Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-08-16

At the head of Marion street, near
Prince street, an old ramshackle, two
story and attic frame house stops the
further progress of the wayfarer in that
direction, and compels him to retrace
his steps unless he has business N that
quarter. The house has nothing about
it to attract particular attention, as it is
the counterpart of its neighbors.
Having ascertained that one of the
oldest opium joints in the city was stu
ated within, the writer visited the place
few nights ago. A policeman stood
idly swinging his club within bearing
distance of the house, and nodded now
and then, or exchanged salutations with
number of those who were On their
way to the joint. The writer, having
provided himself with the "open sesame"
passed up the front stoop, and felt his
way along the long, narrow and dark
hallway. Tapping gently on the door
at the rear of the hallway, the door was
slightly opened, displaying to the view
banjo-featured son of China, who was
old enough to have been crowded out
long ago.
A strong smell of opium pervaded the
atmosphere, and the room within was in
pitch darkness.
CHARLEY FROM BROOKLYN"
"Whaltee mattel?" asked the bias-eyed
Celestial, as he peered through the door.
"Wantee smoke smoke" answered the
writer.
mo can smokee hillee," returned the
banjo-featured. graveyard delegate.
"Nexee aool."
"Oh, it's all right. know where am.
Don't you know me? No? Why, was
here once before, with Charley from
Brooklyn"
The Chinaman grunted, as if he were
satisfied, scanned the reporter closely,
and admitted him.
In the rear room, what. had probably
before been used as a back parlor, sat
two Cinnamon engaged in smoking Gig
arettes. A kerosene lamp shed its rays
about the room, and sickening smell
permeated the atmosphere.
"Goee in" said the man who had
opened the door, pointing toward the
trent room.
The reporter passed through the door
way into the froEt parlor. There was
no carpet on the floor and no furniture
in the room. Little lights, like fre-fies,
fiickered here and there, at regular in
tervals, around three sides of the room.
The windows had been boarded up from
the inside, thus rendering ventilation an
utter impossibility. The room was full
of smoke, and it was some time before
the reporter could see what was progress
sing.
After having become accustomed to
the smell and darkness, the scribe be-
came aware of the fact that there were
at least
TWENTY PERSONS IN THE ROOM,
although the latter was only about twen-
ty feet square. All were engaged in in
haling the poison.
Around three sides of the room were
ranged two .iers of shelves, one above
the other. The little lamps were placed
about six feet apart, and on either side
of them reclined young men and girls
promiscuously.
"Can't cook for your" asked pretty
girl, who was dressed in the latest FASH
ion, and who wore diamond ear. rings.
Before an answer could be returned
the reporter was aecosted by a young
man whose casual acquaintance he had
made some time before.
am cook for him." said the young
man, winking at the reporter.
The young woman moved away, and
waited for another customer.
"How are you-?" asked. q voice
from the upper tier of berths.
The reporter looked into the darkness
and was surprised to see
NUMBER OF BROOKLYN POLITICIANS
INDUCING in whiffs of the narcotic. There
were four of them, and they appeared to
be enjoying themselves.
"Those gentlemen are regular custom
ers here" said the cook" "They come
here twice or three times a week. We
have a large number of Brooklyn GUS
toners. We only had two or three at
first, but they kept introducing friends,
and now we have nearly a hundred of
them. They are from all the professions
lawyers, doctors, politicians and even
ministers. We have also a number of |
young Brooklyn girls who slide in here |
in the afternoon. At first they came
with male friends, just out of curiosity,
you know, but now they come alone.
We have two Brooklyn girls here now.
They're over there on that bunk with a
couple of friends. Their folks probably
hink they're attending the theatre.
We only cater to the best classes here,
nd no one lie admitted unless introduce
d by q friend. You won't find a crook,