Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-08-30
New York Gamblers.

New York literally swarms will
gamblers. Their haunts of wicked
ness are hidden from the common
eye. 1t is only deliberate and per
sistent purpose that the veil which
shrouds them can be lifted by an OBJ
server. Hence, one might live in tht
lcity for years, and, unless by rare
chanee, he would see nothing of the
gambling-houses. Until recently,
knew of them only by hearsay; now
| am appalled, at the facts brought tc
my knowledge respecting them. m
Among the thousands of gaming
houses over which the night spreads
its pail, the most elegant and aristo
cratic are those In Twenty-fourth
street, near Broadway, within sight
of that most fashionable of New York
hotels, the Fifth Avenue. They are
extremely exclusive-for excellent
reasons,-and no one can enter their
doors without being introduced as
formally as if these houses were the
residences of our most aristocratic
families.
The most ornate and celebrated OF
these gambling-houses is kept by a
man who has won both wealth and
political preferment. More than that
this house is his residence. Here he
receives his friends. Another is kept
by John Morrissey, member Of Con
gress, formerly prize fighter. He is
interested in several other gambling
houses in town, but this is his head
quarters, his home.
Shall we enter? We mount the
broad stone step of the seemingly
quiet private residence, and ring the
bell. 1t is answered by a negro
faultlessly attired, and of superior in.
telligence. This negro receives a
large salary for his services, and is
thoroughly familiar with the faces ol
his employers gentleman friends
The question whether we proceed
any further than the door is a simple
one.
| If we are unknown to the negro, he
blandiy inquiries our business. If we
reply that we know the character Of
the place and wish to enter, his an
Swer will be to shut the door with the
utmost GOODNESS in our faces. There
is absolutely no ruse that will enable
stranger to pierce the veil. But we
are accompanied by one to whom the
door is never shut-this, nor any
other at which he demands entrance
We pass into the hall, and the door
closes behind US. The negro is al
politeness. His tall, fine form pre-
cedes US with gliding grace. and be
bows US into a room with profound
obeiSance. We stand in a parlol
most luxuriousIy furnished, but with
an excessive contempt of expense that
offendS a refined taste. True ele
gance is quiet, however rich but this
room is cloud" Its ceiling is splen
didly frescoed, but the colors are
high and Splashy. There is too mucf
guiding about the apartment gener
ally, too much glitter, and too evident
an attempt at show. However, you
may find precisely the same feature
in the parlors of many of our Fifth
Avenue taShionables.
Brilliant chandeliers threw food
OF radiance over the scene. The door
through which we entered is open
and we perceive a richly carpeteC
stairway leads upward; whittier a? TIC
the private residence of the "Hon.
John Morrissey, whose family (wher
in town. occupy the upper stories o.
the mansion.
But where is the gambling? We
sec nothing of it, In answer to thi;
inquiry, our chaperon leads US dowr
the long parlor into room at the
rear, where we suddenly find before
US a table on which is spread feas
that would delight an epicure. Upor
the damaSk cloth rest elegant dishe,
laden with viands, with rare hot-houst
lruits-grapes, juicy pears, peaches
whatever wealth will buy. Those
who sit down to supper here, gener
ally feast bountifully. They are pliec
with the choicest wines and liquors
the whole is cost free-but when tht
meal is done, they generally pay ;
heavy price for it in the gaming salon
The gaming salon adjoins the din
ing-room. We pass a silent-swingine
door, and at last are in the heart O
the gambling hell. The room is {
spacious one, and is not so ornate al
those we have seen. 1t is a place fol
business, and business is progressing
There is a crowd of eager tempteri
of fortune here. Gambling of various
descriptions is going on, but it is tn,
faro table that constitutes the popular
feature of the place. Around thi'
table there is a busy throng TIL,
game proceeds in a silence broker
only by the rattling of ivory checks
the shuffling of the smooth cards al
they slip from the silver box of tht
dealer, and the occasional remark O
a player in an undertone. Wha
strikes you most forcibly is the sub
dued intensity of the thing. If yol
scan the faces of the players care
fully, you will see strange gleam
shoot from their eyes, strange twitch
ings of the muscles about the mouth
strange tremblings of the hands tina
reach forth here and there to deposi
checks upon special cards. The deal
er proceeds with the steadiness ant
GOODNESS of an autOmatOn with hi
work. He slips out card, and thou
sands of dollars change hands at sigh
r.. A Ao1h Of mild 10, ,II,,,,;,ofo ~