The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-26
PLAYING FOR PRIZES.
MORAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF
THIS AMUSEMENT.
Demoralizing In Its Tendency and May
be Against the Law OF
virginia.

Some valiant moralist, with a daring
and a bravery almost obsolete in these
days Of easy and cowardly condonement,
last week openly buckled on me armor
Of enmity and boldly marched 10 the
front through the columns OF The Times,
challenging that arch evii-ga nbling-to
mortal combat. The fight. from last re-
ports from the field OF battle. is sr.ll on.
Is It not the case that when war is
declared In any OF the wide worlds king
doms that the march Of the maiauder
IL through all its dominions. both great
md small. and that the hand of the
slayer IS raised against the small, as
well as the great opponents7 And so.
my fellow women, whether we be fair or
fashionable or famous. If we have ever
played cards for prizes this declaration
OF war Is likewise unto US for orr Ceiin-
Quency In not upbolding the high and
pure standards of the world, for II is
woman who is looked 70 as he standard
bearer OF right. and If she falters who
can foresee the issue of the cause? 1t
Is neither the voice of ignorance nor pre-
Judice on the subject that is now .aised
Pgairst the fashionable evil.
suppose we could engage this attention
by calling forth: Friends. Richmonders,
cultivated companions, lend me your
ears. come 10 bury prizes; not to
praise theml" or. perchance. 'twould be
best to lean upon that old staff. tried and
true, OF honesty being the best policy
and frankly entreat them through the
confessions of an "ex-prize fighter" or
the clear views of a card fiend in a lucid
interval, albeit experience, AMI not
mere theory, IS the vital power which
Animates this appeal.
Satan is diplomat Of most AK
quisite tact. and his deepest pitfalls are
archri Ger by gilded associations. and
his potions Of most deadly poisons ex-
hailed with the fragrance Of the fairest
flowers. In the legal world ignorance
of the law is no excuse, and weary
years Of living death have been dragged
through In dismal cells under the ban
OF such a verdict The moral code has
no numbered degrees for transgressions
OF direct and indirect intent Of evil, and
so there Is the fearful obligation of the
conscience alone 10 serve as arbiter be-
tween the two, and of all CHASTITY, mys-
terious specters Of warning that can APP
pear at its silent tribunal, consequences
are. and should be, the most alarming.
II 10 very hard for the recluse to appre-
ciate how little thought At the moment
one whose life is q part OF the gay world
woman upon whom society makes many
Demands Nils her engagements with the
easy unconcern OF habit as she makes
her toilet writes her notes or takes her
meals IL all Is well. she goes forth and
forgets upon her return that she has
gone. II TIE baby is threatened with
Group. or q spoiled husband has taken
cold, and does not want TO put on dress
sult she cheerfully stays. and forgets
no frhiG
IS the undertaking rule with the gentle
women who compose society. There
are. pe'chanoe. exceptions, as there
are always in all cases deal
ing with great number; but
" there is one class Of people above an
other in the universe who are lnisunder-
ttcod. misjudgcd and ignOrar thy and un-
wisely attacked ON many points 1t Is that
class at which many curl their cen
serious lips and cali the society wo-
an" In proof that this general espousai
OF her Injured cause does lot arise from
any blindness to her foiblcs--for she IS
but human-we proceed to plead with her
on this one point. that her playing cards
for prizes is deeply harmful when con-
fcientiously thought out, though II be
10 her enc Of the simplest. most harmless
ways in TIE world Of spending an evening.
She knows She doesn't care very much
for the prize II she gets IT, or would not
be particularly disappointed not 10 get 1t.
rather that Is the way we an feel about
II when we are fastening on our opera
cioaks and don't reflect. But the q0es-
ton, my dear woman. IS how do we feel
about II. and 10 what dees Il tend when
we are back within the sacred precincts
Of home, and do think2
Consider first the meaninR az that
statute OF our law Of which you are all
ignorant that forbids the playing Of
cards for any stake. and learn the serious
consequence as set forth In the Code OF
Virginia, section 3Sl9, which / have taken
the trouble 10 md out. and which says:
TT any person. by playing or betting
AZ any game or WAGER elsewhere than
III public place. lose or win within
twenty-four hours greater sum or any
thing OF greater value than twenty dol
iars. he shall be punished as IN the
preceding section"
And the preceding section you will
earn. TO yonr horror, fixes the punish
ment for playing faro and such like
games, making IL fine. With bond and
surety for good behavior. and In default
thereof. imprisonment IN jail for not ex-
Wedding three months.
This embraces no notifications or anne
Iorauons reserves no rights IN the special
sAas ar women of elegance and culture