation. Ah the stake
mine; there's always luck in this ring
sir, 1 believe" said be, as he drew tn
money towards him. "Suppose we try
larger stake;" and he prepared to shufi
the cards again.
aAs you like" said Thorn.
sWeil, what shall it be 7" said his op
/, ponont, "anything from one to i've hun
dred - and he threw bank note OF tha
denomination carlessly upon the table.
To our surprise, Thorn threw out
wallet from his pocket, and produced al
equal amount then sweeping the card
they had been using from the table t
, the floor, he called for fresh pack an
as the attendant brought them, he passe
them rapidly through his hands and CAV
them to his adversary, remarking to hin
as he did SO, to ''mind his deal this time,
fixing upon him searching glance as b
went through that operation. The gam
was that known as bluff or poker, l kno,
not which, but at any rate one in whic
the players bet on the cards they hold
Thorn aud his opponent having glance
, at the cards commenced the game.
am 90 one hundred" said Thor
, commencing. 4.
"Two hundred better than that!" sal
!. his opponent.
"Anothcr hundred! !" continued Thorn
"H'm'm three hundred better sal
the gambler, producing the notes.
"Three hundred more !" said Thor
: quietly. ttl
The game was getting exciting to
/ as spectators three thousand dollars ia
: upon the table TO be decided by the care
Ia h. tLa nlavara each of whom seeme