Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-10-22
GOSSIP FROM NEW YORK.
For the Public Ledger. ]

NEW YoRK. October 10. 1866. q
A spasmodic, feversh moral effort is
now being made to exterminate some of
the principal gambling hells on Broad
way, Fifth avenue, and other leading
thoroughfares of this city. The detec-
tives have been given their cue, and are
already at work endeavoring to find out
what they have all along known for many
years--where these hells are really
located. From the Battery to Union
Square, on Broadway, within distance
of two miles and half, there are three
hundred and some odd faro banks and
operators of roulette, located in magnif-
Gently fitted up apartments. How they
all manage to exist is indeed wonder.
Gamblers complain that since the war
there has been so much competition in
in "kard playing" that it is lucky
bank that can do anything more than pay
expenses at present Before the war,
not more than one-half of the proprietors
set supper free to all who chose to
honor them with visit after nine o clock
at night Now each hell has its cuisine, ex-
pensively paid cooks, servants, etc., and
not only set out elaborate suppers, but free
breakfasts about eleven o clock a NJ, and
free dinners at six pm. for their friends
aud patrons. 1t is not incumbent on you
to play when you enter hell, to obtain a
first class meal, if you are introduced by
a player at the house, or some one of its
friends. All are welcome, play or no
play, Just as you feel inclined If you
are a good talker on current events, and
rake yourself agreeable by your general
conversation, and small talk about the
table, you will be more than heartily well
come. Nothing a gambler so much dis
likes as solitude in his own house. To
sit at table with thirty or forty men,
eating and drinking, most of whom are
strangers to each other, and there is
scarcely a word uttered beyond a whis
per to a servant to bring this or that edi-
BILE, becomes an intolerable nuisance to
most Of the fraternity, especially if their
game is not square one, a name
usually applied to honest playing. A
consciousness of guilt is always upper
most in their minds, and that some of
those present have detected them in their
cheating and swindling operations,
but as their losses have not
been heavy, say nothing and content
themselves in eating and drinking their
loss out with a margin in their favor if
their appetite is good. Many leading
houses employ men about town, broken
down fops, etc, of good address, and
conversational talents as simply talk
ing mediums" They are usually paid
handsome salaries for their words, have
nothing to do with "roping in " strang-
ers to buck at the tiger" and are not
expected TO interest themselves about
the game, or even be seen lowering
around the table when the game is going
on. Their FIELD of operations is in the
adjoining rooms where there are no
games played, except a little whist,
euchre, or cribhage, but seldom for
money, aud at the dinner and supper
table. After listening to the sallies of
wit and repartee, or learned discussion
on some scientific subject around the
table between two or three of these paid
"talkers ask the proprietor Of the
hell who they are-and he will very
likely tell you one is General such-a-one
the other Professor somebody-else-
gentlemen Of 6ne social position and
wealth, who visit his establish
ment simply to pass away a few
hours in the evening and play
a social game Of whist "Do they ever
plsv for money!" "Oh, no." In all
probability he replies, they are dead
opposed to that" The professional
takers are generally men who have
been prominent in their day, either in
society. art, or some professional calling,
but from some sudden reverse Of fortune
were reduced to poverty and compelled
afterwards, rather than labor, to exist BY
their wits. Of course the nature Of their