Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-03
BOSTON'S FINEST OPIUM DEN.
Scenes i'm Fashionable Jotnt In thu
West End-The Same Old story.

BOSTON'S FINEST OPIUM DEN.
Scenes I'm a Fashionaale Joint In the
west End-The Same Old story.
From the Boston Globe
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 opera
ton for months. untouched by the police. At
one Tune IL was suspected, it is said, and the
Ioo"s eAaIhihea' out no proof whatever Of any
thing Illicit was found against the place. Ithas
since carried on its business so boldly that it
seems almost impossible that the police have
not observed 1t previous to the time of their
raid yesterday.
Inc reporter gained admission by the aid Of
an oplum-smoklng friend Without attempt
ing 70 give the signal, the latter tried the door
anu iouno II unlocked. The two passed In.
before the head of the stairs was reached door
!eaoins out OF the corridor to the right was
hastily opened and q woman's form appeared
In the doorway. She exclaimed:
..H w no are your What do you want here?"
H9sh. kittie," said he; "don't you know
"Oh, it's you, is 1T, Jime Well, come In" and
Win these words she turned on her heel and
t Went down stairs to shut the door, scolding
locked.
The writer followed his companion into the
t6o eettng for the first time full glance At
tne Iace OF the woman who had welcomed
tnem. She was fair-looking, about 80 years Of
age, with brown hair and a Roman nose Her
attired In full-cut Mother Hubbard. She
greeted the stranger with smile. "Ever
SMOKED piper" she asked.
mo" was the answer.
boSy sos:y oS b like It very much most every
Presently footsteps We're heard on the stairs.
IL IS my husband" she said, going to him.
During her absence the visitors examined the
room: 1t was large, square apartment, with
one corner partitiOned off by curtains.
ut is fitted up as a bed chamber" explained
the friend, ITO battle any efforts the police might
The floor was covered with a rich, heavy tap
estry carpet. and the walls, which were ele-
gantiy decorated, were hung with fine paint
lounge, and next to it large dressing case
me windows overlooking the street were hung
with rich draperies of oriental lace. The bed
and Turkish rug. Everything was in perfect
order, and the place wac q striking comparison
with the dirty haunts of the Cinnamon.
AT this point the woman again entered, fol-
lowed by young lady and two men, the for
mer's husband bringing up the rear. The lady
was very pretty, and neatly attired in black
SILK dress. Around her throat was scarf of
spanish lace, which was fastened In front with
she was lady ofrefnement, and her converse
ton bestoke culture. Her companion was q
young man with a dark complexion. The rings
under his eyes and the glazed appearance of
the balls were sufficient proof that he was An
opium dend.
stay late tonight t. think you had better ar
range for us at once" He complied. Then,
turning to his wife, he said:
dress for Mother Hubbard? She will lind it
uncomfortable smoking in that silk
The reporter carefully watched the scene of
wife retired to a side room to dress. Then the
proprietor, turning the light down to glim-
proceeded to a closet FROM which he took three
Turkish rugs and a like number Of tin tea trays
These were carefully spread out on the floor,
were put a little card ofopium, an Oil lamp and
pipe The room was then still further dark
ened, and the women appeared attired in their
dressing gowns. The owner then conducted
the girl and her companion to a rug, at one end
of which he placed a 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
ceeded to light it in the flames, and place the
burning drug in the little hole in the middle OF
the bowl, She pqtfed complacently a moment,
seems to smoke again."
The proprietor then left the couple to them
couches. After going through the same routine
with each, he sees the whole party reclining
comfortably on the rugs and then, taking
over an hour no sound above a whisper was
heard in the room. The light, stealing in
through the windows, lent weird appearance
fumed opium slowly commenced its work. The
smoke grew thicker and thicker.
Suddenly low, distinct whistle was heard
outside. In q moment the keeper was on his
feet. Cautiously he drew the curtain aside with
the remark. 81 wonder who nowe" He
appeared with a party of four young men, and
later on with two closely yelled girls. As their
outside wraps were being laid aside almost
every body in the room was awakened, and for
a few minutes there was hearty interchange
of greetings. The hostess was on hand with
plenty to drink. Some took beer, others lemon
turned to opium smoking.
II wish could remember the dream had
Cant you remember your visfons?" asked
mo- was the answer. 'That's what makes
and the moment awake it's all lost. 1 never
remembered dream so that could tell about
1t the next morning There is nothing distinct
fathOm." "
"How long have you smoked?"
"Oh I'm an old hand. Three years 400 last
winter first hit the pipe and have kept at it
of and on ever since. I had the habit bad a
W tTn ago. ABOUT the time got pnehed with
go with me to see an Elliott street joint. The
police took us all in a terrible stab It seems
our smoking places. Wasn't mad, though.
when read the story of our appearance il,
court ,!tr in the evening paper.
ia just like to get hold Of that reporter for
three minutes he said, with closed teeth "I'I;
pct ne wouldn't write another piece like that
for one year."
The writer drew deep, but inaudible sigh.
his conscience troubled him. "Was it not his
DUTY TO tell the irate smoker that the author OF
the alleged funny story was within convenient
reach of his lett fist?" Self-preseryation ar
gued to the contrary, and he only said, with
snaky accents, "Y-yes, it was rather mean
JOB 10 put up on the crowd"
One Dy one the smokers closed their CONVEX
sation The room was crowded in every part
ana the proprietor said there would be no
otherS admitted that night The smoke filled
the room in clouds. The reporter was restless.
ana, being unable to sleep. he soon got up and
quletly sat In a chair. From the seat he Occn-
pea the room and its inmates could be dis.
tinctly seen
over In the northwest corner near the bed.
was party OF tour sleeping sonndly upon their
mat. Ineir lamp was burning low, the card OF
opium was eXhausted-the fascinating narcotic
mad had done Its work. The owner and his wife
were likewise asleep upon the bed. A smile of
seeming contentment rested on her features.
her husnands face, on the contrary, was dark
and troubled. Wv" A
Beyond them, on the floor. was a group of
young men smoking slowly in silence Only
power OF action remained in them, Their minds
were fully lost in the fantastic visions that
came In the fragrant smoke At the foot of the
pea were the two girls, sleeping as peacefully az
II In their beds at home.