The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-10-09
A Femaie Gambiing Honse.
lSan Francisco Cor. Boston Herald,

Ia one Of the most fashionable and re.
Specialize quarters III this CITY; near Mar
ket street, stands q large and elegant.
looking house. The hundreds of people
who daily pass II think it is q private res
idence, little dreaming that it is d female
gambling ins .itution as it is,and in which
thousands OF dollars not unfrequently
change bands nightly. 1t is patronixed
by men and women who belong to the
wealthy class, and Who move in aristo.
cratic circles Cards OF invitation are
issued bearing simply monogram, which
give admission to the possessor. The
names of some Of, the patrons would as.
tonish the COMMUNITY were they known.
No vehicle, Of any kind Is allowed to
stand in front of this house, and those
who frequent it must keep their carriages
at least two blocks away this is requir.
ed .ing order TO, avoid suspicion. The
front part of the house is always en-
shrouded, in quietude;, at, night dim
lights are burned in the front rooms the
upper half of the inside window blinds
are, thrown back, and TO the passer-by
nothing is to be seen to arouse the
slightest suspicion Of the true character
of the house, The manager of this in
stitution is woman, who came here
from ST, Louis about a year ago. Al
one time she figured in Washington as q
lobbyist. She is lovely brunette, of
queenly appearance, and dresses elegant
". On your entrance to this abode you
are generally welcomed by Madame in a
bach. .parlor, brilliantly lighted and hand
somely furnished, into whichiyou have
been ushered by the icolored servant who
has answered your bell call; from thence
you are conducted into the salon OF the
establishment, down stairs This apart
ment is gorgeopsly furnished the carpet
is Of an elegant pattern, with heavy eur
|tains and ahangings to match, while the
furniture iis rich and massive /; the walls
are adorned with beautiful pictures, and
articles Of vertu are to be seen in pro-
fusion In this apartment, night after
night. into the wee sma' hours, are to be
found leading merchants and stock-bro
|kers with the wives of someof their, bu-
|siness associates, all engaged in play,
which Is only interrupted between the
hours of IL and / O'Clock by a lunch OF
cake and wine. The principal games
played by these fashionable gamblers are
faro, Boston and whist. Occasionally
roulette and rouge ct noir are played. -
The dealer at the faro table is beautiful
looking blonde, who passes for the step
daughter of madame. the manager; she
generally dresses in . white lace wrap
per, with q lustrons diampnd.rlpg spark
ling from an extremely white and deli
shaped hand She is an adept With
The cards, II one may judge by the way
she handles them There are other fe
males, ,eIegantlyattired, in attendance, who
are connected with the establishment,
aud who are always ready to take q hand
in any game Of chance that may be pro-
posed, and III which they are proficient.
When not engaged they usually while
away the time in playing billiards in an
adjoining room The fascination and
excitement OF gambling is such that
every night the establishment is well
patronized tits understood that Mad.
anne is hacked by several heavy capital
lists of this city, n - ss.ft ,no,f