The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-03-28

business ana IOunO Cne aSSerIlOn Ol my
friend to be true. He was the proprietor of
gambling house and employed the
dealers and attaches who worked for
stated salaries. He played no game
but poker and played in what is styled 1.-The
the citizens who frequented the rooms, and
only professionals of ''good standing were
permitted to play in it. The proprietor
would not permit work of any kind. By
this mean that the game was supposed to
be one of skill and chance, where the best
player alone had the advantage, and where
if luck attended the player he would win.
The reader who knows nothing OF such a
game and the general practices of gamblers
will naturally ask if this is not true of all
games where money is risked. l answer
no. There are many games of chance
with cards and by other devices, where the
uninitated may patrOniZe the game for all
indefinite time, and stand no show of win
ming in the long run. He may be permit
ted to win a few dollars tonight when he
imagines ''luck has been against him." but
the winning is only for encouragement, and
he must ultimately lose.
But to return to our character. the ''honest
gambler" AS we have intimated, his
standard of honor was above that possessed
by his class. He would not permit man
to be robbed in his rooms, either by his at
taches. or by others. No games were dealt
except games of chance, with percentage
in favor of the house. The question pre-
sents itself, is not this true of all gambling
houses? | answer no. There is such tic-
ticious atmosphere about all gambling
houses; but as rule the all-pervading prin-
cple is to get the money, regardless Of the
means employed. 50 long as it can be done
under guise of gambling. There are doubt
less many in this prison vino lost their mon
ey at gambling, imagining they were stalk
ing it on equal chances to win or lose, when
in reality they had no chance to win. They
were as certain to lose as they were to risk
their money. Thus it is we so frequently
hear of the employe losing the money OF his
employer, or the business man abScOnding
or becoming bankrupt OH account of having
lost his money at the gaming table. These
men get taste of gambling; they are al
ternately successful and unsuccessful fol a
time; they become infatuated with the game;
they are ignorant of the many ways by
which they may be beaten while to all ap-
pearanceS they have an equal chance; final
ly they risk big money" and they lose.
The thing is done, and suicide is the only
escape from righteous condemnation, per-
hapS prison.
Oh. the course is an easy one. and many
travel upon it's glded track. The gambling
habit, more than any other, drags men from
high positions in life to the depths of deg
radiation and crime. The habit of drunk
enness can be discovered, friends can inter
cede and stay the current, and perhaps the
victim can make amends for his mistakes,
as no great amount of money is involved,
and the habit is not so difficult to overcome
in it's infancy; but the gambling habit may
be followed to almost any extent and the
most intimate friends of the victim be kept
in total ignorance. Finally the crash comes,
and often with it public exposure, and a
cell or grave.
Does the gambler who has won the money
come to the relief of his victim? Very.
very seldom. l have known few inStan-
ces, just enough to convince me that there
are men who live by this species of gam
bling who are not totally lost to the appeals
Of justice and humanity. But think of a
man rObbing another and returning his
money to him because it will ruin him if it
is not returned! This man must have some
sense of honor. What is it? 1t is this:
II will gamble with you, and if by my SUI
periOr intellect, my knowledge of the game,
or by any advantage may get by reason of
long familiarity with all the devices for get
ting the best of you, by artifice. trick or
quibble, can win your money, l will do so.
and you have the same privilege" Here is
the standard.
In what does this differ from he who buys
stocks. bonds, grain. produce, or anything
for that matter which may bring him money