Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-12
High Life at Saratoga.

. A correspondent Oh lnt Dostoh JOuf-
nal thus writes of men and things at the
great watering place. The colors are not
very attractive to sober-minded people ::
NEW SPORTING CLUB.
Besides the regular races that are to
come off this season, new club has been
formed that brings to the Springs the
sporting men of the land Those already
here race their steeds every day. About
twenty-five race horses from the South,
West, and North have arrived, and more
are to come. James Clay, the son of
Hon. Henry Clay, is in town Col. Blu
ford OF Kentucky, has two racers of great
speed, called Delaware and Onward.
Capt. Moore, Of the same State, has four
blooded horses Mr.. Watson, Of New
York, has FIVE blooded horses Some of
these animals could not be bought for
$25 900. They are not allowed to be har-
messed. Indeed, the real race horse is
unbroke to the collar. The famed Lex
ington is here, and will compete for the
prize of $1,000 But men in the secret
say he will be beaten this year by some
steeds which, in the practice, have made
usual time. g
Each morning between three and four
o clock, the owners of the fast horses,
with three grooms, leave the stables for
the track. A walk is first had of a few
miles. Then the steeds trot, and after
this exercise for about half an hour,
they are put to their full speed in the
race. These blooded horses seem to
know as much as their riders. They
smell the battle afar off, like Jobs war
horse, and round and round the course
they 90, neck and neck, each competing
steed doing his utmost From thirty TO
fifty of the leading horsemen, horse
breeders and horse owners of this coun-
try can be seen on the course at that
early hour, taking part in the excitement
of the race, if not riding their favorte
steed. This class of horses and hore-
men are multiplying in Saratoga Sport
ing will be the great business OF the
Springs by and by.
MoRRIssEY FINDS RIVAL
The multiplying of gaming houses IN
this place from season to season has been
marked but never as much so as now.
On the main street many of the second
floors are taken by those who keep gam
ing tables No pains are taken to keep
the business secret. From the streets,
from the piazzas of the hotels, from
dawn till dark, from sundown till sun
rise, Sunday brings no repose and no
cessation Men can be seen under the
fascination of the tables, winning or
losing great sums Some well-to-de
and weli reputed men from New York
daily play, with fixed rule only to lose
a certain sum. They play while they
win. But when fortune is against them
and their standard of loss is reached,
they quit the tables These men never
drink when they play. But with all this
rivalry, Morrissey has been able to hold
his own. .m
He has now found a rival A woman
from New York has taken a house on
the same street where his club house is
located. 1t is elegantly fitted up. 1t
has bar of the choicest wines and
liquors. A hep is held each night at
which men are admitted on the payment
of five dollars Young women, quite
lretty and well dressed, parade the
Streets and call at the hotels, and with
handsomely printed circulars call men
into this new place of dissipation. The
circular holds out the price of the hops,
the music, the wines and refreshments as
does bill of fare in restaurant. The
lady of the mansion keeps four-in-hand
team. The outfit is splendid. The
horses are stately aud aristocratic. A
driver holds the reins dressed in livery;
Two lackeys sit behind in white coats of
immense breadth, and buttons as big as
half dollars, aud otherwise dressed in the
most aristoeratic style Alone in the
open carriage, the owner sits in all her
glory and is driving up and down, IN and
out of the town, and of course Is the
centre Of general observation. Ihe
thing has made and will make pro
found excitement here Men have been
waylaid by girls pretending to have lost
their way Men have been enticed into
the house under various pretenses, aud
the bold, defiant, open, business-hke way
the house is managed strikes oil with as
tOnishment