The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-08-05
A GAMBLERS SERMON.

GAMBLERS SERMON.
Some Candid Professional Remarks
as to Luck at Cards.
Special Correspondence Philadelphia Press.
New YORK, July 25.-"Horses is The
hardest game to play yet" said book
maker, yesterday, to. the man who sat
beside him in train returning to New
York from Long Branch races. I'm
stone broke. and started this morning
under the idea l knowed everything"
He did not look unprosperous. His
clothes we're of loud tweed pattern,
his watch chain massive, his diamonds
large and his nose red. There was no
mistaking his avocation; gambler was
written all over him, but there was q
general air OF good nature in his man
ner. and certainly nothing repulsiye in
bis vulgarity. sesssl
(which is the best game to play,
then ?" Queried the other man.
None. I've knucked to the 'lady'
ever since can remember. For twenty
years and more I've handled the chips
in club-room, and I've watched all
sorts Of men and seen every kind Of
luck. have only known few big win
ners, and only two men who ever kept
it up and prof ed by their good fortune
One Of them went into dry goods in
Newark, and is now a church member
and prominent citizen. The other bought
hotel in Saratoga, which is much fire..
quented by politicians. Neither of those
men ever touched q card again after
striking it rich at faro. / think one man
got Sl4, 900 in two nights, and the other
put together nearly $4,000 between
Christmas aud the 2d of February, all
taken out OF one street in New York
Never mind mentioning no Names"
"Do you play cards yourself2"
mo, sir; least ways not when I'm so.
Der. don't know enough. Your pro-
backs the bank; he amt such darned
fool as to run agin it. Now, doesn't it
stand to reason that the beautifully fur
nished club house. the high rent Of the
house. the free lunches, dinners and sup
pers always laid out in decent place,
the wages of the dealers, the cost OF the
elegant instruments, the chips, the cards,
the commission to the steerers, the
tips to the police and lot Of other
things, all have to come out of the pock.
cts OF the fats that plays2 Just so.
Now do you suppose the men as run the
banks want to be society for the OBJ
ject of providing fortunes al short no.
tice to buns, dudes, dry goods clerks
and newspaper reporters2 Not much
Look at the chances the bankers have to
take They are always liable to he haul
ed up before the Justice and fined or i'm
prisoned, not to mention the con6sca-
tion of their stock in trade. No, sir; /
don't know six men who make certain
income at it. and only one man who may
be called rich, and that's DAILY, Of Long
Branch"
swell, but the majority OF your pro-,,
fession look prosperous" suggested the
other man.
"Yes, for how long7 How often is
the jewelry spouted? Why. il it wern't
for the good feeling as exists between
the sports many a poor devil would have
to 60 on the tramp. The regulars have
their luck at different times, you see,
and the holders of the pile see the others
through till the tide turns. My advice
to man is this, II he must play cards,
let him trust to his luck at poker and
take his chance OF the skins. There is
much in poker to recommend it. First,
ly, you get the pleasure OF handling
your own game, which is blessed sight
better than seeing hired dealer do it
for you. You have the excitement OF
drawing your cards to your luck, and If
you strike it the pleasure of playing
your pile to the extent you desire. II
your flush gets beaten by full you think
to yoursslf:'I played all right, any wav.'
and when you strike four on a pair held,
Why nothing can describe your happi-
ness il you can catch long tilt against
a straight or high 'trips' as believe
themselves solid for the pot. Say, I've
seen men down South, fore the war,
who never dreamed of playing poker
unless there we're couple OF darkies or
yellow wench in the Jackpot. l have
seen a hundred acres of cotton land
change hands half dozen times in as
many hours. Say, I've known"
"Jersey City," sang out the conduct
or.
"Well, so long," cried the gambler. as
he nodded to his travelling companion
and hurried away toward the ferry.