The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-10

hand he holds a long pipe with a carseo
bowl, while between the fingers OF the o'her
hand is a long black stick. The prince
who has often seen the game III
the Royal Shades, a leading gamol'hs
house in Pekin, points out the oinerei.
phases. The coppers are placed
in the center; the players lean
about the table and the game begins.
There are several corners. EachAplayer de-
posits his stake on one of these, ana the
dealer begins by drawing four coppers at a
time from the collection under a bowl, by
the aid of his wand. The result ID declaeo
by the way the last coppers, less the mum
Der of players. are drawn. observe 'na'
the camester who has his money on one
corner to take another, receives three times
the value of his stake as the last coppers
come his way. This is much ike GAZING
| the turn It is a game of guessing the
number and order of coins left after the
auartsttes or quintettes, or whatever they
NAV be, are drawn. The dealer shows no
special interest in the game. lie smokes
his pipe and does the work for which he is
hired. The players are mostly young fel-
lows. One boy loses his money, and
| when the next deal comes Wagers MS
empty pocketbook on the result. ms
bet is accompanied by a Chinese oath.
There appears to be no limit to the game
and the house receives a percentage OF seven
cents on the dollar. The atmosphere of
the room is heavy with strange and I'M
pleasant odors and we are glad to escape.
'Now for an opium JOINT" SAID the
prince.
But where shall we turn" l asked.
We had questioned several intelligent
Cinnamon as to the whereabouts of a JOINT
and had received quite az much information
as could be derived from a lead mule. Inc
notice department knew that opium joints
existed. but could not furnish directions.
At the princes suggestion we selected a
buildinp and mounted a flight OF STAIRS.
The smell of opium WAS unmistakable. we
proped about in the dim gas light. followed
A corridor until voices were heard ana theh
bolted through q door. We we're in a so
called opium Joint. 1t would be dlfticuit to
associate the f~anciful dreams of DeQuincey
with this Mace. The smoke is not so dense,
but it is sitting. 1t seems move lnto every
corner of the little apartment, floats In
blue lines to the ceiling and descends IN a
pray color to the floor. In the center OF
the room is a plain wooden table, on when
ID an awkward looking, straight stemmed
nine. almost large enough for a battle Ak
The bowl is four inches from one end, which
ia closed. A pinch of opium is Jammed in q
little opening with a PIN ana
LIGHTED. The devotee enjoys 4
few whiffs and is away to the lane
of dreams. The joint is not furnished II
oriental Injury. There are n few blankets
ON tho floor and in one corner is a double
bunk. Two Cinnamon were on the blankets
with their heads resting on their arms ane
the pines beside them. In tho lower buni
, Was a white man. l had seen his face oftei
, around the Main street gambling honses
He WAS not more than thirty years old, bu
his long dissipation gave him the appear
apce of q much older man. He ID no
. fully under the influence of the drug for 1t
y turned restlessly in his bunk and gives us
@ half awakened stare. Then his han'
= elutched the pipe and he drew forth n fe'
y vhiGs OF smoke which were slowly inhaled
His ewes close in n dreamy way and h
| turns bnck. The room IL unoceupie'
awe by the smokers. We look III van
+ for the proprietor but none conld he found
, On the table were -four two bit pieces III
/ dicating the price of "A smoke.
We 90 through the narrow hall and mr.
apsin ON tho street. We turn down by
d row of small houses inhabited by Chimes
o women. whose faces can DO seen nj til