The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-08-27
New York Gamblfrs.

NtM Anth AttfAAl eNafhlS Nhih
gamblers Their houses u wiekedness
arr hiden from the common eye. II Il
only by deliberate and persistent Effort
that the veil which shrouds them can bs
lfted by an observer. Henea, one might
hive N the city for years. and unless 3,
chance, be would see nothing OF the
gambling houses. Until recently | am
appalled, at the facts brought 70 my
knowledge respecting them
Among the thousands OF gaming.
houses over which tho night spreads is
pal, the most elegant aud anstoeratic
are those in Twenty-fourth Street, near
Broadgaw, within sight of that most
fashionable OF New York hotels. the
Fifth Avenue. They are extremely ex-
| clusiye-for excellent reasons--an and on
one can enter their doors without being
introduced as formally as if these houses
were the residences Of our most aristo-
cratic families.
The most ornate and celebrated OF
these gambling houses is kept by man
/ who hns won both wealth and political
4 preierment. More than that this house
is his residence Here he receives his
friends Another is kept by John Nor
lissey member Of Congress, formerly
| prize fighter. He is interested in sever
al other gambling houses IN town, but
this is his headquarters, his home.
Shall we enter? We mount the broad
stone step Of the seemingly quiet private
residence, and ring the bell Ii is
answered by negro, faultlessly attired,
and of superior intelligence. This me-
gro receives large salary for his seryi-
ces, and is thoroughly familiar with the
faces of his employers gentlemen
! friends. The question whether we pro-
ceed any further than the door is asim-
| pie one.
Ii we are unknown to the negro, he
brandiy inquiries our business. Ii we
reply that We know the character Of the
place and wish to enter, his answer will
| be to shut the door with the utmost
GOODNESS in our faces. There is abso-
lutely no ruse that viii enable a stran-
ger to pierce the veil. But we were ac-
companied by one to whom the door is
never shut this, nor any ohter at which
he demands enterance.
We pass into the hall, and the door
closes behind u.s. The negro is all po-
! lteness. His tall, fine form proceeds us
with a gliding grace, and he bows us IN
TO n room with profound obeisGnce.---
We stand IN parlor most luxuriously
furnished, but with "A an excessive con-
tempt Of expense is quiet, however rich; f;
| but this room is ''loud" It's ceiling is
splendidly frescoed, but the colors are
high and splashy. There is too much
guiding about the apartment generally,
too much glitter, and evident an at
tempt at show. However, you may find
precisely the same features in the par
lors of many OF our Fifth Avenue fash
ionables.
Brilliant chandeliers threw Aood Of
radiance over the scene The door
tlroagh which we enter is open, and we
perceive a richly carpeted stairway leads
upward, whittier? TO the private resi-
dence of the Hon. John Morrissey,
whose family(when in town OCCUPY the
upper stories of the mansion.
But where is the gambiing2 In
answer to this inquiry, our chaperon
leads ns down the long parlor into a
at the rear, where we suddenly find be-
fore MS II table on which is spread q feast
that would delight TN epicure. Upon
! the danask cloth rest elegant dishes la
| den with viands, with rare hot-house
fruits grapes, JUICY pears, peaches-
whatever wealth will buy. Those who
sit down to supper here, generally feast
bountifally. They are piled with the
choicest wines aud liquors; the whole
is cost free--but when'the meal is done,
they generally pay heavy price for it in
| the gaming salo.
The gaming salon adioins the dining
room. We pass silent-swinging door,
and at lust are in the heart Of the eainb-
hing hell. The room is spacious one,
and is not 80 ornate as those we have
seen. 1t is place for business, and
business is progressing. There is a
crowd of eager tempters OF fortune here,
! Gambling OF various descriptions is GO
ing on, but it is the faro table that con-
stltutes the popular feature Of the place.
Around this table there Is q busy throng
The game proceeds IN silence broken
only by the rafting OF ivory checks, the
| shutting Of the smooth cards as they
| slip from the silver box of the dealer,
and the occasional remark Of a player
in an undertone. What strikes you
most forcibly is the sabdued intensity
OF the thing. Ii you scan the faces ol
the players carefully, you viii sec
strange CLEANS shoot from their eyes
strange twitchings Of the muscles about
the mouth, strange trembliBgs Of the
hands that reach forth here and there
to deposit cheeks upon special cards.
The dealer proceeds with tae steadiness
and eoolness of an automaton with hii
work lie slips ont card, and thou
sands Of dollars change hands at sight
Of il A dash Of wnd Joy llluminate'
some face IL that eager circle Of gamb
lers- only to fade away and be succeed
ed by cloud Of dismay, perhaps, az an
another card Is displayed in the glitter
ing box.
ITO see the passions Of these men al
their heighth, my companion remarked