Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-05-18
A! Chinese Gambling House.

IN AeNNNh'Sc1 ~
The announcement that the Hon.
Frank NJ. Pixley, gentleman and err
ratio genius, would deliver a lecture
on the Chinese problem, was sufficient
to fill the Mechanics Hall on Saturday
night with an audience far above the
average In responsibility and intelli-
gence. Frank is 4 man Of such versa
tile talents that he . make an ONE
lette or an Grafton with equal ease, but
his political principles are as unfixed
and variable rs the tickle winds of the
"Horse Latitudes." 1t Is not my in
tention to give even \ synopsis of Mr..
Pixley's speech. His ideas are always
brilliant and original, his language al
ways elegant, and however worn the
subject, he generally manages to tackle
it from a new standpoint. But wend-
ing my way home half converted to
anti-C oolieism, it Glanced that came
across one Sam Yung, Of Asiatic birth
and parentage, a Chfnaman Of Manda-
rim lineage, and, moreover, 4 capital
ist. Now unless indications are at
fault, the Chinese question will take q
prominent position before the next
Presidential campaign, if it is not one
of the battle cries adopted by either of
the great political parties, so with q
resolve to study a section Of the per-
plexity in a practical manner, l &C
costed my friend Mr.. Yung, and re-
quested an Introduction to one Of his
establishments. As before intimated,
Sam is q MAJ of means, and caters for
the public in much the same manner
that the Mercantile Library Associa-
| ton has lately done in other words,
he encourages the latent speculative
| demon In the Celestial bosom by pro-
| viding the means for its qualification.
Sam is the Bill Briggs Of Chinadom,
and owner of one-half Of the gambling
houses in the State-speaks English
| and French better than most nom
natives, and is as liberal with his dol
lars rs n flush miner. The place 1 Wis
tied is situated On Dupont street, in
the heart Of the Chinese quarter, and
is jealousy guarded to prevent an ir-
ruption of rivals, who are always
ready to put on the var paint and make
n raid on the gold and silver piled OH
the bankers table. Passing the outer
sentries stationed OH the street, w
mounted . flight Of steps, and knocked
at 4 door, at which u wicket opened
and q sinister looking countenance pro-
trlded to examine our features. The
survey proving satisfactory, the door
slid ON wheels, and we entered q long
passage from which daylight was care
fully excluded. and taking 4 tortuouS
path through numerous wooden alleys,
apparently constructed with no earthly
purpose except to puzzle the visitor,
followed a dull sound of noisy wrang-
lingsand eventually arrived ut 4 large
room, nearly full Of the elite Of Mon
golia, busily engaged fighting the tiger.
The walls were covered with inscrip-
tions, aphoriSms from confucius. Sc
lected from the classics and directions
about the game. Some Of these give
very sensible advice. "Good and evil
fortune have their prescribed limits,
and do not come by mistake !" or,
translated freely, "You. take your
chance Of winning, and don't get riled
If you lose" Without recognizing
the ordinance Of Fate, it is impossible
to be q superior man )" or, "rake it
calmly when you get dead broke"
Neither is the "inferior race" behind
in the practice of fortune telling and
clairvoyance, for doctor Ii Sc Kun
can tell the days of success and disas-
ter" and "Ta Son can look into the
future of weeks" and both of these
seers are willing to receive such gifts
as gratitude may prompt. Making a
note Of this last ones address, with i
view Of consulting him about that one
hundred thousand dollar lottery prize.
| turned my attention to the game.
Seated at the table was a venerable
m~oustached Tartar, cool and impress
sive as a presiding genius should be.
Taking an unknown number Of count
ers in his hand, hc put them under q
cover, and with q brief squeak, tO the
effect that snow was the time to make
money without working proceeded
to divide the tokens into fours. The
fun consisted in betting OH the re-
mainder; those wagering on n Win
ming if one was LEFT, and so OH with
two, three and four. The largest
amount l saw staked was three dollars,
and the limit is ten. The profits are q
small percentage OH gains, which in
the course of n brisk evening amount
to quite a desirable sum. PeddlerS of
apples, dried fruits. and roast pork, |
supplied the wants of patrons, while n
sideboard provided with tea and ci-
garettes, took the place of the wine
and eatables furnished by the more re-
fined Caucasian gambler.
Having watched proceedings for half
an hour, l accompanied my chaperon
to his private parlor, where, forgetting
Pmch's maxim, that the man who
smokes while drinking champagne
would sugar his oysters, we discussed
cigars, cliquot and Democracy; and
Sans wine so completely nullified the
effects of Franks wisdom that | re-
scinded my halEformed resolution Of
joining Moneys band of Fenians, and
shall continue rs heretofore to be 4
firm believer in the universal brother
hood of
4 Music-Loving Public.
If
The man who has no music in his soul
Is ft for treason, stratagcm or spoils,
San Francisco must be q very hotbed
for thoca Jofr nov;on y;,a, uu,n Los.