Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-10-12
GAMBLING ON THE OCEAN.

GAm6LlNU ON LIE oCLdN'
An importer engaged in business in White
street, New York who has crossed the ocean
at least twice year for the last quarter OF
century, was met during the past week
on his return from Europe. He is vet
eran traveller, and is always on the lookout
for stirring incidents and anything of q
novel character. "We had an exceedingly
pleasant run after leaving Queenstown" he
said, 'but can't say the trip will lie cher
ished with pleasant recollection by every
body who was aboard. In the smoking
room poker was the order of the hour
throughout the entire voyage, and q party
of New York professionals, whose faces are
familiar to ocean travellers, made pile Of
money. The principal victims were Eug-
lishmen bound to this country on business
or pleasure. Two gentlemen, who said their
destination was Texas, lost all their ready
cash, about G3,5 500. They took their losses
good. naturedly, and seemed to regard them
as of no consequence"
"Are these professional players known to
the officers of the ship?"
81 cannot conceive how the officers can
be ignorant as to their real character. Reg
ular passengers can point them out as soon
as they strike the deck of q ship. They are
always we'll dressed suave in their manner,
and, to all appearance, perfectly reckless in
the expenditure of money. They ORDER the
most costly drinks and the finest cigars,
and as they can make themselves quite
agreeable when it suits their purpose they
are rarely at a loss for victims"
"Are they themselves not likely to be-
come the victims?"
"If luck sets dead against them, so that
their cheating devices fail to work, as may
happen on rare occasions, they play very
low until the tide turns. The professionals
are always ahead on the whole voyage,
sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars.
On the trip here young English lieuten-
ant, who was going to visit friends i'll Cana
da, and mddle-aged gentleman who had
interests in the West, were passengers.
They fell into the tolls of the gamblers on
the frst day out from Queenstown, and be-
fore the close of the third day both the Brit
shers retired from the poker table looking
downhearted. learned that the lieuten
ant, who had FL, 900 when he started from
home, had nothing left hut II draft for elOO.
His travelling companion lost heavily, but
resented any attempt to draw him into con-
yersaton on the subject. These are but is
olated instances Of what occurs On almost
every voyage. Since public gambling has
been stopped in many of our large cities,
the gamblers have taken to the ocean, where
they ply their trade with great success
They are to be found on every ship, and as
they are surrounded by men with money
and plenty of leisure time, they invariably
reap rich harvest"
care the gamblers ever interfered with ?"
ht,k nnfIp me orr
souelched. An amusing incident occurred
on the voyage to Liverpool. Two bright
young American women and two we'll
known gamblers, who were said to be their
husbands, we're booked as passengers. Soon
after leaving Sandy Hook the ladies began
to make themselves very agreeable to some
of the male passengers, to whom they man
aged to secure introductions. They drank
wine and smoked cigarettes. Next day
game of poker was started, and
the ladies took part in it, At first it
was a game with small stakes for amuse-
ment, but soon it became serious. There
were FIVE at the table, and in q Jackpot
which contained some $50 it came to the
turn of lady No. to deal. She ripped and
shuffled the cards deftly, while pleasant
conversation flowed freely. To the gentle
man on her left she gave three kings; to
lady No. 9, who sat next, she dealt the nine,
ten, jack and queen of clubs; to the player
Immediately on her left she bestowed an
ace full pat; to the next gentleman three
seveus were given, while she herself took
an Indifferent hand and fell out. The first
player opened the pot for IS; lady No.
stayed in; the third player raised it $50 ;
the fourth saw the raise as did also the
first.
ut then came to the turn of the lady.
She saw the raise and went 800 better,
which all hands saw. Lady No. l finished
the deal To the gentleman on her left she
gave pair of 6ves, which made his hand q
king full; to her amiable sister she dealt
the eight of clubs, which completed bel
straight flush. The third player stood hi:
hand, and the fourth received seven and
queen to his three sevens. Betting started
at $40, was raised $50, then 500, and wen
on till there were several thousand dollar;
in the pot. The two gentlemen who helc
the full hands dropped them when the pace
grew too hot, and finally the four seven
called, and the lady raked in the pot will
AN innocent smile. The skill of the deale
in handling the cards was the talk of th
shin. It came to the ears of the captain
who ordered the ladies to keep their state
room during the balance of the voyage
The two brilliant females and their alleged
husbands are black.listed by the agents o
the line on which they displayed sucl
talent."-N. Y. Mail and Express.