The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-12
HOT SPRINGS GAMBLERS.
That Locality Making an Unenvlable
Record for Itself of Late.

1SSSO10 AOr 4IS6u OF Late.
From the 81. louis Globe Democrat
Hot SPRINGS, ARK, June 5.-During the
recent prosecutions Of several gamblers.
brought on by the knights of Pythias, be-
cause some of the members of that order
had been robbed. all of the gambling houses
IN this city were closed. But, it seems, that
was only for effect. No sooner did the
citizen's oommitte disband-or, rather. beS
come inactive - than the gambling
house reopened, and the ropers are steer
ing" strangers to the same old stands.
These ropers are organized and have their
particular line of victims. They are selected
and assigned to work on a special class of
people. They are organized into league,
which is subdivided into classes. The fresh
young roper. who is Of good address and
genteel appearance, is assigned to a partic-
ularly swell hotel to work on the young
dudes who come here to spend their fathers
money. These ''swelln ropers attend the
hops and soon ingratiate themselves with
the visiting swells. After a few social
games of euchre on 10 cents ante, friend
is invited to ''sit ill.," This "friendn proves
to be the experienced gambler. who robs
the victims that the young swell roper has
been nursing for him.
Another feature Of swell gambling life at
the springs is the gambler in the disguise of
a real estate or mining operator. They put
up at first-class hotels and have attractive
women with them registered as their wives
Sometimes they are married only on the
Chicago plan. While the gamblers are
busy looking for victims among the male
guests their wives are getting acquainted
with other mems wives and learning the
financial status of their husbands. If
wealthy, and inclined to be sociable, intro
auctions are brought about and social
games and wine luncheons follow. Later
on the men have a quiet business game,
and the gambler robs his victim. These
gamblers wives are adopts at cards, and
can make a false cut and veer a
card as skilfully as their hus-
bands. They carry Layout"
Of cards, poker checks, ETC., merely for
pastime." They always invite their lady
and gentlemen friends who call in the after
noon to play ''sociable game" and they
always win. A favorite dodge of these
gamblers wives is to encourage silly young
men, and even silly ''old boys" to call upon
them. A game of 10-cent ante is invaria-
bly, suggested. They are too gallant, or,
rather, too much infatuated to win from a
lady, or to even object to being swindled,
and SO the gamblers wife manages to win
enough pin money 10 pay hotel expenses. A
retired Snowman spent about two months
here this winter, and accumulated more
money than if he had been playing to
crowded houses during the.entire season. He
is considered a star poker player.
There is perhaps more gambling in Hot
Springs, and greater variety of it. than
in any other city with ten times its popula-
ton. 1t is also better field, because there
are more verdant visitors here than at any
other point. 1t seems that a visitor loses
his cunning as soon as he reaches the Ameri-
can Monaco. at his home, OF in any other
entrap him, if he could be caught at all
but as soon as he reaches this hot water
Gomorrah he falls an easy prey to the
ounco thief or smooth tongued poker
player.