Connecticut western news., 1875-02-19
'" BUCKET SHOPS."
Scenes During a Tour of InspectiOn--- s'VeIvet Rooms "---HOw and Where the Multitudes are DemOraIized.

| Police Headquarters, New York, is g ing saloon, known in the neighborhood as the "Morgue." Although it is a place where people drink-and drink a great deal-it does not come within the rank of what is known as "saloons ; and although the proprietor, like many other owners of similar places, ostenta- tiously calls it a distillery" in large black letters on white board running from the front wall some distance into the street, it is not '' distillery;'' but, speaking of the den, it is "bucket shop" A "bucket shop" is large or small open store, piled up with barrels, where poor people go to drink alcohol. There is no bar or fixture of any kind within the place-at least there used not to be. The size of the glass prompted the name given to the shop, the idea in connection with it being that the GUS liquor at low figure. There are nearly thousand of these "shops" " in New York city, and they are spread all over it.. rear, is place partitioned of, which is called the "velvet room." The name is satire of the most refined acidity, for nothing like velvet ever approaches the "room," unless it may be some very threadbare relic of grand lady's fnery or the wornout skeleton of theatrical skirt. Sleeping drunkenness and wild blasphemous rioting and quarreling are frequent enough in the "velvet room, D and they are accompanied with vermin, rags, filth, and sodden sawdust. The "velvet room" cannot be described that is, decently ly-nor can it be imagined by decent person; it must be seen to be understood. No difference or dis tinction is made there between age, size, sex or color. The bucket shop" is a leveler of every degree, and the velvet room" is the even plane into which it rushes them. A most absolute and per feet freedom reigns there, tho inhabi- tants being the judges of what is offen- sive and what is not. Habit brings in- difference, and the result is that every thing is permitted, and nothing is looked upon as out of the way. The sexes are on most equal footing there, a woman being as good as man as long as she has money to treat. Many of the ire quenters of the "bucket shop" live in the "velvet room" The only time they spend out of it is while they are about the streets "grubbing" the money to buy " drinks D On entering the "shop" they never say whisky or alcohol or gin; only, "Gi' me drink" If they were to use any of these names it would be merely as pleasant little joke or mat ter of fiction, for there is but one ma terial in the place, although that is variously colored to give some founda- tion for the change, according to the mood or temper of the drinker.
 When the "velvet room is filled to it's greatest extent the drinkers lie down upon the "shop" floor, on the barrels or anywhere they can find space. With a generosity not to be found among the upper classes of liquor dealers, the "bucket shop" man rarely turns his GUS toners into the street when they are drunk. As soon as they enter his place is at their disposal, and they make the most of it. That in some measure &C., counts for the abundance of filth in all of them and the affection they seem to feel for it, as they rarely attempt to re- move 1t. A reporter accompanied one of the inspectors of excise in his visits, and thus describes it: The "Morgue was the first place that came in the line of inspection. It had been in full blast for couple of hours when the inspector went in, and the result was all over the floor. The difference between it and the other Morgue was that it was much more crowded. Presently tall, stout woman marched boldly in, and, stopping in front of the counter, said: "Gi' me a drink p then, turning to half sleeping man sitting on a box beside the counter and with his head leaning against 1t, she added:
 "Get up, Bill, and take 8 drink"
 "Bil did not get up, for he was not able; but he held on to the counter and lifted himself into sort of alf-standiug position in obedience to the invitation. While he was doing this-it took some time, although he was young and viz orous looking man, and the barkeeper was sflling the glasses woman walked over to another, sleeping on pile of barrels against the walls opposite the counter, and skipping him soundly on the back, went on, in loud, hoarse voice: " Full again, Fritz That's the third time to-day We'll, I'm sorry fol it, I'd like to have treated ye, I've got g quarter" She turned from him and tc the counter. By ythat time the barkeepel had deposited the two "drinks" of alec hol and put down beside the glass an other huge glass containing water. The woman grabbed one of the "drinks, " , looked at "Bill "-who was tremblingly reaching for the other-an instant, and said, "Here's to ye, Bill," and tossed down the drink, without a wink. She then touched her lips with the water 1T the huge glass. 'Bill declined it alto
 gether, with shake of the head, never vouchsafed word to any one and quietly and slowly settled himself down agai1 upon his box, as he had risen from it The woman sauntered out as she had en tered, the barkeeper resumed his dogged
 imperturbable air, and the sleepers con
 tinued the1r snoring. Wherever you SCI two or three of these "bucket shops, you may be sure 8 pawnbroker is not fla
 off. First the money goes for it, thel
 the clothes, until none are left. Of {
 Sunday morning this place is full; whil'
 the people are going to and in churcl
 over the way, these here are in state O drunkenness. There is aside door ther'
 leading into the hallway, through whicl :: they come in and go out, and you'll tint
 heaps of them lying drunk in the back yard any Sunday. ,... Down the street was another very hart place. Itwas larger than the '' Morgue, had more barrels in 1t and more invit
 ing "velvet room." Itwas was crowded
 too, in the shop and in the stvelve room,' showing that business was in thriving condition. Three or four mel in the "room " were treating the sam number of women, giving them drinl { from large glass which seemed common l to the party. In their midst was good l sized black bottle, containing liquor and on the floor was one of the wome t already drunk. Two of the others scene well on the way to the same goal, tn l fourth, being stout and strong, youn