The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-04-29
Greenwood, La, April IS, 1868.
Gambling in New York---A Female Hell

IN TWENTI-THlRD STREET
The New York correspondent of the Syracuse Stan
dard makes the following startling revelations
The prevailing vice among New Workers is gamb
ling Men gamble in stocks and gold, and when the
stock market is closed, they indulge in the healthy
pastime of " fighting the tiger,n otherwise called faro
In many of the down town business streets gambling
hellsn are located in order to accommodate mer
chants with "litte game" during tile hours of toll
Up town, on Broadway, from Spring street even as
far as FOrteth street, two or three gambling saloons
each block and the side streets also infested
with them. lowering about these doors are men, ar
raycd in spotless broadcoth and fine linen, shiny silk
hats, and dyed mousaches, waiting, ready and anx-
ious to pounce upon the unwary and lead them to de-
struction To what extent gambling is carried on our
police records will show. Bunk clerks, cashiers and
treasurers become defaulters and the origin of the
crime is traced to cause-gambling. The police
know this, and cOgnisant of the whereabouts of
each HE'LL" yet effort is made towards their sup
preston.
What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gan
der" and gambling is exception to the rule. The
wives and daughters Of most wealthy citizens are
afflicted with the mania and play deeply their hus
bands and fathers. In Twentyhrd street, near Mad
son avenue, isa gambling house patronsed exclusively
by females. With the kind permission of your read
ers we will visit it,
1t is modest unpretcntious-lc locking house. the en-
trance scrupulously cean and presenting no different
appearance, externally than those adjoining save the
blinds are all tightly closed. Ringing the bell,
as janitress On one side of the hall is a superb paint
ing Of Leda and the Swan, the opposite side is
another painting, equally good, Of Venus rising from
the sea. Ascending the stairs ushercd into the
parlors on the first floor. They are elegantly even
luxurously furnished. The person who fitted up these
must have had exquisite taste. The paintings
hanging the walls are and valuable but the
most conspicuous, and the that first strikes the
eye and rives the attention, is the painting by AIRY
Stbafer of the gambling from Bulwers play of
"Money," and for which it is stated August Belmont
has offered $20,0 900, and been refused.
Seated around the and at the gaming table are
a number Of ladies' all of whom are dressed in the
height of fashion. The players flushed with ex-
citement, but the dealer, in her Pompadour waist half
revealing half concealing ample bust sits calm and
collected, and rakes in the chips with the utmost
sangfroid Ever and anon, some player, when heavy
bet is lost calls for wine, which is speedily supplied
by attentive and demure looking Hebe. Demure
Yes, but it is the occurrences Of cat Offend her
and she will quickly show that she has claws.
That lady at the centre Of the table, sitting between
Anonyma and Aspasa, is the wife of one of our most
wealthy merchants. l could tell you her name, but
tales must be told out Of school. Observe that
young lady with a bonnet no larger than cookie
SHE'LL and Bismarck ribbons the one who is now tax
ing off her diamond ring to stake, and which she will
lose as sure as eggs eggs is the daughter of
judge All wealthy merchants wife is a loser;
see she rises from the table biting her lips till the
away such scenes do not make opinion Of poor
weak human nature the more exalted
Is it any wonder that frequently see rewards
offered for lost diamond rings necklaces and bracelets?
If we had the power of ASmOdeus we would see these
lost articles in the safe of some gentleman who has
the sign of the Lombardy emblem of three balls The
thirst for gambling will be satisfied and money must
be obtained Yes, yes Hamlet was right-'' there
things in heaven and earth than are dreamed
of in our philosophy"