The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-09

Long Branch, N. j., Letter to Boston Herald. ]
Gambling has long been a feature
of life at this resort, but it has been
exclusively OF the male gender. Now
the trap is opened for the other sex,
and it is an interesting question
whether anything feminine will be
caught. The bait is alluring, and it
is made up of the choicest viands,
served in the handSomeSt imaginable
restaurants. The Pennsylvania club
is an old-time gambling house, the
West End, but new capital has been
put into it, the main building is de-
voted bin its lower story to eating and
drinking, and an enlarged room con-
tains the gambling hell, which is said
to be the most luxurious one in
America. Phil DAILY is the manager.
He don't see why American women
shouldn't gamble, as the fashion is at
some of the European watering
places. 1t is with a view to enticing
them that he has given up so much
separate space to the restaurant
branch of the business. He hopes
they will be charmed with the beauty
of the grounds, than which none at
the Branch are better, and thus be led
lishment. Thence their way would
be easy to the adjoining gorgeous hall,
in which faro, roulette and other
games go on. Several women have
taken this route to the green tables,
but it is guessed that they were mere
ly stool-pigeons, whose employment
by the concern removes them from all
danger of being plucked. Gaming re-
mains questionable for ladies, in
spite C. Phil Days eXtravaga2t eff
forts.
There are several new hills, includ-
ing one fully as large as tee Pennsyl-
vania, and quite as preteENious. This
stands near the Ocean Hotel and the
front pier. Its ostensible owner is
Charles Ransom, New York gam
bier, and the rumorS as to the rest of
the ownership are too unSubstantial-
for publication. 1t is certain that a
capital of not less than 100000 is
requisite to cover the property and
make a solid backing for the bank.
The house is big and of ornate archi-
lecture. No structure in the place
makes better show of exterior. at
night, when the brilliant lights shine
out through an abundance of stained
glass, the building looks like an enor-
nous lantern of variegated colors.
The interior is as handsome as the
outside. A spacious hallway runs
clear through the centre to a leafy
porch at the back On the right Iare
supper rooms, including an open, large
one, where a table is heavily la len
with cold delicacies for a midnight
free luncheon. On the left. all OF the
floor space, and a height of two.
stories, are given up to a grand hall.
The sides and ceiling are cherry wood,
deliberately carved and decorated. At
one end is a fireplace of brass and
bronze, with immense figures in wood
and metal over the mantel The floor
is softly carpeted. The gambling
tables and appurtenances are of the
costliest description; particularly cost
ly-to the players, who in the end,
have to pay for them many times
over.
Gaming has always been feature
of the place; now it has suddenly
gained extensive and glittering pro-
portions. This is in part due, no
doubt, to the fact that the business
has for a year been hampered in New
York city by Comstock's society, and
the professional gamblers sought the
nearest place of moneyed crowd.
There are three of the so-called club
houses. Some exceedingly heavy
playing is done in the places, besides
much that is so only relatively, in
view of the inability of the players to
bear the losses. The jockeys and
other employees Of the Monmouth