St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-25
A FASHIONABLE JOINT.
Boston's Finest Opium Den and.the
People who Visit 1t. s i
Young Men and Young Women Who
Are Addicted to the Habit.

No. SO Court street is the entrance to the
building which contained the finest opium
joint in the West End. 1t has been in
active operation for months, untouched by
the police. At one time it was suspected,
it is said. and the rooms examined; but no
proof whatever of anything illicit was found
against the place. It has since carried on
its business so boldly that it seems almost
m possible that the police have not observed
it previous to the time of their raid yester-
day.
The reporter gained admission by the aid
of an opium-smoking friend. Without at
tempting to give the signal, the latter tried
the door and found it unlocked. The two
passed in Before the head of the stairs
was reached door leading out of the CORR
dor to the right was hastily opened and a
woman's form appeared in the doorway.
She exclaimed:
who are you? What do you want
here?"
Hush, Kittie," said he; ''don't you know
me?"
"Oh, it's you. is it, Jim? Well, come in, :"
and with these words she turned on her heel
and went down stairs to shut the door. scold
ing that it should have accidentally been left
unlocked.
The writer followed his companion into
the room. getting for the first time full
glance at the face of the woman who had
welcomed them. She was fair-lookng,
about 80 years of age, with brown hair and
Roman nose. Her style was more for
comfort than show. She was attired in
full-cut Mother Hubbard. She greeted the
stranger with a smile. Ever smoked
pipe?" she asked.
NO" was the answer.
Guess you'll like it very much: most
everybody does who tries it,"
Presently footsteps were heard on the
stairs. lit is my husband" she said. going
to him.
During her absence the visitors examined
the room. 1t was large, square apart
ment. with one corner partitiOned off by
curtains.
1T is fitted up as bed chamber" ex-
planned the friend. ito battle any efforts the
police might make"
The floor was covered with rich, heavy
tapestry carpet, and the walls which were
elegantly decorated, were hung with fine
paintings. Along the further side of the
room was a lounge, and next to it large
dressing case. The windows overlooking
VIZ StiOO0 WOiO hohS WIN liSh oiQPOilCS VI
oriental lace. The bedstead was covered
simply with a hair mattress and Turkish
rug. Everything was in perfect order, and
the place was striking comparison with the
dirty haunts of the Cinnamon.
At this point the woman again entered.
followed by young lady and two men, the
formers husband bringing up the rear. The
lady could not have been over rs years Of
age. She was very pretty, and neatly at
tired in black silk dress. Around her
throat was scarf of Spanish lace, which
was fastened in front with solitaire
dian ond. Her face indicated that she was
lady of refinement. and her conversation
bespoke culture. Her companion was a
young man with dark complexion. The
rings under his eyes and the glazed appear
ance of the balls were sufficient proof that
he was an opium fend.
Come come, Mr.. P" she said, ST can
not stay late tonight. l think YOU had bet
ter arrange for us at once" He complied.
Then, turning to his wife, he said:
Hadn't you better help Miss. NJ. change
her dress for Mother Hubbard? She will
find it uncomfortable smoking in that
silk"
The reporter carefully watched the scene
of preparation. First, the lady smoker and
the wife retired to side room to dress.
Then the proprietor turning the light down
to glimmer. removed his coat, vest. and
shoes and proceeded to closet from which
he took three Turkish rugs and like num-
Der of tin tea trays. These were carefully
spread out ON the floor, and a tray laid in
the middle of each. On them were put a
little card of opium. an oil lamp. and pipe
The room was then still further darkened.
%h, off ~, Lo;r
dressing gowns. The owner then conducted
the girl and her companion to rug. at one
end OF which he placed pillow. The two
then lay down on their sides facing each
other, the tray between them. The man
was then handed the pipe, and began to
''cook" the drug.
The woman in turn accepted the pipe,
holding the bowl toward her companion.
As he proceeded to light it in the flames. and
place the burning drug in the little hole in
the middle of the bowl, she pulled COM
placentiy moment and then said: 1T is
all right. Oh! how nice it seems to smoke
again."
The proprietor then left the couple to
themselves. and came over to prepare the
remaining eouches. After going through
the same routine with each, he sees the
whole party reclining comfortably ON the
rugs, and then. taking a pipe, joins his
wife on the bed for smoke. For over an
hour no. sound above a whisper was heard
in the room. The light, stealing in through
the windows, lent a weird appearance to the
place, and the delicate odor of the perfumed
opium slowly commenced its work. The
smoke grew thicker and thicker.
Suddenly low, distinct whistle was
heard outside. In moment the keeper was
on his feet. Cautiously he drew the curtain
aside with the remark. 81 wonder who
now?" He fastened below, unlocked the
door, and soon appeared with party of
four young men. and later on with two
closely-veiled girls. As their outside wraps
were being laid aside al most everybody in the
room were awakened, an for few minutes
there was hearty inter change of greetings.
The hostess was on hand with plenty of
drink. Some took beer, others lemonade