The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-10-04
rsma,. Gambler. in the xs.t.

auu ltuic. Duf8Oiuc on MAIN street,
near the Junction These two femi-
mines passed for mother and daughter.
and by their industry and modest de-
pertinent won their way into the fam
lily acquaintance of some OF the hest
families in tie city. How or where
they obtained capital sufficient to 6t
up and open their present magnificent
establishment is one OF those things
the ordinary newsgatherer fails TO
hnd cut. But that the Madame and
her quondam daughter have made
money, aud lots Of it, too, since they
left their rooms near the Junction. it
IS plainly evident 20 those who visit
their snug and sylvan retreat. The
police made tbe first complaint about
these women early last spring or late
in the winter, 6at as they soon after
wards removed from the building COM
planned OF, no one cared to inquire
where they went
1t was left 10 an occasional c1ntri-
butor Of the Times to rediscover the
retreat Of these now notable females
and give an idea of the way in which
fast girls and boys pass the nights, as
some of them say, "out of town on
business"
The secret leaked out through a
cclored girl, who was recently dis
charged for some irregularity, and
impaired by her to another domestic,
and by her to the person whc visited
the retreat" They call il the ere
treatn because of its charming priva-
cy and apparent obse1rity 1t is on
Main street, not far from the court
house. The front of the building
would appear TO the ordinary observ-
er as a building uLoccupied. The
windows are darkened above, and
were it not for the side door, left open
night and day, but which is seldom
used, no one would suppose the up
per part OF the building occupied.
But it is now discovered to be the
popular place OF resort for various
classes of people who nightly assem-
bic to play with aud provoke Dame
FoTtane as represented by her most
fascinating votaries. But LEI the last
victim tell his own story:
I'VE were shown first into small
but neatly furnished ante-room, light
ed only by the light which penetrat-
ed from the next room, which, in the
darkness, appeared brilliantly lighted.
Our party was admitted Immediately
on the presentation of cards previous
ly furnished at the gaming house we
had just left. and . gayly-dressed col
Ored girl admitted Us to the parlors
adjoining, where the Madame greeted
US and engaged US in conversation
for few minutes, and then led the
way to the place we had come to see
the retreat"
at was strange sight-One that
fairly astounded one at first glance.
Here, in room gaudily but rot rich
ly decorated and brilliantly lighted,
were assembled aJ least thirty men
aud women, three-fourths of whom
were engaged in the fascination Of
games Of chance At one table sat
the quOndam seamstress, Miss Ian
don, attired in a loose, white lace
wrapper, her fingers bristling with
pearls. She was dealing faro for the
amusement Of a young merchant
Of this city and two women, both
strangers 10 me. Four or FIVE per
sons sat by the table looking lazily
On smoking and slipping refreshments.
At an adjoining table two men and
TWO women were engaged in q game
n which bright new half dollars
passed for checks, and gold pieces oc-
passed current One Of
he women, a girl Of the period
imokt d her cigar with the nonchaF
lnce of an adept, while her neighbor
N the right, a middle-aged woman
If means, kept a record of the game
N paper. They appeared to be play
Dg whist. AT two small tables in
he far corner of the room six or sew
n women with one or two men were
in games Of chance, appa-
emily poker or euchre, and money
Ippeared to be passing freely but
ather silently Taking down a bill
lard cue We accepted the challenge
# Nine. Burgoine, and engaged, with
'ur friend and girl who had Just
to start for home, in afriend-
7 same of billiards These are few
t the observations made during q
hort visit to a retreat whose exist
nee is unknown to even the business
nen in its vicinity. You can use
hese notes as you please"
The above statement was handed
q about four days ago by an ocea-
ional contributor of these columns.
,ut the deR0uemeat was so strange
o mention was made of the reported
xistence Of the female gsmbling
ouse until reporter had been sent
D investigate for himself 1t was
,und more difficult to obtain entrance
the place. as newspaper men" are
lbooed the precincts Of this pagoda
mischief. A deputy, however, OBJ
,ined admittanee and more than con-
rmed the observations of the writer
last Tuesdays communication. A
male gambliug-house does exist in
lis city, to which women moving in
society resort to spend
he evenings Nc liquors Of any
nd other than light wines are used.
IOmen Of all shades Of virtue come
I'd go, and the fascination of the
lme are such that dozens Of men
ghtly assemble to squander their
Oney with women old and young,
ho deal the cards like adopts, and
ho bet their stakes with the temeri-
of old sports" 1t is a strange
!. o'er true tale, as many man and
oman in this city know to their cost.
No Chance 90 Ponder.