The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-01
GAMBLERS HAVE IMPROVED.
It Is Difficult to Tell Them Now Fror
Men in Better Trades.

M0u III b6LL0r 1r60eS.
From the Ne,c York Recorder.
Gamblers" observed a comfortable-Iook-
ing New Yorker to group of friends few
days ago, have in appearance changed q
good deal for the better within a dozen
years" They were standing in front of an
upper Broadway hotel. The afternoon was
pleasant. Broadway was thronged. In
the crowd were many gamblers. Indeed, !"
went on the New Yorker, "theY have i'm
proved SO much tina it is sometimes diff
cult to tell gamblers from men in better
business
younger men in the party. 81 can generally
tell a gambler when see ope''
The older man observed the speaker with
some severity. my nephew here said he,
can tell a gambler when he sees one. l
presume he can. | have had some reason
to believe an several occasions that he is
intimately acquainted with a number Of
them"
Having administered this rebuke the old
gentleman's features relexed, and on his
ruddy and clean shaver face there ap-
peared a ret ospecIive and contemplative
expression, which was the signal for close
and respectful attention from his hearers.
The old gentleman is an oracle.
And | believe" he resumed, "that this
improvement is due in the main to the ad-
vent into this country within the past few
years of vanished shoes for universal wear
Yes, sir, patent leather shoes brought
about the reform, l am sure. The gambler
of the seventies was unmistakable. Anyone
could tell him. | recall that he usually wore
very shiny high nat, which he tilted over
his right eve The lapels of his long frock
coat were turned back to exhibit the satin
facing. In lucky times he wore q heavy
gold watch chain. HIS trousers were usually
ligat and striped, and fitted snuglv-And his
s1Oes! 1t was in the matter of footwear that
the gambler of the seventies was fastid-
iors. They were large, and the soles we're
double extra heavy. No hligree work
adorned the uppers. They were always
scrupulously cleaned and polished. | have
seen gambler stand on the corner of Eighth
street and Broadw ay, then a gamblers
rendezvous, and contemplate his own shoes
with undisguised pleasure by the hour.
Whatever else. in periods of depression, he
was forced to sacrifice, the gambler always
chung to bis shoes. His demeaner, except
when among his intimate associates, was
one of uIgnnied, even naughty, reserve. He
staggered slightly, and his cigar rested in
| the far corner of Lis mouth and pointed up
| ward. These characteristics OF dress aud
manner and an abiding belief in the virtue
of champagne in large Quantities at inter
'No AOSA4eA.ON y VIC ASAOnS VI LIS
wallet, made up the typi ,al gambler of the
time Of about 1875, as l recall him.
About 1881, think, may be stated as
the period when the reform began. It was
begun by those alert gentlemen of fortune
who Travelled over and back and over again
on the Atlantic steamers for the benefit of
their health and the improvement of their
financial condition by means Of Ioker.
Success in their line depended upon the
adoption OF the costumes and manners of
those with whom they associated, and with
some regret they did adopt them. Their
appearance, then, on the streets of Amerl-
can cities, shod in thin-soled, pointed and
polished shoes, was the signal for express
ions Of extreme disgust by gamblers who
did not travel abroad
But the reform had come to stay, and
before long it had obtained some Roadway
among tn gamblers of this city. And with
tie snOes came the other accessories of a
properly dressed gentleman. The old shoes
and the satin-line coats were put away,
not without signs, however, and the trans
formation went steadily on until now. AS
have said, you can hardly tell a gambler
from gentleman until you have had per-
sonal encounter with one." The old gentle
man stopped and looked significantly at his
nephew.
at seems to me-" said the youth, "that
you have indicated a moderately intimate
knowledge of the habits of the gamblers"
obtained, sir" said the oracle, striking
his cane on tie pavement, purely by
philosophical observation"