The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-07-19

The first knowledge to be obtained by
the "stesrer' is, TINT the intended victim
is a stranger which is usually ascertained
In the following manner Seeing person
whom he supposes 10 be good" he APP
proaches him, and asks the name of the
street IL he does not readily inform him,
he knows there is no mistake, and pro
duces a three-number lottery ticket of the
and after the proper conversation, asks the
stranger 10 accompany him 10 the office,
which Is only short distance, 20 ascertain
what has been his luck The "steerer's'
accomplish is standing few steps in ad
vance, waiting the result If the stranger
If induced to accompany him, he hurries
ahead 20 the room 10 have things fixed, y
the "steerer" making sufficient delay by
asking his friend TO join him In glass of
beer, and, as is generally the case, when
seated at the beer table, the stranger will
respond and ask the ''steerer' 30 have a
glass. BY this means he gets peep into
his pocket book, and can Judge about how
mnch he IL worth. They 10 10 the office
Of the lottery, where things have been ar
ranged in a manner well adapted to attract
attention, having all the appearance OF a
legitimate business Gold pieces 10 the
actual amount of about o., 900 are neatly
stacked up In front of looking-glass,
which makes the amount appear double,
which in most cases works well on sore
eyes. In addition 10 the gold, is large
drawer set in sight behind the counter,
with a glass front and open top the front
represents packages of money: the wrap.
per can only be seen like the inside Of
the drawer, they are stuffed the top Is
covered with bills of all sizes, giving the
idea that the amount in sight will reach
more than 100000 when in reality not
more than $500 is necessary 10 make the
appearance. The clerks how up witt
pens behind their ears, sleeves held vi
with rubber bands, books all open, doinl
business, etc. The "steerer' approaches
the desk, produces his ticket asks wha
Il drew; the clerk refers 10 the book, ant
dnds that Il drew $gl in gold. The money
Is paid him, with the exception of 81
which they cannot pay in gold, as theii
dollar pieces are all out but he asks if hC
will not take a ticket in their special draw
isg, which will be drawn in five minutes
After signiiying willingness, he asks tn,
stranger 70 go in with him. As I'll,
amount h 80 snail and his success ha,
been so good, he goes in. At this poiu
ten-dice lottery-cloth IL produced, havinJ
fifty numbers painted GU il, from 10 to so
Several OF these numbers are what ar,
termed representative numbers shat i
TO say, they neither lose nor win, but yOi
put double the sum up 10 represent wha
you have already up when such humble
comes There are three numbers tina
have the word "Bunko painted on them
which are considered blanks the remain
ing numbens-more than thirty--are al
prizes, Ia accordance with how mucl
money the player invests. The drawing
u ascertained by placing ten dice in box
and throwing them out and the count is sur,
20 bea representative number. OF course
the victim will represent, as he does no
want 10 lose without q show for his money
lie is doubled this way, till the matter be-
comes serious when he thinks somethin
might possibly be wrong, and desires /
quit, az which point the 'steerer" prop,
ses ~ take il of his hands, and make goo
for him but the clerk objects, on IN
ground that such cases are all the perceu
tage the Association have, and insist
that he must represent or forfeit Thi
again gives the victim confidence, and n
WsA'' II uVu"ic the amount once more
when he is thrown into blank. At thi
point commences the kick, and whe
the 'greeuey leaves the room everything
packed in less than minute, put into a
express wagon and moved, aud possibl
opened again before a policeman can b
found A. each play amounts to as nue.
as S3'), it will readily be seen how well i
pays 10 keep moving Only the knowinl
ones, seven or eight,-mOst all OF Chica
70, know where the game is at the gam
blers generally are barred, their assist
anee not being necessary, and the NOV,
being NO often the question among then
each morning Is Where are they at b.
day A man 10 play at the game mus
necessarily be complete fool to confirm
after ne II made % represent 50 often