The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-08-13
GAMBLING AT A MINING TOWN.

GAMBLING AT A MINING TOWN.
Where and How Money is Staked at Play
In Loadvllle.
A correspondent of an Eastern paper,
writing from Leadville, COL, says:
I.eadvillc is the paradise of gamblers.
Gambling saloons are more than five
times as numerous as churches and are
twenty times rs well patronized. The
gambling saloons are upon the ground
door of some of the principal streets.
weather will allow and crowds 60 in
and out openly. There are twenty-one
regular gambling-houses besides gam
bling enterprises in connection with
many other kinds of business. I no.
ticcd faro "lay-outs " in drug store, a
grocery store and in an Office. Nobody
apoiogized for them OF seemed to think
it anything out of the way for a game to
be started when business was dull.
Gambling is rs natural as breathing in
q mining camp. Of course there are
men here who do not gamble, but they
are in the minority. The gamblers do
not wait for nightfall, but begin to play
in the morning. A majority of the
men in 1eadville do not live, they only
board, and after supper they pour out
into the street IN focks. The stores are
full; music is heard here and there; an
illuminated muslin sign and gorgeous
posters tell the attractions of a variety
theater, and line of men extends from
the ticket Office out into the ss[eet.
At the corner of Chestnut street and
Harrison avenue is famous saloon, con-
spicuously labeled 1.-The Little Church
on the Corner" A printed card pro-
claims, denver prices two drinks for
twenty-five cents" Just beyond the
saloon is large building into which a
stream of men constantly pours.
The room is large and low. It con-
tains nothing in the way of ornament,
and but little that could be considered
luxurious. A long bar graces one side
of the room. A picket fence runs down
the middle, and long tables stand at the
further end and upon the sides of the
apartment.
Three musicians are stationed in one of
the front windows. One plays a violin,
another harp, and the thir "a cornet.
Each apparently plays any tul- that oc-
ours to him, and the result may be
imagined. Ten or twelve games are
frequently in progress at the same time
in this room. The leading game West
rs we'll as East is faro. 1t is not uncom-
mon for q gambler to sit at table hour
after hour waiting for the impulse which
bids him play. If it does not come he
is quite likely to 60 home without risk
ing q dollar. If il does come he feels
sure of success. There is - man in
LcadvilIc who struck the camp without
adoilar. Somebody gave him his sup
per and he slept in his blanket on pile
of boards. The next morning the in
ward voice." as perhaps the Friends
would say. bade him 60 to a gambling
saloon. He had never gambled, knew
nothing of the rules of a money game.
Heewould not 60 at first. but after q
willie strolled along Chestnut street and
noticed the very gambling-house in
which the reader is supposed to be.
He went in and stood by the faro
table. A man sitting there looked up
and said:
stranger, there is the last of $3.50.
Luck is dead against me. 1 want you to
play it for me-"
II don't know the game" said the
newcomer.
$50 much the BETTER" II ared he of
the ill-luck; "a green hand always
wins"
Play" said the voice.
The young man sat down and pushed
a few chips upon the king and the king
won. He coppcred" on the ace and
the ace lost. He "called the turn" and
called it right. He sat at the table
until he had won over $4,000. The
next day he put $1,000 into prospect
hole and within forty-eight hours min
eral was struck and he was offered Sl5,
600 for his interest.
In one week from the time he entered
Leadviile he was worth between 500, 900
and $4,000. His luck said: "Stop
now" but he was intoxicated by sue
cess and continued his ventures. In less
thar i week he lost over $4,000.
The crowd around the faro table in
cludes all classes of men. There are
laborers just in from the streets; furnace
men, who have not stopped to wash the
CRIME from their faces; long-haired
miners, white handed bookkeepers,
seedy-looking professionals and we'll
dressed professionals. One of the we'll
dressed, wax-mustached, high-toned
gamblers in Leadville always wears
gloves. People want very much to
know why he wears them, but he de-
clines 10 tell.
Two or three months ago o citizen
who had inadvertently swallowed 1.-THE
serpent which lurketh at the bottom of
the cup' made a bet that he would find
out why the Professor" always wore
gloves. He adopted q very simple
method. Waiting his chance he hurled
the Professor back in his chair, and.
after choking him a minute, remarked.
Now, am going to choke the life out
of you if you don't tell me why you
wear gloves all the time"
Gail right" drawled the Professor,
without showing the least anger or Sur
prise. The grip on his neck was re-
leased. because choose to" he said,
sweetly. His revolver exploded as he
spoke and the inquisitive young man
staggered back with bullet in his
shoulder. would any other gentleman
like to ask me any questions?" he con-
tinued. Nobody cared to make any
inquiries, and the Professor put up his
pistol and went on with his game.
A little way from the faro table is the
"chuck .a-luck" table. The dealers OF
chuck-a-luck are less aristocratic than
the faro men and are called "tin-horn
gamblers" from the cornucopia which
they use in shaking dice. The figures l,
2, 8, 4, 5, 6 are painted upon the table,
and the better places his cash upon any
one of the numbers. Three dice are
shaken, and if the number betted upon
comes uppermost on either ofthe dice
the player wins. There are various
combinations like those in policy con-
nected with the game.
Lansquenet is game IN which the
players contend against each other. the
bank charging a commission on the bus
mess done. Some one of the players
forms a bank as large or rs small as he
pleases, and the others play against him.
lie can continue to "turn as long as he
wins, but when he loses he must give
his place to a luckier man.
High ball poker is rather popular
game. A keno "lay-out" is used with
balls from forty to ninety. Each player
"antes," the wheel is turned and the
highest number takes what money does
not 20 the game for percentage,
Short faro is the boys game. 1t IS
like faro, except that cnly half suit is
used, and there are three winners in sue.
cession and then three losers, instead OF