Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-05-24

at intervals from one taDie 10
another and turn their eyes on each
visitor III succession, while pretending
to be interested in nothing in particular.
These produce the effect on one of being
closely watched by human cats. And
the sharp scrutiny that has to be sub
united to before ticket is issued, and
the careful examination Of it when 1t is
presented afterwards, strike stranger
as having some similarity to passing
before commission of lunacy. Then,
when in the rooms, there is plenty of
space for many more persons than are
in them, and surprise is created as to
why an extra one is so sternly refused
admittance. Altogether, the way things
are conducted here may be described as
queer.
THE PLAYERS.
The intentness with which players
and loOkers-on watch the game IS eX-
IRENE. as well as are their utter alb
sorption in it and complete isolation.
While a few groups Of three or four
may be seen or two friends may he
playing on their joint advice more
generally single individuals enter and
stand and watch the game or wait till
there is vacant place at the table.
The play deprives of all sociability.
Many try to follow a system and mark
down the order of the winning num-
bers and colors on cards prepared for
the purpose. Then they compare seye-
raj Of these together and strike an
average, | suppose, or something of
the sort. Here and there throughout
the rooms man or woman is sit
ting apart and studying lists of
figures which doubtless represent
one Of the many systems for in
iallibly gaining. The deep cunning on
the faces of some OF them makes them
look as if they were bent on cheating
the internal prince himself. The play
ers are fairly well dressed as a rule,
and fewer than | expected are rowdy-
looking; but there is one curious effect
produced on all who walk about the
gamblng-rOoms, and that is a deteriora-
ton in personal appearance. Men and
women. elsewhere of distinguished and
even aristOcratic air, lose their refine
ment apparently, perhaps from being
mixed up among so many of coarse
and common type, or perhaps from the
worst in them coming to the surface at
the moment. A few have anxious and
distressed faces, as if they were on
ten,er-hoOks of dread expectation, and
in this spot of forcible realism many
are probably undergoing agonies Of
feeling that would enn0ble a good
cause.
THE GRIP OF TIE GAME.
Yet it is not till observation is fixed
on some special player that the force Of
the grip the game has upon its yotaries
becomes visible. All sorts Of people
are seen gambling here, and some with
the most innocent faces are devoted to
it. An old lady whom the most exact
ing on the score Of desirable looking
relatives would approve of as grand
mother visits the tables every day.
Men, immaculate as to dress and out
ward style, stroll in and play for few
minutes and pass out again. Bearers
of well-known English titles, French
| ouI Earonc ar,pu off
GERS, and successful businessmen are
sprinkled through the rooms, but
the majority of the players are
of no standing in society. There
are few Americans. Whether it is
their good sense, or the bad times. or
that our countrymen with gambling in
clinatonS find freer scope in the stock
market at home, do not know, but
the fact remains, and English, French,
and a few Germans and Russians COM
pose the main body Of the gamblers.
Numbers, having very small Sums OF
money, do not hesitate to risk them.
hoping to gain more. An English
woman, almost with tears in her eyes,
told us she had lost S25 in a week.
There are dozens Of this class. They
are neatly and plainly dressed, and
evidently belong to respectable families,
and their only ambition is to make a
few francs without the trouble Of work
ing for them.
THE REAL GAMBLERS.
Then there are the real gamblers
who love the intense excitement Of the
game and throw themselves into it will
all the energy Of heart and soul. They
play for high stakes, and for the highest
allowed, on the rare occasions wher
they can raise them. After they have
lost everything they wander disconso
lately about the rooms for a couple o.
days or watch others play, then they
generally manage to find up little
money and start afresh on the same old
round till the final collapse comes
Some of the habitueS who play only
with large bills sit with rolls of them
before them, and win and lose with
out the slightest outward sigr
of disturbance, except trembling o
the hands which hardly amounts t
more than culver. When the new
and younger ones first begin this reck
less play they are at once detected 10y
their excited looks, flushed faces, anC
quick breathing. A lady, whose funds
to begin with were joint contribution
Of her own money and that Of friends
lplayed for about an hour one afternoon
at trente ct quarante with l,OOO-sran'
bills 5000, and won $4,000. She wa
clearly used to winning and losing, ans