The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-04-21
A Nigh, with Gamblers.

In tho year lo0C was SOJouTHiliS ieni- |
porarily in the City of Mexico, and hav-
ing nearly month of leisure, after salts
ractorily winding up the business matters
that drove me thither, devoted a por-
ton of it to exploring the darker portion
of the metropolis, meeting with some Gu
,ious adventures, making few strange
acquaintances One of the last was
middle-agcd man, with whom first spoke,
one afternoon, at bull-fght in Necatilan
square.
A strong feeling of friendship speedily
sprang up between US, and with Don ia
mic Mercado--as he introduced himself
as guide, l had little difficulty in finding
means of passing away the time. And
with him as companion,one night | found
myself cautiously treading the Callejon
del Alec, or blind Alley of the Arcade"
long notorious as one of the most dan
gerous places in the Mexican Capital
The dense mass of houses, of which the
Merchants Arcade forms part, known
as the Impedradillo, does not form one
compact street. On the Southwestern
side of the Cathedral, narrow lane runs
into the Impedradillo this is called the
Calleiondel Arco. II is like one of those
caverns which the sea sometimes hollows
out in the face of cliff.
Even in the Cay time, when the suns
rays pouring down upon the square are
almost binding, this alley is dark, gloomy,
forbidding Advance within it, though
only a few PAGES, andyo1 seem precipi-
tated into the shades of night; an invol-
untary chill creeps over you,by no means
lessened as you catch a glimpse Of some
shadowy figure lurking in an archway,
closely shrouded in cloak and sombrero,
the black, evil eyes watching your every
motion. Then there is an unhealthy
dampness round you; water is constantly
oozing out of the walls; under foo! it is
wet and slimy-almost unconsciously
comes the terrible fancy that one is tread
ing in the gore of the countless victims
whose lives have ended here.
Yet through this alley Don Jamie
Mercado guided me-he with drawn
sword, with cooked revolver. Three
several times we closely Rugged the mil
dewed walls, our weapons pointing out
ward, to await the passing Of some suspi-
cious character Either these gentlemen
were wronged by our suspicious, or else
they did not like cold steel or hot lead
since they quietly passed us by though
edging close to the further wall.
1 At length Jamie paused before a heav
ily-ironed door, striking three loud blows
upon it with the pommel of his sword
Almost Immediately this opened, and s
porter, bearing lantern, held the ligh
up to our faces. Evidently satisfied, ht
rappeda signal upon the door behind
him, which also promptly opened F.
This revealed a long, steep flight o
, stairs, up which we tramped. Here {
serge curtain, surnounted by transpa
rency bearing the legend, "Sociedad Fl
larmonica," swung noiselessly aside, ant
! we were in one Of the most Fashionable
gambling hells in the city of Mexico
For minute the brilliant light dazzlet
me, and could distinguish nothing els
than a low, indistinct hum, mingled will
the click of the roulette balls, and th
more musical jingle of the golden coin.
The hall was OF extraordinary dinen
sions, lighted by hundreds of wax-tapers
Two dozen long, green, baize-co vered ia
bles were surrounded by the eager devo
tees of fortune; this much saw, the
8 was introduced to the proprietor of th
) hall, dapper little Frenchman, who's
J name have forgotten.
He was extremely polite and attentive
leading us to the elegantly fitted up side
!, board, pressing US to partake of tn
4 sparkling wines and luscious fruit. H
e soon left US, howeyer,to greet some othe
: visitors, and then we joined the crow
+ around one of the tables.
: It was devoted to ouge ct noir, wit
9 its circle of devotees, who came night a
ter night to tempt fortune, one momer
8 tingling with wild, delicious joy as tt
d tickle dame deigns to smile upon then
0 the next plunged into the depths of de
s spair as the croupier's s rake transfers th
I glittering offering to the wrong side {
d the table.
n "See,' whispered Don Jamie into m
/ ear, "observe that lady in black, she wit
g the lace mask, who places her little pile o
the red double zero with such q queenl
Il air. That is Senora de los D. Tie
= months since she was the idol Of her hu:
i band, who possessed almost princel
d wealth, but the mania seized her. ST.
: visited the tables nightly, losing emo
it mously, giving orders on her husband fe
t, the amounts, which were glady taken, ft
1t Don D., everybody knew, would sa
d rifce his last thaco rather than dishont
n his name by refusing payment. Her hu
band soon discovered the truth, and pal
n her debts; but there was a stormy seen
g between them, lit is said, and two days q
II terward he was found dead in the stree
e slain by the stroke of cuchillo in IL
l. hands of hired bravo. The truth is nj
l. known for certain, but many believe th
l. she paid for the murder. Since then 81
e. has been nightly visitor here, losing .
o most constantly. The last of her hu
If bands property is sold, and when that
N gone-well, she has choice, to be sure.
lie suicides grave, or-the pave"
a. At the next table a Californian of swa
'e features and sinister aspect, not lessen'
by the strips of court plaster that dag
t. nally crossed from eye to jawbone, dea
ID monte for the s'benefit' of the moths wi
10 futter around the golden piles in nome
" tary expectation ofraising them drstin
l. their own pockets; but alas! thous
riches have wings, they do not fly in th
r. direction.
sr The low cries, ssCavallo en- la per
tall" "Soto mozo!'' (The Queen in t
,g gate ?" "The Knave winner?") at
of tervals announce in set phrase the pro
We ress Of the game The golden stak
1e are transferred from hand to hand, th'
ne sharp, metallic click contrasting with
IN soft, rapid shuttle of the cards. B
" then the betting almost ceased, wher
man pushed himself forward and seat
its himself in front of the benches, while
en- servant deposited an iron box befc
~ his master. When the lid was thro'
ne back glittering mass of opzas appe
en- ed, causing even the imperturbable de
ed er to start with wonder, and glance
I'm joy to fit across his face-two thin