The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-19


 that t is eqnaled by no city department. Others there are in different parts of the city, but proud, pre-eminent Clark street boasts the finest Szd :Ae aesal:e.., .Ae most luxuriousiy equipped and the most degrading gambling establishments, or " Luck Lodges" " in Chicago.
 A large, high-ceiled room in the sec ond story Of NA. =, Clark street, is gained by broad flight of heavily carpe,ed stairs. The door is guarded by noto- rious ex-pugilist possessing a wide ac- quainiance ia the city among that class, or rather those classes most likely to fre- quent a gambling neil. To pass this vieilant picket line is to obtain access to all the unholy privileges of the superbly furnished room. To admit the regular habitues and vouched-for iriends, to re- fuse tke suspected and to bounce the "squealers," drunkards and other offend- CTS of the "rules of this financial es- tabiishment is the duty of this ill., favored, tiat-nosed Cerebus. On the night in question and at the witching hour when honest Peletiah Pettigrew retired, this room was we'll filled with as varied an assortment of speculators " as could have been gathered in the city f,r my particular object.
 Four faro tables were surrounded by about twenty. five men each. mostly players, with here and there an interested spectator or an indifferent, listless loser, broken in purse and altogether useless for further service that evening. Two tables were occupied by parties playing variety of poker differing but little from the familiar kind known as draw" save in certain large percentage of the stakes flowing directly into the coffers of the proprietor. A roulette wheel occupied the attention of some and two Spanish monte tables attracted others" A small game of hazard in one corner was being patronized exclusively by boys. A richly carved sideboard supplied dainty, ap- petizing lunch; aproned walters were constantly moving about supplying li- quid aliment. The furniture, chan deliers, mirrors, pictures, carpet, curtains and the exclusively gambling properties were all of the most costly description.
 At one of the faro tables, seated son a light bamboo stool, with a moderate sized "stack "of blue chips, representing S3 apiece, at his right hand, was-Don Webfoot Pettigrew. The "stack" oi chips might represent $40 certainly not more. The young man appeared to have no more than casual acquaintance with other players He as out Of luck; for while others near him steadily won small sums, he as steadily lost large ones and the "stack of blue chips dwindled. In desperation he alternately played the king, queen and ace, and "coppered " the jack and nine-spot. Useless he was reduced to two lonely blue chips. Their cerulean hue was no deeper than their o~ner-or the atmosphere around him. He had sat down at the table with $ 300 he was reduced to the paltry sum of S4 and a little loose change-very little and very loose. Reckoning a waiter he ordered champagne cocktail. In the act of rais- ing it to his lips it was rudely dashed from his hand, and he looked up angrily.
 Then he saw that it had not been in- tentional on the part of any one. but was caused by sudden uprising of all the players, has,y scrambling for money and chips, and wild rush for the door. way. But this was now effectually blocked by number of sturdy policemen in plain citizens clothes, yet each exhib- iting from under the lappel of his coat a broad and gieSming star.
 We are pulled !" exclaim cd one of the faro dealers with white lips and ashy face.
 "The coppers !" added another.
 At this instant the burly form of lieu tenant of the force in full uniform ap- peared elbowing his way through the cro wd, and he said
 "lts av no use, gintlemin the pathrol waggin is at the fut av the steers, an Pm obliged to av yez hup feminist his 'oner, the jidge av the Armory court. Plaze, gintlemin, foller me down an it's a foine moonlight roide I'll be givin' yez"
 A small number of the players att tempted to dodge behind the lieutenant, but they were immediately collared by the ferrets of the law. Among them was Don Webfoot.
 Thank heaven, its night" exclaimed that miserable youth.