The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-02-07

ALL NIGHT HOUSES.
WHATTHEY ARE WHO VISIT THEM
"Nlght OWLS" Thieves, Gamblers, &C.-'lIOw
They Work tho InnOCent-A Barkeeper
Who Knows the Ropes.
rFrom the Plttsburgh Post, 2Slh ult.)


The "Night Owl" is human "foul" Of
whom the energetic merchant, the indus
trious laborer, the jolly factory boy and
the weary shop girl, whose hours of toll
cease with the setting sun, know little of.
He is nevertheless a mortal being whose
sunken eyes and swollen jaws may be OBJ
served on the prominent street corners at
early dawn. Always ready to greet
friend whose liberality tends to "setting
it up" CHASTITY smile may be seen on
his countenance, once beautiful, but.now
disfgured, as it were, by constant indul-
gence in dissipation. He "gets the shake"
not unfrequently which changes his coun-
tenanCe, for moment, to a horrible spec
tacle. But he is harmless whatever
threats he may make are never executed.
All he desires is a drop" occasionally and
his miserable existence will continue un-
til he falls into the hands of the Coroner,
a case of death from congestion of the
brain superinduced by 1ntoxiCation."
During the dreary night he passes his
tS1ein
ALL NIGHT HOUSES,
establishments which are also unknown
to- the daylight toiler. Years ago such
houses could not exist in Pittsburgh, as
there was not enough business doing to
warrant their keeping open. But of late
old SnfoketoWn has been putting on me-
tropolitan airs, and at the present time
not less than twenty. five saloons are open
all night. Besides the might owl" they
are frequented by gamblers, sharpers,
thieves, the fop who attends parties, and
others who occasionally make night hide
ous. Combats are Of nightly occurrence,
and it takes barkeeper who has his
weather eye open to run such an estab-
lishment. Beaten almost nightly by par
ties who call for drinks and refuse to pay,
he is not discouraged, but instead is more
WatChful, and studies his next customer.
Said one of them to the PosT scribe who
rambled into one of these houses about
three o'clock the other morning to take
asurvey;
A BARKEEPER WHO KNOWS THE ROPES.
Gall night houses are worse than -.
They are visited by ex convicts and
rogues of the deepest dye, who would just
as lief shoot man as take drink.
Not long ago a gang came in here, called
for drinks, and were about to walk out
/ reminded the chap who gave the order
that there was bill against him. He
gave an insolent reply, and threatened
to shoot him if he didn't put up. He de-
fed me to do 30, and walking towards the
counter, he cursed me most outrageously.
pressed my bull dog revolver against
his forehead, and what do you suppose
he saidP Why, that was afraid to shoot.
tell you, friend, l had to acknowledge
the corn that time. l didn't want to
murder in cold blood. Besides, 1 haven't
the heart to shoot a man unless in self.
defense. This settled it. had nothing
to say, and the gang walked off, sneer-
ing at me
On another occasion,
A SHOT WAS FIRED
at me, but fortunately it missed its mark
by the timely interference of friend.
A row was started, which endeavored
to quell from behind the counter. One
of the participants was desperate char
acter, and l feared that he would do some
mischief. was therefore very anxious
to have him elected. Seeing this he
drew revolver and aimed at my head.
At the same moment man stepped for
ward and struck his hand, and the ball
passed through the counter. Here's the
hole land sure enough hole made by
large.sized cartridge was visible in the
counter. turned as white as a sheet
and became almost powerless. That
chap was arrested and he never bother
ed me again.
THE "LADIEs" MAN.
excuse me-" continued the barkeeper
as he left to wait on three young chaps
who had just entered.
"Well, whatll you have" said he to
the new Comers, each of whom wore a
white neck tie and were clad in we'll fit
ting garments
"I'll take q small bottle" said one.
"Give me Tom and jerry" answered
another.
"Let me have strait" said the third.
While the barkeeper was preparing the
drinks might owl" crept slyly forward
and aCcosted one of these gents in a falni-
liar manner at the same time casting a
glance at the liquor as it was being
placed before the trio. They understood
it all and he was allowed to drink with
them.
YOUNG BLOOD.
The drinks had no sooner disappeared
than a beardless young man emerged
from crowd, whose eyes followed him
as he abruptly stepped between the three
gents and insulted them Just then the
barkeeper cast glance to the young men
which they evidently understood, as they
took no notice of the intruder and walk
ed out of the saloon.
"Did you observe that" said the bar.
keeper as he turned to the scribe. "That
fellow wanted to create row with them
fellows and had they been foolish enough
to strike at him they would have been
badly beaten and found themselves minus
their jewelry and money. That gang"
continued the barkeeper, as he pointed
towards the crowd is composed of thieves.
know every one of them. They fre-
quently try that game on here"
"Why don't you have them arrested ?"
queried the scribe.
"Well, my friend" answered the bar
keeper, II value my life. If ! had one
Of that gang arrested, they would pay me
dearly for it. Besides, 1 could make no
charge against them. l never saw them
steal. They are shrewd, and they
know the law about as we'll as any one
else."
THE GAY GAMBLER.
"See those fellows at the rear OF the
room playing billiards ?" continued the
barkeeper. "They're gamblers. Do you
notice how loud they talk? That's to
attract outsiders. They want to create
an interest in the game and then they
will offer to bet. Should the outsider