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GIFT OF
A LBER T SHE LBY LEV IN
'
WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
JOHN MORRIS.
"And we will put down the things we have seen as seen, and the things we have
heard as heard, in order that our book may be honest and true, without auy lie, and
that every one that may read or hear this book may believe it; for all things it con
tains are true." Recueil des Voyages de la Societt de Geographic. Voyage de Marco
Polo. *
NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR,
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by
JOHN MORKIS,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington, D. C.
PS
CONTENTS.
PAOK.
INTRODUCTORY ." 5
CHAPTER L
EARLY DAYS 9
CHAPTER II.
EARLY DAYS 18
CHAPTER III..
PROFESSION 21
CHAPTER IV.
THE CLUB 27
CHAPTER V.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM SMITH 30
CHAPTER VI.
DIPLOMACY ." 37
CHAPTER VII.
MAJOR GEORGE JENKS 47
CHAPTER VIII.
FARO 56
CHAPTER IX.
DEPARTURE 75
CHAPTER X.
PH ANTOMS OF THE MEMORY . 84
CHAPTER XI.
"WHEEL-ING 88
% CHAPTER XII.
Ox TO RICHMOND 106
CHAPTER XIII.
THE HORSE 112
CHAPTER XIV.
"WASHINGTON CITY 140
CHAPTER XV.
INVENTORS - 156
CHAPTER XVI.
INCUBI 180
CHAPTER XVII.
SHARPERS... 187
215953
4 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVIII. PAOK.
SCENES AT LONG BRANCH 197
CHAPTER XIX.
SECOND-CLASS SKINMNG-HOUSES 2 7
CHAPTER XX.
SHARPERS 224
CHAPTER XXI.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 241
CHAPTER XXII.
NEW YORK ' 262
CHAPTER XXIII.
SQUARING ACCOUNTS 280
CHAPTER XXIV.
IN THE LOCK-UP 285
CHAPTER XXV.
BOXERS 310
CHAPTER XXVI.
PERSECUTION 321
CHAPTER XXVII.
PREJUDICES 335
CHAPTER XXVIII.
WOLF-TRAPS 354
CHAPTER XXIX.
"WOLF-TRAPS Continu'd 366
CHAPTER XXX.
SHARP PRACTICE 380
CHAPTER XXXI.
LEXINGTON RACES 386
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE FLIGHT 401
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE MISSISSIPPI 413
CHAPTER XXXIV.
RIVER SHARPERS 422
CHAPTER XXXV.
THREE-CARD MONTE THROWERS 435
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE HOG-DROVER 444
CHAPTER XXXVII.
MOBILE 459
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
A " NIGGER IN THE FENCE." 463
CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE "NIGGER" GETS OUT ...481
INTRODUCTORY.
" The castled crag of Drachenfels
Frowns o'er the wide and winding Rhine."
In all Europe no lovelier view meets the eye of the tourist
than that seen from the summit of the Dragon Mountain. For
more than sixty miles the eye may trace the windings of the
beautiful Rhine, as it meanders through fertile valleys adorned
with highly-cultivated farms, vineyards, churches, villas, and
the palatial residences of the nobility. Beneath him lies the
beautiful village of Melheim, to the left the ruins of Rollandseck
and the islands of Nonnerswerth and Oberwinter, to the right
the ruins of Godesburg, and, farther on, the city of Bonn, while
in the dim distance the cathedral spires of Cologne point to
heaven.
As the eye turns from the river the scene is entirely changed.
Hills elevated above hills, in endless succession of pyramids,
until the eye turns for relief to the beautiful Rhine.
The Rhine! The German's fairy-land! His heaven upon
earth ! The semi-barbarous hordes who, centuries ago, inhabited
the castles whose picturesque ruins strike the traveler with ad
miration and delight, are to him familiar friends. Their deeds
of rapine, their deadly feuds, the scenes of "battle, murder, and
sudden death," in which their lives were spent, are to him the
essence of chivalry. Truly, a more blood-thirsty set of villains
never disgraced humanity. The peasantry who fed their flocks
on the fertile hills, or lived in Arcadain simplicity in the valleys
enclosed by them, had no rights which they- held themselves
bound to respect. "Might made right," according to their creed,
and their scanty flocks were laid under contribution at their
pleasure, and even their wives and daughters torn from their
arms to gratify the brutal lust of their masters. Such were the
6 INTRODUCTORY.
Rhenish heroes, whose deeds are the theme of poets, histori
ans, and writers of romance, and whose magnificent tombs,
emblazoned with their virtues, adorn many of the temples along
the banks of the Rhine, while the ruins of their feudal palaces
still dot the banks of that beautiful stream, monuments of rapine
and oppression.
From Bonn to Manheim the scenery is at times wild and
startling, then as serenely beautiful as one of Claude Lorraine's
evening scenes.
But the hand of man has done as much to "beautify the sce
nery along the Rhine as the hand of nature. Improved archi
tecture has given to the dwellers on the banks of this storied
river, more commodious and modern, if less picturesque dwell
ings, than those formerly occupied by their robber chieftains,
and the wayfarer is now sheltered in elegantly-appointed hotels,
instead of being the guest of lordly barons, and is plundered
after the most approved modern fashion. No impolite demand
for "your money or your life," accompanied with an argument
in the shape of a sword, lance, or battle-axe. Matters are
arranged in a much more polished style in these civilized days.
Mine host presents his bill with the courtly bow of the Mexican
robber while inviting a padre on the road to disgorge. He is
careful to wait uiiul the luggage of his guest is on the cart, and
the carriage waits to convey him to the steamer or railway sta
tion. He then presents his bill of costs. 'Tis of no use to haggle
over the items; as soon would the robber chieftains of old abate
one jot or tittle of their demand, as the smiling host who so
suavely insists on his " bond," even to the uttermost farthing.
No grander treat can be given to the denizens of the over
crowded cities of London, Paris, or St. Petersburg, than a trip
through the mountains of Switzerland and along the Rhine.
The scenery of France, England, and Russia, is tame in compar
ison, and they are ravished with delight on first beholding this
storied river. Have not Byron, Scott, and many others, immor
talized its scenic beauties, both in song and prose f
But the Irishman can find as pleasing scenery along his own
beautiful Shannon, and Switzerland nor Italy has nothing to
compare with the charming Lakes of Killarney. Even the Scot
need not desert his native mountains for those of other coun
tries, and the American, who crosses the most dangerous ocean
INTRODUCTORY. 7
in the world to behold the beauties and wonders of another con
tinent, leaves behind him scenes as grand and beautiful along
the upper Mississippi, the St. Lawrence, and the great lakes.
He will not find his native Hudson surpassed, even by the
Khine, nor lakes in Europe more charming than Saint George.
The dwellers on the western range of the Andes can well
afford to look with indifference on the scenery of Switzerland,
and a short sea voyage of three days, from New Orleans to Vera
Cruz, and a forty miles journey, over one of the finest roads in
the world, to the city of Jalapa, and the traveler finds himself
surrounded by scenery unsurpassed on the face of the earth for
grandeur and sublimity, and where all the climates and pro
ductions of the world can be embraced in a single glance from
the mountain-side above Jalapa.
The seeker after antiquities may continue his journey to
Yucatan, where once flourished a now extinct and almost totally
unknown race of beings, believed to have been as highly civil
ized as the people of Assyria and Ancient Egypt, and the rums
of whose once splendid temples and cities he will find, amongst
the tropical forests of Misantla and Papantla, and which will
prove as interesting to him as climbing the pyramids of Egypt or
rambling among the musty tombs of Memphis or of Thebes.
It is now, however, only fashionable for Americans to make
the "tower of Oorop," and up the Nile to the Holy Land, and to
return thoroughly disgusted with everything American.
La Belle Eiviere, or the Ohio, was once a favorite resort
during the summer months. It is, indeed, a beautiful stream !
The lovely valleys and rounded hills, into which its banks are
diversified, present to the eye a succession of verdure so varied
as to at once* attract the lover of beautiful scenery. For more
than six hundred miles the eye is momentarily presented with
something new to feed upon. It has not, indeed, the ruined
castles and churches, the terraced vineyards and frowning cliffs,
for which the romantic Ehine is celebrated, but, at every turn of
the river, finely-cultivated farms, thriving orchards, herds of
cattle, sheep, and horses, " on a thousand hills," with an endless
number of towns, cities, and villages, teeming with a restless and
energetic people.
Twenty years ago the charming scenery of the Ohio was the
theme of painters and tourists who moved over its gentle waters,
8 INTRODUCTORY.
and enjoyed its ever-changing scenery from the decks of palatial
steamers which supplied to the traveler every luxury of a first-
class hotel.
But railroads have superseded this once delightful route, and
the beauties of this most lovely river are left to an occasional
wandering tourist, the dweller on its banks, or the boatman who
labors along its tranquil waters.
WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER I.
EAELT DATS.
In one of the loveliest of those valleys which lie along the Ohio
River, the author of these memoirs had the fortune, or the mis
fortune, to hecome one of the human family.
I leave the question an open one, because there has been much
haggling over the query, whether the birth of a human being is
a fortunate event, or otherwise, to him or her having no control
or choice in their own incarnation, and who, if what the ortho
dox affirm be true, may be "foreordained from the beginning
of the world" to suffer not only here, but eternal torments here
after, for the "deeds done in the body."
There is, has been, and always will be in existence, many who
believe birth to be a misfortune ; for who would desire to come
upon this earth to endure " the slings and arrows of outrageous
fortune, and the thousand natural ills the flesh is heir to/ 1 only
to leave it for that rather uncertain locality where "the worm
dieth not, and the fire is not quenched"? This abstruse question
is too deep for me, and I leave to hair-splitting philosophers and
wrangling priests a subject on which they have wasted much
argument, witflout arriving at any satisfactory result. Of this
(to me) important fact, I am perfectly satisfied that I was born
into the world, in the town of Marietta; whether for fortune or
misfortune. It was doubtless ordained that I should be born
there, and probably also ordained that I should be a wanderer
and a vagabond on the face of the earth, and finally give these
memoirs to the public, in which I have related my experience.
I regret not the past and anticipate not the future, and look
on life, with its pleasures, vexations, and cares, as a feverish
dream.
10 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
If I am sorry for anything, it is that the theme on which I
write is not in more able hands. But the subject is within the
knowledge of but few ; and of those few persons, I do not know
of one any more capable of writing a book upon the subject than
myself. Therefore, whatever may be its defects, let them be at
tributed rather to the lack of education than lack of truth.
Forty years ago the town of Marietta was a thriving place,
depending mostly on the rich farming country by which it was
surrounded, and numbered a population of fifteen hundred souls.
It contained two flour mills, a foundry, and, as it was the county
seat, a brick court-house and jail.
A fine little wharf, paved in with cobble-stones, adorned the
city front, and afforded accommodation to the steamboats,
trading-boats, keel-boats, and all the various river-craft that
plied on the waters of the placid Ohio.
The little town could boast also of four different religious sects,
for the godly lived in Marietta.
The Methodists and Presbyterians had each a small brick
church ; while the Catholics and Baptists had each a less preten
tious temple, to wit, a small frame building.
As far as my recollection goes, the four religious denominations,
or at least their members, jogged on pretty peaceably together,
barring the usual ; uiount of backbiting, "hate, envy, and all un-
charitableness," to be found generally among Christian sects,
and all other sects, I suppose, who imagine their way the only
right one, and their road to heaven the only legitimate one.
In our town the Methodists and Presbyterians were the ruling
powers, much inclined to Puritanism in their notions, and with a
disposition to rule sinners by whip and spur.
None but the godly could hold any office in Marietta.
Groggeries, bowling saloons, billiard tables, and other abom
inations of " the world, the flesh and the devil," were not tolera
ted, and the individual who desired to slake his thirst in a
draught of "red eye," or any other alcoholic fluid, was obliged to
call at the bar of the " Old Hickory Tavern."
This venerable structure was a two-story house, built of logs,
with a curfew cupola on the top, from whence the alarm was
sounded, which told the patrons of the " Old Hickory " when their
meals were ready.
As was customary in those days, a tail sign-post stood in
EARLY DATS. 11
front of this hostel, from which dangled a large square sign,
ornamented with a portrait of the terrible hero of New Orleans,
dressed in what was then supposed to be full military style,
seated on a cavorting steed, with a drawn sword in his hand, his
gray hair standing out beneath his cocked hat, like " quills on
the fretful porcupine," while, from the expression of his counten
ance, one would imagine him in the act of dealing death, de
struction, and damnation, to the entire host of Britishers.
Such was the "Old Hickory" tavern, the only institution of its
kind in the place. It was, to the lovers of that " triumph of the
adversary," whiskey, what the oasis in the desert is to the parch
ed traveler; even the boatmen who desired to quench their
thirst had no other resort, so opposed were the puritanical rulers
of the town to drinking-houses. Had they possessed the power,
even the bar of the "Old Hickory" would not have been permit
ted to dispense whiskey and its evil influence to the inhabitants
of the place. But the laws of the State allowed taverns to sell
liquors for the accommodation of their guests, and John Travis,
the jolly landlord, was a grievous thorn in the flesh to many of
the godly town, who offered up long-winded prayers and exhorta
tions in his behalf. But the incorrigible sinner refused to repent,
and exchange whiskey-dispensing for psalm-singing, and was
finally given up as irrevocably damned. He took the matter very
easy, however, for one in his perilous situation, and even seemed
to prosper under it. Perhaps the knowledge that much good
company was in the same boat with him, reconciled him to his
fate; for in even so holy a place as Marietta, were many jolly
fellows, fond of sport and their glass of whiskey, and who man
aged to enjoy a tolerably jolly life, notwithstanding the frowns
and predictions of their more godly townsmen,- who considered
every one irremediably lost, who, under any circumstances what
ever, visited a horse-race, cock-fight, bull-bait, the bar-room of
the Old Hickory, or so much as handled a pack of cards.
For a place so far west, and so much frequented by boatmen,
Marietta had more than her share of puritanical tyranny. But,
in those days, this sort of oppression had spread its influence
from the eastern shores of New England to the confines of west
ern civilization, and made itself heavily felt in nearly all the
Southern States.
The Puritans wielded the law-making power of the country,
12 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
and could they but have effectually carried out their designs, we
should now be borne back to the good old days of Cotton Mather.
For many years they held this power, but the unruly spirits
of the land, more especially in our large cities and many of the
important towns in the Southern and Western States, revolted
against their arbitrary and despotic acts, and prevented them
from being enforced.
But 'if Puritanism received a check in that direction, it still
held unlimited sway over what is called "society."
" Society" shut its doors in the faces of those who dared
dispute its somber teachings, or enjoy life contrary to its rigid
and uncompromising rules.
Exceptions were of course made in favor of the unmarried sons
of the wealthy. Their infidelities could be tolerated until suita
ble wives could be provided for them from among the faithful,
and they could thereby be brought into the godly .fold.
Money has the same powerful influence over the opinions of
the rigid moralist that it holds over those of the most hardened
and villainous.
That salutary laws are necessary to check the growth of im
morality, protect the interests of the people, and curb vice within
bounds, is unquestionable; but whenever such power has been
placed in the .hand : of Puritanism, it has been used for sectarian
aggrandisement, and eventually has degenerated into intoler
ance and oppression.
However despotic and brutal may have been the means used
by Peter the great, to bring his subjects into a more advanced
state of civilization, he was certainly the greatest practical re
former of those mentioned in history.
He partially succeeded in reforming the morals of his people,
in the face of the most hostile opposition of an intolerant and
bigoted clergy; but not before he had curbed the power and re
formed the morals of the clergy themselves.
That the morals and social condition of the people of these
United States have undergone a remarkable change, within the
last thirty years, no one will dispute. Rampant rowdyism and
drunkenness is not nearly so prevalent as at that period.
In my boyhood, a fourth of July, St. Patrick's day, a general
muster, or even a camp-meeting, that passed without the average
amount of fighting having taken place, was a thing unheard of.
EARLY DATS. 13
Each city, town, and village had its bullies, who were esteemed,
among a certain class of their townsmen, in proportion to their
prowess in "free fights."
"Whenever these worthies met, at any public gathering, a fight
of some sort was the inevitable consequence. If one could not, as
was preferable, be arranged with the champions of some rival
town, their "dernier resort" was a " set-to" among themselves,
just to keep their hands in.
In those days, fighting was popular with the masses, and the
contests of their gladiators were to them as interesting and ex
citing as were those which took place in the arena of ancient
Home to its people.
Between these partisan bullies, that which begun in single
combat was frequently joined by the friends of both parties,
numbering sometimes fifty or more, and a free fight was the re
sult, and a fortunate thing was it if it ended in nothing more
serious than black eyes, bloody noses, and cracked skulls.
Of organized police there was none worthy the name, even
in our .large cities; and if a constable, sheriff, or any other officer
presumed to interpose his authority to preserve the peace, or
break up a fight, his interference was considered highly imperti
nent, and as an infringement of his rights of amusement which
no son of liberty would for a moment tolerate.
Nor was this roughness of character confined entirely to the
lower classes ; even the wealthy, and, I am sorry to add, educa
ted portion of the people, did not consider it beneath them to be
the aiders and abettors of rowdyism.
Even our first-class colleges were but little less than schools
of rowdyism.
The amusements of the scions of the aristocracy consisted in
playing exceedingly personal practical jokes, wrenching off
knockers ani bell-handles, knocking down infirm watchmen,
and a constant succession of fights with the young men of the
town or those of rival colleges, which not unfrequently resulted
in death to some, and disfigurement for life to many more.
Among the wealthy and cultured classes punctiliousness was
mistaken for politeness, and their haughty and patronizing man
ner towards their poorer and more ignorant neighbors was near
ly unbearable, and must, in time, have led to a bloody social
revolution, had it not been for our extensive territory, and the
14 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
immense tide of European emigration constantly flowing in
upon us.
How often have we smarted beneath the lash of criticism, so
unsparingly inflicted upon us by Dickens, Capt. Hale, and Mrs.
Trollope. The writers of this country have exhausted their
genius in abusing them, because they had the audacity to hold
up to the world's ridicule the elegant peculiarities of the in
habitants of the "greatest country on the face of the earth."
But these criticisms have unquestionably done much for our im
provement ; and though in many respects highly colored, have
certainly had the effect of polishing down many of the rough
points in our character.
It is now nearly forty years since Mrs. Trollope published her
book and what a sensation it created! It aroused the indigna
tion of the reading public from the great Lakes to the Gulf. Yet
nearly every statement made in that book was truthful ! When
she said, in her book of travels, that it was common on our
western river steamers to see men seated at their meals, in com
pany with ladies, in their shirt-sleeves, she told only the simple
truth ; and only what I myself have witnessed repeatedly, and, I
doubt not, many who read this have also witnessed.
When she declared she had seen in the dress circle of our first-
class theatres, nun seated on the balustrade in their shirt
sleeves, with their backs to the audience, while dozens of feet at
the same time rested on the rail, she told but the truth ! Yet
hundreds of pens and thousands of tongues branded her with
falsehood.
Before her work appeared, it was no uncommon thing for both
officers and passengers to be seen at table, on board the west
ern steamers, in their shirt-sleeves. I saw the same thing my
self a few years after reading her work.
Whether the lady's book caused the revolution or not, I am
unable to say; but within a year or two after its publication, no
person was permitted to seat himself at table, on a steamer car
rying passengers, unless in proper costume.
For myself, I have no recollection of ever seeing a person
seated on the balustrade of the dress-circle of a theatre in
his shirt-sleeves, with his back to the stage while the perform
ance was going on, but I have been credibly informed, by eye
witnesses, that the thing has been repeatedly witnessed by them ;
EAKLY DATS. 15
and I have myself seen such a want of decorum between acts,
on several occasions, as no description could do justice to. I
have also seen, though I am glad to say not often, persons
asleep in the dress-circle, with their legs hanging over the
balustrade, and it was no uncommon sight, a few years since, in
our southern and western theatres, to see, between the acts, an
extensive crop of boots reposing on it.
Such want of decorum was never permitted in the Mobile and
New Orleans theatres, but these were the only ones west of the
Alleghanies and south of the Potomac River, hi which good
manners were not permitted to be infringed.
I doubt if there is now, within the broad compass of Uncle
Sam's dominion, a theatre where a person would be permitted to
show disrespect to the audience by hanging his legs over the
balustrade, sitting upon it, or by elevating his boots upon it.
This reformation commenced in the pit, as that portion of the
theatre now occupied by orchestra chairs was formerly denomi
nated.
Whoever first started the cry of "Boots," in the pit of a
theatre, was the first reformer. The cry became popular ; when
ever a foot appeared, the cry of "Boots" was started, taken up
by the whole pit, .and never ceased until the obnoxious foot had
disappeared.
In the course of my wandering life, I have witnessed two af
fairs in theatres, which, in the way of disgraceful conduct, cer
tainly far surpassed anything described in Mrs. Trollope's book.
The first of these took place in the Jefferson Street Theatre,
in Louisville, in the summer of 1837. One of the bloods of the
place, having partaken too freely of the ardent, took the liberty
to sleep it off in the dress-circle, and also to find a resting-place
for his feet by hanging them over the balustrade.
His indecorous position might have passed unchallenged by
the pit of a Cbuisville theatre, which, at that period, had not
accustomed itself to be at all squeamish about an unusual dis
play of legs, but the fellow snored so loudly as to attract the at
tention of the entire house. The rowdy pit was the first to take
exceptions to the gentleman's rather free-and-easy way of taking
his naps. They commenced to call the attention of the rest of
the audience by yells, cat-calls, hoots, and cries of "put 'em
out," "saw his legs off," "pitch 'em down," "grease his nos-
16 WASDEKINGS OF A VAGABOND.
trils, etc. The noise and confusion awoke the slumbering gen
tleman, who stared around him for several seconds, and finally
began to comprehend that he was the cause of the disturbance.
He flew into a violent rage, and appeared to be seized with a
desire to thrash the whole house. He hurled at his tormentors
a volley of fierce oaths, which only caused them to hoot, hiss,
and yell the louder. At this instant his eye fell on a knot of per
sons immediately beneath him, who, with arms outstretched
towards him, were hooting, yelling and gesticulating like so many
fiends. His rage was now centered on this group. Without a
moment's hesitation he swung himself over the balustrade, land
ing among his tormentors, and rained stunning blows from his
fist, right and left, wherever he saw a head to strike at. His at
tacks were so sudden and unexpected that he had floored three
of his tormentors, and made as many more feel the weight of
. nis fist, before they recovered from their surprise. They soon
rallied, however, and after a short and bloody struggle, the
attacking party was beaten down, trodden under foot, and
thumped nearly out of all semblance to humanity, with scarcely
a stitch of clothing remaining on his person. After which short
but glorious struggle he was carried out, covered with blood,
while the sympathy of the audience, who were in a state of the
wildest excitemen' at this short act not mentioned on the bills,
showed itself unmistakably in favor of the cause of the dis
turbance.
The women seemed quite as much interested as the men, and
the actors on the stage never changed their places, but patient
ly waited until the row was over, when the play was resumed.
Five years later I was present at a performance in Shire's
Theatre at Cincinnati.
Between the acts, a gentleman (?) seated himself on the balus
trade, with his legs dangling over the outside ; while in this posi
tion he amused himself by squirting tobacco juice on to the
heads of the spectators beneath him in the pit a piece of pleas
antry which cost him dearly.
One of his victims, on discovering the outrage, quietly left the
theatre, and returned with two paving-stones, one of which,
being hurled at his head, at his next compliment in the tobacco-
juice line, brought him tumbling into the pit like a felled ox.
His assailant then explained his reason for such conduct, and
EAKLT DATS. 17
his explanation being borne out by the soiled garments of several
around him, twenty feet at least commenced kicking the fellow,
who had not yet recovered from the blow from the paving-stone,
and it is probable he would have been killed then and there,
had not a body of police forced their way to the spot and rescued
him, in an insensible state, covered with blood, and beaten
nearly to a jelly.
Happily, such want of decorum, and such barbarous scenes as
I have described, are no longer to be seen at our places of amuse
ment. I have heard of but a single fight at any of our race
meetings for fifteen years. That to which I allude took place
on the Metarie course, at New Orleans, during the ascendency
of the Thugs.
Our " glorious fourth," and St. Patrick's day, pass off quietly.
The bands of firemen, who formerly disgraced our large
cities with their frequent brawls and fights, have disappeared,
and the timid and peaceable will no more be disturbed by their
lawless conduct. Our numerous elections pass off quietly, and
even the "Boyne water" creates but little excitement among
our Celtic citizens outside the city of New York.
New York, once considered the worst-governed city in the
United States, and as entirely given over to rowdyism, has,
within the last few years, carried her elections peaceably in com
parison with former times. During the presidential election of
1864, not a single fight took place, nor was there a drunken man
to be seen in the streets ; but this surprising state of things in
the annals of New York was doubtless due in a great measure
to the presence in the city of Gen. Butler with a large body of
troops a fact which, no doubt, produced on many a very moral
effect. It is true, our police force is now larger and better or
ganized than formerly, but if the people had not learned to ap
preciate good Srder, the police would be powerless. Formerly,
the people enjoyed a fight, and, so far from assisting any lawful
authority to prevent or break up a disturbance, would actually
hinder them in the discharge of their duty. Places of amuse
ment and drinking saloons have increased with the increase in
our population, yet there is less drunkenness at the present
time than forty years ago, and rowdyism is also happily on the
decline. This change for the better has not been wrought by
religious sects, or the teachings of any of their creeds. It is
18 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
due to a better acquaintance with the world. The press, tele
graphs, railroads, and public schools, have been our great re
formers. The large amount of emigration from other countries
has made us acquainted with a new race of beings. Many of
their customs we have adopted, their more gentle manners have
had a tendency to soften many of the rougher traits in our char
acters. If we still stick to the "red eye" whiskey, it is not
now, as formerly, the prevalent drink. From the emigrants we
have learned the use of malt liquors and light wines, and couce-
quently there is not the same amount of drunkenness in the
country, with a population of nearly forty millions, as when we
numbered scarcely one-third as many.
CHAPTER II.
EARLY DATS.
Facing the court-house, and within a % few doors of the "Old
Hickory" tavern, stood a one-story frame building, with a goodly
roof.
The front of this building was painted white, and a bright yel
low door, on each side of which was a window with green Vene
tian blinds, afforded the only means of egress and ingress ; and
the flaming gilt letters on the sign-board over the door inform
ed the public that this was the establishment of " Giles & Mor
ris, Merchant Tailors."
The inside of this institution, which was about twenty feet in
width, and something more than double that number in depth,
was divided by a partition into two apartments. The first of
these, which was the business part of the establishment, had a
planed floor, a plastered ceiling, and handsomely papered walls,
which were ornamented with penny pictures of hunting and fish
ing scenes, racing and trotting horses, etc.
Near the partition, which divided the "store " from the work
ing department, stood a long pine table or counter, on which
was arranged several bolts of foreign and domestic cloth, and on
the three shelves supported against the partition were various
descriptions of goods belonging to the tailoring business. The
furniture consisted of half a dozen cane-seat chairs, a ragged
EARLY DAYS. 19
sofa, and a large mirror, in which the customers of Giles <te Morris
were wont to inspect their newly-made clothing. A door in the
aforementioned partition gave entrance to the work department,
which had also another entrance in the rear of the building.
As far as appearances were concerned, this room had not the
remotest claim to respectability. The flooring and walls were
composed of unplaned hoards, and the rough beams, on which
rested the flooring of the upper story, were uncovered. It was
furnished with a tailoring table of a size to accommodate about
three workmen, a few pine benches, several splint-bottomed chairs,
a water-pail, a wash-basin, and a large metal stove.
In a corner of the room was a rough staircase, which led to the
regions above, where worn-out articles of various descriptions
were stored, to be out of the way. One corner of this lumber-
room was reserved, however, as a kind of arsenal, for storing shot
guns, rifles, game-bags, nets, fishing tackle, etc., etc.
Giles and Morris were both married, but I was the sole offspring
of that illustrious firm. My father, John Morris, and his partner,
had conducted the only respectable tailoring business in the
place, since the year 1825, at which time they emigrated there,
from Pittsburg, which city was the native place of both.
The business yielded them a very respectable living, and, had
they been at all provident, they might have easily laid by some
thing for a rainy day. But the firm of Giles & Morris never
looked ahead to meet trouble, but were firm believers in an old
Irish adage, which affirms that " It's time enough to bid the devil
good morning when you meet him." They loved life for the en
joyment which it afforded them. Both were mighty hunters,
and the life of the sporting fraternity in Marietta. They were
organizers and directors of all hunting and fishing excursions,
the umpires j,t quarter-races, cock-fights, dog-fights, bull-baits,
bear-baits, etc. The two latter amusements, now almost un
known, were in those days very popular. Both habitually dress
ed in the style of hunters, and never moved without a retinue of
pointers, setters and spaniels, at their heels ; while at their res
idences they never failed to have chained one or two fierce
bull-dogs, which they were always ready to match in a fight
against any other animals of the canine species, for sums vary
ing from twenty-five to one hundred dollars.
They had also a fine breed of game-cocks, distributed on dif
ferent farms in the vicinity, with which they were not averse to
20 WANDERIKGS OF A VAGABOND.
fight a main with any cockers who disputed the invincible prow
ess of the birds of the firm of Morris & Giles.
I suppose there never before or since existed a firm where per
fect good feeling and tranquillity reigned so supremely as with
my father and his associate. Whatever was done by one part
ner was cordially endorsed by the other. Any business contract
entered into by one partner received the full concurrence of the
other. And if one commited any little indiscretion, such as go
ing on a spree and spending or gambling away the money belong
ing to the firm, the amount so appropriated was set down as
" expenses," and not the slightest misunderstanding or bickering
took place. "A bully firm" was the verdict of the sports of the
town. I think no husbands were kinder or more attentive to
their wives, no ladies in Marietta dressed better than my mother
and the wife of my father's partner, and I believe they were lov
ing and faithful wives. My parents lived very happily together,
according to my best recollections, during the short time they
were permitted to remain on this earth with me. To me they
were affectionate and indulgent, more especially my mother, who
was a person of some literary attainments, and spent her leisure
hours reading books of travel, novels, poetry, etc. As for my
father, the only book of any sort he was ever known to open was
his ledger.
In the summer of 1832 the town was visited by that fell
scourge whose poisonous sting has defied the researches of
medical science the Asiatic cholera. Among its victims were
both my parents ; struck down within an hour of each other.
Amid this rapid havoc of death I was left alone, too young to
understand the loss I had suffered, or that I was the last of my
race. If my parents left any relatives behind them, they have
never come within the scope of my knowledge.
Death therefore dissolved the firm of " Giles & Morris; " but
the business was continued by the remaining partner, and the
large sign -board over the door remained unchanged. Mr. Giles
had many advantageous offers of partnership, all of which liu re
fused, affirming that a copartnership existed between him and
myself, for I had fallen under his guardianship, together with the
property my parents had left, which consisted of the house where
we had lived, its furniture, and a half interest in the tailor's shop,
and the ground on which it stood.
PROFESSION. 21
CHAPTEE III.
PROFESSION.
Shortly after the death of my parents, I was consigned to the
care of an old Irishman, Peter McBirney by name, who had
been chosen by the godly Presbyterians to preside over the
Academy of Marietta, and to enlighten the understanding, cor
rect the tempers, and form the manners of the youth of the
place. During the five years which I passed under the fos
tering care of the venerable McBirney, he managed to flog some
of the rudiments of reading, writing, and ciphering, into my
cranium. He was a severe master, and used the rod upon his
scholars with an unsparing hand, and what little education I re
ceived from him cost me many tears and stripes. When I could
read, write, and cast up accounts tolerably, Mr. Giles considered
my education finished, and removed me from the care of this
worthy old gentleman, and transferred me to the tailoring board,
where it was intended I should learn the trade of my father; but
it requires two to make a bargain, and my worthy foster-father
and myself were by no means in accord on the subject. The
business was hateful to me. A tailor ! My ambitious soul
soared far above such a commonplace occupation. In fact, I
had no desire to learn any trade, but had a romantic idea of
being a rover and of seeing the world a desire which was
strengthened by reading novels, and books of travels, of which I
was inordinately fond. My fond foster-parents saw with grief
my intractable disposition, for their minds were set on my occupy
ing the vacant place of my father in the respectable firm of
"Giles & Morris;" but "the best laid schemes of mice and
men gang aft aglee," and they were doomed to disappointment.
Often did my poor foster-mother, with tears in her eyes, prophesy
that I should leave this world in the presence of a large audience
some fine day, my exit being facilitated by "Jack Ketch," and
that all the cares they had lavished on me would be repaid by
my bringing their gray hairs in sorrow and shame to the grave.
But, I am happy to say, none of these somber predictions have
been verified. So far, I have escaped with my life, and never, I
believe, either brought shame or sorrow to the hearthstone of
22 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
my kind benefactors (contrary, I doubt not, to their expectations),
or allowed want to visit their door in their old age. And when a
kind Providence relieved them from the burdens of this life, I
caused a neat head-stone to be placed at the grave of each, on
which were recorded their names, ages, and many virtues.
Had I been less obstinate in refusing to comply with the
wishes of my foster-parents, I might have been to-day a respect
able member of society, one of the ruling lights of Marietta, per
haps possibly its Mayor, or even Governor of Ohio! Who
knows ? Perhaps I might be rich in gold ; the owner of wide
domains; the father of numerous sons and daughters, surround
ed by hosts of friends, sincere, no doubt, so long as their inter
ests led them to be so.
While wealth is yours, and fortune smiles, friends will throng
around, and, like vultures, batten upon you ; but let the fickle
jade desert you, and the cold shade of adversity fall upon you,
and they will leave you as quickly as rats will abandon a sinking
ship. Friendship is a holy name, but bow shamefully abused by
man ! Friendship, separated from interest, is almost as difficult
to discover as the rejuvenating springs in the everglades of
Florida, which so long haunted the dreams of the knightly cut
throats of Spam. K friendship can exist between the wicked,
the voluptuous, rncu of business, or politicians. The first have
only accomplices, the second companions, the third partners,
the fourth designing associates. It is only among the truly vir
tuous that friendship can exist. As I was a disobedient and
wayward boy, and have led a thriftless and roving life, I am
possessed of neither honors, wealth, nor friends. Destiny de
creed it ; everything is governed by its immutable laws.
Jupiter, supreme over gods and men, was ignorant that at
the birth of Thetis, the fates had decreed that her offspring
should be greater than his father, and had it not been for the
dark hints thrown out by the Titan, whom he had chained to a
rock, as a punishment for stealing fire from heaven, for the bene
fit of mankind, would have made her Queen of Heaven. The
Titan exchanged his secret for his liberty, and Juno was made
Queen of Heaven instead of the mother of Achilles.
If I did not learn the tailoring business under the worthy
Giles, I in a great measure transacted his business for him,
keeping his books, making out and collecting his bills, and
otherwise rendering myself useful to him.
PROFESSION. 23
For many years, old Scruggs, a bottle-nosed blue Presbyterian,
and one of the "unco guid," was prosecuting attorney for the
town of Marietta, notwithstanding the "efforts of the "jolly
boys " at every election, to oust him from his office. The old
cock knew his strength, however, and also knew his foes. And
whenever one of the boys found himself in the strong grip of
the law, he looked for no mercy at the hands of Scruggs, and
certainly found none. From the moment he was installed in his
office, he allowed no opportunity to slip of showing his hostility
to the firm of " Giles & Morris," whose place was considered by
the "unco guid" of Marietta to be the head-quarters of all the
reprobates for miles around, and a hot-bed of deviltry in general.
The mysterious gatherings which took place nightly in that
building could be for no good purpose. Had not young Morton,
a well-to-do dealer in the grocery line, been ruined there, and
been obliged to fly from the town from inability to meet the de-
'mands of his creditors? Did not poor Jenkins, chief clerk in
the mercantile firm of "Clarke & Fisher, "embezzle the money
of his employers, and gamble it away at the tailor-shop of Giles
& Morris, and, in consequence, had also fled to parts unknown?
Was it not publicly known that John Travis, the landlord of
the "Old Hickory," had for years been decoying his guests to
that infamous place, that they might be robbed of their money
at cards ? Was it not common talk, not only in Marietta, but
for miles around, that the establishment was nothing more nor
less than a gambling-hell? Notwithstanding this, and the
active means of Scruggs and his associates, who stuck at no
underhanded measures to accomplish their ends, the nightly
visitors of the firm of "Giles & Morris" managed to escape
the punishment which their enemies were burning to inflict upon
them. During the life of my father, the sheriff, with a posse of
citizens, had once burst open the door at the back of the tailor-
shop, in the expectation of arresting a party of gamblers while
engaged at their nefarious business. But they only discovered
several gentlemen in conversation over whiskey and cigars in
the working department, and, to their great chagrin and confu
sion, saw no signs of cards, nor any indication whatever that
the inmates had met for the purpose of gambling. This occur
rence created no small stir in the little town. Many of the
citizens who abhorred gambling as much as theft were not at all
24 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
prepared to sanction the forcible entry into a house by the
officers of the law, unless armed with authority by a magistrate.
Such a precedent was- a dangerous one, and contained a menace
against the rights of domestic privacy, which many of the reli
gious and respectable citizens were not disposed to tolerate.
But Puritanism held its potent sway over the officers and the
courts, and scarcely a lawyer could be found hi the place, who
possessed sufficient courage to take a stand against its tyranny.
I forgot to say that after the sheriff and his party had perpe
trated the outrage mentioned, they retired without making any
arrests, or the smallest excuse for their unwarrantable conduct.
The firm of Giles & Morris, when the district court next sat,
brought before that honorable body the outrage it had suffered,
and appealed to it for protection against similar violent visits in
the future, but the appeal was treated with indifference, if not
with contempt.
The result of this descent of the sheriff and his followers, and -
the refusal of the court to take any action on this outrage, was
the formation of a new political party in the town, being the first
blow ever struck there against the absolute sway of Puritanism.
The firm of Giles & Morris were the head and front of this
new faction, and fu-ound them rallied all the free-livers and free
thinkers in the v.cinity. From the rivermen and longshoremen
residing in the place it gained its greatest support. The opposi
tion, like all parties, had its platform ; and among the many
planks in it was one advocating the introduction into the place
of gin-shops, bowling-alleys, billiard-saloons and other like
places of amusement. In its infancy the new party seemed but
a speck on the horizon ; but it gained strength year by year, un
til it became so powerful as to be a serious thorn in the flesh
to the faction in power, which had been watching its growth
with no little uneasiness. The second year after the death of
my parents, the Puritans and the opposition contested the bit
terest election ever held in Marietta the former, as usual, being
victorious. The feelings of both parties were aroused to a war
footing, though, happily, the affair passed without blood having
been spilled. Mr. Scruggs and his followers now became satisfied
that nothing short of the total extinction of the firm of Giles &
Morris would sustain them in power. Accordingly, one night, when
no moon or stars mitigated in the slightest degree the Cimmerian
PROFESSION. 25
darkness, and scarcely a twinkling light was to be seen in the
quiet little town, the sheriff and about twenty men, citizens of
the place, met by preconcerted arrangement at his house, and
proceeded with noiseless steps towards the building occupied by
the obnoxious parties, where it was supposed gambling took
place. Mr. Scruggs accompanied the expedition, in order to
give to its acts the sanction of lawful authority. The party halt
ed silently at the door at the rear of the establishment, which
was ordered by the sheriff to be opened. Not receiving any re
sponse to his summons, he burst the door open, with the assist
ance of his companions ; when, however, they attempted to enter,
they were confronted with the muzzles of seven or eight double-
barreled guns, which had such an effect on them, that their
courage, like Bob Acre's, " oozed out at their finger-ends," and
from which they turned and fled incontinently.
When it became known, on the following day, that the sheriff
had been resisted in the discharge of his duty, a terrible excite
ment stirred the town to its depths ; such outlawry was unknown
there, and an indignation meeting was called, which was presid
ed over by the Presbyterian minister, and in which Scruggs and
his colleagues, in stirring speeches, advocated the entire annihi
lation of the firm of Giles & Morris, and everything pertaining
thereto. His proposal was carried by acclamation, and before
time had been allowed for matters to cool, a motley throng of
more than two hundred people were moving towards the prem
ises occupied by the parties concerned, with the determination
to wipe it from the face of the earth. But their benovelent pur
pose was frustrated ; for, when they reached the place, they found
over forty determined men, armed with rifles, ready to protect it at
any cost. This unexpected sight cooled their ardor, and after some
muttering and threats, they abandoned their hostile intentions
and dispersed. ''Scruggs, finding himself defeated in his attempts
to break the law, 'fell back upon it to consummate his revenge.
Giles and as many as twenty of his associates were indicted for
sedition, and nearly every other crime in the statutes of the State.
But the determined resistance of those parties, to the attacks
on them, convinced the Puritans that it was no use to push mat
ters, unless they were prepared to fight. The court was willing
to set aside the indictments brought against Giles and his friends,
and to entertain the opinion that they had some rights in the
26 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
community, even if it were suspected they were in the habit of
breaking the laws by participating in gambling. After all, courts
of justice are composed of only human intelligences, who dispense
justice according to public opinion, instead of the spirit of the law.
When, a few years before, Giles accused the sheriff before the court
with having forcibly entered his premises in direct violation of
the law, the court would not listen to him, because he had no
power in the community. When he became powerful enough to
resist the encroachments of the authorities, the eye of the court
was open to conviction; it decided that the sheriff had over
stepped his authority when he attempted to break into the house
of a private citizen, without a warrant from a magistrate, for the
purpose of arresting suspected gambling parties. This decision
freed the firm of Giles & Morris from the forcible visitations of
the officers of the law, but not from espionage. Scruggs was ever
on the alert to obtain evidence against the nightly frequenters of
the place, but his attempts were generally frustrated. The grand
jury sat but once in six months. Before the assembling of that
august body, Giles and his friends, or at least those of them who
had any fear of being summoned, would generally contrive to be
absent on a fishing or hunting excursion, and not return until the
danger was past Since the opposition party had developed its
strength, some of its members were on the jury at each session ;
and if the tales were true, which Giles and a few of his intimate
friends used to chuckle over, they had timely warning whenever
a grand jury was disposed to be troublesome. There were men
on those juries, who held the strange idea that one's first duty
was to protect one's friends, and, when that hung in the balance,
were not half as particular about the secrets which hang around
the august proceedings of grand juries, as was Hamlet's father
about those of his "prison-house."
TKB CLUB. 27
CHAPTER IV.
THE CLUB.
The club, which assembled nearly every night at the tailor's
shop, numbered about fifteen, and was composed of lawyers,
doctors, merchants, farmers and mechanics. Mr. Giles was its
presiding officer, and no person could gain admittance without
the concurrence of the President, and at least six of its members.
No spies or garrulous persons had a ghost of a chance of entering
the doors while any kind of gambling was going on. The gamb
ling was usually confined to the working department; when this
became so crowded as to admit no more tables, the store was
used. The two, three or four journeymen constantly employed
by Mr. Giles, and who were also members, during the day
worked in the back room, and if a press of business protracted
their services into the evening, occupied the store.
The different species of gambling carried on at this club
were poker, brag, euchre, all-fours, whist, "vingt-et-un," and
"snaps" at faro. For use in the latter game, Giles had provided
an old sheet-iron dealing-box, and about two hundred large horn
buttons, besides a piece of black cloth with thirteen cards pasted
on it, ranging from the ace to the king for a lay-out. The entire
profits of the club went into the pockets of Giles, and was a very
respectable revenue. Cards for playing all games except faro
and vingt-et-un were sold to the players at twenty-five cents a
pack, thus affording a clear profit of fifteen cents on every pack
sold. At poker, a check was deducted from the pool, for the
house, whenever threes or over were exposed, and at brag
whenever a fijll was exposed ; let the check be one cent or one
dollar, the claims of the house were always the same. The house
claimed ten per cent, of the winnings each "snap" at faro, and
the same from the winnings of each game of vingt-et-un. Out of
this revenue the house was expected to supply its guests with li
quors and cigars, but when lunches were desired they were pro
cured from the "Old Hickory Tavern," at the expense of the per
son or persons ordering. During the hours devoted to play,
everything was done in a quiet and orderly manner. In fact, they
dared not do otherwise. The fear of detection and conviction
28 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
held in check all who might otherwise have been disposed to
be quarrelsome over their losses. Whenever differences of opin
ion arose regarding points of play or other matters belonging to
the game, the question in dispute was left to the decision of any
single person who could be agreed upon by both, and whose de
cision was final. If one or both parties were unwilling, as was
sometimes the case, to leave the vexed question to the decision
of a single person, each chose a referee, whose decisions were
considered final, provided they could agree. In the event of
their disagreement, the referees chose an umpire, who deter
mined the matter. But this last method of settling a dispute
was seldom required. Giles, being the high authority on all
subjects in dispute, was generally appealed to, to give his deci
sion a duty he performed with the utmost willingness, whether
able to do so properly or not.
The principal gatherings, and those which were the most
lucrative to Giles, took place on Saturday evenings, when
could be found gathered in the club-room the whole sporting
fraternity of Marietta and its vicinity. On these nights, from
four to five tables were in full blast, running poker and brag
games, from five to twenty -five cent ante, while snaps at
faro and vingt-et-n > would be also going forward. The hickory-
bottomed chairs a.ud pine tables used for the games were con
cealed in the loft overhead during the day, and brought out at
night, as they were wanted for use. None of the members or
visitors to this club could be ranked even as third-rate players.
The best among the members were two men named John Clarke
and Eichard Rathbon respectively, who were partners in a
grocery store, as well as in their gambling operations. To
these gentlemen the "club" had for many years been a source
of profit. They did not cheat their adversaries at play, for the
simple reason that they knew nothing about the method of
doing so, but they were more skillful and cautious players than
any others belonging to the club, or any of those who were in
the habit of frequenting it. The next best card-player, after
those I have mentioned, was an old member named Hicks, who
was the owner of the principal blacksmithing business in the
place. The old fellow indulged only in poker, brag, and all-
fours. He was a shrewd and cautious player, never allowing
himself to be disturbed by his losses, and for many years had
THE CLUB. 29
been in the habit of visiting the club, and depending on it as a
source of revenue. The three individuals named had been the
chief winners for more than eight years, during which time it
had yielded them a rich harvest. The most unfortunate mem
ber of the club was Jim Willis, the ablest lawyer in the place,
but the poorest card-player. He was the best producer of
money that frequented the place, always anxious to play high,
and had proven himself a rich placer to the three worthies men
tioned. John Travis, the landlord of the " Old Tavern," was a
great support to the club, from the fact of his introducing so
many of his guests there, but he was careful to present only
those for whose integrity and secrecy he could vouch. Though
Travis played but little himself, he managed to pocket a portion
of the spoils by taking at times a stated interest in the play of
Rathbon or Clarke, and occasionally in that of old Hicks.
Nearly all the other frequenters of the place knew little or noth
ing about cards, and made their visits to the club more a matter
of pleasure than gain. "But pleasures are like poppies spread,"
says the poet, and the verdant visitors to the club often were
able to echo the sentiment to their cost, and found they had
paid exceedingly "dear for the whistle/' as frequently happens
to visitors to all such places, who love to dabble in play for their
own amusement. When this class of players win, a little satis
fies them. When unfortunate, they increase their stakes in
order to regain their losses, and in nine cases out of ten leave the
table penniless. My foster-father, John Giles, was the most
desperate player of the club, and comparatively a poor one. He
either won everything in the shape of money there was to win,
or, as was much more frequently the case, lost all his own. But
he never gambled away more than the ready cash which he had
on hand. As^I made myself useful to the customers of my
foster-father during the day, I soon extended my services into
the evening, and made myself useful to the frequenters of that
part of our establishment where the club assembled during the
night. I soon made myself acquainted with the duties belonging
to this department, and took care of the interests of my foster-
father, according to the best of my knowledge and ability. Noth
ing afforded me more pleasure, at that time, than to watch the
gamblers in their efforts to obtain possession of each other's
money. The distance between observing and learning that
30 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
which interests us strongly is but short, and in little more than
a year's time I could play all the games in vogue then, more
scientifically than any member of the club. Many of them
would at times play with me for stakes even those who had
sons of their own near my age. But I had grown up among
their amusements, and the boy was forgotten in the companion.
So I played, won and lost my money with them, and was treated
in most respects as their equal. I was different from most boya
of my age, who are apt to abuse a familiar intercourse with men ;
I did not seek the society of boys, even of those older than my^
self. Those persons I met in the card-room I never recognized
on the street, unless first accosted by them ; I was attentive and
obliging to all, and, to use a slang poker-phrase, I never "chip
ped in" when conversation was taking place, unless it was quite
proper for me to do so, and, young as I was, I gained the respect
and confidence of nearly every visitor to the rooms.
CHAPTER V.
Was one of the persons introduced to the club by John Travis.
He was commander and part owner of the steamboat " States
man," then making weekly trips between the ports of Marietta
and Cincinnati. Every Saturday night found her at the former
town, where she remained until the Monday morning following,
when she started again for Cincinnati. Capt. Smith was about
forty years old, tall and thin, with stooping shoulders, lank
black hair, which hung in long elf-locks about his ears, dark,
piercing eyes, a hooked nose, and a very sallow complexion.
Neither moustache nor whiskers adorned his moody coun
tenance, and his gait was slouching and ungainly. His foppish
style of dress added to his ungraceful appearance. A long
swallow-tail coat, of fine black cloth, with pantaloons of the
same material, a red velvet vest, a ruffled shirt with a
high standing collar, and shiny stove-pipe hat, completed
his attire. A large cluster-pin and four diamond studs
adorned the bosom of his shirt, and around his neck was fes
tooned an immense gold chain, while from his fob depended
CAPTAIN WILLIAM SMITH. 31
another, to which was attached several large seals He was a
man of but few words, which, by the bye, were straight to the
purpose, and drawled them out in a low, measured tone. The
Captain, on being introduced to the club, said he never played
any game at cards, except poker, and that only for amusement.
His appearance created quite a sensation, and Clarke, Rathbon,
and even Hicks and Giles expected to get some fine pickings
from him. Of course they had but one night in the week to
work him. On the night of his introduction they managed to
get about eighty dollars out of him ; but on the seven succeed
ing Saturday nights he did not once fail to rise from the table a
considerable winner. The ante was at first only ten cents, which
was gradually raised to twenty-five, and could some of the party,
more especially Clarke and Rathbon, have had their desire,
would have been raised to a dollar. But the Captain, strange
to say, was a timid player, and refused repeatedly to have the
ante raised higher than twenty-five cents. From such games
as these, he won, night after night, sums varying from twenty-
five to fifty dollars. Of course the boys thought him a very
lucky customer, but his success, instead of discouraging them,
only made them more anxious for his game, and impatient of
their time, until Saturday night brought the " Statesman " in
to her well-known place at the wharf of Marietta.
The Captain, while seated at play, was always very uneasy
lest his cards should be seen by the bystanders. He allowed no
one to sit or stand behind him, and, after his first sitting, so
placed his chair that no one by any possibility could overlook
his hand, viz.: by sitting close in the corner and drawing the
table to him. His behavior, strange to the members of the
club for all were accustomed to expose their cards freely to the
bystanders created no little speculation. The Captain became
aware of this, and tried to explain his mistrustful manners,
while at play, by saying that he was nervous, and that it annoy
ed him if any person looked over his shoulder at the face of his
cards, before he exposed them on the table. Had the members
of the club been professional gamblers, they would have con
cluded at once, from his actions, that his cards had been
"itemed," but they were not even aware of the existence of
such frauds. Such rascally tricks as "iteming" the hands of
players were unknown at the rooms of our club. Whatever re-
32 WA2TDEKINGS OF A YAGABOND.
marks his opponents might make at the table, in regard to his
playing, the Captain heeded them not. He was cold as an icicle.
His whole attention was concentrated on the game. He was
never elated at his gains, or showed the slightest signs of anger
or depression at his losses. He was a very indifferent player at
poker ; so much so, that the poorest player among his adversa
ries was more than his match. Yet he was almost constantly a
winner !
I had formed a dislike to the Captain the first night he made
his appearance at the rooms, which was not at all mitigated by
his insulting me. On that evening, after he had taken his seat
at the poker table, I stood behind his chair, from whence I
watched his cards as he lifted them from the table. As soon as
he discovered my presence, he ordered me away in a surly tone,
and remarked that I was too young to be hanging round a gam
ing table. His remark was certainly a very true one, but it
stung my pride, and made me his enemy. The more I saw of
the Captain, the more I disliked him, though he never gave me
any cause, after the night of our first meeting, except to treat
me with the utmost indifference, and utterly ignore my exist
ence, while every one else in the room were treating me as
their equal. I had formed, from my many opportunities, a pretty
good notion of pi ij , and could at once perceive when players
made bad, or foolish, or unusual plays. I was as proficient in
this respect, at poker, or brag, as at any other of the short card
games. The Captain's actions and manner of playing had on
several occasions attracted, from me, more than usual notice.
I observed that he played very badly, often making ill-timed
bluffs, and that he was most successful in winning pools on nis
own deal ; that he then bet more heavily, and that when his
hands were called, he would show down on the table threes of a
denomination that he had exposed on the hand which had been
called previously. I had seen this done as many as three times
consecutively. I noticed, after some close watching, that he
placed his cards at the bottom of the pack, when he shuffled for
a new deal, and that he never disturbed these cards in the
shuffle. All this made me suspect that the Captain had some
how the best of his adversaries. But how? was the question.
It was beyond my comprehension. With all my boasted know
ledge, I was at a loss to understand how he procured so many
CAPTAIN WILLIAM SMITH. 33
large hands, when he dealt the cards. I mentioned my sus
picions to Mr. Giles, and was told in return that I was a fool !
which indignity only spurred me on the more to unravel the
mystery. Could I only get a sight of his cards, I said to myself,
the riddle would perhaps be solved. Such was the brilliant
idea which flashed through my troubled brain, after cogitating
for many days over the manner in which the Captain managed
his game of poker.
To see his cards without his knowledge, or that of any one
else, myself excepted, I hit upon the following plan : I bored a
hole through one of the weather-boards of the house, in the cor
ner where the Captain usually sat while playing, in a position
where I could get a plain view of his cards. This I finished two
days before the arrival of the " Statesman" in port, days which
seemed to me weeks, so anxious was I to put my plan to the test.
At last the eventful evening arrived, and with it the Captain.
The game was made up of Giles, Rathbon, Willis, Hicks, and the
Captain. The game was full-deck poker, the winner of the
pool always dealing. (I mention this because twenty-deck poker
was a very favorite game also, at that period, throughout the
country ; that is, to discard from the pack all the cards in the
pack, except the kings, queens, aces, jacks, and tens. But when
a game was made up of more than four players, the full pack
was used. These games have long since fallen into disuse, and
have been superseded by the popular game of draw poker.) The
party each put twenty-five cents in the pool, none of them
showing more than fifty dollars on the table. When the game
was fairly under way, I left the room quietly and unnoticed,
went to my place of espial, and silently withdrew the peg I had
inserted, to prevent discovery. As I expected, my position was
a favorable jjne. The Captain's cards, as he held them
spread out la his hand, were as plainly visible as if I myself
held them. For the space of an hour he held no pairs
among his cards, which would win him a pool, and made
several attempts on small ones, by making ill-timed bluffs, to
win one, but was caught, and obliged to pay the penalty. In
this luck he played until his stake had vanished, when he
renewed it with fifty dollars more. Mr. Giles had his feathers
up, and every bluff the Captain made he called him out or run
over him and forced him to lay down his hand. He was using the
34 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
entire party pretty roughly, but the Captain showed the same
imperturbable indifference as he was wont to show on former
occasions when he was a winner. At the card-table, he
was a worthy disciple of Zeno. Finally, he picked up a pair
of aces, and with them won the first pool he had won since
the play begun. These aces he placed together at the bot
tom of the pack. When he had dealt the cards, and picked up
his hand, I discovered'in it the identical aces which he had held
before. He bet two dollars for the pool. Hicks called him, on a
pair of queens, and lost. I saw the Captain again place his
aces in the same position he had before done, and also his
hand, at the bottom of the pack. My position would not
permit me to see in what manner he shuffled the pack.
Again he dealt, and when he once more lifted his cards, the
aces made their third appearance. With these he won the
pool, Giles being the sufferer in this instance, having called him
on a smaller pair. When he showed down his aces, Giles re
marked, throwing his cards face upwards on the table, "You
couldn't hold four aces, Captain, for there's the ace of spades/'
(pointing at the same time to that card among his own).
"That's so," said the Captain, taking up the cards which
Giles had thrown upon the table, and, placing the ace of spades
between his two. placed the three aces at the bottom of the
pack. When he had shuffled his cards, the portion cut off by
his right-hand adversary he left on the table and dealt from the
other portion of the pack. When he again raised his cards, I
discovered all three of the aces in his hand, to wit, the two he
first held, and the ace of spades. Willis bet three dollars for the
pool. The Captain bet him ten more. Willis then threw up his
hand, and the Captain raked down the money without showing
his cards. When he again lifted his hand, after dealing, my old
friends, the aces, made another appearance. This time Hicks
lost, having bet two dollars for the pool, the Captain betting ten
more, and being called by Hicks. Again was the same operation
repeated, the brag was passed up to him, he bet again ten dol
lars. Rathbon called him, and discovered, to his chagrin, the
three aces.
"What!" cried Giles, "three aces again? You must have
charmed them, they stick so close to you ! "
"They're good to hold in a tight place," said the Captain, in
his cold, drawling manner,.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM SMITH. 35
The cards were again dealt; the Captain's cards showing
three aces. The brag being passed up to him, he bet five dol
lars. Giles called him. " Show your papers, Cap," said Giles, see
ing him hesitate. " As I cannot show anything worth seeiag,
I'll let you take the money, Mr. Giles," said the Captain, care
fully putting his cards in the pack and shuffling them before he
passed it over to Giles. The remark of Giles about the aces had
given him a healthy scare, and before he would risk arousing
suspicion, by showing them again, though such an event was
hardly probable, he preferred to lose his money. I remained in
my old position until I had seen him exercise on his adversai'ies
three queens and subsequently three eights, manipulating them
in the same manner as the three aces, when I replaced my plug
and entered the club-room. Taking a seat in front of the Cap
tain, in order that I might watch him closely, I was but a short
time in solving the mystery of the three aces, the three queens,
and the three eights ; they were placed at the bottom of the pack,
and not disturbed in the shuffle. The cards being dealt round,
one to each, until the dealer comes to himself, rapid as thought
he deals one to himself from the bottom instead of the top of the
pack. This trick is now so old, that the most verdant fools re
fuse to submit to it ; but for several years after it was introduced,
many of the shrewdest gamblers in the country were victimized
by it. Any person by practice can learn to deal from the bot
tom, but very few can become skillful enough to impose it on a
party of players, without being detected. Like billiard players,
they can obtain a certain speed, and no amount of practice can
make them more perfect. I have seen many skillful "bottom
dealers," but none who could equal Captain Smith. If his own
statement was correct, he never had any instruction in it, and the
principle of it jmanated from his own brain; that is, he devised
it himself, although the trick had been known to a few sharpers
some years before.
The game continued until about four o'clock in the morning,
when it was broken up by Captain Smith leaving the table, a
loser for the first time since the night he joined the club. Even
his advantage over his adversaries could not save him, and he
left the table, a loser of one hundred and twenty dollars. Giles
was the only winner, and, as is usual in such cases, was extreme
ly happy a state that owed something to the large number of
36 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGAB02TD.
whiskey toddies of which he had partaken during the evening.
On our way home he held forth at great length on his superior
excellence as a poker-player. "Didn't I tell yer, Jack, that
the Captain was a flat ? Hed a heap of luck, had the Cap
tain, but I knew, if ever the luck broke, I'd make a fool of him.
Eh, Jack? Let him keep on playing ; you'll see if I don't
fetch him from his roost. Eh, Jack ? Ain't that so ?"
" Yes, sir, I expect so," I replied, carelessly.
" No, you don't expect anything of the kind ; you're a fool,
I know^you are ! Didn't you tell me the Cap. was cheating us I
Ha! ha! ha! ha! That's rich! -Why didn't he cheat to
night? Didn't I make him squirm? When I beat that ace
full for him I captured sixty good bucks from him on that
hand. They may play their cursed nigger-luck on me for
a while, but 111 bring 'em, whenever the papers breaks even,
and every one of them fellers too ! If they get ahead of Giles,
I'll agree to root for acorns the rest of my life," etc., etc.
I allowed Mr. Giles to have all the conversation to himself,
until we reached the house, when'I turned him over to the care
of my foster mother, and retired to my chamber j but it was
long after daylight before I fell asleep. The discovery I had
made drove away slumber. What should I do expose the trick ?
Hatred urged me to expose the Captain. " Expose him !" also
cried vanity. "Expose him, and receive the praises of your elders
who had not brains enough to discover they were being fleeced
by this man." "Pshaw! there's no money in exposure," said
prudence; "don't be a fool ; put money in thy purse. Ha ! did
not that prince of villains, lago, say so ? And is he not high
authority on the subject ? Who refuses to follow his sage and
moral teachings ? Does your meek minister of the gospel, your
blatant moralist, or your astute lawmaker, or your ermined dis
penser of justice ? By no means ! Does not each and all look
out to take precious good care of number one, and feather his
own nest particularly well ? If the Captain's secret could be
made beneficial to me, why should I expose it I Why should
I give it away to others ? No I no ! Captain, my boy, 111 not
expose you, but I'll try and make some money out of you."
DIPLOMACY. 37
CHAPTER VI.
DIPLOMACY.
About seven in the evening I repaired to the wharf, to meet
the Captain, on his way up from his boat to the tailors' shop.
My watch was longer than I expected, and gave me ample
opportunity to collect myself for the interview. For the deli
cate piece of diplomacy, in which I was about to launch, I had
had a full week to deliberate and arrange my plans. I had
already settled Giles; that is, I had placed him in such a position
as disabled him, at least for the present, from playing any more
poker. That he would not borrow money for that purpose I
knew, and consequently felt secure, as far as he was concerned,
for a time at least. After his last game he had in ready money
a little over six hundred dollars, and was, I knew, indebted to
his cloth-merchant, Mr. Campbell, eleven hundred for goods. I
urged him to pay over what ready money he had, towards the
debt. " No," he replied ; " I never make half-way payments."
" But you may lose your money, and the cloth bill is really get
ting too large. Pay in what money you have, before you lose it,
Mr. Giles," I remonstrated, but all to no purpose. " I shan't
do it," he tartly replied; "I am going to win a pile with this
money I've got ; you see if I don't, Jack," he cried, shaking his
head and mumbling on at me as if desirous of effacing any un
pleasant impression.
Seeing that further attempts in this quarter would be useless,
I changed my tactics by calling on Mr. Campbell, whom I re
quested to dun Giles for seven hundred dollars, explaining that
he had nearlythat amount on hand, and being in one of his
spreeing moods, was likely to squander it. I told him that my
only object was to save Giles, and requested that my visit might
be kept a profound secret from him, as he would be very angry
should he find I had been meddling with his affairs. Mr. Camp
bell, who had been for many years the warmest friend Giles had
in the place, and who had never once, during the long period of
their business relations, sent a bill to him, but allowed him al
ways to settle his accounts with him at his own convenience,
promised all I asked, and sympathized with my efforts to prevent
215953
38 WAXDERIXGS OF A VAGABOND.
Giles from squandering his money. That same day he called
upon Giles and presented his bill in full, on the plea that his
merchants in Baltimore were pushing him for money, and
begged Giles to pay what he could on account, if unable to meet
the full amount. Such an appeal from this quarter was more
than Giles could resist, and he immediately handed over six
hundred and forty dollars, which was all he had, and told Mr.
Campbell that he would borrow the balance for him immediate
ly. Mr. Campbell insisted that the amount he had received was
sufficient for his present wants, and the two parted the best of
friends ; Giles, to my great satisfaction, being left without a dol
lar in ready cash. My first effort in diplomacy having proved so
successful, I was now waiting on the wharf to put my second in
execution.
It was a beautiful evening in the beginning of April. No
signs of life were visible on the levee, save the few lights that
twinkled aboard the "Statesman," the only steamer at the
wharf. The absence of drays, carts, and toiling men and
brutes, told that the week's labor was ended on the wharf of
Marietta. The clock on the court-house was just striking eight
as I discerned the Captain crossing the gangway-plank of the
Statesman. He walked slowly up the levee, with his eyes bent
on the cobble-stoves, as if he was afraid to lift them to the
bright and tranquil moon which shone above him. Whatever
may have been the subject of his thoughts, he was so deeply
plunged into meditation that he did not hear my approach, al
though I tried to call his attention by clearing my throat loudly,
and beating the cobble-stones with my feet. "A pleasant even
ing, Captain ! " I said at last, when he was within a few feet of
me. The unexpected sound of my voice startled him so much
that he made a motion to run away ; but quickly recovering
himself, and ashamed, probably, of being detected in showing
fear, demanded in a harsh, angry voice, without noticing my sal
utation, "What are you doin' thar?"
"Waiting to see you, Captain," I replied.
"Well ! yer see me, don't yer? What in h 11 d' yerwantf "
"Don't speak so confounded cross, Captain, I am not going to
hurt you," I answered.
"No impudence, youngster, but tell yer business, if yer've got
any, and be quick about it too."
DIPLOMACY. 39
"Very well, sir, I'll do so; I want to go halves with you in
your poker games; here's my part for the stakes," I replied,
holding towards him, with my left hand, a roll of bank-bills.
He stood gazing at me in speechless astonishment and anger
for some moments, then hissed from between his closed teeth,
"You want to go halves with me in playing poker, eh?"
"That's the business which brought me here to night," I
coolly replied.
He stared so fiercely at me with his little black eyes sparkling
with anger, that for a moment I imagined they were going to
pop out of his head and shoot me ; I stood my ground, however.
"It is, is it?" he finally ejaculated, still eyeing me from head
to foot.
"Nothing more or less, Captain," I rejoined.
"Why, you d d dirty cub, I'll whip the life out of you."
"I reckon not, Captain," I rejoined, in the same cool and
tantalizing tone.
He made a spring for me, but I was expecting it, and jumped
nimbly out of his reach. Being foiled in his efforts to get hold
of me seemed to madden him. He again started for me. But I
had too much speed for his bottom, and could have easily left
him far behind, had such been my object. I allowed him to pur
sue me to the top of the levee, about fifty feet from where we
first met, then turned and faced him. On he came, fully bent
on doing me a mischief if I fell into his hands a thing I was fully
prepared to prevent. I drew from beneath the bosom of my coat,
a large dragoon pistol, cocked it, and presented the muzzle to
ward his head, when within a few feet of me. " Stop, or I'll
fire," I cried, in a determined voice.
The cockiqg of a pistol jars harshly on the ears of a foe.
The unexpected sound, together with the flashing of the barrel
in the bright moonlight, had a terrible effect on the Captain.
My admonition was useless. The fight was completely knocked
out of him ; he placed both arms before his face, as if to ward off
the expected bullet, and stooped at the same time, as if to dodge
it. Baffled and cowed, he stammered, "Don't kill me, Jack, I
didn't mean any harm."
"You did, you ruffian! You did," I almost shouted, for my
blood was up.
"Ton honor, Jack, I was only in fun; indeed I was ! Now put
40 VAXDERI^GS OF A VAGABOND.
up that pistol, Jack, that's a good soul; it might go off accident
ally, and you'd be sorry. Do put it up, Jack."
" No, I shouldn't be sorry for it, either. You'd whip the life
out of me, would you? I've a good notion to send a bullet
through your cowardly brains 1 "
"Don't, Jack; I meant you no harm; I tell you 'twas only a
joke ; do take away that pistol," he cried, imploringly.
"I will, on condition that you listen quietly to whatever I have
to say to you."
"I'll do anything you want me to, Jack, if you'll put up that
shootin'-iron : it might go off accidentally !"
"No, it shan't go off accidentally nor intentionally, if you keep
your hands off me, and listen quietly," I answered, lowering the
pistol, but holding it cocked in my hand, as security for his good
behavior. " Now, Captain, we'll resume business if you please,
without any more angry words."
" Yes, well, what is it you want ?" he hurriedly asked, still
trembling from the effects of his scare.
"Listen, and I'll tell you in a very few words."
" Go on."
"I want an interest with you in your poker-playing at the
tailor-shop !"
" And what if I refuse ?"
" Then you shan't play there anymore."
" Why not ? Who'll prevent me ?"
"I will."
"How?"
" By exposing to the whole party the trick by which you have
been packing off their money."
"I don't understand what you mean, Jack ; it's all Greek tome."
" If you don't, it's because you don't want to understand," I
replied; " but I shan't have any difficulty in making those people
understand me, when I explain to them how you've been robbing
them, by dealing from the bottom of the pack."
The accusation knocked him speechless. When he recovered
the use of his tongue, he stammered out, " Why, J-J-J-ack, you're
crazy !"
"Am I?" I asked, calmly. "Let's see if I am? I've been
watching you for the last month, fully satisfied that you were
cheating, but was unable to detect how until last Saturday night,
DIPLOMACY. 41
when I bored a hole in the house immediately behind you, so
that I could see the cards in your hand as plainly as you could
yourself. In the first place, Captain, I'll recall to your memory
the first pair of aces you held during the play ; with them you won
the ' pot.' Giles exposed to you the ace of spades which you
took, and put with your two aces. When you next dealt the cards,
you held three aces, and you held the same three aces four times
in succession. The last time you bunched them in the deck,
after being called for a five dollar brag, because you were afraid
to show them to the board again. Rather a bad piece of man
agement on your part, Captain, to deal yourself cards on which
remarks had already been passed, on account of your holding
them so often, and then throw away five dollars on them, because
you had not the courage to show them. Eather bad manage
ment that, Captain."
"Indeed!" sneered the Captain.
" Yes," I replied in the same cool tone ; "I should not have dealt
myself four aces the third time, and bet on them, unless I had
sufficient confidence to show them to the board when my hand
was called."
" What would you have done in such a case?" he sneeringly
asked.
"Why, when Giles made the remark about your holding aces
so often, I should have bunched them and waited until I had got
some other kind of threes, and worked them on the party for a
while, as you did the three queens, and afterwards the three
eights."
When I had finished he neither moved nor spoke for several
moments. Air last he tried to force himself into action with an
affected laugh, which, in sound, bore more resemblance to the
bark of a dog than anything else. However, it acted the part of
opening chorus, and gave him time to regain in a measure his
scattered senses.
" A nice cock-and-bull story ! So they made you a spy on me,
eh ? A fine den of thieves I've got into ! I suppose they sent you
here to assassinate me too, eh ?"
" You've lost no money in the den of thieves, as you call it, and
in whatever robbery has taken place there, you yourself have acted
the part of robber ; but if you carry off any more plunder from
there, you'll have to divide equally with me. If I assumed the
42 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
character of a spy upon your actions, it was at the suggestion of
no other person, but for the direct object of getting a share in
the spoils, and I am too greedy to have any partner in the busi
ness except yourself; so the quicker we come to a friendly
understanding the better."
"You say that you've told no one of this nonsensical suspicion
of yours ?"
"Not a soul!"
"What, not even to Giles!" x
" No, not even to Giles 1"
" That's wonderful I"
"Why?"
" Why ? Because it was your duty to tell him !".
" Perhaps; but I want to make money, and had I told Giles
I could not have done so !"
"Why not?"
" Because Giles is too honest a man to suffer his friends to be
robbed if he knows it. Had I told him of this matter, the whole
country would have known it within an hour."
"Well, my boy, I'm glad you've been so sensible! If you'd told
this foolish story to them fellows at the tailor's shop, it might
have caused some mischief."
" I'm perfectly aware of it, Captain."
"Very well, Jack," he said, in a half-coaxing voice; "'I've no
doubt you believe every word you've told me, but you're wrong ;
you've let your suspicions run away with your reason. Can't a
man hold three aces half a dozen times, for the matter of that, in
succession ? There's nothing strange hi that ! I saw a man hold
four Jack-fulls one after another, a few days ago, in Cincinnati.
Nobody thought anything strange of that ! 'cos they knew it was
possible. I'm sorry such a foolish suspicion has got holt on you,
Jack, and I'm d d glad you've kept it to yourself; so there's no
harm done. Now, Jack, I'm willing to forgive and forget every
thing, if you'll solemnly promise me never to mention this affair
to any one living. Come ! what do you say ?"
"Yes, Captain, I'll keep your secret, and also swallow all
you've been telling me, on one condition, which is that I shall be
equally interested in all the poker games played by you in
future at the tailor-shop."
" That's impossible ! Don't think of it," he returned, shaking
DIPLOMACY. 43
his head. " What ! to be mixed up in a gambling transaction
with a mere boy ! "
" I want to be interested with you in a stealing, not a gamb
ling transaction, Captain," I retorted, getting considerably net
tled at his assumed airs.
' "Call it what you please," he said. "I'd sooner lose fifty
dollars of my own money, any time, than one of a boy's."
"Which means, I suppose, that the game's too good to give
any of it away."
" I mean nothing of the kind," he retorted, angrily. " I don't
want to be concerned in any such business with a boy of your age."
" Boys of my age have sometimes more sense than men older
than yourself."
" They think so, no doubt, especially when not kept in their
proper places."
"Maybe you're right, Captain; but that's neither here nor
there, in this case ; and, as I have had sense enough to catch
you dealing from the bottom on those sap-heads up there, I
have also sense enough to benefit my pocket by the discovery ;
and, to close matters, you must let me have an equal interest
with you, or you play no more at the tailor's shop."
" I must, eh ? "
"That's the word!"
" And if I refuse, what then ? "
"I'll expose you!"
" Very well ; if that's your game, I'll not go there any more."
" Then I'll be sure to do it."
"What ! Because I don't go there ? "
" You must continue playing with the party, and allow me an
interest in your games, otherwise I'll expose your tricks," I
answered in a quiet, but firm tone.
" Well, I see your drift. But if you think, Jack, that you can
bully me or force me into anything contrary to my own wishes,
d n it, you're in the wrong channel."
This vain boast betrayed to me his weakness, and convinced
me that my point was gained. " You control your own actions,
Captain," I said, "but those fellows up there," pointing with my
finger towards the shop, " won't like you any better, when they
hear you've been chiseling them at poker ; and, let me tell you,
there's some ugly customers among that party. Can you afford
44 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
to hare the report circulated all through the country, that Cap
tain Smith is a common swindler at cards? I ask nothing
unreasonable ; I have my share of the money necessary ; and,
instead of gaming less by my being interested, you will make
much more than if allowed to go on in your miserable picayune
way. Why, man, there's ten thousand dollars to be won there !"
"Ten thousand lice to be won!" was the contemptuous reply
of the Captain.
v That's all you know about it. I am speaking the truth, and
if you wiU but listen to reason, and follow my directions, I'll en
sure you five thousand for your share, in less than two months'
time."
" From whom can it be won? "
" From several persons, but more particularly from Rathbon
and Clarke, who are rich, and who have won in the tailor's
shop during the last three years much more than that amount."
"And what about Giles?" he asked.
" He must know nothing of the business," I answered.
" Well, by G d, you want to beat your own father ! "
"No," I answered quietly. " Giles shall not play in the
game."
" Why not?" he demanded.
" Because I Save so arranged it that he cannot," I replied.
"I see! I see ! A d n nice trap you're trying to draw me
into ! "
"What trap, Captain?"
" How do I know ? But I expect you want to get me into the
tailor's shop and have me robbed and murdered."
" Well, Captain," I said, laughing, " I could not expect any
thing better from your distrustful nature ; but listen to reason.
If those fellows had made a plot to rob and murder you after you
had entered the place, it was no use for them to send me to de
coy you, as you have never failed to come of your own free will
every Saturday night since the one you were introduced there
and you were on your way there when I met you a short time
ago. The party are waiting for you, 'tis true ; but to treat you
with all kindness, as they do every visitor, and to win your
money, if they can."
"But you say you've managed so that Giles can't play.
D n me if I see how? "
DIPLOMACY. 45
" I have said already, I dare not make a confidant of him,
because he would not consent to have any one beat out of their
money, by foul play, at his place. I have managed to keep him
from playing by compelling him to pay his debts with what
ready money he had, and it is not likely, I know, that he will
soon have any more. So long as he has none, he will never
bother us, because he won't borrow money to gamble with."
" You say you've got plenty of money. How much have you
got now ? "
" Enough to pay my way with if you should lose a thousand
dollars."
" Why, how the h 1 did you come by so much money? "
" As I am anxious to arrange this matter satisfactorily with
you, I am willing to tell you everything you wish to know.
What money I have, I have won during the last two years, play
ing cards at the tailor's shop."
"I never saw you playing any cards there, and I should not
suppose any one would play with such a boy as you are ! "
" Still I have done so, and every man you have seen there
will'aud has repeatedly played with me."
" And you've beat 'em ? "
" I've got their money to show for it, and what's more, besides
winning it, have kept it in my possession."
" You're pretty good for your age, and if you keep up your
lick 'till the hair comes out strong on your face, you'll be a
light'ner."
" Well, Captain, I've now given you every assurance of my
willingness to hetp you in making money, and also all the infor
mation you have asked me for, to erase from your mind the
suspicions you seemed to entertain. Now are you willing to
accept my offer ? It is getting late, the party is waiting for you,
and I want an interest in your game to-night."
" But you say you can direct how five times as much as I
have been making can be made."
" Yes, twenty times as much ! Nothing is easier. Increase
the ante whenever they demand it, which Clarke, Willis and
Rathbon are sure to do, whenever they are losers in a game.
Any one of them will be willing to increase it up to ten dollars.
None of the rest of the poker players will consent to play more
than a dollar ante, and will drop out of the game, which will
46 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
make it all the easier for you. I want you to break Eathbon
and Clarke they are too greedy for my use ; and you can do it if
you will only shove a little more sand in your craw. If you don't
want to risk your money, I'll take any share in the game you don't
want."
" I can stand as much as you can," replied the Captain, sul
lenly.
" Well, pitch in then, and -get their money ; you'll find I'll ren
der you more assistance than you'd expect."
"Well, Jack, do you think you could keep your mouth shut,
if we started in together ?"
"Yes, until the grave shuts over it; would not exposure in
jure me as much as yourself? Have confidence in me, Captain."
" Now, if I lose your money don't blame me for it, Jack !"
" If you lose it, I shall not cry for it ; I made it by gambling."
I gave him two hundred dollars, and promised that I would
be careful not to betray, by words or looks, that any intimacy ex
isted between us, after which we separated.
It was arranged that I should call on board the " Statesman"
each day on which she left for Cincinnati, to settle accounts "and
other matters connected with our compact.
That night tl*e Captain played poker until after daylight
with Clarke, Eathbon, Hicks, and a man by the name of Frazer.
Towards morning the ante was raised to one dollar, and the Cap
tain rose from the table the winner of three hundred and eighty
dollars. I met him in his room on the Statesman shortly before
she started, when he handed me over my money, and my portion of
last night's spoils. As we parted he said, " Meet me on the wharf
where we met last time, when we come back." I did so, and con
tinued to meet him every Saturday night for three months, when
the river got so low that the " Statesman" had to lay up at Cincin
nati. The Captain sold his interest in her, and never made his
appearance again in Marietta, at least while I remained there.
During my connection with this man, I dreaded him, and never
met him without being armed. That he hated me I was satisfied,
and I doubt not would have done me an ill turn, had I ever been so
unfortunate as to fall into his power. At our rendezvous of an
evening, I watched him as closely as if he had been a rattlesnake,
and I was looking for the fatal spring.
No words except those pertaining strictly to business ever
MAJOR GEORGE JENKS. 47
passed between us ; our interviews were brief and entirely to the
point.
His dealings with me were honest, and on the whole we divid
ed between us, four thousand and seven hundred dollars, the
most of which came from the pockets of Rathbon and Clarke.
I managed to keep Giles from playing cards with the Captain,
by inducing him to pay over to Mr. Campbell, at various times,
what surplus money he had. One night, while drunk, he insisted
on having a hand in the game, and lost forty dollars, what money
he had about him. He tried to borrow some, but as I had warn
ed those playing, that he was unable to pay, he could get no one
to loan to him, which caused him to leave in disgust, and go
to bed."
CHAPTER VII.
MAJOR GEORGE JENKS.
The spring had passed away, and with it the volume of water
which floated palatial steamers on the bosom of the beautiful
Ohio. The long-sunken bars were drawn to the surface by the
heat of the sun, and so confined the channel to such narrow and
shallow limits as almost to impede navigation altogether. Had
it not been for a few light-draught stern- wheelers, and occasion
ally a keel or flat-boat which struggled their way painfully, the
bosom of the river would have been as destitute of life as when
the savage glided over it in his bark canoe. The town was so
dull that the arrival of a dinkey at the wharf or the stage-coach
from the interior created no little excitement, and brought out
a large portion of the inhabitants to stare at and speculate on
the few passengers who arrived or departed.
Like the calm that succeeds the storm, gambling died away
after the period of unusually high betting at the tailor's shop
which marked the era of Captain Smith. He had now ceased
to visit the place. Clarke and Rathbon, who had been his princi
pal victims, grew despondent because they had no opportunity of
recovering their losses. Old Hicks would not measure his skill
with theirs unless more verdant players could be found to make
up the game, for their losses had made them wolfish. The
48 WANDEKLNGS OF A VAGABOND.
pockets of Willis had been drained by the light-fingered Cap
tain until he was unable to borrow a dollar more. Giles, it is
true, was willing to play, because it was for his interest to have
games going on in the shop, but he was no match for such play
ers as Clarke and Rathbon and Hicks, and I used all the elo
quence I was master of, as well as every stratagem I could devise,
to deter him from playing. But my advice and remonstrance
were equally thrown away. The only way I could succeed was
to keep him impoverished. The money derived from his busi
ness, after the payment of necessary expenses, I applied to the
payment of his debts, and the money which I received from the
gambling tables for household expenses, or handed over to the
custody of Mrs. Giles ; and if more than she required, I gave it
to Mr. G. to dispose of as he pleased. He was not by any
means disposed to submit in silence to the arbitrary acts of his
prime minister. Not that he objected to paying his debts, on
the contrary he was very sensitive about his obligations, and at
all times anxious to meet them ; but when he had drunk a few
glasses and wanted to gamble, he imagined that the claims of
his creditors had no right to interfere with his amusements. On
these occasions he would insist on my giving him money. He
was aware that I kept on hand a stock of my own, but had not
the remotest id.-a of the amount, neither had any one else; for I
allowed no one to share my confidence regarding the strength
of my treasury. Giles believed I had four or five hundred dol
lars, and, as he frequently remarked to his friends, a suction-pipe
of forty-horse power could not draw any portion of it out of me.
My frequent refusals to loan him money to gamble with made
him very angry, and he indulged in such ill-tempered expres
sions, bitter gibes, and sometimes everr threats of violence, as
made my relations with him anything but comfortable. One day,
while in one of his drunken and domineering moods, he began
abusing me because I refused him money to play poker. I told
him plainly that he must alter his style of behavior, or we must
part company. He dreaded my leaving him, because I was in
many ways useful to him, and, besides that, he entertained for
me a rough kind of affection. His wife loved me as much as if I
had been her own offspring, and this little circumstance having
come to her knowledge, and the " gray mare being in this case
decidedly the better horse," Giles was induced to alter his be-
MAJOR GEORGE JENKS. 49
havior towards me, and after this little affair, which took place a
few months previous to my collusion with Capt. Smith, allowed
me to conduct matters pretty much as I pleased. When the
players, who were the nucleus around which were gathered all
gambling operations which took place at the tailor's shop, could
not keep a game going, the place ceased to be a centre of at
traction, and the hearts of the "unco guid" were gladdened
on beholding at night the dark windows and the death-like
stillness which hung around the hated place.
But as a pebble dropped on the glassy surface of a lake will
agitate its waters from shore to shore, so was the sporting fra
ternity of Marietta stirred by a report that the royal "tiger"
had made his appearance in the place, and spread himself, for
his prey, at the shop of Giles & Morris.
Faro had been for years a favorite game with the frequenters
of the place ; snaps were frequently opened, averaging from five
dollars to one hundred, for which the sheet-iron dealing box
and big horn buttons of Giles were brought into requisition.
Sometimes as many as five or six of these snaps would be bro
ken in a night, and but few were successful ; which can be ac
counted for in this manner. The games were not dealt in pro
portion to the amount of capital in bank, or, in other words, the
snaps were never limited; and as their capital was usually
(Small, nothing but an extraordinary run of good luck at the
start could save them from being broken. But a regular out-
and-out faro game, with all its paraphernalia, and elegant ma
hogany box ornamented with a handsome picture of the royal
"tiger," a fine silver dealing-box, six hundred ivory checks, on
each of which was carved the head of a horse, their valuation at
play being determined by their different colors ; thus the colors
being red, white, and blue ; the first represented one, the second
five, and the third twenty-five. Over the table was spread a
fine green cloth, and on it a lay-out composed of thirteen cards,
ranging from the ace to the king. Such a display had never be
fore met the eyes of the crude gamblers of Marietta; and,
withal, under the guidance of a full-blooded professional gam
bler.
Major George Jenks was an old friend of John Travis, and
was by him introduced to Giles as a high-toned sporting gentle
man. He obtained his consent to open his faro game at the
50 WANDERIXGS OF A VAGABOND.
tailor's shop during the evenings. As he was the first profes
sional sport, gambler, leg or black-leg, all of which terms are sy
nonymous, of whose acquaintance I had the honor, I shall en
deavor to sketch his portrait. He was about fifty-five years of
age, tall, and well proportioned. His face was long and oval-
shaped ; his eyes dark and penetrating, above which met a pair
of shaggy gray eyebrows, and his hair, of which he had a large
crop, was also a shaggy gray. He imagined his complexion to
be florid, but, with the exception of a deep red tint on the end of
his nose, and the blossomy protuberances which adorned that
facial ornament, it was much nearer the color of wet putty.
His countenance might, with the aforementioned exception, be
called cadaverous. When he made his appearance before the
citizens of Marietta, he was attired in white linen pantaloons, a
claw-hammer coat of fine blue cloth, an open black silk vest, a
ruffled shirt, while around his neck was folded a large black silk
handkerchief, turned over which his extensive shirt-collar shone
immaculate. A broad- brimmed white beaver covered his
shaggy head, and a small diamond twinkled among the ruffles
of his shirt. A large gold fob-chain with several seals and small
keys attached, dangled from his thigh; his feet were covered
with brightly ^arnished shoes, and, to complete the picture, ho
carried in his hand a varnished hickory cane, ornamented at one
end with a brass ferule, and at the other with a knob of fine
polished gold, on which was engraved the name of Major George
Jenks. He was born in Virginia a fact of which he was inor
dinately proud ; but where can the Virginian be discovered who
is not? or where is the Virginian versed in the lore of his
native State, who cannot trace his pedigree far back among
some of the titled families of the British Isles ?
His lantern jaws were entirely overworked ; for, when not
employed hi masticating his food, they were always occupied
except during his hours of sleep in crushing the juice from that
weed so largely cultivated in his beloved native State.
Whenever the brains of the Major became heated from over
dosing himself with the "essence of corn," he would hold forth
at great length, and with much unction, on the superiority of
Virginians in general, and the Jenks family in particular, to all
creation. He would insist that his family were among the first
settlers, and that its illustrious members could trace their pedi~
MAJOR GEORGE JENKS. 51
gree back to the Plantagenets ; of which much-suffering name,
and its bearers, he had, however, a very confused notion. He
was aware that this august name was the polar star of all ichor-
blooded Virginians, and he flourished it before us with the utmost
looseness. The Major had but one country, his heaven and his
earth that was Virginia. When in one of his convivial moods,
he delighted to talk of the generalship of Washington, the states
manship of Jefferson and Madison, the eloquence of Henry, and
the wit of Randolph. He denounced Clay and Jackson as hum
bugs and demagogues ; and when reminded that Clay was a
Virginian, he insisted that he was only a mongrel, who was
obliged to leave his native State because he was unable to cope
with the mighty intellects with which it was filled. In fine, no
good thing, in the Major's eyes, could come from anywhere out
side of Virginia.
Of when or how he obtained the title of Major, I am profoundly
ignorant ; perhaps he had belonged to the militia the country,
in those days, was filled with citizen soldiers or, as is quite as
likely, it had been awarded by his friends as an expression of
respect ; a way in which thousands of others have obtained their
military titles. It is, indeed, a subject we cannot afford to be too
curious about, in this country. I never asked him how he ob
tained it, nor did he ever volunteer any information, though he
never failed, in putting his name to any paper, however insignifi
cant, to adorn it with the title of " Major." He also aped the
bearing of a military man, by shoving out his chest to what
must have been a most uncomfortable degree, and keeping his
head preternaturally erect.
His faro-table, covered with the implements of the game,
created quite a sensation among his visitors, very few of whom
had ever seen anything better, in that line, than Giles' sheet-iron
box, big horn buttons, and lay-out of cards tacked to the table.
Giles was careful that no persons should be admitted to the game,
but such as wished to join in it. On the first evening, the Major
had a lively game, hi which he lost over three hundred dollars.
It broke up by ten o'clock; the players, having all won, were
satisfied ; but the polite Major would not allow his customers to
leave until he had treated them to a lunch, which he ordered
from the " Old Hickory." Some of the winners objected to this,
and proposed to make up a purse among themselves for that pur-
52 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
pose; but the suave Major carried his point, by telling them they
were his guests, and as such must be treated, whether they won
or lost, whenever they visited his place. After the lunch, liquors
and cigars (red-eye and stogies), the best the place afforded,
were introduced by the host, who could not have entertained his
guests more agreeably, or with more true politeness, had he been
doing the honors in an elegant drawing-room. They had won
his money, and were now enjoying themselves at his expense;
and he showed them by his manner that his losses held no place
in his memory (or at least tried to make them think so, and
succeeded), and that they could not do him a greater favor than
to partake of his hospitality.
When a half-dozen or so of glasses of "red-eye" had some
what enlivened the old fellow, he sang a love-song, in a fine
manly voice, to the immense satisfaction of his hearers. I had
given my entire attention to the wants of the Major, during the
evening. I had helped him to arrange his faro-table, waited on
the players, and afterwards brought the lunch from the "Old
Hickory." The old fellow acknowledged my services, and
thanked me, in the presence of all the company, after he had
finished his love-song. He even went so far as to prophesy
that I should somo day represent my district in congress. The
Major's idea of greatness ran altogether in a political channel.
He showed much surprise when some one present told him I
was the best gambler in the place, and, in a sorrowful voice,
warned me to flee from cards, as I would from " the wrath to
come."
"But you don't practice what you preach, Major," I laugh
ingly said.
"That's so, my son," he rejoined; "but circumstances have
thrown me into my present position, and I am now too far ad
vanced to reform. ' It's hard learning old dogs new tricks/ you
know ; but that does not disqualify me from giving you good
advice."
"No, Major, and I'm thankful for your kind intentions; but
I'm afraid your good advice is only thrown away on me, because
the same current which drifted you to gambling is carrying me
along with it."
"Indeed!" he exclaimed, regarding me curiously; "pray,
what current is that, Master Jack ? "
MAJOR GEORGE JEXKS. 53
" Love of excitement and gain, sir," I rejoined.
"Damn me, gentlemen," cried the Major, bringing his hand
down on the table so fiercely that the bottles and glasses rung
again, " if I don't believe the youth on this side of the Ohio ad
vance faster than those along our sea-shore ! " After which
forcible delivery of his opinion, he invited all hands to join him
in another drink, which they were quite ready to do, being all
capable drinkers.
" Then it's really your intention to become a gambler, Jack?"
was the half-way inquiry of the Major, the round of liquor being
tossed down the capacious throats of the company.
"So it seems, Major."
" Then Fm sorry for you, my boy. You've got a crooked and
d d stoney road before you, that's all I can say."
"Well, Major, can't you give him some advice how he can
drive his team over that ar' road ? " asked old Hicks, who was
present.
"I can, sir, with pleasure, if he will listen to it; but before
I begin, with your permission, sir (bowing to Hicks), we'll fill up
our glasses and take another round."
The company met the call to a man, and, having supplied his
cheek with a fresh quid of " nigger-head," the Major leaned
back in his chair, stretched his legs under the table, and pro
ceeded to enlighten me as follows :
" My young friend, remember that cleanliness, not to mention
its being next to godliness, is the parent of health. Live accord
ing to your means, dress well, but avoid foppishness ; make it
your study to use good language and acquire the manners of a
gentleman. Beware of intemperate and dissolute companions ;
never intermeddle with the business of others, or neglect your
own for frivolous pleasure. Avoid quarrels and quarrelsome
persons, and, above all, shun the company of abandoned women.
Enter into no business transaction without first giving the sub
ject due reflection, and, when in doubt, seek the advice of men
on whose integrity and judgment you can rely. When your
money or your honor is at stake, rely on your own natural
sense, if you have no trustworthy friend at hand to advise you.
Give your confidence to few ; but should you ever be so fortunate
as to have a tried friend, let nothing but death separate you, one
from the other. Never borrow money under false pretenses,
54 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
however pressing may be your wants. Observe these instruc
tions, my young friend, and, with the energy and personal ap
pearance you possess, you cannot fail to succeed in the world."
" That's very good advice, Major, and worthy of a philosopher ;
but why is it not equally applicable to all other persons as well
as gamblers ? " demanded Mr. Willis.
"Quite true, sir, quite true; but it is much more requisite
that a gambler should follow these instructions than any one."
" I don't see why," said Willis.
" Because integrity, upright behavior, and personal appear
ance are his stock in trade. Should he deceive his friends, or
commit any ofoer dishonorable or underhand act, all high-toned
gamblers will shun him, and whenever they shun one of their
own fraternity, every one else whose friendship is worth having
will also shun him."
" The same remark will apply to other men, as well as gamb
lers," replied Mr. Willis.
"In a measure, certainly; but all other men are not such
good judges of character as gamblers."
" Then you think gamblers better judges of character than
other people?"
"Yes, sir," answered the Major, emphatically. "They are
the best judges of character on earth, especially the gamblers
from Virginia."
" Waal, that's all very fine, Major, so far as it goes. You've
told Jack what kind of a team he wants to carry him over that
ar' stoney an' twisted road o' yourn, but you isn't told 'im how
he's to drive it, and feed it on the way," chimed in old Hicks.
" If I understand you correctly, Mr. Hicks, you wish me to
inform the young gentleman what he must do to succeed in the
world, is it not, sir ? " asked the Major, with one of his most dig
nified bows.
" That's it, old stud," rejoined Hicks.
" I shall do so, sir," said the Major, curtly, not much liking, I
thought, the title of " old stud" conferred on him by Mr. Hicks;
then turning to me he said, " Jack, my boy, never back a loser."
" That's very good advice, but how the h 1 are you going to
tell the loser from the winner?" inquired a big powerful fellow
by the name of Jones.
" You don't understand me, sir, because you interrupted me
MAJOR GEORGE JENKS. 55
before I had elucidated my subject," said the Major, with much
dignity. Without waiting for an apology, he continued, address
ing me, " Never bet on an unlucky horse or an unlucky man.
Whenever a breed of cocks have established their reputation,
follow them up with your money. Be careful of a young race
horse, regardless of his pedigree; but whenever one of good
blood has shown extraordinary speed and bottom, keep betting
on him' till he's beaten, then drop him. When you find your
self over-matched at a game of cards, drop your adversary as
soon as possible ; good card-players live on fools ; be careful not
to be one of the latter class. If any one offers to bet you he can
perform any trick or feat, let him go by ; for 'tis a hundred to one
that if he finds any fools sufficiently green to take his bets he will
win them. Should you see one person take advantage of another
while at play, don't expose the fraud, but bet on him if you can
find any one to take your wager. Don't squander your money,
but keep it in readiness to make more with whenever the oppor
tunity arrives. Choose your friends from moneyed men, because
poor ones can be of no use to you."
"How old are you, Major?" asked Mr. Willis.
" Well, I'm going on fifty-five sir, and I'm able to drink as much
whiskey as any man in this room; so I move we take a parting
drink and go to bed."
"Excuse me, Major," said Willis, "but one more question if you
please. Have you been following up this here advice you've
given to Jack all them years ?"
"No, sir, I have not," he stiffly replied; "for no person is ca
pable of giving good advice until he's old enough to understand
he's been a damned .fool." The concluding part of the Majors
speech was received with much laughter, besides a round of ap
plause, after which, and a parting drink, the party separated for
the night.
56 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER VIIL
FARO.
Faro may be termed a national game, as it is the favorite
banking game of chance in this country. It had its origin in
Europe, where it was played extensively during the sevenu enth,
eighteenth, and the early part of the present century; but such is
the mutability of human events, that the game is now almost
entirely unknown in that country.
At what time or among what nation of people the game ol
faro first made its appearance, tradition saith not, or if any ro -
cording scribe has ever left such a record behind him, all traces
of it are now probably lost, which will not, I suppose, be looked
upon by "society" as any very terrible calamity. The English
claim that the game, like many of their other vices, was in
troduced among them by the Germans. The old tale, " brought
up virtuous-, and afterwards corrupted by bad company."
Hoyle is the first writer known to us who has given the rules,
laws, and maxims of the game. He says in his book of games,
" This game (speaking of faro) is a very peculiar one, played
but little in England, and that it is purely a game for winning and
losing money." The technical terms formerly used in playing
this game being French, induces me to believe it was a French
invention, and introduced into their own country by the English
nobility, who were in the habit of adopting French games for their
amusement, looking upon their national ones as vulgar. If the
game of faro originated in Germany, it has long since lost all
traces of its nationality. Whether Hoyle was correct or not in
saying that faro was but little played in England, we find among
the statutes enacted by parliament during the reign of the second
George, one prohibiting gambling, under a penalty of two hun
dred pounds' fine, and among the games particularly mentioned
are hazard, roly-poly, and faro.
I find no trace of the game farther back than this period.
We find in Washington Irving's tale of the great Mississippi
bubble, a description of John Law, a Scotchman, who was the
prime mover in that celebrated swindle. As far as relates to our
subject, we shall give the author's own words. " Law remained
FAEO. 57
for a while in Paris, leading a gay and affluent existence, owing
to his handsome person, easy manner, flexible temper, and a faro-
bank which he had set up. His agreeable existence was inter
rupted by a message from D'Argenson, Lieutenant-General of
Police, ordering him to quit Paris, alleging that he was rather too
skillful at the games which he had introduced. This event took
place in the year 1700. The faro which John Law dealt, and
which Hoyle describes hi his book of games, has not been in use
over forty years."
As this game will bear an important part in these memoirs, it
is necessary that the reader should become acquainted with its
mysteries, its rules, maxims, and the manner in which it is
conducted at the present time. For this purpose I have made an
extract from the American Hoyle, which gives a full description
of the game of
FAEO.
Faro is played with a full deck of fifty-two cards. The dealer
sits at the table prepared for the purpose, with an assistant or
" looker-out" at his right hand. Upon the centre of the table is a
suit of cards, arranged in the following order, upon which the
players place their money or stakes, and which is called "the
lay-out." It is composed of thirteen cards, either pasted or paint
ed on a cloth. These cards are placed in two rows, running
parallel with each other. The row next the players contains the
king, queen, and Jack (which are called the big figure), ten,
nine, and eight. The row next the dealer contains the ace, deuce,
and trois (which are called the little figure), the four, five, and
six. Next the six and eight is placed the seven. These three
cards comprise what is called " the pot." Four connecting cards
are called squares. For example, the king, queen, ace, and deuce,
is called the " grand square;" the Jack, trois, four, and ten, the
" Jack square ;" the nine, eight, six, and five, the " nine
square." A bet placed in a square includes the four cards ; one
placed behind any named card, except the king or seven, in
cludes that card, and also the two adjoining ones. For instance
a bet placed behind the queen would include the king and
Jack. A bet placed on the inside corner of any card includes the
two cards next to it, as well as the one it rests upon, in all the
States and Territories west and south of the State of New York,
58 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
but in the latter State, and those east of it, such a bet would bar
both cards alongside of it, and include the card it rested upon,
with the one diagonally opposite. A bet placed between any two
cards includes those two. A bet placed on the corner of a card
on the outside connects two cards, as a bet placed on the corner
of the king would include the Jack, or one placed on the corner
of the ace would include the trois, and leave out the queen and
deuce.
The stakes usually consist of counters or checks, made of
ivory, representing different sums. They are purchased of the
banker, and are redeemed by him at the option of the holder.
The banker usually limits the sums so bet, according to the
amount of his capital.
The game may be played by any number of persons, and each
player may select any card or number of cards upon the " lay
out," and may change his bet from one card to another, when
ever he pleases.
DEALING THE CARDS.
The players having placed their stakes upon the "lay-out,"
and all other preliminaries being settled, the dealer shuffles
the cards, cuts them, and places them face up in a small
metal box, usually silver, which is a little larger than the
pack to be admitted ; this box is open at the top, so that
the top card may always be in view. It also has a small
opening at the side, sufficiently large to permit a single card to
pass through it conveniently. As the cards are pushed out, or
dealt from the top through this opening, the remainder of the
deck is forced upwards by springs placed in the bottom of the
box, and thus the cards are kept in their proper place until the
pack is exhausted.
We will suppose, by the way of illustration, that the ace is the
top card, as it appears in the box. This card is shoved through
the opening when a ten appears this is the banker's card, and
he wins all the money which may have been placed upon it. The
ten, like the ace, is removed, disclosing a king, which is the
player's card, the bank losing all stakes found upon it. The
drawing of these two cards is called " a turn," which, being
made, the dealer takes and pays all the money won and lost,
and then proceeds as before, drawing out two more cards the
FARO.
59
first for the bank and the second for the player, and thus he
continues until the whole pack is dealt out.
Whenever two cards of the same denomination, as, for exam
ple, two sevens or two fours, appear in the same turn, the dealer
takes half the money found upon such card this is called a
"split," and is said to be the bank's greatest percentage, to
avoid which old faro players wait until there is but one seven
or four, or card <5f any other denomination left in the box, and
then place their heavy bets upon that, thus avoiding the possi
bility of a " split."
If a player wishes to play upon the banker's card, or to bet
any certain card will lose, he indicates it by placing a copper
upon the top of his stake, and if this card wins for the bank the
player also wins.
When there is but one turn left in the box, the player has the
privilege of " calling the last turn," that is, of guessing the
order in which the cards will appear, and if he calls it correctly
he receives four times the amount of his stake.
KEEPING THE GAME.
As it is important for both dealer and player that the cards
remaining in should be known, the game is accurately kept, so
as to exhibit at a glance every phase of the deal. For this pur
pose, printed cards are given to the players, upon which they
keep the game in the following manner.
No. 1. This table, marked as the cards
are dealt, exhibits what each card has
done ; the means that the card has lost,
1 that it won ; thus, the ace lost, won, lost,
and won; the four lost twice and won
twice ; the seven won four times ; the
queen lost four times, and the Jack split,
lost and won ; the X indicating a split; the
six was the top, or "soda card," as shown
by the * ; the nine won, lost and won, the
fourth nine remaining in the box, being
the last, or "hock" card, which is indicated by the J.
No. 2. This table illustrates a deal partly made. One ace
has been dealt, and three remain in the box ; two deuces have
No. 1.
No. 2.
A 0101
A 1
20000
200
31001
3000
40011
*4
50010
501
*6 101
6011
71111
<7
81100
811
9 lOlt
9011
101110
10
J X01
J
00000
K 1100
fcs
60 WATERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
lost, and two remain in the box ; four was the top card, and all
the sevens remain in the box, etc.
At this stage of the game cautious players would avoid bet
ting upon the seven, ten, or Jack, preferring the trois, six, or
nine, because upon these latter cards they cannot be split, as
there is but one of each in the box, while the seven, ten, and
Jack are all in the box, and are therefore liable to split or to ap
pear before the others.
KEEPING THE GAME BY A CUE-BOX.
Another mode of keeping the game, common in the Northern
States, is by a "cue-box," by which the different stages of the
game are correctly noted by one of the players or by a regular
"cue-keeper," who is usually attached to the bank.
The cue-box is a miniature "lay-out," with four buttons at
tached to each card. Those familiar with billiards will recog
nize this as the same method of keeping that game.
At the beginning of each deal, the buttons, which are placed
upon wires extending from each card, are all shoved up to the
card; as soon as a turn is made the buttons are pushed to the
opposite end of the wire. If the Jack is the soda card, one of
the four buttons belonging to that card is pushed to the opposite
end of the wire. If the turn come a king, and then a four, a
button from the king and one from the four is pushed to the op
posite end of the wire, and so on to the end of the deal, so that,
by a glance of the eye, the player can see how many of each
card remain in the dealer's box.
TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN FABO.
Banker or Backer. The person who furnishes the money for
the game.
Dealer. He who deals the cards, and takes and pays the
bets.
Cue or Case-Keeper. The person who marks game on the
cue-box.
Looker-out. The dealer's assistant.
Checks. Ivory tokens representing money, with which the
game is played; they vary in color, size, and value.
The Hock or Hockelty Card is the last card remaining in the
box after the deal has been made. When one turn remains to
FAEO. 61
be made, there are three cards in the box. They may be, for ex
ample, the five, six, and seven. We will suppose the last turn to
be five, six, leaving the seven in the box, which would be called
the hock card, because, as the game was originally played, the
dealer took "hock," that is, all money which happened to be
placed upon that card ; the bank, therefore, had a certainty of
winning that money, without the possibility of losing it ; hence
the term hock, which means certainty.
A Deal. The dealer is said to have made a deal when he has
dealt out the whole deck.
A Turn. The two cards drawn from the dealer's box, one for
the bank and the other for the player, which thus determines
the events of the game, constitute a turn.
Coppering a Bet. If a player wishes to bet that a card will
lose (that is, win for the bank), he indicates his wish by placing
a cent, or whatever may be provided for that purpose, upon the
top of his stake. It is called "coppering," because coppers
were first used to distinguish such bets.
To Bar a Bet. A player having a bet upon a card, and wish
ing to bar it for a turn, must say to the dealer, "I bar this bet
for the turn," pointing to it, in which case it can neither win nor
lose.
Last Call. When three cards only remain in the box, any
player has the privilege of calling the order in which they will
be dealt. This is termed the last call. The checks are placed so
as to express the call, and, if correctly made, the bank pays four
for one, and if a "cat," two for one.
A Cat or Cat Harpen. When the last turn consists of two
cards of the same denomination, and one card, as two tens and
a king, it is called a cat.
Paroli or Parlee. Suppose a player to bet five dollars upon
the ace, it wins, and the dealer pays it ; if the player then allows
the ten dollars to remain upon the ace, he is said to play his
paroli, which means the original stake and all its winnings.
Pressing a Bet. To add to the original stake.
Betting even Stakes is when the player constantly bets the
same amount.
Stringing a Bet is taking in one or more cards, remote from
the one upon which the bet is placed.
Playing a Bet Open is to bet a card will win, not to lose.
62 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND
Repeating and Reversing. A card is said to repeat when it
plays as it did upon the previous deal, and to reverse when it
plays directly opposite ; that is, if it won four tunes it is said to
reverse if it loses four times.
Snap. A temporary bank, not a regular or established game.
Sleepers. A bet is said to be a sleeper when the owner has
forgotten it, when it becomes public property, any one having a
right to take it.
A Bet or Case Card. When three cards of one denomination
have been dealt, the one remaining in the box is called a bet,
case, or single card.
The Soda Card is the top card of the deck, when put into the
dealing-box preparatory to a deal.
Snaking a Game. A game is said to be snaked when the
dealer's cards have been stolen, and privately returned, marked,
or prepared in such a manner as that when they are dealt, the
snaker knows what cards will win or lose. Faro banks are often
broken in this way.
Throwing off a Game.' When a dealer, by a preconcerted
plan, allows a player to win, he is said to throw off the game.
Catching a Turn. Sometimes the dealer is so careless in
shuffling his cards, that a shrewd player will know what cards
have not been separated, or will have some other advantage by
which he will beat the turn ; this is called " catching a turn."
LAWS OF THE GAME.
The rules of faro are few and arbitrary, and are baaed upon
principles of justice and equity. All questions or points of con
troversy which may arise during a deal, may at once be settled
by referring to the general rules or principles of the game.
All bets are to be taken or paid as they lie upon the card,
except there is an express understanding to the contrary. The
intentions of a player are not to be considered by the dealer ; his
bet being supposed to represent his intention.
If a player wishes to bar a bet on a card, he must make the
dealer understand that he bars it, when it will remain barred
until he says "it goes."
If a player should put a bet upon a card, and say to the dealer,
" One half of this bet goes," it would be so understood until the
end of the deal, unless the order was revoked.
. FARO. 63
Should a player or the dealer, by design or accident, remove
or alter a bet belonging to another, he is responsible for its loss.
When two players bet the same stake "single " upon different
cards, one coppered and the other to win, and they both win
upon the same turn, the copper bet, being the first to win, must
be paid.
The dealer must pay all bets for which he turns, provided
they are made in checks, but only the limit of the game if in
bank bills.
The dealer should take and pay correctly, and not make mis
takes by design or through carelessness; nor should he alter
the position of the cards dealt, but allow them to remain upon
their respective piles undisturbed.
When the players have broken a bank, the dealer must take
and pay the largest bets first. Suppose the bank to have but
one dollar left, a turn is made by which the dealer wins one
dollar and loses two ; he must take the dollar he wins, and pay
the dollar lost; the rule is to take and pay the amount of the bank
in sight.
The dealer has the right to close his game, or to quit dealing,
whenever he sees proper to do o.
Players have the right to count, or otherwise examine the
cards of the dealer, if they suspect foul play, or if they wish to
guard against it. In all cases the dealer has the right to the
last shuffle and cut ; and where he permits a player to shuffle
or cut, it is an extension of courtesy to the player, and not his
right.
THE CHANCES OF THE GAME.
The percentage in favor of the bank is generally estimated
to be about three per cent., but the average is evidently more
than that. Some players reduce the percentage against them
to almost nothing, while other players, less experienced, give
the bank enormous advantages. With all players the percent
age varies with each turn of the cards, so that no proper esti
mate of the bank's advantage can be made. One thing, how
ever, is certain all regular faro players are reduced to poverty,
while dealers and bankers, who do not play against the game,
amass large fortunes; and, again, the higher order of faro-rooms
are gorgeously furnished luxurious suppers and costly wines
64 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
are gratuitously offered to players, and the proprietors are
everywhere distinguished for their reckless extravagance. All
this is sustained by the percentage of the game.
Almost every faro-player has some peculiar system, which he
strives to believe will beat the bank, and which sometimes does
realize his hopes ; but, in the end, all systems fail. The truth
is, the game is based upon certain mathematical principles,
giving it a percentage which no system of playing can overcome.
CALLING THE LAST THEM".
The bank's greatest percentage is when players call the last
turn, as is here illustrated :
Suppose the cards remaining hi the box to be the 4, 5, and
6; the turn may come 4, 5 4, 6 5, 4 5, 6 6, 4, or 6, 5.
Therefore it may come six different ways, but he who calls it
correctly receives only four for one, or four times the amount of
his stake.
When the turn happens to be a "cat," it may come three
different ways, but the bank pays only two for one.
No better exposition could be given regarding the rules, laws,
and maxims which govern faro as it is dealt at the present time
in this country. But when the author tells us that the percent
age in favor of the bank is generally estimated at three and a half
per cent., he displays his absolute want of knowledge upon that
subject. Faro is the only banking game of chance known to us,
whose percentage cannot be clearly defined. The best algebraists
among the gambling community of this country have been un
able to show us that faro has one and three-fourths per cent, in
its favor.
The author also informs us that " all regular faro-players are
reduced to poverty, while the dealers and bankers, who do not
play against the game, amass large fortunes." With all due re
spect, he does not know what he is talking about. He must
have derived his information from hearsay, and could never
have consulted intelligent gamblers on the subject. There are
thousands of persons who have played against faro games,
almost every day of their lives, from budding manhood to old
age, who have never been reduced to poverty. I can recall
FAHO. 65
many such cases under my own observation, where the parties
are still living, with ample means to sustain themselves and those
belonging to them. I also doubt if there are in the country, or
have been within the last thirty years, twenty persons who have
amassed a fortune of one hundred thousand dollars by faro-
dealing. I have known within that period, myself, hundreds of
faro-bankers who have never made more than a respectable
living from their business.
The author says: "The higher order of faro-rooms are
gorgeously furnished and decorated, luxurious suppers are
gratuitously furnished to the players, together with costly wines,
and the proprietors are everywhere distinguished for their reck
less extravagance, etc., and all this is sustained by the percent
age on the game."
The author, as well as the public in general, has a most erro
neous opinion on the subject of gambling-houses and gamblers,
and is as unable to distinguish between fair gambling, and
swindling under that name, as to understand the difference be
tween a card-sharper and an honest gambler. To separate
these characters, to place gambling, as carried on in this country,
in its true light, to expose " card- sharping " in all its deformity,
before the reader, is the principal object of the writer of this
book. On this matter I shall speak fully in its proper place.
There are in our large cities many of the upper class of gam
bling-houses who furnish suppers gratuitously to their patrons ;
and some of those, which deal what is called " day-games," give
dinners, but none furnish wine to their guests, nor are any of
these fitted up otherwise than respectably and comfortably,
that is to say, neither gorgeously nor luxuriously. The expense
often in some houses amounts to ten dollars per day, and in others
from twenty-five to fifty per day an expense which any bank
having select players, and doing a fair business, can well afford.
During the civil war, when money was plentiful, a few houses
in the city of New York did furnish luxurious suppers and costly
wines to their customers j but these houses did not number four
in all, and their unusual entertainment did not last over a year.
The houses which furnished them could well afford to do so, as
each of them had an opportunity to win or lose daily from
twenty to thirty thousand dollars, and the amount made from
splits by such heavy play was enormous.
66 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
In New Orleans it was customary for such houses as gave en
tertainment, to set ordinary claret wine before their guests, but
no other kind was given by any of the "square" gambling hous
es in that city.
I am Ted to believe that we are indebted to the French for the
game of faro, from the fact that all the peculiar technical phras
es used in playing the game were originally in that language.
As "punters" (players); "coucJie, or enjeu" (a bet); "coup"
(a turn); "doublet" (splits); "fun pour Vautre" (stand off); " op
pose" (copper bet). All these terms were in common use until
American innovations were introduced into the game, which
commenced some forty years ago. It first flourished in Louisi
ana, and from there spread throughout the Union. When gam
bling-houses first were lic.ensed in New Orleans (some forty-five
years ago), faro was played upon a large oval table covered
with green cloth; on one side was the "tailleur" (dealer); and
on the other his "croupier" (look-out); dealing-boxes had not
then been invented, and gold, silver and bank-notes answered
the purpose of checks.
When the dealer had shuffled and cut his cards, he held the
deck firmly in his left hand with the face downward. When the
players had made their bets, he turned over the- top card and
placed it face upwards on the table. This card was for the
bank. Then in the same manner he exposed the next card, this
being for the players. As the dealer made his turns in this wise,
his "croupier" took the bets the bank won and paid those which
it lost the sole duty of the dealer being to attend to the cards ;
the croupier fulfilling all the other duties of the game. These
games were generally with a limit of twenty -five dollars, but the
bankers would increase the limit when rivalry sprang up be
tween different houses, in order to draw patronage, or when a
rich customer refused to play unless the limit was increased for
his especial accommodation.
In such cases the limit was usually raised by giving to the
player the privilege of going his paroli. For example: if he bet
twenty-five dollars and won, he could let his stake and its
product remain, which allowed him to bet fifty dollars. Some
times the paroli was allowed to be repeated twice, which enabled
the player to realize (supposing both stakes to have won) one
hundred and seventy-five dollars. This method of betting is
FARO. 67
termed a running limit, and has been almost universally adopted
by the faro-bankers of the United States. Bankers made their
limits to suit their capital, small games made their limits thus :
Three dollars the amount of the first stake, with the privilege
of paroling it twice and taking down twenty-four dollars. Other
banks made their limits six and a quarter, with the privilege of
running it to fifty. Still others, twelve and a half, with the priv
ilege of running it to one hundred, while others allowed the first
stake to be twenty-five, with the privilege of paroling it to two
hundred dollars, and a very few made their limit fifty, with
paroli to four hundred.
Dealing-boxes were invented for protecting the bank. How
ever careful a dealer might be with the pack of cards hi his
hand, scores of sharp eyes were ever on the alert to take advan
tage of the least scratch, speck, or bend, and to turn it to their
own account. In this case it was the banker only, who washable
to become the victim of wily sharpers. But about the year
1833, or perhaps a year earlier, it was discovered that the player
also required some protection. Somewhere about this period an
old German, named Swigel, made his appearance in New
Orleans. This worthy old gentleman was direct from Europe,
and could neither speak English or French. After taking a
bird's-eye view of that fast city, he concluded that he could
make a fortune there running a faro-bank. By his address and
money combined, he managed to procure a half interest in one
which was located in one of the principal gambling-houses in
the city. For more than six months he went along swimmingly ;
his game having won in that time some sixty thousand dollars.
The principal moneyed gamblers played against his bank, be
cause he gave to them a larger limit than any other banker in
New Orleans was willing to do. In fact, at times the old fellow
did not believe the limit of a faro -bank was worthy of a thought.
Many people, observing his eccentric habits, believed him to be
insane, or at any rate " a little deranged ;" but, in spite of all, he
managed to haul in whatever money was bet against the bank.
He never associated with any one, and in the mornings could be
seen taking his solitary walk in the suburbs of the city. lu
these promenades he always carried hi his hands a pack of cards,
and kept his arms in constant motion, as if dealing for his play
ers. Finally the old fellow was one evening detected in the act
68 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
of taking the second card from the pack while dealing a heavy
game. This operation of course altered the turn, by throwing
the card which belonged to the player in favor of the bank. In
the general row that ensued, the worthy old gentleman made
his escape in safety, and was never heard of afterwards hi the
city of New Orleans. His bank, which contained at the time
about six thousand dollars, was seized by the players, together
with his cards, which were discovered to be all privately marked.
This, however, would have been of no use to him, unless he
could have changed the position of the cards in the turn, a thing
which he accomplished with such unerring dexterity that the
shrewdest gamblers in the land failed to detect it for months.
Though the house shared equally in the profits, it is more than
probable that none of its proprietors were in the old fellow's
confidence.
As long as public gaming was allowed to exist in New
Orleans, rules and maxims for playing faro were established, but
when, in 1836, the license-law was repealed, selfish men, in order
to benefit their pockets thereby, foisted upon the game many
unjust laws and innovations. The cases were not allowed to be
kept, bets once placed on the "lay-out" were not to be removed
until an action on them had taken place. The object of this was
to keep players in ignorance of which cards were "cases," and
to confine their bets to double, treble, and quadruple cards.
" Hock" was revived by many bankers, while in licensed gamb
ling-houses it was thrown from the game. But it was only cross
road gamblers and those who dealt faro-games at race tracks,
that claimed "hockelty." The only chance a player had to es
cape "hock," was when the cards in the last turn were all
" cases." If any two of these three cards connected, he could so
place his bet as to include the connecting cards, and by so doing
either won, lost, or had a stand-off for it. But if a " cat " was
in the last turn, he had either to risk losing his money in "hock,"
or to risk having his bet split, and he could not take the latter
chance unless the case and the double card were connectors.
Should the last three cards be, for example, the king, four, and
seven, none of which connect and in those days no bet was al
lowed to include any card which did not connect the players
who had bets on any of the cards mentioned could not remove
them, thus giving to the bank a percentage of 33i per cent, on
all stakes placed on case cards on the last turn.
69
Competition, and a more liberal spirit on the part of gamblers,
have destroyed the old-fogy system of playing, and have divest
ed faro of the fraudulent rules foisted upon it by unscrupulous
men. For this desirable revolution we are indebted to eastern
gamblers, more especially those of New York. The change was
gradual, and it was only after a struggle of years in duration
that faro was brought to its present perfection. First, " hockel-
ty " was abandoned, then case's were allowed to be kept by the
players with counters, or checks, to mark the game. This soon
led to the introduction of " cue-boards," or " case-keepers," and
shortly after that to "cue-papers." But the great struggle
was between the running and the open limit : the former being
far more advantageous to the bank. In the first place it is ad
vantageous to a bank to compel a player to win his bet three
times in order to win his highest limit. The odds are seven to
one he will not succeed. Besides this disadvantage, the running
game forced reckless players to play on double, treble, and
quadruple cards, which they often did in order to run their first
stake to the extreme limit, so as to bet it on a case card. The
bankers would not allow players to pickup their bets from double,
treble, or quadruple cards, until an action had taken place on
them; but the owner of a bet had a right to include with it any
connecting card or cards. The greedy bankers also exercised
their arbitrary rules to such an extent, that they would not even
allow a player to bar his bet for a single turn after he had once
won it, or its paroli ; and if he removed it from the lay-out, for
even a single turn, his next bet was reduced to the original limit.
It will be easily understood, from this compulsory method of
dealing faro, that the object was to drive the players upon double
cards, thereby enhancing the percentage of the bank by splitting
their bets.
A faro-bank dealing the " copper" game, and with a limit of
twenty-five dollars and one hundred dollars, that is, the privilege
to paroli twenty-five to two hundred dollars, can be beaten by a
player at a single deal, out of two thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five dollars ; but if the player lost every time possible
on the deal, the bank could only win from him one thousand two
hundred and fifty.
An open limit means when a bank takes a stated amount,
which may be bet by a player any tune during the deal. A game
70 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
of this sort, dealt with a limit of fifty-four dollars, would be equal in
money to a running limit of twenty-five, and one hundred dollars.
Either of these games may be beaten on a single deal, providing
no split happens, out of two thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five dollars, and the bank, with an open limit, may win the same
amount on a deal; while the one with the running limit could
only win one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. But as
the odds are 98, 729, 443, 094, 784'to 1, it is not probable that
we sliall ever hear of any person winning or losing on every card
throughout a deal at faro. This calculation is merely intended to
show the difference between what can be won and lost during a
deal of faro having an open limit, and one having a running limit.
The running game in bad luck can lose double the amount it can
win in good luck; while the open game can win as much on a deal
as it can lose. It would appear, at the first glance, that the open
game would be the best for the banker; but such is not the case.
The paroli is a heavy percentage hi favor of the bank, besides
having atendency to force players, as I have already stated, on
double cards ; thus giving an opportunity to split the bets, which
can in a great measure bo avoided at the open games; for the
cautious player may greatly reduce the percentage, by playing
on small double cards until a case appears, when, if he wishes,
he can bet the limit, and have an even chance for his money.
The open game of faro was first introduced into New England,
and shortly after made its appearance in the city of New York ;
where, hi the course of a few years, it usurped the place of the
running game altogether. No faro games with any open limits
were dealt in the Southern and Western States until after the
Mexican war. That event exerted considerable influence on
the introduction of the open game into the cities of New Orleans,
St. Louis, and Cincinnati. When the City of Mexico was cap
tured by the American forces, many faro dealers from the States
flocked there. They found on then* arrival there that monte was
the attracting game ; even professionals played against it rather
than the small faro games, which were dealt with running limits
of twenty-five and one hundred dollars, and many even less.
There was plenty of money, not only among those gamblers who
followed the army, but among contractors, merchants, and officers,
numbers of whom would be willing to patronize faro, if dealt on
a liberal scale. A rivalry relative to procuring players sprung
FABO. 71
up among the gamblers, especially among those newly arrived.
Banks were opened with running limits of fifty and two hundred
dollars, then with limits of one hundred and four hundred dollars.
Such limits were only seen at the Mississippi land-sales, and in
Mobile, when Brandon money was issued by the cord. Finally a
Tennessee gambler named Andrew Rogers opened a bank, and
declared his limit to be an open two hundred dollars. The idea
was new in that place, and the players could bet their money as
they pleased, without being trammeled by old-fogy notions and
rules. The new game was a success, and received the principal
patronage, and several others, not to be outdone, also proclaimed
their games to be an open limit of two hundred dollars. Com
petition actually forced the new game on many bankers who
thought it had no percentage in its favor. But they soon dis
covered their error. Many of these bankers, when peace was con
cluded, opened their games in New Orleans, St. Louis, Cincinnati,
Louisville, and the watering-places of Kentucky. These games
were dealt with an open limit of one hundred, and sometimes fifty
dollars. From that time the open game became, throughout the
Southwest, extremely popular, and would undoubtedly have
broken up all the running games in the country, had not the
California excitement at this time drained the country of its
most liberal gamblers, leaving behind only an old-fogy class, who
were terrified at the very name of "open game of faro." So this
game was left exclusively to the city of New York and the New
England States, in which last section it had its origin.
The principal faro-bankers who reached California early in
1849, had been in the City of Mexico. All these set up the banks
with open limits. When the public gaming-houses had got well
started, the proprietors adopted the running limits of twenty-five
and one hundred dollars in their public saloons; but in their pri
vate rooms all their faro games were dealt with open limits, and
when the New York and New England gamblers arrived, they
also dealt it. After the suppression of public gambling-houses,
there was not a running game of faro in the State of California.
The returning California gamblers, with the assistance of those
from New York city and New England States, finally wiped out
every vestige of it from the United States, and scarcely a game
of the kind could be found there after the year 1859, and 'tis now
extremely doubtful whether one can be found on the continent
of North America.
72 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
" Oppos^ " was identified with the old game of faro, as men
tioned by Hoyle in his book of games. It means, translated in
to English, " copper- betting." But the early faro bankers of
this country expunged it from the game, believing it to be un
favorable to their interests. They were unable to understand
that the more inducements they offered to players to stake their
money, the more chances the bank had to split it. Still, copper-
betting was kept up in spite of the bankers, until it again found
a place in the game. Offers would be made and taken among
players that such or such a card would win for the bank ; such
wagers were termed "flyers," and were frequently taken by the
bankers themselves. When a player offered to make a bet of
this kind, and the dealer or any of his assistants accepted it, the
stake was placed on the designated card and a copper cent
placed upon it to distinguish it from the other bets on the " lay
out." About the year 1845 the faro-dealers of New York city
received copper bets as a constituent part of the game for the
first time. From that city it spread through the State, and was
adopted by the dealers of the New England States. But the
dealers of Philadelphia and all cities south or west of it refused
it until many years later, and even then it was forced upon them
by competition. In 1853 the first copper game was opened in
Philadelphia, and was introduced by a party of returned Califor
nia gamblers. It was three years later before one was opened
in New Orleans, and but few of the faro-bankers south of the
Potomac River or west of the Alleghany Mountains adopted it
before the year 1857 ; nor would they have done so then, had it
not been for the gamblers from California, New York, and the
New England States. These nomads were traveling over the
country and setting up their games wherever players could be
found; and, by playing the copper game, succeeded in leaving
the local banks deserted a proceeding which forced the deal
ers to adopt it also. In this manner it was rendered a constitu
ent part of faro. Notwithstanding the rivalry existing among
the faro-bankers in the city of Mexico, and their bids to procure
players, so fearful were they of the copper-game, that but one
bank in the city adopted it, that being the one mentioned as
running with an open limit. Some of these bankers would at
times risk their money on games with open limit, but refused to
play the copper. We find a few years later that this dread had
FAEO. 73
somewhat worn off. Most of the first -class gamblers who came
early to California dealt it. One was opened in San Francisco
early in 1849 that dealt the copper, and without a limit. Those
in public saloons played a running limit, but admitted the cop
per only on the last turn. In fact, nearly all the games through
out the State, that dealt a running limit, conducted their busi
ness in a like manner, but those who dealt an open limit played
the copper.
It was the prevailing belief among a large majority of the
gambling fraternity that the copper game was disadvantageous
to the bank, and so impressed were many of them with this idea,
that they would take no stock in such a game. They also be
lieved that more cases would lose than win in a stated number of
deals. For two or three years after the discovery of gold, gamb
lers could be found daily in front of faro-banks, endeavoring to
solve this problem by coppering the cases with even stakes, but
most of them got the worst of the bargain and retired "dead
broke."
For many years after coppering became an established part of
the game, it was the general belief that coppering a double card
was disadvantageous to the player, regardless of splits. "If
two cards," they argued, " lie together in the dealing-box, they
must split, or the first that appears must win ; consequently the
bank will either split the bet or win it ; whereas, if the bet had
been played open it must win if the cards do not divide." In
that case the player loses but half his money, which is tanta
mount to his betting one to two. Such reasoning is very illusive,
but it has its hold on many of the gamblers of the present day.
We will say, for instance, that the player coppers the double
ten with a dollar j if the card does not split it wins and he loses.
If it was destined the first ten should win, so was it that the
second should lose, for it lies under that exposed on the box ;
then let the player copper the ten for another dollar, and he is
even ; it, in fact, equalizes the whole matter. To support their
argument against coppering double cards, they say, u When a
card splits, the first one on the turn comes a winner for the play
er, when the next one dashes reality aside and makes him lose
half his money ; thus making a difference of seventy-five per
cent, against him in appearance." " On the contrary," they say,
"had the bet no copper on it, the appearance of the first card on
74 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the turn warns the player that his money is lost, when the agree
able sight of the second returns half his money, thus in appear
ance making him a gainer by fifty per cent, by the turn."
From such reasoning as this we receive no instructions in the
doctrine of chances, and they only serve to display the sudden
transitions from sorrow to joy and from joy to sorrow, which take
place in the mind of the player, as he watches the issue of his
stakes while the dealer is making a turn. If a card split it was
destined to do so when the player placed his stake upon it, and
also destined he should lose half his stake if he allowed it to re
main until the split took place, and whether he placed a copper
on his stake or left it open, he still loses half, no more, no less.
Nor could the copper, on or off his bet, influence it favorably or
otherwise. All process of reasoning to the contrary is fallacious.
The bank has a decided advantage over bets placed on double,
treble, and quadruple cards, because when a card splits it takes
half the money found upon it. Upon case cards the bank has no
percentage ; all reasoning to the contrary is defective.
Calls were first adopted in the city of New York about the
same time as the copper game, and after a great length of time
finally became one of the principles belonging to faro. Still,
there are yet to be found in the South and West, bankers who
refuse to receive them at their games, and who are incapable of
comprehending that "calls" are the heaviest percentage in the
game of faro. When there remains in the box but one turn, the
player has to guess the order in which the cards will appear, in
order to win his call. The chances are five to one against his
doing so ; yet, if he succeeds, he is only paid four times his bet,
which makes the percentage on calls twenty per cent, in favor of
the bank. On a "cat" it is two to one that the player cannot
guess the order in which the cards will appear, and if he
succeeds he is paid twice the amount of his stake. It is gen
erally conceded by intelligent gamblers, that the bank has no
percentage on "calls" made on a "cat."
Many mathematicians have set their brains to work to discov
er the exact percentage on faro, but in every instance they have
ignominiously failed. They have told us that on one thousand
deals of the game, the splits on each deal will average one and
one-half. Some of these astute calculators have told us that two
splits per deal is a fair average, but it seems none of them, as
DEPARTURE. 75
yet, have come to any definite conclusion on that or any of these
points. They have also told us that a pack of cards in twenty-
five turns, counting the "soda" and "hock" as "dead" cards,
can come six hundred and two different ways, counting among
that number, twenty-five splits which may take place. They
have calculated the chances of quadruple, triple, and double
cards splitting at any stage of a deal. Still these clear heads
are unable to arrive at the exact percentage on the game. Some
think it will reach two and one-half per cent., while a majority
of the most intelligent gamblers in the country believe it will not
exceed one and one-half.
CHAPTER IX.
DEPARTURE.
The assiduous attention which I paid to the Major and his
patrons completely won his heart, and gained me the friendship
of that remarkable man. I " looked out" for his faro game, and
made deals for him, whenever he was tired. From the first
night on which he opened his game, he had a full table of play
ers, who were steadily eating up his bank ; night after night it
lost, and night after night the smiling Major paid his losses with
as much good humor as if the money were going into his pockets
instead of out of them. The blind goddess seemed to have de
serted him, but he never complained. He dealt a running limit
of six and a quarter, and twenty-five, and confined his players
strictly to that limit. But Clarke, Rathbon, Willis and Giles
were the only players who would venture that amount. The
players, being successful, would usually win enough to satisfy
them for the nonce, and leave the room as early as eleven
o'clock. If Giles or myself offered our condolence to the Major,
on this unsatisfactory state of affairs, he would reply, "I'll win
when my time comes, and not before, sir." After the players had
left, it was the custom of the Major and Giles to have a "set-to"
at politics over their glasses. The latter was a whig of the most
rabid sort, and a great admirer of Henry Clay. The Major es
poused the cause of no party or individual who had not received
6 WANDERIXGS OF A VAGABOND.
the stamp of approval from Virginia. He disliked Clay and
Calhoun for no other reason than that they were not Virginians.
To him both they and Jackson were second-rate lawyers, the lat
ter of whom he denounced as a " narrow-minded bigot." " The
most dangerous man that ever sat in the Presidential chair," he
said one evening to Giles, and " what's more, sir, the damned
party carrying out his infernal policy will destroy the country if
Virginia don't come to the rescue."
"Or Clay," said Giles, quietly.
"He's a damned humbug, sir; as great a humbug as was ever
foisted on the country. Virginia, sir, is the main prop and stay
of the land."
"Virginia be damned! What can it do?" demanded Giles,
contemptuously, nettled at this unwarrantable attack on his fa
vorite hero.
" Virginia ! Virginia do, !" exclaimed the Major, rising from his
seat, astounded at this audacious remark ; "Virginia is the Uni
ted States, sir ! let Virginia once raise her voice, sir, and Clay,
Calhoun, Jackson, and the infernal politicians who support
them, will be scattered to the devil, sir."
This forcible argument knocked Giles completely out of time.
'Twas too deep for him. His ideas on politics might be de
scribed as rather limited. He knew there must be two parties,
one good and the other bad, and that it was the cardinal duty
of every partisan to praise his party and damn the opposing one.
The Major had lost steadily every night for two weeks. Clark
had won from his bank, at the various sittings, sums varying
from $50 to $100, and had never made a losing. Giles had
won about three hundred, and all the players had beaten it out
of various small amounts, nightly. One evening, after the play
ers had gone, and Giles had also departed, the Major and myself
sat alone in the tailor-shop, the Major at one of the tables, con
sulting his memorandum-book : "Twenty-one hundred and sixty-
dollars loser! pretty good losing, that, Jack, at a limit of six dol
lars and a quarter, and twenty-five !" said the Major, peering at
me over the tops of his spectacles.
"Bad luck, Major; but it's a long lane has no turning. I hope
better will come after a while," I replied, in a consoling tone.
"Not here at least," he answered, calmly.
" Why not here, Major?"
DEPARTURE. 77
11 Because I shall leave this place on the first boat for Wheel
ing."
" Indeed! 'I'm sorry to hear you say that, Major. But why
do you go ? "
" Because I've no more money to bank my game with, Jack."
" Well, Major, if that's what's the matter, don't go," said I,
springing to my feet; "I've got a thousand dollars, and will
deal it off between us." He had closed his account book, and
was in the act of putting it in his breast pocket, when I made
this proposition. He stopped as if suddenly petrified, and stared
at me in speechless amazement. Without giving him time to
recover from his astonishment, I told him that I had a sum of
money, which I had won at various times' at cards, that I was
anxious to make more with it, and that I believed a better
opportunity than the present could not be found to invest it. " If
we lose the money, Major," I concluded, " I'll wait on you until
you're able to pay me back your share of it, and you need have
no delicacy, on the score of my age, about being interested with
me, because I understand perfectly what I am about, and I
don't wish it to be known that I am in any way connected with
you."
" But what about Giles 1 " the Major finally found his tongue
to ask.
"I'm my own master, Major. Giles knows nothing about my
affairs whatever, and, what's more, I do not wish to have him."
"Jack, you're a generous fellow; and I'm glad to find you so
well fixed, my boy ! but take my advice, let gambling go to the
devil. Remember, my boy, a gambler can never attain an
honorable position in society. The money which you have saved
will start you in some honorable business, and, if properly man
aged, may be the foundation of a fortune."
"Very good advice, sir, but quite thrown away on me. I've
already made my election. When I made this offer to you, it
was because it was for my interest to do so. There's money
here, plenty of it, and I believe that faro can win it."
" That's true, my boy. But, Jack, I can't think of losing your
money ! That would be a cursed shame a boy like you ! "
"If you should, I should not cry about it, and should we lose
the first thousand, I've got another back of that, and I'll come
up with it. Should both be lost, I shan't complain, and I don't
78 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
want any one to suspect that I furnish any part of the money.
You need have no scruples at all about the business, Major."
"Very well, Jack; I accept your offer, on your own terms; and
if we should be unfortunate, whatever my part of the loss may
be, I'll pay it to you within a mouth afterwards."
The following day I went to the Major's room at the "Old
Hickory," and handed to him a thousand dollars. Whether his
bad luck had run out, or my good fortune carried him with me,
is a mystery unexplained, and by me unexplainable ; but cer
tain it is that after I had banked the Major, he closed his bank
winner every night while he remained in the town. When the
players began losing, the game extended much farther into the
night than formerly, land sometimes did not close until daylight.
We did not make a losing for ten nights, and in that time the
bank won about $3,100. Our customers were now playing on
the raw material, as whatever money they had won from the
Major's game they had already lost at ours, with considerable
more besides; in consequence of which, several began to show-
signs of ill temper. Clarke particularly had, on several occasions,
made himself disagreeable at the game. He had lost all his
former winnings, and about $700 more. On the tenth night
after that on which the Major and myself had entered into our
copartnership, when Clarke entered the room, I immediately
observed he had been drinking, and apprehended we should
have trouble with him. We had a full table of players, and the
Major was winning every bet laid down against him. Clarke
joined in the play, and lost $200, and then demanded of the
Major $100 worth of checks, saying if he lost he would go over
to the store and get the money. The Major told him politely
that he made it his rule to credit no person for checks.
" I couldn't expect anything better from a low-flung blackleg
running about the country swindling people out of their money,"
roared Clarke, rising ; and seizing the chair on which he had been
sitting, he dashed it with all his force against the wall, and then
rushed out of the room. The Major wished to close the game,
being apprehensive that he would return and display some more
of his rudeness ; but Giles and the rest of the players insisted
that he should go on, promising that neither Clarke nor any one
else should molest him further. With this assurance, the game
was continued. Clarke was not absent from the room more than
DEPAPwTUKE. 79
half an hour, when he returned, and flourishing in his hand a
large roll of bank bills, said, " Clarke's credit ain't good for a hun
dred, eh? He can buy you, Mr. Jenks, and all the dirty
blacklegs like you this side of h 1, can't I, Hotch, old boy? " he
asked of a burly butcher, named Hotchkius, who was present.
Here Giles and several others remonstrated with Clarke, telling
him that if he persisted in conducting himself in this boisterous
manner it would lead to the arrest of every person in the house.
"It's all right, boys," he replied; "I ain't another word to
say ; but I'm going to bust this d d picayune faro -bank ;" and,
drawing a chair to the table, pulled from his roll of bills a $50
note, which he threw over to the Major and demanded checks
for. He soon lost these and bought $50 more, with which he
commenced crowding the Major's limit a piece of aggression
which that gentleman would by no means tolerate. The amount
of checks beyond the limit he would remove from Clarke's bets
and politely hand them back to him. The latter would take them
without a word, but the moment the Major's eyes were off him,
down would go the checks again on the same card. The Major
kept winning every bet he laid down, and in the meanwhile re
monstrating and handing him his surplus checks with the remark,
" Six dollars and twenty is the limit of the game, Mr. Clarke. I
beg you wont crowd it." In this manner he played along at the
game, holding a restraint on his tongue until he had lost $400
from his roll of bank notes. He now began growling and curs
ing at his luck, and finally commenced venting his spleen again
upon the Major. " Two thousand dollar loser against this d d
picayune bank, and they won't take a check over the limit.
Blooded Virginians! Big gamblers! I'd hate d d bad
to meet one of 'em in an alley on a dark night." These, and
similar insults, excited the Major to such a pitch that he did not
know what he was doing, and, had I not prevented him, would
have paid all the stand-off bets on the lay-out, and overlooked
those which he had won. I requested him to get up and let me
deal; he consented, and asked Giles to "look out," saying, "I
want to go over to the tavern a minute." The moment I seated
myself in the dealing-chair, Clarke roared out, "What the h 1
are you doing there ?"
" I'm going to give you some better luck, Mr. Clarke," I re
plied, good-humoredly.
80 -WAXDEKIXGS OF A VAGABOXD.
He glared at me for a moment, seemingly in doubt whether
he should drag me from the chair or not, but finally, if such was
his idea, abandoned it, and, without making me any rejoinder,
placed six dollars and a quarter behind the queen. It lost on
the turn. He again placed the same amount in the same place.
It won twice and then lost on the turn. With a terrible oath,
he seized a stack of checks lying before him, of $25 value, and
threw them down in the same place. I won them in a few turns.
He then took from his roll a $50 bill and placed it on the same
spot, for which I turned and won. He now laid $50 more in
the same place, and won. He let the $100 remain and lost. The^
stillness was painful. Not a word was spoken in the room, and
the sound of the cards, as they glided from the dealing-box, was
distinctly audible. I had made up my mind to let him break
himself if he could, and I had a strong conviction that such
would be the case, because, on an average, such was his luck ; he
could not win one bet out of five. He now bet $100 on the same
spot and lost, and made three more bets of the same amount, on
the same spot, and lost, making him loser on the deal $573.50.
While shuffling, preparatory to a fresh deal, a pin could have
been heard distinctly had it been dropped on the floor, although
there were as many as twenty persons in the room at the time.
Such unusually heavy play tied the tongues of all present. Many
of those in the room, no doubt, anticipated a row if Clarke lost
all his money, as he seemed likely to do. I was perfectly cool,
and felt as if I could win every dollar hazarded against me.
When I had placed the cards in the dealing-box, Clarke bet
$150 behind the queen. In this manner he kept on betting be
hind the queen, and whenever he won his bet would go the
paroli, but failed to win one of them. When the Major returned
he was terror-stricken at the sight of a bundle of bank notes
behind the queen, and in an excited manner asked me what
the amount was. " Three hundred dollars, sir," I replied.
A few turns before Clarke had won $150 and had let it remain
with its product in the same place where he first laid it down.
" Why, good God, Jack, what can you mean ? " he demanded.
" Nothing, Major. It's all right," I replied, turning away
without noticing him further.
I won the bet !
Clarke now threw down the balance of his roll in a lump. I
DEPAKTUKE. 81
did not stop to inquire the amount, but in a few turns won, and
found it made Clarke a loser that night to the tune of $2,100.
When he saw his last stake vanish from his grasp, he said not
a word, but leaned back in his chair and gazed vacantly down
on the lay-out, as if he could not realize his situation. The
remainder of the players handed in their checks and got the
money for them, and not a few immediately left the premises,
fearful, no doubt, that a row would take place.
Clarke rallied himself at length, and demanded a drink of
liquor, which, being given him by Giles, he swallowed it hastily ;
then rose from his chair, and pointing his finger towards Major
Jenks, addressed that gentleman in these words :
"I want all my money back; and d n me if I don't have
it, too."
" For what reason, sir ? " demanded the Major.
"Because I've been swindled out of it; ain't that reason
enough ? " he shouted, savagely striking the table with his fist.
"It's false, sir. You've not been swindled out of anything
here," warmly replied the Major, reddening to the roots of his
hair.
" You can't fool me, old man," retorted Clarke, shaking his
fist in the Major's face. " You've refused over and over again to
let me bet a cent over your limit ! Ain't that so ! "
" Certainly, sir ; but what has that to do with your being
swindled out of your money ? " sternly demanded the Major.
"It's got a heap to do with it."
"Explain yourself, sir."
"Why the h 1 did you get out of that chair when I was play
ing, and let that d d cub sit there and turn for two and three
hundred dollars, if you didn't know he was robbing me?" he
fiercely asked.
" Because he wanted to show you, Mr. Clarke," said I, slowly
shaking my head at him, " that this was no low-flung picayune
game."
"You dirty puppy!" he cried, turning on me fiercely, "if you
open your mouth again until you're spoken to I'll smash it in for
you !"
"Oh, don't, Mr. Clarke," I said, laughing in his face; "that
would spoil my pretty looks."
"Would it ? damn you !" he screamed, reaching across the table
and catching me by my hair.
82 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
I had the dealing-box in my hand, and his fingers had scarcely
fastened themselves in my hair, before I dealt him a heavy blow
with the sharp corner of the box, which brought his head to the
table. I followed this up with a rain of heavy blows on the head,
and was only stopped when I was dragged away from my pros
trate foe by Giles and others. So sudden had been the attack
and the repulse, that, before the bystanders could interfere,
Clarke was stretched a lifeless mass on the table before them.
When they had washed the blood from his head, and restored him
to some degree of consciousness, Giles and Rathbon, with the
assistance of some others, led him over to his store, and in a few
moments after the row the Major and I were left in the sole pos
session of the place.
"This is a bad business!" said the Major, looking pale and
uneasy.
"I'm not in the least sorry about it," I replied; " he deserved
more than he got !"
"Undoubtedly! but they'll arrest us, and I shall be prosecuted
for gambling."
"That's true, Major, and you must not wait for them to do so.
I'll get Tom Jones to take you down to Cropps' landing to-night
in his fishing-boat, and you can wait there in safety until you can
get aboard of a steamer going down the river."
This course being agreed upon, we commenced packing up the
faro tools, when in rushed Giles, frightened out of his wits, and
looking more like a ghost than his llesh and blood, and who cried
out, "Jack, you've killed Clarke; he won't live till morning!"
"Good God !" shrieked the Major, "is it so bad as that?"
This unexpected news staggered me. The thought that I might
have injured Clarke seriously never crossed my mind. But, young
as I was, I had more presence of mind than Giles or the Major, in
this emergency. "We must leave here without a moment's delay,"
I said to the Major. I informed Giles of my previous intention
of having the Major taken to Cropps' landing, where he could wait
for a boat to take him down the river; but told him I now
intended to be the companion of his flight, and I asked him to
assist the Major in getting his things down to Tom Jones' fish
ing place, while I preceded him there, to make arrangements for
our flight.
"But you'll goto the house, Jack, and see the old woman, and
get your clothes, won't you?" asked Giles.
DEPARTURE. 83
"No, the clothes would only burden me, and be useless besides
now, and I shall be spared the pain of breaking the terrible news
to Mrs. Giles; besides, we have not one moment to lose; so hurry
down to the river."
When I reached the landing, to my great joy a stern- wheel
steamer was just turning the- bend of the river a sight which
entirely altered my plans for flight. I resolved to take passage on
her, and if she made Wheeling by the next evening, as she ought
to do, to stick by her until she reached that place, and if she got
stuck on a sand-bar to abandon her and take to the country,
where I should seek an asylum until I heard from Giles.
I met him and the Major coming down with the luggage.
They were both overjoyed at the sight of the steamer, and ap
proved of my plan.
We got aboard of the boat as soon as she landed. "Write to
me at Wheeling, care of Mr. Lane, No. 147 Main street," said
the Major to Giles, as we stood together on the boiler deck of the
steamer. "Direct your letter to Joshua Watkins, instead of
Major George Jenks. Can you remember that, Mr. Giles?"
"Certainly lean ; but why not direct the letter to you?"
" Damn it, sir, do you want to direct a letter to Major George
Jenks, and set the sheriff on our tracks ?"
"Oh! I see," cried Giles. "But in case I write you that
Clarke's dying, what then T'
" Then rest assured that Jack and myself will get into the
mountains of Virginia faster than deers, and when once there
we're safe, in spite of all the sheriffs in your d d abolition State.
Giles promised to write to us every mail, and, after shaking the
Major warmly by the hand, and bidding him watch over me, he
turned to me and said, "Jack, if anything bad happens to you,
it will kill the old woman!"
"You need not tell her of this scrape," I cried, eagerly; "make
up any other story and tell her about my leaving."
" Why, you fool ! Jack, don't you know that every tale-bearing
b h in the town will be carrying the news to her before the dew
is off the ground ?"
"Get ashore!" sung out the mate, and at the same moment
the stroke of the bell told us we were getting under way.
Giles wrung me by the hand, and jumped ashore just as the
clock on the court-house chimed eleven. In a few moments
more we were out of sight of Marietta.
84 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTEE X.
PHANTOMS OF THE MEMORY.
Shortly after the steamer left Marietta I turned into my berth
and slept for about two hours. In the meantime I had a horri
ble dream, from which I awoke in a fright, and which impressed
me so vividly that to this day I distinctly remember it. In my
dream I was riding on horseback over a turnpike road, which
ran alongside a beautiful stream of water. As I looked at the
stream I suddenly became aware of an enormous tortoise swim
ming along, following the direction of the road. As I looked
again I perceived that the tortoise had a man's head, and, as it
turned its face in the direction of mine, horror of horrors ! I
discovered the ghastly, blood-stained countenance of Clarke. I
closed my eyes against the frightful vision and turned my head
from the stream to the other side of the road, but when I once
more opened my eyes and looked down, there, alongside my horse,
was the tortoise, with the threatening eyes of Clarke looking at
me from its face. I plunged my spurs into my horse's flanks,
and on we flew with the speed of the wind, but not so swiftly
but whenever I turned my eyes to either side of my horse they
were met by those in the ghastly face of Clarke upon the body of
the tortoise. Whether in the stream or upon the road, it showed
no signs of locomotion, yet the utmost speed of my good horse
was insufficient to carry me beyond it. In an agony of terror I
awoke. It was some moments before I could remember where I
was, but soon the disastrous events of the evening returned up
on my memory in their full force. The Major was snoring with
a forty-horse power hi the berth beneath me, and, without dis
turbing him, I left my own, and sought the boiler-deck of the
steamer, where I remained the rest of the night.
My dream had left such a fearful impression upon my mind,
that I felt certain that Clarke was dead ; and I began to feel
anxious about my own safety. Fear had clutched me with its
icy fingers, and I could not shake it off. My mind, during that
long night, would admit no subject but the murdered Clarke.
It pictured to me every possible phase of the subject the news
spread through the little town ; the people talking of it hi little
PHANTOMS OF THE MEMOKY. 85
knots at the street-corners; the coroner's inquest and those
who would be there ; the verdict of the coroner's jury ; the offi
cers in pursuit of rue every incident connected with my capture
and being brought back to Marietta and incarcerated in the lit
tle stone jail. Then the trial in the crowded court-room witn
hundreds of familiar faces staring at me. My imagination
showed me every moment of the trial the judge, the lawyers,
and old Scruggs giving me " blazes " in the cracked and discord
ant voice I remembered to have heard so many times, trying to
convince the jury that the offender before him was the greatest
miscreant on the face of the earth, whom it would be a burning
shame and disgrace to all good men and true to allow any longer
to cumber the earth. Then would come the awful sentence of the
judge, "hanged by the neck until you are dead, dead, dead!"
Then the last dread scene, disclosing the gallows, the swaying
multitude, the sea of up -turned faces, and myself in the place
where I saw them put old man Langston for murdering his wife.
Then would rush over me, like a great wave, the grief and dis
tress of my poor foster-mother, that her boy should come to such
an end. I would start from my seat at these thoughts and pace
the deck hi an agony.
I tried to shake off these gloomy impressions and take a more
cheerful view of things, but it was useless : they returned again
and again. The thought struck me that the authorities might
ride to Wheeling and arrest me there on the arrival of the steam
er, and, had she landed during the night, I am firmly convinced
that I should have taken " French leave " of the Major, and
sought the woods for safety. " 'Tis the eye of childhood that
fears a painted devil."
In the gallery of the Louvre there is a picture, by Prudhon,
representing a sandy defile bristling with rocks, and lighted by the
full moon. Stretched naked on the sands is the corpse of a young
man, while his assassin, clad in a tunic and mantle, and holding
in his hand a poignard, is hurriedly making his escape. His
dark, brutal -looking countenance, with its low, narrow forehead,
is turned over his shoulder, as if attracted to the spot where lies
his murdered victim, above whom, flying in the air, are Ven
geance and Justice. The former holds a torch in one hand and
with the other is in the act of seizing the murderer by the hair;
beside her is Justice, armed with a sword and scales. I have
86 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
often gazed with admiration on this master-piece, but never with
out its bringing fresh to my mind the terrible agony I endured
during the night of my flight from Marietta.
"When the Major joined mo in the morning, he was struck by
my haggard appearance, and used all his powers of persuasion to
induce me to believe I was beyond the reach of danger. He
took me with him on to the hurricane-deck, where he could talk
to me without being overheard, and tried his best to impress me
with the belief that Clarke was not seriously injured. "Keep
cool, Jack, my boy, there's not a bit of danger, not the least, sir.
And if you'd killed the scoundrel on the spot you would only
have served him right, damn him. The law wouldn't touch a
hair of your head, sir. Damn it, what right had he to violate
the person of a gentleman, sir?" At every "sir," down would
come the Major's cane, with a thump on the roof of the boat, as
if he intended by that means to establish his opinion more
strongly in my mind. But he did not succeed in dissipating my
fears, and when I expressed my apprehension of being captured
at Wheeling, on the arrival of the boat at that place, and brought
back to Marietta, he straightened himself up to his full height,
and scornfully gazed down upon me. " Why, damn it, sir, I
thought you had some spirit, but you haven't, sir. You're an
infernal coward, sir ; that's what you are, sir. I'm ashamed of
you, sir, and I'll have nothing more to do with you." At each
" sir," down came the ferule of tbe cane, as if he was bent on
punching a hole through the roof of the boat. After telling me
he should have nothing more to do with me, he flung his cane
under his arm, turned on his heel, and left me in disgust. I did
not blame him I was disgusted with myself for being such a
coward, but 'twas all the effect of that horrible dream. The
Major had made about half a dozen steps away from me, when
he turned round and ran up to me, caught me by both hands,
saying, "Never mind me, my boy, I didn't mean a word of it ; I
only spoke so to spur you up, and make you shake off that damn
scare you've got. Cheer up, Jack, and be a man, as you are.
I'll never leave you, sir ; no, sir, never while my name's Major
George Jenks. And if that scoundrel dies, I'll take you with
me into the mountains of Virginia, where you'll live like a prince,
sir, and all the constables in Ohio can't take you out of it, sir.
So don't be uneasy any more."
The Major had often told me about his handsome and well-
PHANTOMS OF THE MEMORY. 87
stocked farm, which he called " The Hawk's Nest," lying in one
of the valleys along the Blue Eidge Mountains. According to his
own tale, he was a person of some importance there. His relatives,
who were all wealthy farmers, resided there, and were the most
influential persons in the neighborhood. Of course I believed
every word he said, and it gave me no little satisfaction to know
that, in case of the worst, I should find an asylum in the mountain
fastnesses of Virginia. But I never had the pleasure of beholding
the lordly manor of "The Hawk's Nest," nor did I ever visit the
Blue Eidge Mountains, which the Major was so fond of talking
about. While I was with him in Virginia, he never once thought
of visiting "The Hawk's Nest," though he frequently referred to
it in conversation with me, especially when telling me of the
number and quality of his racing colts, which he was intending to
bring on the turf in a few years. Before our flight I had dis
covered that he was rather hyperbolical, but I never believed
him to be a Munchausenist until after our arrival in Eichmond.
One day, while taking a stroll with one of his most intimate friends,
I incidentally mentioned the glowing description the Major gave
of his farm in the Blue Eidge, and of how important a personage
he was in his neighborhood. My companion shook his head and
laughed heartily. "Why!" I exclaimed, much surprised, "you
don't mean to say he's been stuffing me ? What could be his object
in doing so ?"
"None in the world," he replied, laughing good-humoredly.
" You can't find a more honest man than the Major, or one more
kind-hearted : but pomposity is his weakness. He's told that story
so often about his farm, that he's really got to believe it himself."
" And do you mean to say he's got no farm ?"
" I don't believe he owns a foot of ground on earth !"
" And what about those rich relations of his?" I asked.
" He has got two brothers living on small patches of ground
somewhere in the Blue Eidge ; but they wouldn't have hog and
hominy enough to keep the hide on themselves and their children,
if the Major did not give them some assistance now and then."
"You astonish me," I replied. "I knew the old fellow was
visionary ; but I never knew before that he was such a confound
ed liar."
" Don't let him know that you're any wiser on these points
than he wishes you to be, or he'll take the sulks and leave you."
I promised to obey his instructions, and we parted.
"WANDEKCN-GS OP A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XI.
WHEELING.
It was late in the evening when we reached Wheeling, and, to
my great joy, I was not pursued and arrested, as I had gloomily
anticipated, on the landing of the steamer.
The Major took me with him to the residence of his friend, Mr.
Lane, in whose charge he left me, and proceeded to the " United
States Hotel," which was a few steps from the landing, and to
which he had ordered his luggage to be carried.
Mr. Richard Lane, in whose house I found an asylum, was the
only son of a highly respectable merchant of Wheeling. His
mother dying during his infancy, young Dick was brought up
under the care of his remaining parent, who did not marry again
until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he was sent to
the University of Virginia, to be made acquainted with the subtle
intricacies of the law.
While there, young Lane paid full as much attention to the
mysteries attached to a pack of cards as to unraveling the knotty
points of Coke or Blackstone. Money being requisite in both
these pursuits, the pockets of the elder Lane were doubly taxed,
in order to meet the demands caused by the profligacies of his
son. At first he paid grudgingly; but when he saw broken the
repeated promises of reformation made by his son, he buttoned up
his pockets and abandoned him to his fate. Young Lane con
tinued to live along on his wits, and by borrowing on his own
promises to pay and drafts drawn upon his father, both of which
were dishonored, when, for some more outrageous piece of ras
cality than usual, he was expelled from his college, and his father,
no less cruel than his preceptors, forbade his return home after
such disgrace. Young Dick made his way to Richmond, where
he divided his time between such of the gambling-rooms as he
could gain an entrance to. He did his best in the borrowing line,
playing at games and short cards, in which manner about three
years more of his life passed. About this time an old gambler by
the name of Brooks, living in Richmond, took a fancy to Dick, and
made him a faro-dealer. It was here that Lane and Major Jenks
became acquainted, both being concerned in the same gambling-
WHEELING. 89
house during the space of a year, and in which time they had re
alized a clean profit of twenty-two thousand dollars. Lane had
shaken off his dissipated habits by this time, and had paid all his
debts. A few years later his father died, without ever being re
conciled to his son ; but, dying intestate, his only child, of course,
fell heir to his property. He returned to Wheeling after an
absence of seven years, to find, to his chagrin and disappoint
ment, that a single house valued at ten thousand dollars, and
debts amounting to four thousand dollars, were all that remained.
Lane paid the debts and took possession of the house, and about
six months later married his wife, stealing her away from her
parents, who were bitterly opposed to him, and taking her to
Richmond. Mrs. Lane was the offspring of one of the first
families of Wheeling not the first fafnilies of Virginia, none of
that rather equivocal stock having gotten as farwest as Wheeling.
From where did it derive its existence? From those emigrants
who landed from the three ships in the Chesapeake Bay, in the
year of our Lord 1607? If so, that party being composed entirely
of the male gender, the weaker vessels necessarily must have been
taken from among the Indian women, which might have a ten
dency to adulterate the pure Anglo-Norman blood. Forty years
later we find existing in Virginia a small oligarchy composed of
the principal landholders, who tried to rule the colony by right
of property or by "right divine," as all tyrannical bodies of men
have ruled from time immemorial. Possibly from this oli
garchy sprang originally the F. F. V.'s. But a good part of these
colonists having "left their country for their country's good," in
consequence of an inability to distinguish "mine" from "thine,"
or some such little innocent idiosyncracy, which the cruel and
tyrannical laws of Great Britain at that time punished by sending
them out to Virginia, to be sold as slaves for various periods,
according to the enormity of their offenses, it is presumable that
some of these unfortunate individuals, at the expiration of their
sentences, being purged, according to law, of the stains of dis
honor, and restored to the rights of citizenship, would have work
ed out for themselves a brighter future ; and that, in course of
time, their offspring, having obtained a respectable property posi
tion in society, would come to be considered worthy consorts for
the daughters of the wealthy land-owners. By these means it is
plausible to suppose that the "blue blood," which is believed to
90 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
have formerly coursed through the veins of the first families of
Virginia, has been adulterated, so far, at least, as to bring back its
color to the reddish hue of that which runs in the veins of ordi
nary mortals. Such being the case, ,it's very possible that not
a drop of the "cl'ar grit" can be found at the present time in the
Old Dominion.
The parents of Mrs. Lane belonged to the moneyocracy; and
families of that stamp, proud, arrogant, and -conceited, may fce
found in every one-horse town and village, as well as every dense
ly populated city in the world ; consequently no one need be
surprised that they resolutely shut their doors in her face for
having the audacity to marry a gambler, and a poor one at that;
a rich gambler might have been tolerated, but to throw herself
away on a poor one was unpardonable.
Lane and his wife, after an absence of about a year, during
which time they had lived in Richmond, returned to Wheeling,
in the hopes that her parents would relent and take them un
der their fostering wing. But as well might the young Alexis
Petrowich have tried to move the icy heart of his father, Peter
the Great, when he had decoyed him from Naples to Moscow, in
order to put him to death. Lane, finding that his wife's parents
still continued obdurate, was for disposing of what property he
had there and returning to Richmond ; but his wife, who had
inherited some of the stubborn nature of her parents, having
learned that her presence in the place was an eye-sore to them,
and they desired nothing so much as her absence, like an unduti-
ful child, she refused to budge an inch, thereby keeping her hus
band in a place where it was impossible for him to make a living
by the exercise of his profession. By renting the lower part of
their house for a store, it being situated on a main business street,
they eked out a kind of a respectable living.
When I was introduced to Mr. Lane he was about thirty years
of age, remarkably handsome, both in face and figure. He con
versed with ease and fluency, was witty and intelligent, and had
the manners and habits of a gentleman, besides being a tender
husband and devoted to his children, of whom he had two, a boy
and a girl. He possessed both energy and ability, and was ca
pable of making friends wherever he went; but fashionable
society could not countenance him, because he was tainted with
the damned spot of the professional gambler. Mrs. Lane was a
WHEELING. 91
strong, healthy woman, and if nature had denied her beauty, it
had endowed her with nobler gifts cheerfulness and intelligence.
During the few days I was in hiding at her house, she tried to
make my situation as easy and comfortable as possible, with
out once trying to pry into the circumstances of the case, or my
history a thing many persons might have presumed on doing, on
account of my youth. That I was the protege of Major Jenks
was sufficient for herself and husband ; and I was confident that
while under their roof I had nothing to fear from being treach
erously given up to the officers of the law.
Lane's presence in Wheeling was barely tolerated by the offi
cers of the law, who were of the puritanical order, and who car
ried out their policy with the seeming intention of making the
present generation, if not the next one, remember their intoler
ant spirit. The Maine liquor law became an established fact in
the place, billiard and bagatelle tables were prohibited, and also
bowling-alleys. Such individuals as indulged in their leisure
hours at cock-fights, dog-fights, or bull-baits, or any other dis
play of the manly art, were mulcted in heavy fines. Whenever
the patrons of these sports desired to amuse themselves they
were obliged to seek the fields of some adjoining county, or cross
into the more liberal State of Ohio. Faro-dealers had given the
place a wide berth within the last few years, previous to our
arrival in the place, and well might they, if they had gathered
any wisdom from the way in which the fraternity had been
treated there. Several had from time to time the temerity to
come within the sacred precincts of the city, and, after prospect
ing it, to open their banks. They were allowed to proceed for a
time, to give them confidence, when they were suddenly pounc
ed upon by the officers of the law, and with all their players
taken to the lock-up. The latter were usually released the same
night, or next morning, on payment of a fine of twenty-five dol
lars, besides having the felicity of seeing their names in full in
the newspapers among the " list of gamblers captured last night
by our ' Argus-eyed ' police." The owners of the bank were
accommodated with private lodgings in the brick jail, from the
barred windows of which they could solace themselves with a
sight of the beautiful foliage of the papaw bushes, which
adorned the hill back of their prison, and meditate on the con
flicting opinions of mankind, and the arrogant pride of some of
92 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
that species in forcing the result of their opinions upon whoever
had the misfortune to disagree with them, while "dressed in a
little brief authority." After a few days' incarceration they were
released, but not until they were leeched out of their last dollar,
and then compelled to leave the city within a few hours. Should
they refuse to accept their liberty on such hard terms, they must
either procure bail, or remain in jail till the court sat, which was
once in six months, when certain conviction, with a $1,000 fine
and imprisonment for one year in the county jail would be their
doom. Of the two evils the former was the least, and such faro-
dealers as were arrested in the place chose it, and gave to the
officers their last dollar to escape their clutches. This plun
der was divided between the Mayor of the city, the Marshal,
and the District Attorney. Over every foot of soil belonging to
the State of Virginia the punishment for dealing a banking game
of faro was a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment for one year in
the county jail ; but the law had fallen into disuse except in
Wheeling, where it was enforced by a few rascally officials, for
the benefit of their own pockets.
Lane was the only person who had ever had the hardihood not
to be fleeced of his money, when arrested for dealing faro. Be
ing a citizen, and having many influential friends in the place, he
imagined that if he opened a faro-bank he would be exempt
both from prosecution and persecution, so he tried it on. This
happened about eighteen months before our arrival. Lane was
allowed to proceed for a time, and then was suddenly arrested,
with all his players. He furnished the 'necessary bail, stood his
trial, was convicted, and, according to statute, sentenced to pay a
fine of one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned for one year.
Through the influence of his friends in Eichmond, however, he
was pardoned by the Governor, about two weeks after the pass
ing of his sentence, to the immense disgust of the puritans of
Wheeling. He never again tempted fortune by opening a faro-
bank there, although he told us the present Marshal was friend
ly to him, and had said he might open one if he wished, provided
he conducted it very quietly.
On the second day, the anxiously expected letter from Giles
arrived, and, to my unbounded joy, Clarke was not dead, "nor
is he going to make a die of it," wrote Giles. "But that lick
you gave him over the eye with the dealing-box has branded
WHEELING. 93
him with the mark of the tiger, and he'll carry it to his grave
with him." He then went on to state that nearly all of those
who were in the room, when the row occurred, left town that
night or the next morning, being afraid they might, if they staid,
he brought up as witnesses; but it was unnecessary, for the
whole affair had been kept so silent that the saints in power had
received no inkling of it, up to the time of his writing. He
further stated that Clarke advised his friends to keep the whole
affair under cover, but that he threatened to kill me when he re
covered. Giles therefore advised us not to return to Marietta
until he could come to some friendly understanding with him.
His admonition was entirely unnecessary. Nothing but force
would have induced the Major to return, and as for myself, with
more than five thousand dollars in my pocket, and an anxiety to
see strange climes and faces, I certainly was not likely to do
so, all things considered. Clarke's threat would have withheld
me, if nothing else ; not that I feared him especially, and I was
certainly overjoyed to know I had not killed him, but it would
have been foolish for me to have returned where my presence
was certain to bring perplexity and trouble to those who loved
me.
On the day following the reception of Giles' letter, Lane told
the Major and myself that he had had an interview with the
City Marshal, and that he was willing to permit us to open and
conduct a faro-bank in the place, provided we gave to him one
hundred dollars, and five per cent, of whatever we won. In
consideration of which we should not be molested by him, and in
case any complaint was made against us, or any movements of
any kind that would endanger our safety on foot, that he would
give us timely warning. Lane advised us to accept- the terms,
promising, if we did so, to bring to us a valuable moneyed play,
and would also furnish the money to take a third interest in the
game. The Major was pleased with the proposal, "because,"
said he, "after taking our money he won't betray us, and the
prospect of making more will induce him to protect us." So we
agreed to try our fortune in Wheeling, and lost no time in look
ing out for a suitable place to set up our bank.
"My room at the hotel is just the thing," said the Major,
bringing down his open palm smartly upon his knee.
"That's so," returned Lane, "and old Griffiths, the landlord, is
94 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
just the man we want to do business with ; he'd walk a mile of
a rainy night, any time, to get a chance to play against faro; be
sides, he'll bring every one with him that's worth having, so I'll
go down and sound the old cock."
Mr. Griffiths, the proprietor of the "United States Hotel,"
was a good-natured, jovial kind of soul ; he was fond of his tod
dies, always ready to attend a cock-fight or a horse-race, or to
play a stack of white checks against a faro-bank, or even to
amuse himself at a small game of poker. But to allow a faro-
bank to be conducted in his own house, the fine for such a little
delinquency being five hundred dollars, was more than the old
gentleman could stomach.
"But don't I tell you I've got the Marshal all right? " argued
Lane, in plea of his suit.
"Have you, though?" exclaimed mine host of the "United
States;" "and I tell you I know Jerry Clemmens, the Marshal, as
you call him, a damn sight better than you do. He's a thief,
Mr. Lane, and all them fellers connected with him are a set of
thieves, the whole kit and bilin' of 'em, as you'll find out to your
sorrow, if you trust any on 'em ! "
Facing the upper end of the steamboat landing, and built
against the steep bank of the river, was a small three -story
brick house. The ground floor of this building was occupied as
a grocery store. The second story, which was unoccupied, had
in front a wooden balustrade, from which a ricketty stairway
descended to the street. The top story was entered by a single
door, from the back street, which wound from the landing to the
top of the hill, against which the house was built, and soon after
lost itself in the main street of the city. When seen from the
rear, it seemed merely a one-story brick house. This top room
was occupied by a drunken tailor, by the name of Morse, who
was, at one time, owner of the best tailoring establishment in
Wheeling; but love of liquor had brought him so low that his
former patrons dared not trust him with cloth sufficient to make
a pair of pantaloons, for fear he would sell it for whiskey. He
managed to live by working during the day at any stray jobs of
mending old clothes, and from what he could collect from small
poker parties, who met by stealth in his room at night. He
would generally keep sober until he had accumulated twenty or
thirty dollars, when he would start on a spree, and keep it up
as long as he had a cent or could run his face for a dram.
WHEELING. 95
It was from this worthy gentleman, then, that we received
permission to set up our game in his house. Ho was just get
ting off one of his customary sprees, flat broke, and glad of the
opportunity to make another raise by renting his room to us
for two dollars a night. Lane, to quiet any fears he might en
tertain of being punished for allowing us to deal faro in his
room, told him, with a significant wink, that there was no dan
ger to be apprehended from the authorities, as he'd fixed them
all right.
" Clemmens, you mean, I know," said Morse, with a shake of the
head. Look out for him, Mr. Lane; he 's as slippery as an eel; I
ain't afeard o' his botherin' me, cos he can't make nothin' outer
me, but he won't do, that's flat," said Mr. Morse, with another
ominous shake of his head. "Rec'lect, Mr. Lane," he continued,
"your friends here is strangers, an' are got money, an' them there
robbers will go for it as quick as a bass will go for a minnow,
if you give 'em half a chance."
"Don't let that bother your head, old fellow; I've arranged all
that," said Lane.
" May be," returned Mr. Morse, " but there's no harm, Mr.
Lane, in just shutting the gate. Look there," he said, pointing
with his finger towards a corner of the floor; "make a trap door,
and a pair of stairs down into the room below ; there ain't no
body livin' there, and from them there balcony stairs you can
make tracks towards the levee, if them peelers took it into their
heads to break in on ye some fine night when there was a lot
here a fightin' the tiger."
"By the Lord!" exclaimed the Major, jumping to his feet,
"you're the only sensible man among us, and your advice, sir, is
too good to be thrown away."
Lane procured a carpenter on whose secrecy he could rely ; he
made the trap and stairs at his shop, and fitted them to their
place, during the night. This part of our arrangements we kept
to ourselves, not deeming it wise to admit our customers into the
secret. Lane had a dealing-table, which we transferred from his
residence to the room, also during the night, and, with the as
sistance of some chairs, candlesticks, and other requisite articles,
we were ready to receive customers. Lane commenced muster ^
ing his players, but they fought very shy for the first two or
three nights. Lane would bring them in and introduce them,
96 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
and the Major would show his hospitality by shoving before
them a bottle and glasses, or porter, if they perferred it, but no
sooner had they swallowed their beverage than they would re
tire precipitately, as if they were afraid the claws of the police
would seize upon them before they could reach the street.
Lane's repeated assurances that there was nothing to fear, as he
had the Marshal all right, finally began to have its weight.
The third evening of our venture, two gentlemen having the
fear of the law less before their eyes than their companions,
bought twenty dollars' worth of checks, and with them tackled
the "tiger." They lost, and almost immediately left the room.
They came again on the following evening, and tried their luck,
which gave confidence to others. From that night the number
of our players gradually increased; even the jovial landlord of the
"United States" so far overcame his fears as to lend us the light
of his countenance, which was a host in our favor, because every
player in the place, whose custom was worth having, would fol
low where old John Griffiths led. Finally our room was filled
every night, with from fifteen to twenty players, all business
men, merchants, stage-agents, steamboat-captains, and the like,
who all had plenty of money, which they bet liberally against
the game. The Major and myself dealt, and frequently did
not make acquaintance with our beds before daylight. Lane
introduced the customers to the game, besides keeping himself
in the good graces of the Marshal, on whom he was careful to
make a quiet call, every morning, and report proceedings.
Every precaution had been taken to keep our business as
secret as possible. Not a light could be seen in our room from
the street. Morse was on duty in the street, with a key, that none
might gain admittance but our known customers, and having a
suspicion, notwithstanding the Marshal's assurance to Lane,
that the Wheeling authorities might not share Mr. Pitt's opinion,
that "the hut of the peasant should be as secure from official in
trusion as the palace of the king," we had caused a strong oaken
bar, held by two heavy iron staples firmly fastened into the door
posts, to be put up. We had also arranged with our worthy
sentinel, Morse, that in case a descent was made upon us, he
should give timely warning, in order that we might make our es
cape by the trap-door. The signal agreed upon was that he
should sing out, loud enough for us to hear, " Whose corn-patch
WHEELING. 97
is to be robbed now ? " This luminous idea emanated from the
prolific brain of the Major, who contended it was an unusual
expression, and less likely to create a misunderstanding than
another. For more than two weeks our game continued with
out any impediment, during which time it won about $2,300.
But everything is uncertain in this world, except death, rent-
day, and board-bills. On the eighteenth night, our gambling
career in Wheeling was brought to an abrupt close.
"'Twas the 'witching hour of night, when churchyards
yawn," etc., and our players were about $500 ahead of the bank,
the first successful assault they had made upon it since we had
opened. Their good fortune rendered them good-natured, and
the four dozen of ale and .porter, together with a gallon of
brandy, which they had hidden away behind their shirts, began
to make them feel comfortable and happy. Among them was
a big burly red-headed Irishman named Dougherty, the only
loser in the party. He was interested in a wholesale liquor store
in the place. His excitable temperament would not allow him
to sit in a chair while at play, like any one else, but kept him
continually walking about the room, now and then reaching
over the heads of the other players to place a bet on the lay
out, or pick one up from it. Whenever his checks gave out,
and he discovered a card which he thought a winner, he would
sing out to me, " Howld where ye're, Jack, a bit, till I bate the
bank;" then he would bid me put " tin dollars in ivory " on his
chosen card, " an' if I lose them, me boy, sure I've the money in
me fist to pay yez," at the same time displaying a gold eagle in
his fingers. Whether from the closeness of the room, the liquor
he had drank, or his losing rather heavily against the bank, the
perspiration rolled in streams from his face, and between watch
ing his bets and swabbing himself with a red bandana hand
kerchief, he had quite enough to keep him pretty well employ
ed. "Howld there, Jack, till I bate ye's." "Yes sir, what can I
do for Mr. Dougherty?" "Ye'll put tin dollars in ivory beyant
the blagard king; it's bate me three times, he has, hand runnin',
bad ln*k till his dirty carcass." I placed the ten dollars' worth
of checks as he had desired, when he said, " By your lave,
master Jack, them checks will engraft themsilves on the black
sivin, and if there isn't a black sivin in the box, the divil other
one it'll take; do ye mind that, master Jack ?" " All right, Mr.
98 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Dougherty," had no sooner passed my lips, than the shrill voice
of Morse was heard, singing out, "Whose corn-patch is to bo
robbed now ? "
"By the Eternal!" exclaimed the Major, "they're going to
break in upon us."
" What's the matter ? Anything wrong ? What's up?" queried
several of the players at once.
" The authorities are at the door, gentlemen," whispered the
Major.
All was now confusion and dismay. Some of the players de
manded money for their checks, while some stuck theirs in their
pockets, as they rose frightened from their seats. I conveyed
what money was in the card-box to my breast-pocket, and had
barely done so when all the lights were extinguished, by whom,
I do not to this day know, but evidently by some of the players.
We now heard a short scuffle at the door, and the raised voice of
Morse crying, "This is my house, and you can't get into it." A
moment's stillness was broken by a smart rapping on the door
with a stick, and a stern voice demanding it to be opened in the
name of the law. "It's the Mayor," whispered one of the play
ers. No response being made to this demand, the same voice
called out in a louder key, "If you don't open the door, I'll
burst it open." "Begorra, ye'd betther not, if ye're wise,"
shouted Dougherty. A heavy surge against the door was the
only response, followed by another, which shook the old tene
ment so that for a moment I thought it was about to tumble
into the river. The strong oaken bar, before mentioned, kept
the door from being broken, but it was evident it would not
stand much further pressure. I had by this time gathered up
the faro tools, and, with the assistance of the Major, had placed
them in the valise. I then whispered in his ear, " The trap -door !
be quick!" He squeezed my arm, and I moved forward, or
rather groped my way, the Major holding by my arm till we
reached the desired spot. I brushed from it the rubbish of old
clothing belonging to Morse, under which it was hidden, and
raised the trap. I made the Major descend first, and passed
him the valise ; I then made the best of my way down myself. I
had scarcely placed my foot upon the second step of the narrow
staircase, when the powerful voice of Dougherty sounded on my
ear, calling to those battering at the door, in stentorian tones,
WHEELING. 99
"If ye's break down that dure, I'll murther ivery mother's son
o' ye's." They heeded him not, but with renewed energy, as it
seemed, continued surging against it with their united' strength,
the door now evidently showing signs of giving way. " Let's
fight the d d sons of b s," cried a voice which I recognized as
belonging to an agent for one of the stage lines. "What the
divil else would we do but fight 'em, blood an' ouns yes, and
bate 'em too," responded Dougherty. His voice seemed to have
the effect of a slogan; every one of the besieged appeared to re
spond to it. The rattling of the bottles piled near the door in
formed me that they were preparing to give their assailants a
warm reception. They had barely time to seize them, when the
door came in with a crash, carrying with it two of its besiegers.
These escaped the worse fate of many of their companions, who
were received with such a volley of bottles as sent numbers of
them "to grass," not to "come up to time" again that night,
either. The defenders of the citadel charged upon such of the
assailants as remained, after they had expended their bottles,
with such force and energy that the Mayor and his satellites
were all ignorniniously routed, or placed "hors du combat."
While watching the short struggle by the dim light which shone
in through the broken-down door, I lost all sense of my situa
tion. I listened to the powerful voice of Dougherty cheering on
his friends, and could see his burly form as he "waded into" his
foes, knocking them right and left. The attack was so sudden
and unexpected, that the Mayor and his party were whipped
before they had time to make hardly a show of resistance. The
Major had made his way to the balcony, which overlooked the
river, where he waited for a few moments, expecting momenta
rily that I would join him. All this time I had been standing on
the second step of the staircase, but was now brought to my
senses by the Major's grip on my arm, and his voice in my ear
saying, "What the h 1 is keeping you?" and made conscious
that I was loitering away time, which was precious. In a few
moments we were both standing on the levee, where Morse
came to us. During the row, he had escaped from his captors,
and knowing we would make our exit by the trap-door, had
come to meet us. He hurried us along up the bank of the river
about four hundred yards, to a small cabin, where the ferry
man slept. Morse roused him, and, after explaining our wants,
100 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the ferryman agreed to put us across the river in a skiff for a
dollar.
''You'd better come with us, Morse," I whispered, so the
ferryman should not hear. "Why ? " he asked.
" Won't they put you in jail, if they catch you?"
" Not they," said he, laughing. "Want me? No, indeed! Them
thieves want money, and they know I ain't got any. They want
you and the old man here, that's what they want, and my best
advice to you is to get across that there river in double-quick,
and don't stop, neither, short o' Bridgeport, 'cause if they find out
which road you've took, they'll be arter you like a thousand o'
brick.
We had been paying him his rent nightly ; consequently wo
owed him but for the present night. I gave him three ten dol
lar gold pieces, which he received with many thanks, and after
the Major had told him to inform Lane that we should expect
to see him at the hotel at Bridgeport, as soon as he could make
it convenient on the morrow, he shook us warmly by the hand
and left us.
When the ferryman had set us on the island, as agreed upon,
we had to walk about a mile in order to reach the ferry on the
opposite side, and also carry the valise containing the faro-tools,
which got pretty heavy before we reached the end of it. During
our tramp across the island, I tried several times to draw the
Major into conversation, with but scant success. Our night's ad
ventures, with the tramp for the finale, had completely exhaust
ed him. When we finally reached the opposite side, we spent
what remaining strength we had, bawling for the ferryman to
come and take us over. His boat was on the opposite shore,
and he, no doubt, snug in bed and fast asleep, for no one came
to our relief. It was now near three o'clock, and we had no
choice but to remain where we were until daybreak. The
Major apparently took matters very coolly, for I could not get a
word out of him, which at that time made his companionship
anything but agreeable. I finally succeeded in forcing a little
animation into him by making an onslaught on the inhabitants
of his native State. "Nice way this, Major, your high-toned
Virginians have of treating faro-dealers."
"Damn it, sir, don't call them infernal thieves over there, Vir
ginians. Virginians are gentlemen, and know how to treat
strangers with courtesy, sir!"
WHEELING. 101
" Well, Major, if Wheeling isn't in Virginia, I'll have to travel
over my geography again."
" Pan-handle, sir ! Virginians have never acknowledged the
damned abolition dog-hole as any part of their State, and I wish
an earthquake would swallow the cursed place up, and not leave
a vestige of the infernal race of rattlesnakes that inhabit it, to
show that it ever existed. " With this volley went what strength
remained after the fatigues and vexations of the night, and the
copious drinks of liquor he had imbibed, and, too tired even to
swear, the irate Major stretched himself on the grass, with his
head resting on his valise, and balmy sleep soon relieved him
from his present troubles.
Not so with me. For nearly three weary hours did I pace
backward and forward along the banks of the river, breaking
the monotony, at times, by stopping to pitch a stone into it, or
pausing in my sentinel stride to listen intently whenever any of
the thousand and one " voices of the night" made me imagine I
could hear the footsteps or voices of men, or the clattering hoofs
of the horses of our pursuers. It was long after daybreak when
the ferry-boat at last took us over to Bridgeport, a small place,
containing about thirty houses, and among them a small tavern,
where we got some breakfast, and afterwards beds, into which
we tumbled, and slept till two o'clock in the day. Lane arrived
about two hours later, and from him we learned that no arrests
had been made, up to the time when he left Wheeling. "Nor,"
he continued, "do I believe there will be any; the Mayor, nor
any of his party, were able to recognize a single one of your
players, and I understand the Mayor is laid up from a smash
of a bottle he got over the eyes, and many others are dreadfully
cut up. The affair was creating considerable amusement in
Wheeling, at the expense of the authorities," who, he added,
" have few sympathizers, the verdict of almost every one being,
"Served them exactly right." The first intimation I had of the
row, was being knocked up out of my sleep, by Morse, who told
me of the fight, and your escape; I was afraid to venture near
the room, lest some of the police might be prowling near the
spot, and grab me. So I gave Morse a bed, and waited till I had
daylight for it, then went down to the room. There wasn't a
soul there, nor near there. The door was smashed in, and
broken bottles, chairs, and candlesticks, together with other
102 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
debris, were scattered in confusion about the place, showing
plainly that some hot work had taken place there. I set up
the broken door and closed the trap, which you had left open,
and went home again. After breakfast, I made it my first
business to call upon the Marshal, at his house, and demand an
explanation. He pretended to be much astonished, and declared
this was the very first he had heard of it. He went on to state
that the evening before, business had called him to Wellsburg (a
place about eight miles above, on the river), where he was unex
pectedly detained, and did not arrive at home until two o'clock
in the morning. He then asked me to come back at noon, say
ing by that time he should have succeeded in getting all the
particulars relating to the affair, and would let me know all
about it ; at the same time expressing great concern, and asking
me where you were. I told him I didn't know, and I waited
anxiously enough for noon to come, because I did not want to
come over here until I could bring you all the news I could collect
in relation to the matter. In the meantime I saw old Griffiths,
and some others of our customers, and have ascertained that
none of them are hurt; nor do they feel the least uneasy
regarding the affair. Griffiths said several had checks, which
must be redeemed, and I told him to get them all together, and
I would pay him the money for them. He promised to do so."
" That's right," said the Major.
"At twelve, precisely," continued Lane, "I was again at the
Marshal's house. He pretended to be in a great rage with the
Mayor, who, he told me, had purposely sent him to Wellsburg, on
a trumped-up errand, that he might get a chance to arrest you in
his absence. ' But I'll get even with him for interfering with my
duty, the old villain,' fumed Clemmens, shaking his fist. ' I'm
damn glad he's got licked, instead of grabbing your friends, that
I am, Mr. Lane. But he's a mighty bitter old fellow, a bitter
pill, when he gets started, I tell you ; so tell your friends to fight
shy for a few days till this business blows over, and he won't love
you any better for it ; so keep your eye skinned for him, Mr. Lane.'
I thanked him for his advice," said Lane, " but told him I had no
idea where you were, but if I found out, should not fail to post you
up. After skirmishing around some time longer, he inquired how
much the game had won. I told him, but he knew almost as
well as myself; he was always asking me the same question,
"WHEELING. 103
every time we met. He then demanded his five per cent. I told
him you had the money, and were gone. ' That's got nothing
to do with me ; I look to you, Lane, for my money/ he replied.
'If that's the case,' I rejoined, ' you'll look for what you won't
find; for I tell you plainly that I won't give you a cent. You
have no right to it ; you did not protect my friends as you
promised.' 'I did, as long as I could, Mr. Lane, and you're
not going to cheat me out of my money/ he cried, in his most
domineering manner. ' Not a cent will you get from me/ 1 re
plied, ' no, not if 'twas to save your 1 life, Mr. Clemmens ; because
I believe this whole affair was a put-up job between you and the
Mayor, to rob my friends.'
" 'You say that to cover your own rascality with me ; but you
give me my money/ he cried, shaking his finger in my face, 'or
I'll make this town so damned hot for you, that 'twont hold you.'"
" You should have killed the damn scoundrel on the spot,"
said the Major, excitedly.
"I don't think, Major," said Lane, smiling, "that that would
have improved matters much, in my case, but I think I did
better : I just told him, point blank, that I didn't believe a word
of his Wellsburg story, neither did I believe the Mayor would
have dared to make a descent on us, without his knowledge and
consent that I was satisfied that 'twas all a put-up job. ' Now,
Mr. Clemmens/ I said, 'you've been good enough to say you'll
make this town too hot to hold me. I'm glad you've warned me;
I'll do the same little favor for you. When the grand jury
meets the first of next month, I'll go before it and swear that I
gave you one hundred dollars as a bribe, to allow a faro bank
to be played in the place.'
"You had him there, Lane, where his hair was short," said the
Major.
"He thought so himself, I reckon," replied Lane, "for he
wilted immediately, and insisted that he didn't mean anything
when he said he'd make the town too hot for me, and swore to
me black and blue that my suspicion of his having any know
ledge of the Mayor's intentions to arrest you was all wrong, and
finally promised to have the whole thing hushed up, and asked
me to come and see him again to-night or in the morning."
''Morse always said V, was a thief, and would betray us when
ever it was for his inte* ost to do so, and he spoke like a prophet,"
said the Major.
104 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
"He deceived me," said Lane; "I see it all now. He was
afraid you'd be missing some fine morning, knowing that's what
he'd do himself, and the temptation to rob you while he could
was too much for him. You had too much money, ' that's what's
the matter,' so he just put up the job that the Mayor should ar
rest you, while he kept out of the way, to blind me. They thought
they could squeeze ten or fifteen hundred dollars out of you, at
least a big prize for them."
"By the Eternal! they caught the prize; but 'twas a Scotch
one," laughed the Major; "but you must hunt up our friends and
redeem their checks I'll give you the money to do so and bring
over our baggage from the hotel, and settle our bills. Do it to
day, because I want to leave this place to-morrow." Then a new
crotchet seized the Major's brain. Overjoyed at the result of our
intended capture, he wanted Lane to invite all our players to
come over, and he would give them a dinner. He ordered him
to bring a couple of gallons of the best brandy he could find,
together with two baskets of champagne. " Bring old Griffiths;
he's a full team, by the Lord ! and don't forget Dougherty, Lane ;
he's the only Irishman I ever liked; and we'll make a jolly night
of it, for I'm in the humor, and feel like a young colt."
But Lane, after much argument, dissuaded the Major from his
hospitable intentions, representing to him their impropriety.
" Those gentlemen, Major, don't want to come all the way over
here to eat a dinner at a one-horse country tavern, where they
can get nothing fit to eat anyhow ; and besides, consider, they
want, of course, to keep as quiet as possible just now, in conse
quence of this affair. If they are not already known to the
authorities, their coming over here to feast with you would spot
every one of them out at once, because Clemmeus and the rest
would be sure to hear of it. Never mind the dinner ; save your
money, Major; you'll feel all the better after it to-morrow morning.
There's a boat expected down in the morning, and I'll have your
luggage over in good time, and my team to take you to Bellaire,
where you can get aboard of her." The Major reluctantly yielded
to the advice of Lane, who shortly left us for the night.
On the following day, a little after noon, Lane made his ap
pearance in a carriage, bringing our baggage; we entered it and
were driven to Bellaire. a town about four miles further down
the river. The expected steamer had not been heard from when
WHEELING. 105
Lane left Wheeling. From him we learned the important facts
that Morse was on a spree and that no arrests had been made
of parties engaged in our affair, nor were any likely to be made.
The Marshal had said there would be none, and had apologized
for his rough language to Lane.
"Look out for him, Mr. Lane," I said; " he's only waiting to
get a good tight grip on you."
" I've nothing to fear from him, Jack, and if he ever fools me
again 'tis my own fault. However, I'm going to leave the place;
I'm going to Richmond to live."
" That's the talk !" cried the Major. " I'm glad to see you've got
some wisdom at last. But when are you going to start ? Will
you take your family with you ?"
"Yes, sir, I shall; and all that now detains me is some busi
ness matters, which it will take about a month to arrange satis
factorily j then I'm off for Richmond."
" I'm glad to hear you say so that's the place !" cried the Major,
enthusiastically, "the paradise of the world! The only spot on
earth fit for a gentleman to live in ! and when I meet you there,
sir, I'll extend the right hand of fellowship to you, sir, as I've
always done !"
"Thank you, Major; shall I see Jack there with you f"
" Certainly, sir! Why do you ask such a foolish question ? Jack
leave his guide, companion, tutor, friend ? No, sir; we're going to
open a gambling-house in Richmond, and shall expect you to drop
in upon us when you arrive."
Lane promised to do so. He remained with us till near sun
down, when the anxiously expected boat having put in an appear
ance, we took our farewell of him and got on board. Early the
next morning the steamer touched at Marietta; but the Major
and myself confined ourselves strictly to our berths, until she had
started again on her journey. In the evening we reached Par-
kersburg, where we landed, and took up our quarters at the only
hotel in the place for the night.
106 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XII.
"ON TO RICHMOND."
Richmond, a name made famous forever, when the Welsh
Earl who bore it plucked the crown of England from the head
of the tyrant Richard on Bosworth Field. How revered has
that name been by Englishmen ; with it they have christened
towns, streets, terraces, ships, villas, and palaces ; and then, as
if afraid that some fearful calamity might destroy every vestige
of it in their own beautiful isle, they transplanted it to tu^ new-
world just waking into life, and bestowed it on that spot o;: the
James River, which, for more than two hundred years, was the
headquarters of a barbarous and disgraceful traffic the illustri
ous mart of slavery; the Mecca of slave-dealers ; the stronghold
of the Confederacy ; renowned for one of the most remarkable
sieges in the annals of butchery.
" Mr. President, will you favor one of my friends with a pass
to Richmond ? " requested a grave senator.
"It's useless, sir; I've already given passes to 200,000 men to
go to Richmond, and they haven't got there yet," replied the
witty Lincoln.
The Major and myself did not encounter so many difficulties,
however, as Mr. Lincoln's 200,000 soldiers. Traveling in the
slow coaches of the period, we managed to reach there on the
third day after leaving. Parkersburgh. It was the middle of July
when we entered the place, and the busiest season there was
just commencing. The slave-traders were arriving from the Cot
ton States to purchase their human chattels, and the tobacco
merchants were busy preparing for their fall business. The
city was full of strangers with plethoric purses, a fair share of
whom had no sort of objection to while away a leisure hour in a
combat with the "tiger."
The Major purchased an interest in a suite of handsomely fur
nished gambling-rooms in a desirable location, for which he paid
$1,100. The gentleman of whom we bought retained a third
interest hi them. We entertained our customers with suppers,
which were served every night at eleven o'clock, and also fur
nished them, gratuitously, with liquors and cigars. In the course
ON TO RICHMOND. 107
of a few weeks we had the satisfaction of knowing that we were
doing as prosperous a business in our line as any house in the
city. Mr. Wilson was as popular with the sporting fraternity of
Richmond as any gambling-house keeper in the city, and de
servedly so. He was a plain, unassuming man, kind and oblig
ing, of polished manners and easy address. It was his boast
that he had not an enemy in the world. He was about fifty years
of age and the father of a grown-up family, and had lived in
Richmond nearly all his life. The Major was also a well-known
character in Richmond, and an exceedingly popular one among
the card-playing portion of the city ; so much so, indeed, that he
could easily have obtained an interest in any of the popular
gambling-houses of the place, and had he located himself per
manently there, could, without doubt, have amassed a fortune.
But his rambling proclivities would not permit him to do so. Six
mouths or a year was the utmost the Major could bo induced to
confine himself to any one place. But wherever he went he made
valuable acquaintances, especially among the gambling fraterni
ty, and there was no faro-dealer in Richmond who had the same
influence among the negro-traders that the Major possessed.
Numbers of these constantly filled the city, and were by far the
best customers to the faro games. From August to November
they were incessantly going and coming ; and in the evenings our
rooms were thronged with them. They made their headquarters
at the gambling-rooms, made appointments to meet their friends
there, and, being generally loaded with money, would play liber
ally against the faro-bank ; while but in few cases would one
win $500 at one sitting, many of them, during a sitting of bad
luck, would lose from $1,000 to $5,000, some having lost as high
as $20,000 in a single night. With all their bad qualities, I never
knew a negro-trader to sue for money lost at gambling ; but
generally speaking it was not safe to gamble with any of them
on a credit. No class in the South derived greater profits from
their investments than the negro-trader, and none were held in
greater abhorrence. In the more northern Slave States their ad
vent on a farm was a source of unbounded terror and dismay to
the blacks, to whom " to fall into the hands of the trader, to be
sold down South," was their greatest fear; a threat to that
effect generally having the power to reduce the most obdurate
at once. Should business call them to a farm-house, the hospi-
108 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
talities of the place were not extended to them. The hand of
friendship, except among those of their own ilk, never touched
theirs ; and brutalized as they were by their horrid traffic, and
callous as they became from the cruelties attending upon it, they
still retained a keen sense of their degradation. The slave-
breeders of the Border States, after bartering with them his hu
man flesh for their gold, would feel his reputation endangered if
he recognized them socially in public. The lordly planter,
whose laborers were supplied to him by the trader, would com
municate with him only through his factor, and would have
considered himself lowered if even seen in conversation with him.
This social ostracism had the tendency to make them hate then:
own species; and their great object in life was to speedly make
a fortune hi their nefarious traffic, and withdraw from it as soon
as possible, hoping their wealth would cover their former sins,
and give them a respectable position in society. In manners,
habits, and education, they were but very little farther advanced
than the most ignorant blacks they bought and sold. Most of
them had begun life as overseers on small plantations, at salaries
varying from $500 to $2,000 per annum, according to the value
of the place on which they were employed, or the duties entrust
ed to them. If they ever possessed a spark of humanity or
decency, their slave-whipping profession in a few years com
pletely quenched it, and they learned and retained through
life the low, mean cunning which characterizes the negro slaves
under their charge. They obtained a knowledge, from the
nature of their business, of the qualities of negroes : what amount
of labor they could perform, and for what kinds they were most
suitable; also the amount of labor requisite yearly on the various
plantations, or the towns and cities adjacent to where they lived.
They also made themselves acquainted with the chances which
might arise regarding the rise and fall of slave property. From
buying a single slave and selling at a profit, they would, step by
step, increase their gains, until they had accumulated a suffi
cient fund to justify them in throwing up their situation as over
seer and start out on their own hook as a buyer and seller of
human beings. They would then invest money ; purchasing in
with the owner of some slave-pen, or possibly gain the confidence
of some capitalist, whose thin-skinned scruples would not permit
him to be publicly engaged in such a traffic. They then opened
ON TO RICHMOND. 109
a slave-pen of their own. To furnish these with an assortment
of slaves suitable for their neighborhood, they visited the great
slave mart of Richmond each summer and fall, that being sup
plied by the slave-breeders of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware,
eastern Tennessee, and Kentucky.
It was the custom of these negro-traders, whenever they
bought a new slave, to administer to him, as soon as convenient,
a dose of seventy-five or a hundred strokes of a paddle. This
instrument was shaped similarly to the bats used by school
boys in playing ball, and about the same size. It was made of
tough oak wood, and was about two inches in thickness, being
bored all over with small gimlet holes. The object of this last
being, that when the air was expelled through these holes it
would draw the flesh up, causing a sharp stinging sensation.
Sometimes a rawhide was substituted. When the victim had
partially recovered from this, he was lashed up again, and given
another flogging. The object of this cruelty being to give him
a "healthy scare," as it was termed; or, in plainer English, pre
pare him for his future discipline. " Indulge a nigger at the
start," they argued astutely, and he'll take advantage of your
kindness, shuah ! He'll think he can lie and steal with impu
nity, and when you're compelled to whip him for his dirty tricks,
sir, he'll cut away from you the very first chance he gets ; then
you've got to keep on whipping him, just as long's you own him.
Spoils the sale of him, too. Nobody wants to buy a run- away
nigger! But if you give him a "healthy scare" to begin with,
you'll have no trouble afterwards. This inhuman policy was
literally carried out in nearly every slave-pen throughout the
South. The slaves, while there, were well fed and well clothed,
without being compelled to work, in order to make them look
sleek, and sell well, but were lashed unmercifully in order to
make their prison a hell to them which they could only escape
by getting a new master. Therefore, whenever a customer en
tered the pen, these unfortunates, being drawn up in line for
inspection, would cry out, " Buy me, masser ; I'se wants to lib
wid ye;" or, "I'se a good hand for dat ar' work, massa," at the
same time furtively watching the eye of the negro-trader, to see
whether their actions were approved by him. The most misera
ble period of a slave's existence was when he was left to the
tender mercies of the trader.
110 -WAXDERIXGS OP A VAGABOND.
While in Richmond I frequently attended sales of slaves,
when would be congregated swarms of traders from the Cotton
States. The despairing faces and heart-rending cries of the
poor wretches, huddled about the auctioneer's stand, as the de
scent of the hammer tore asunder wives and husbands, parents
and children, found no throb of sympathy in the breasts of
these inhuman fiends. I cannot recollect ever hearing one of
them offer a single kind word, or even ask a question in a kind
tone, of a slave under the hammer of the auctioneer, or do the
smallest kindness in any way whatever; on the contrary, they
would rattle off volleys of rude jokes, and obscene and scurrilous
expressions, at the expense of the poor wretches, who had no
power to prevent them from doing what they would.
One day a beautiful quadroon girl of eighteen or nineteen
was placed on the block to be sold ; her appearance created a
decide sensation. She had been torn from her home by the
sheriff and put under the auctioneer's hammer, to satisfy the
vreditors of her deceased master and father. The girl was in
agony. Evidently tenderly raised, the tears of shame and morti
fication coursed down her cheeks, while she tried to shrink
away from the lascivious looks and scurrilous remarks of the
traders standing about every now and then one more bold
than the rest, reaching forth his hand to take hold of hers, her
arms, or even her limbs, ostensibly to ascertain if the article on
sale was perfect in wind and limb. At these she would dart an
indignant glance and get farther back behind the auctioneer,
her beautiful face crimson.
"Gentlemen," cried the auctioneer, striking with his mallet
on his desk, to command attention, "we shall now offer you a
rare bargain in the ' girl ' Alice. She is eighteen years of age,
and warranted sound, physically and mentally. She understands
reading, writing, geography and arithmetic, and also all the
duties of housekeeping. She can also play the piano beau
tifully."
" Christ !" roared one of the bystanders, "are we expected to
buy all that ar' larnin' an' music, 'long with the gal? "
"She'll swing high for a mistress for some o' them 'parley
vous ' down there in New Orleans ! " said another.
"Can't ye take her in, Dodds?" queried a diminutive swarthy-
faced dealer from Georgia.
Oil TO RICHMOND. Ill
" Too much on the weepin' wilier order for my cash," respond
ed the corpulent individual with a bloated face addressed as
Dodd.
"A couple o' dozen with a rawhide '11 damn soon fetch that
ar' all right, and bring her into the traces, and I'm just the man
to do it," responded another voice from the crowd.
"You've hit it there Gibbs, 'cos she ain't never had the skin
cracked on her yet," sung out another worthy.
But the bidding for Alice now becoming very spirited, all tho
traders bidding, she ascended rapidly in price, from four hundred
dollars to eleven hundred. Dodd, of the bloated frontispiece, who
was from New Orleans, had the call. I had become much inter
ested in the girl. Her modest demeanor and her uncontrollable
distress so affected me that I resolved that, sooner than fall
into the hands of those brutes, I would bid fifteen hundred for
her, and send her to my foster-mother, should I be so fortu
nate as to have her knocked down to me. Happily, I was re
lieved of such a burden, and enabled to save my money, to say
nothing of escaping from the ridiculous position in which such a
course would have placed me, by having my motives falsely
construed. A new competitor now appeared on the scene, and
commenced to contest the prize vigorously with the slave-deal
ers. He was a merchant of well-known respectability, who was
influenced by some of her late father's friends to secure her.
The trader who was now certain of his prey had just bidden
$1,250, when the merchant put in his bid of $1,300, and was
declared the owner of Alice; a remarkably heavy sum for a
slave to fetch in those days.
The gambling-rooms of Richmond, as I said before, were the
peculiar " stamping-ground" of these gentry, during their leisure
hours. The excitement attendant upon seeing and participat
ing in the games helped to while away some of those weary
hours which hung so heavily on their hands from the time bus
iness closed for them until it was time for them to seek their
several virtuous couches. They were our principal customers,
and our best ones.
Lane arrived in Eichmond a few weeks after us, and was
given an interest in the bank. He and I did the dealing prin
cipally, assisted at intervals, if we desired, by Mr. Wilson or
the Major. These latter gentlemen attended to the entertainment
of our guests, and to the management of the business in general.
112 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
From the beginning of the month of August, up to the close of
the race meeting in the middle of November, Lane and myself
were kept at unremitting work, with not a moment to spare.
During the race week, which was our busiest time, the Major
did not come near the room, but devoted his tune and attention
solely to the turf and turfmen. Horse-racing was a weakness
of the Major's; he was posted up in the pedigree of every
thoroughbred horse which had made his mark on the turf in his
time, and particularly acquainted with every great race that had
been run in the country since the time when Eclipse and Henry
contended for the honors of the turf on Long Island. Such
noted turfmen as Col. Wm. R. Johnson, Mr. John C. Stevens,
John Crowell, and others of that ilk, were deities in the eyes of
the Major. And he would sooner have received a nod of re
cognition from one of them than from the "Hemperor of hall the
Rooshias," had he been standing before him, on his own icy soil.
The Major backed what he supposed to be the winning horse,
on every available occasion ; but, like many another of his pro
fession, generally came to grief, and left the course a sadder, if
not a wiser man.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE HORSE.
Many philosophers groping far down into the mists of time,
for the origin of the horse, would have us believe the earth
was replenished with horses, as it was repopulated with men,
from those which were saved in the ark commanded by Captain
Noah ; and as the Captain discharged his cargo somewhere hi
the region of Mesopotamia, and near the head-waters of the
Tigris and Euphrates, they insist, with their usual pertinacity,
that frotQ that country emanated the equine breed, whose de
scendants are found at the present day on nearly every part of
the known globe. These learned sages have based their opin
ions entirely on biblical authority, which informs us that when
Joseph, of the "coat of many colors," splurged it so extensively
in that sacred land of cats and onions, that the horse was well-
known in Egypt. "We are also informed, by the way, that the n't-
THE HOESE. 113
tie game of "cornering," so frequently practiced in Wall street,
was well-known to the pious Joseph. He "cornered" all the
corn in the country, and compelled the starving inhabitants to
exchange for it their flocks and herds and houses and lands.
Holy writ also makes us acquainted with the fact that, long after
the death of Joseph, his countrymen were driven into the Bed
Sea by the Egyptian cavalry, and that by this speculation Egypt
lost many men as well as horses.
That warbling maniac, Habakkuk, informs us that the Chal
deans had horses swifter than leopards and fiercer than even
ing wolves, leaving us to infer that leopards were, in the time
of that prophet, exceedingly swift of foot, and that evening
wolves were more fierce than morning animals of that species.
We are not compelled by any means to rely solely on the
Bible for evidence of the antiquity of the horse. The sculptures
excavated from the ruins of Assyria, Persia, and Egypt, many of
which represent, in bas relief, those animals engaged in the chase,
in labor, and in battle, inform us that the equine breed have
been the friends and companions of men in those countries as far
back as their annals extend. Herodotus and Zenophon de
scribed the fine qualities, and mention the abundance of horses
possessed by the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians. The
Greeks inform us they received the horse from the Egyptians, but
do not mention at what period. Perhaps they were unable to
do so. Homer speaks of horses being used at the siege of Troy,
but the bard places them in front of chariots, never under the
saddle. The Greeks, contend that the Romans owe the horse to
them; that they introduced it among them, and taught them
how to ride it. If so, the Romans proved themselves worthy of
the gift, for in horsemanship they were second to none. The
Carthagenians, we are told, brought horses into Spain and Sicily,
from whence they could easily be dispersed through Western
Europe.
Stubborn people exist, who believe, contrary to the received
orthodox opinion, that the horse was originally a native of
Europe, and also that portion of Asia which lies east of the
Ural Mountain chain. These cavilers contend that horses were
imported at various times into Europe, by the Celts, Saxons,
Teutons. Cimbri and Huns, who migrated from the great steppes
of Asia, a region abounding in horses. These, passing into Eu-
114 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
rope, took with them their shaggy and robust little horses, and
in time, these receiving better care, the more stimulating climate
of the North, together with frequent crossing on the native
breeds, produced a larger, more powerful, and in every way
superior animal.
They think, also, that the countries lying west and south of
the Caspian Sea also principally derived their horses from the
great central plateau of Asia. It is claimed that a trade of this
sort existed many years before the Christian era, and that horses
were brought, by the way of the Caspian Sea, west ; and from
thence into Persia, Assyria, Egypt, and Greece, and, by amal
gamation with the native breeds, became light, graceful, and
spirited.
As I know little or nothing about these matters, I shall dis
pute none of these things, but leave those interested to squabble
it out amongst themselves. Authentic history asserts that the
Celtic, Belgic, German, and British tribes were well supplied
with horses at the invasion of Julius Caesar. The Romans also
tell us that those German and Scandinavian tribes who wor
shiped "Woden," raised on their "sacred reservations" a breed
of white horses which were sacrificed to their gods.
From Spam have come finer breeds of horses than any other
country in Europe. In the days of Carthage they obtained the
Numidian breed abundantly, and during the long sojourn of the
Moors in the country, they imported and cultivated the Arab
breed. Between the ninth and tenth centuries this latter cele
brated breed was cultivated under the Caliphs, and rendered
thereby more perfect, in speed, beauty, and endurance, than
any other known breed. This was accomplished by carefully
culling out the most superior mares and stallions for breeding
purposes, adding to this the careful rearing and training of
colts, and not permitting them to labor except under the saddle.
It is more than probable that no nation could have succeeded so
well as did the Arabs. They loved their horses ; they were their
companions, and none understood their natures more thoroughly ;
yet it took them nearly a century and a half to bring him to his
highest perfection. During the wars of the Crusades, these light
and graceful steeds often carried their Saracen masters beyond
the reach of danger, when their lives would else have paid the
penalty. When stricken from the saddle, amid the strife and car-
THE HORSE. 115
nage of battle, the generous beast would not desert his master,
but would remain until consciousness returned, and he feebly
crawled into his saddle, when the good horse, with the speed of
the wind, would carry him away to a place of safety. They were,
however, unable to stand the shock of battle with the heavy
beasts which bore the English knights, fiven when they out
numbered them ten to one.
The returning Crusaders brought with them many of these
beautiful steeds to Europe, to cross on their own breeds, and which,
no doubt, laid the foundation for those superior animals which
are raised there at the present day. Ever since the horse has
been subjected to the will of man, and taught to do his bidding,
it is probable that he has made his speed to minister to his pas
time, trials of speed having been popular from their earliest ac
quaintance with the animal, and having outlasted all amusements
then popular, except the chase or athletic sports. Horse-racing
was a regular part of the pastimes of the Greeks and Romans,
and at the Olympic games purses were given to winning horses ;
but what these people chiefly delighted in was chariot-racing, of
which numberless accounts are extant. We have, however, no
direct proof that these nations paid any attention to improving
the speed of their horses. Though Herodotus tells us horses
were plentiful among the Assyrians, Medes, Persians, and Egyp
tians, yet we do not need his assurance of that fact, for we see
them plentifully displayed at the present time, on the monuments
and other sculptures excavated from their ruined cities. Why is
it not more than probable that horse-racing was one of their
amusements ?
The Greeks and Romans considered the Persians the best
horsemen in the world, and if we are to believe them, every man
in that vast empire rode on horseback. Luckily, we are not
compelled to swallow everything they have handed down to us.
It is, however, highly reasonable to suppose that, among nations
where horses were so plentiful, racing would be a popular amuse
ment. No record is handed down to that effect, and we have as
much warrant to opine that the different Tartar tribes inhabiting
Central Asia and Europe, and who at times swept over these
countries under Attila, Arphad, or Tenghis Kahn, and Tamer
lane, also amused themselves with horse-racing, as well as murder
ing and pillaging. These freebooters were always on horse-
116 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
back, and it is presumable the rights of property were frequently
tested by the speed of their horses. But let us leave speculation,
and come to facts. Arabia may be considered the native country
of the horse, and the place where he has been brought to the
greatest perfection. ^No other horses have ever equaled these,
for symmetry of form, firmness of skin, fire, docility of temper,
fleetness and endurance ; and it has been chiefly by crossing the
breeds of other countries with those of Arabia, that the stock has
been improved. Strabo, who lived about the beginning of the
Christian era, asserted that horses were at that time unknown in
that country a thing rather difficult to believe for the Arabs
were a marauding and daring race, whose robberies constantly
exposed them to retaliation from hostile armies, and it seems more
than likely that the neighboring nations of Egypt, Syria, and
Persia, abounding in horses, they would have at least captured
some from their enemies, if they obtained them in no other way.
At whatever period the horse may have fallen into the possession
of the Arab, he has never fallen into kinder or more fostering
hands. Every pains was taken to improve his looks, speed,
strength, and endurance, and many of the owners of horses among
the Arabs know the pedigree of certain of their animals far back
for several centuries. Arabia was also the first country on the
globe where the cultivation of speed was encouraged, and prizes
given for horses to compete for, and which was really the founda
tion of our present system of turf- racing.
China, which contains about one-third of the population of the
globe, and whose inhabitants are the most inveterate gamesters
hi the world, know nothing, comparatively speaking, about horse-
racing. In the north of China the Tartar breed of horses exists,
and answer tolerably for the labors of the field, and under the
saddle; but their speed is very indifferent, and seldom put to the
test. John Chinaman prefers to lose his money at cards, dice,
chess, draughts, "tse-mei," a game similar to the Italian "morra,"
than on the speed of horse-flesh He is inordinately fond of
cock-fighting, as well as combats between crickets, grasshoppers,
etc. In Southern China horses are very scarce, and are not even
used for traveling or rural labor. The government employs them,
and has relays at certain distances throughout the empire, to
transport their mails and government officials. These horses
are also procured from Tartary. They are unable to endure the
THE HORSE. 117
heat of the south more than a few years, when they lose their
strength and become completely unserviceable. The great rivers
and lakes, together with their numerous canals, in a great
measure relieve the Chinese from the necessity for the services
of the noblest of the brute creation.
KACERS.
It is to England that we are indebted for race horses, and our
present system of racing. Fine breeds from Spain and Arabia
have been imported into that country during the last four
centuries. Persia and the Barbary States have also yielded
their best mares and horses, which were brought to England to
improve the native stock by amalgamation. During the days of
chivalry, speed was not required ; strength only was sought for :
to carry the rider and his ponderous harness of mail. By the
time the Tudors ceased to reign over England, the hereditary
land-owners had recovered from the effects of the cruel and de
vastating wars of the Plantaganets ; and the chase, which had
for a long time fallen into disuse, was revived. They vied with
each other in cultivating the qualities of speed and endurance
in their hunters. A new era was opened for the horse : speed
and beauty were required in him, to render him suitable to
minister to the amusements of the people. In the reign of James
I. we find that several private matches were run for heavy
wagers ; the owners of the horses acting as their own jockeys.
This kind of sporting rapidly increased in favor with the public.
In the reign of Charles I., race-courses were built at Newmarket
and at Hyde Park. It was during his reign that the custom
was established of running for cups, instead of money, a
precedent which has been followed up to the present day.
During the reign of Charles II., the sports of the turf were en
couraged, and became national. The Godolphin Arabian was
imported in the reign of George II. This world-wide celebrity
was the ancestor of some of the best thorough-bred racers the
world has ever produced ; and those who are learned in horse
flesh are of the opinion that there has never existed a trotter,
worthy of the name, who was not a descendant of the Godolphin
Arabian. It is said this noble animal was a present from the
Emperor of Morocco to Louis XIV., and, after the death of that
118 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
monarch, fell into the hands of the English ; but there are many
conflicting opinions on the subject.
It was also during the reign of the second George that the
celebrated Flying Childers made his appearance ; the best race
horse England ever had, and perhaps the best the world ever
saw. He was never beaten, and at Newmarket ran three miles, .
six furlongs, and ninety-six yards, in six minutes and four
seconds.
About the same time saw the celebrated English Eclipse.
This remarkable horse won for his owner over $100,000, and
was the progenitor of 334 winners of the turf. All nations seek
ing the "thorough-bred" racer which means, in English par
lance, one whose pedigree can be traced, without a stain, for eight
generations, ending with horses of eastern origin the Godolphin
Arabian, Byerly Turk, or the Darby Arabian had to seek them
on the soil of England. She possesses five times, at least, the
amount of thorough-breds more than the balance of the world,
and has race-meetings at least once a week throughout the
entire year, with the exception of about six weeks in the depth
of winter. During the meetings at Derby and Newmarket,
more money changes hands than at all the race-meetings in the
United States during the year. The race-courses are attended
by all classes of people, and are opened to the public free of
charge, except the grand stands, to which admittance may be
had for a few shillings. There is no distinction ; the same price
carries the peasant as well as the prince to any part of the
course where spectators are allowed. What a contrast to the
snobocracy of America ! The slaveholding aristocracy of
Charleston and New Orleans, of whom were composed the racing
associations hi those cities, caused magnificent stands to be
erected for themselves and families, and their invited guests.
None of their plebeian countrymen were admitted to them. Still
later, when the slaveocracy were overthrown, the shoddy aris
tocracy, comprising the Jerome Park Racing Association, near
New York, seized on half the grand stand, which was splendidly
fitted up, for the exclusive use of the Jords of wealth. They
had also a fancy castle built, on a knoll nearly opposite the
grand stand, with coffee-houses, restaurants, etc., attached.
Within this hallowed precinct, none but the shoddyites and their
invited guests might venture. What are we coming to in this
free Republic ?
THE HORSE. 119
THE HORSE IN AMERICA
Was unknown before 1493, when Columbus, on his second voyage,
brought several with him to the West ludies. About 1519
the horse was introduced into Mexico by Cortez, and in
1530 into Peru, by Pizarro. In 1527 a Spanish vessel in distress,
laden with horses, landed on the coast of Florida. They were
taken on shore, from whence they made their escape into the
wilderness, where they became wild, multiplied, and spread
themselves over the vast region known as the Southern States,
and far over the wild prairies, to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
From among those introduced into Mexico by the Spaniards in
the time of Cortez, several escaped and became wild : and their
descendants spread themselves over the North and East, so that,
in course of time, the Indian tribes were abundantly supplied
with horses. The descendants of those introduced into South
America by the Spaniards many of them escaped from the
control of man increased in numbers in their wild state, until
they can be seen in droves of tens of thousands, on the immense
llanos that stretch along the Orinoco and the Amazon, and also
on the pampas extending from the Rio de la Plata to the confines
of Patagonia. The color cf the American wild horse is chestnut ;
but "pintos," or spotted horses, are found among them in
abundance. All wild horses of Spanish origin, whether in North
or South America, coine under the appellation of mustang, and
are imbued with the Numidian and Arab blood. These are
small, but hardy, and easily sustained, besides being capable of
great endurance under the saddle, having been frequently ridden
a hundred miles in a day. Many of them possess great speed,
from five hundred to one thousand yards, but scarcely any of
them were ever known to last a mile.
THOROTTGH-BREDS OF AMERICA.
We are informed that early in the eighteenth century thorough
breds were brought from England to America, and shortly after
wards their breeding was encouraged by legislative enactment.
It is probable they were first introduced by officials sent out to
rule over the colonies. Virginia had been regarded as the race
region of America, and her ascendency on the turf was decided ;
so much so, that from time to time many of her racers were
120 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
bought by the colonies of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
and the Carolinas, and transferred to their own borders. In this
way, competition was begot and fostered throughout the length
and breadth of the laud, and a fancy for turf sporting increased
with the wealth and increase of the people. It is natural to
suppose that owners of large plantations worked by slave -labor,
fond of the chase and all kinds of field sports, should devote
their attention to the raising of fine breeds of horses, more
especially as the cultivation of the racer had already become
popular with the gentry in England. They found this country,
in soil and climate, particularly adapted to breeding and raising
of thorough-breds ; thus the South, and afterwards the South
west, became the home of the race-horse. It is true the States
of New York and New Jersey have bred, trained, and run, some
of the best race-horses this country has ever produced ; but the
inhabitants of the South and Southwest were an agricultural
people, and from their planters and stock-raisers sprung a large
majority of the turfmen who established and perpetuated racing
in this country. These men were in very many cases among
the most respected citizens in their States, and in their ranks
might be found statesmen, lawyers, doctors, merchants, and
planters. It was this fact which made racing popular with the
people, and in no part of the country did it take such a hold on
the masses as in the States of Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
The era of racing in America is said to have commenced in
1734. Four years previous, Bull Eock, a son of the Darby Ara
bian, was imported from England, and, from time to time, for
more than a century, new blood was infused into our racers by the
best stock which could be procured from that country. 1734 is
supposed to be the date of the first race for a prize a saddle and
bridle valued at 20 ; mile heats, four entries. The affair took
place near the city of Charleston; a course was staked out for the
occasion, to which the name of "York Course " was given. From
year to year racing over this course was continued in February
or March, and the prizes given were usually a silver bowl, tank
ard, or waiter, about the value of 100. In 1754 another course
was established near the same city, which was called the " New
Market," and where racing was continued up to 1770. About
1765 the first course of which we have any account in Virginia
THE HORSE. 121
was opened near Richmond, and ten years later one was made
near Baltimore, and, if I am not wrongly informed, two more on
Long Island some few years previous to the commencement of
hostilities between the colonies and the mother country. Phila
delphia, also, had her race meetings previous to the revolution.
During that struggle racing was, of course, suspended through
out the country, and for several years subsequent it did not re
vive in any shape worthy the name, save in South Carolina,
where it was continued up to the time of our civil war. Efforts
were made to revive it in Virginia after the close of the revolu
tion, and also in Maryland, but met with but little success up to
1820. As early as 1787 racing was inaugurated in Lexington, Ky. ,
which was its first introduction into the Southwest.
The revolution broke up racing in the country, nor can it be
said to have revived until we had somewhat recovered from the
effects of our last war with Great Britain, which places it at about
1820. No inducement was offered to put horses in training for
public racing, on account of the scarcity of money in the country.
Evenso far back as twenty-five years ago, when money was plen
tiful, compared with the close or just subsequent to our war with
Great Britain, $800 was the regular purse given for four-mile
heats, $600 for three, and $200 for two-mile heats. Racing did
not, in fact, assume any importance here until after 1829, at
which time the " Turf Register " was established at Baltimore,
and to which paper the revival of that sport is, in a great mea
sure, due. It examined into the different pedigrees of horses,
which led to the culling out of the pure stock from the impure,
and kept before the public the names of prominent turfmen,
horse-breeders, and upholders of the sports of the turf. It
chronicled the different racing events which took place in the
country, all of which, combined, gave a stimulus to racing in the
Southern States, to which its circulation was chiefly confined.
Fresh horses were imported from England, and the breeding of
them entered into largely by the stock-raisers of Virginia, Ken
tucky, and Tennessee, who saw in the cultivation of the racer a
source of large profit. Racing rapidly increased in popularity
with the people. From 1838 up to 1848 was its golden era in
America, previous to our civil war. In that decade there ap
peared on the turf a larger number of first-class horses than had
ever before been seen in this country. It was during this time
122 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
that a race for one of the largest stakes ever run for in any coun
try took place; I allude to the " Peytona Stakes," given at Nash
ville. This was the most profitable racing event which ever took
place, and was worth more to the winner than any Derby or St.
Leger ever run off; there being thirty entries for $5,000 stakes
and $1,000 forfeit each. But four started in the race, leaving
twenty-six to pay forfeit, making the stake worth to the winner
$41,000 net. It was won by Col. Thomas Watson's chestnut
filly, " Peytona." The first match made to test the speed of the
racers of Virginia and other Southern States against those of
New York and New Jersey took place in 1823. It took place on
Long Island, and was between Henry and Eclipse, for $20,000 a
side. Col. Win. R. Johnson, of Virginia, made the match on the
part of Henry, and Mr. John C. Stevens, of New York, on the part
of Eclipse. This race, of three four-mile heats, was run in the
presence of more than sixty thousand spectators, and won by
Eclipse. The twelve miles were made in 23 minutes and 59
seconds, and more than $200,000 changed hands besides the
stakes.
A few years later, the southerner again met the northerner
on Long Island. This time the contestants were Post Boy, a
son of the defeated Henry, and John Bascomb,asonofBertrand,
owned by Col. John Crowell, of Alabama, who backed his horse
for $10,000. Post Boy was backed by Mr. Tillotson and other
prominent New Yorkers. The race, which was run in four-mile
heats, was won by the southern horse, Bertrand.
The next match between the North and South, was that of
Boston against Fashion. Boston was raised in Virginia and
Fashion in New Jersey, and the latter was the victor. The race
was also run on Long Island, for $10,000 a side. It is believed
by many eminent turfmen to have been one of the best races
for that distance (four-mile heats) ever run in this country. The
time was 7.32i 7.451. Fashion carried 113 pounds, and Boston
124 pounds.
The last of these sectional struggles, to test the speed of their
respective racers, took place on Long Island in May, 1845, be
tween Fashion and Peytona, the latter being the victor. The
match was an unequal one, and should never have been made ;
Peytona being five years old, while Fashion was quite aged.
But the victory sent a thrill of triumph through the South, only
THE HORSE. 123
equaled by that caused by the battle of Bull Run. After the
defeat of Fashion, the hoofs of the High-mettled racer ceased to
resound in the North and West. The business of raising thorough
breds was abandoned for the more lucrative business of breeding
trotters, and racing continued to be confined to the South until
the commencement of the rebellion. From 1845 until the com
mencement of the rebellion, racing was principally confined to
Charleston, New Orleans, Lexington, Nashville, Louisville, and
Memphis. The rebellion broke up racing in the South, and drove
those turfmen owning horses to the North, where the sport had
sunk so low that scarcely any thorough-breds were owned in the
Middle or Eastern States. The Passaic County Agricultural
Society, at Paterson, New Jersey, was the first to give encourage
ment to racing in the North. That attempt being successful,
other localities were sought, with a view to extending the field of
operation. Philadelphia was tried in the spring of 1863, with
but indifferent success, and abandoned. In August, of the same
year, a meeting was held at the old course, at Saratoga, and its
success resulted in the building of the new and splendid course
there, and it has become one of the most popular establishments
in the country. The races at Saratoga prompted the organiza
tion of the American Jockey Club and the building of the mag
nificent Jerome Park establishment, and since that the one at
Long Branch. The Jerome Park, Saratoga, and Long Branch
races proved a great success, and opened the eyes of the South
to the fact that the mudsills of the North had full as high ap
preciation of the sport of racing as the natives of their own sun
ny clime. The revival of racing is not confined to the States
of New York and New Jersey. The Maryland Jockey Club have
had several successful meetings at their newly made and hand
some course. Race meetings were held during the summer
months at St. Louis, Cincinnati, and many of the smaller cities
of the West. The South, too, has gradually recovered her abil
ity to indulge in her favorite sport, and meetings have been held
at New Orleans, Mobile, Memphis, and Nashville.
Such is the field open to the enterprising turfman. And
hence it is in no way surprising that many gentlemen of means
are seeking and possessing themselves of the best race-horses
which can be obtained, including many from England. Only a
few years ago, thirty or forty horses at a race were considered a
J24 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
sufficient number to insure a good meeting. Now they can be
counted by hundreds at each*of these popular gatherings. More
money is invested in race-horses and race-courses, by three to
one, than was ever before done at any period in this country.
This revival of racing is due in a great measure to the Ameri
can Jockey Club, at Jerome Park. The few gentlemen who in
itiated this institution found their numbers augmented by other
gentlemen of wealth and influence, and in a short time the or
ganization became a great success. Many of the members at
once became owners of and breeders of high-blooded horses,
and this created such a rivalry that the whole country became
interested in the undertaking, and more racing associations were
formed at other fashionable places. There are at the present
time no less than four beautiful and popular race-courses within
a few hours' drive of the city of New York, owned and patron
ized by the most wealthy and cultured people in the land. All
these organizations owe their rise and progress to the American
Jockey Club, and are governed by its rules and regulations.
Acquisitions are daily being made to these associations, new
stables of horses being formed, and many people who a few
years ago could not be induced to attend a race-meeting alone,
much less with their families, are now buying and breeding
thorough-bred stock, for the purpose of enjoying that interesting
and exciting pastime.
Many turfmen of the old school, and some of those who com
pose the new, think the race-horse of to-day vastly inferior to
that of a couple of decades back. They assign as a reason for
this opinion, that we have no horses at the present day, or near
ly none, capable of running four-mile heats. They say, if the
horses of the present day show more speed, it is because the
tracks are faster, which certainly is the fact; that the trainers
are more skilled in their art, which does not appear so reasona
ble. The truth is, the fogy turfman mourns for the good old
time when endurance was as much sought for as speed in the
racer, and when none but such as could run four-mile heats
could be rated as first-class racers. Until within the last fifteen
or twenty years, no horse, either in England or America, was
considered a first-class racer unless able to do so. But on this
subject a change has taken place in the opinions of the turfmen
of both countries. The breeding of four-milers has been discon-
THE HORSE. 125
tinned, and speed is more sought after than endurance. It is
the prevailing opinion among turfmen, that, in cultivating the
racer for four-mile heats, his speed is diminished. Dash-racing,
both in England and America, has become more popular with
the public. It brings to a race meeting four times the number
of horses, increases the number of races, makes more betting
and excitement, and last, though by no means least, has super
seded the cruel practice of forcing a horse to run the exhaustive
distance of twelve miles, which is much more often painful than
amusing to the spectators.
From careful investigation, there is no evidence to show that
the American racer of to-day has in any respect degenerated
within the last fifty years; or that the English racer is in any
way his superior. Both have sprung from the same stock, on
both has been bestowed the same care in breeding and train
ing, and whatever difference lies between them must be attri
buted to climate, etc.
Whether we or the English have the fastest horses, has long
been a mooted question in this country. In England, but little
attention is paid to timing horses during a race ; in this coun
try it is the barometer which informs us of the increasing or de
creasing speed of our racers. Americans boast, and they are
good boasters, that their horses can outspeed those of England.
They cite the oft-quoted exploit of English Eclipse, and claim
that many of our horses have made better time than four miles
in eight minutes, which was his maximum. They claim that
Lexington run four miles in less than seven minutes and twenty
seconds, which was, they assert, faster time than that made by
Flying Childers. The Americans assert that the elastic turf
and the straight shape of the English courses are more favora
ble to speed than our circular ones over hard tracks. Whether
a horse can make faster time over a mile circular track, or four
miles on an open stretch, would seem to me a very nice ques
tion. I believe, however, it is the opinion of old turfmen, that
the circular shape of a course favors both the speed and endur
ance ; that in turning the curves the horse eases himself, and
that any speed which he thus loses is more than compensated
by his brushes on the stretches ; while, in running four miles on
a straight course, he has no opportunity for recuperation by once
breaking the heavy force which presses him onward from the
score to the goal.
126 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
The difference in running horses on turf, the prevailing cus
tom in England, and running them over prepared tracks, as in
this country, is still unsettled. Most Americans believe the
former to be the fastest, but I am not aware that any one up to
the present time has given any convincing proof in support of
his opinion. Comparing the time which horses have made over
different courses is no true test of their relative speed, some
courses being much better for speed than others. The Metarie
course, and those of Cincinnati, Saratoga, Paterson, and Provi
dence, are considered the fastest race-tracks in the country. It
is the same with the English courses some are elastic, others
are hard and heavy. Some of these run over a dead level plain,
while others are half circular, or nearly so, and many are with
ascending or descending grades, consequently horses are unable
to make as fast time over some as over others. Eight minutes
making four miles seems slow for such a horse as English
Eclipse, when we have had several racers who have beaten it,
Tvhile the three miles, six furlongs, and ninety-eight yards, made
by Flying Childers in six minutes and four seconds, astounds us.
The only true test of relative speed is to start the two horses
together on the same track; and until this is done we shall
have to suspend judgment on the comparative merits of Eng
lish and American racers. But I doubt if this will ever be done
to a sufficient extent to allow us to judge of the merits of the
horses of the two countries. Nothing is more capable of dis
arrangement from slight causes than the race -horse, and it is
unlikely that his exportation over three thousand miles of
stormy sea would improve him. About fifteen years ago, a Mr.
Ten Broeck, an American, took with him to England a stable of
horses, for the purpose of competing for the trophies of the Eng
lish turf. These thorough -breds comprised Prior, Prioress,
Lecompte, and Charleston none of them, however, fit represent
atives of the American racer, and having all met with defeat at
home; two, Lecompte and Charleston, being but little better
than broken down. They were defeated in their first campaign,
and though Prioress, in the fall of 1857, won, at New Market, the
Cesarovitch stakes, after a dead heat with Queen Bess and El.
Ham, she was so favorably weighted by the handicapper, com
pared with the other two dead heaters, that her subsequent vic
tory, in the deciding heat, did not add much to the prestige of
THE HORSE. 127
the American turf. Mr. Ten Broeck then imported a fresh lot
of American horses, and was somewhat more successful. With
one of these, Starke, he won the Goodwood Cup, and with Um
pire carried off several of the two year old racers. Umpire in-
the following year became a prominent favorite for the Epsom
Derby, but in this great race was beaten. Beyond an unimport
ant attempt hi the same direction, by Robert Harlan, of Ken
tucky, nothing has been done to test the relative speed of the
racers of the two countries.
When Mr. Ten Broeck first carried his stable of race-horses to
England, some of the papers spoke of the affair as an interna
tional one, and Mr. Ten Broeck as a representative American
turfman. The truth is, he had never been a leading turfman in
this country, and hardly knew anything about racing matters.
America has had a hundred horses who could have beaten
Starke and Prioress, in their palmiest hours. The six or seven
horses of Ten Broeck were contending against fourteen or fifteen
hundred picked horses on their own ground, so that any one
can understand that his experiment was no fair test of the rela
tive speed of the American and English horse. Mr. Ten
Broeck was one of the cleverest gamblers in the country, and
had for years beaten the most skillful at their own peculiar
games; but regarding racing matters he was deficient. By
shrewd management he got control of the Metarie course at
New Orleans, and shortly afterwards made that celebrated match
on Lexington, against time, for $10,000. It has long been the
opinion of shrewd turfmen that the match for the sum stated
was no match at all, but merely a hippodroming affair, for the
division of the gate money. However that may be, Lexington
covered the ground inside 7.19|-, the time specified, and gave to
Mr. Ten Broeck notoriety as a turfman, which was what he
wanted. Having gained his prestige, he embarked for England
with his stable of horses, which, in that country, whatever may
have been his antecedents, provided he has met his betting en
gagements, give to a man a social standing among turfmen.
Such a position gave him a favorable opportunity for making
his matchless skill at cards useful to him an opportunity which
he did not fail to improve. He also made his stable of horses a
self-supporting institution. Aside from the few races which he
won, the proceeds of which would not have supported him in
128 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
his extravagant style of living, six months, he made his horses
and his position on the turf both profitable to him. He took
care to make the acquaintance of such Americans visiting Eng
land as he knew would be willing to back his horses, from na
tional pride, or desired to back other horses on his judgment.
The confidence of such he used to enrich himself. Ten Broeck,
with his American "gulls," proud of his acquaintance, and more
than ready to be fleeced by him, could be seen together at Tat-
tersall's, at the sporting clubs, or on the turf, where they would
meet aristocratic looking persons, with whom the former seemed
on terms of great intimacy. " How are you laying on your horse,
Mr. Ten Broeck ? " Or if he had none starting, " What's your
' favorite, Mr. Ten Broeck ? " " What odds are you taking on
him, sir ? " Ten Broeck, after consulting his betting book for a
few moments, would drawl out, in his habitually dispassionate
tone, " I'm taking three to one, or five to two " as the case might
be. His friends would close by booking him down for several
hundred pounds. These booking bets were but shams, and those
making them with Ten Broeck, his confederates men moving,
too, in the higher circles of society; for he was too shrewd to put
himself in the power of common adventurers upon the turf,
whose equivocal position might at some future time throw dis
credit on his own character. His bets, booked in the presence
of his American " gulls," would incite them to take stock with
him in betting on a horse which himself and " pals" knew per
fectly well had not a ghost of a chance to win. And frequently
such bets were made, when it was well known to Ten Broeck
and his confederates, that the horse would not start in the race
at all. By such cunning frauds as this just related, and his
superior skill at cards, he managed to sustain himself in England
in splendid style for many years, and to return from that coun
try with an immense fortune.
TROTTERS.
Many of our students learned in "horseology" contend that
the racer and the trotter are originally the same. These learned
sages proceed to say that no trotter, worthy of the name, whose
pedigree can be traced, is without the blood of the Godolphin
Arabian, and that whenever a horse is bred, tracing back
THE HORSE. 129
through forty-nine veins, or ramifications, to the Godolphin, his
trotting speed will nearly equal that of our present racers. As
this abstruse science of horse-blood is too deep for me, and as it
does not belong to the province of this work, I shall leave the
subject to those versed in equinology, and let them argue it to
their hearts 7 content. Suffice it to say, that in no country on the
face of the globe has the same amount of care been given to the
cultivation of the trotter as in the United States, and the select
ive breeding of them has added millions to the wealth of the
country. The trotters here, which can make their mile in three
minutes, are numbered by thousands, while those who can make
their mile in two minutes and forty seconds are numbered by
hundreds, and many appear every summer on the turf, at the
different courses, who can make their mile far down among the
twenties. And in no other country but this has the trotter ever
completed twenty miles in an hour in harness. Within the last
twenty years several attempts have been made to introduce trot
ting races into England, but without success. Its failure may
be attributed to the want of encouragement from the land-own
ers and other wealthy classes, who are prejudiced against any
foreign innovations on the sports of the turf, or, as DTsraeli has
it, " the noble pastime of England's aristocracy.'' There are
many trotters in the country. Many have been imported from
America, and no little attention has been paid, within the last
decade, to the breeding and training of them ; but very few have
been distinguished for speed, and very few can be found to make
their mile in three minutes. There are no prepared courses for
trotting, and such matches as have taken place have been per
formed over the public highway, or turf, which lessens the
speed of the trotter in harness about ten seconds to the mile.
These trotting matches, of which several have been made during
the last twenty years, were well attended, especially by the low
er and middle classes, and at some of them large sums of money
have changed hands. I think, however, the day is still far dis
tant when trotting will be one of the popular sports of England.
The people of France have paid more attention to trotting and
trotting horses than the people of England. Within the last de
cade several thorough-breds have been imported from America
for the purpose of breeding. In the summer of 1867 the racing
association of Rouen gave liberal purses to trotters ; this was the
130 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
first affair of the kind which ever took place in Europe. Many
of the native trotters, both of France and England, met at Rouen
to compete for the trophies. The meeting was largely attended,
and if no extraordinary time was shown, in comparison to what
is commonly done on American courses, the races gave general
satisfaction. The late Franco-Prussian war has done much to
injure the advancement of trotting and racing in France ; but
the deep interest taken in the cultivation of the trotter by the
wealthy landowners, and the increasing desire of the wealthy
classes generally, living in or near Paris, to provide themselves
with fine blooded stock, makes it presumable that in the way of
turf sports trotting races may in a few years become as popular
as running races now are.
Considerable attention has been paid by the Russian govern
ment to the breeding and raising of trotting horses. The hardy
breeds of Northern Russia, when intermixed with the more met
tlesome ones of the south-eastern part of the empire, make re
markably good trotters. Russia has to-day a greater number and
a better class of trotters than any country in Europe. The favor
ite method of testing their speed is upon the ice, and harnessed
to light sledges. During the winter season, when the bosom of
the Neva becomes a way of glittering ice, these trotting-matches
axe very frequent and popular with the people.
VALUE OF TROTTERS.
No kind of stock-raising has ever been, in any part of the
world, so lucrative as the breeding and raising of trotters in the
United States, and year by year it is becoming more so. About
twelve years ago, Flora Temple, the fastest trotter tbe world had
ever seen, up to her time, sold for $8,000. To-day any horse
who can trot in 2.30 will bring nearly as much, while horses that
can trot a mile in 2.24, 2.23, 2.22, 2.21, will bring from
$15,000 to $35,000, and some, in the possession of wealthy men,
cannot be bought for $60,000. Such men, however, have
more money than they can spend a pinching evil to society.
They crave notoriety, which the possession of a celebrated fast
horse can confer on them, while they, in return, are unable to
confer any notoriety on the horse. However, to make a horse
worth a certain price, it must be shown that he can bring back
THE HORSE. 131
to his owner the money paid for him, with at least legal interest,
if no more. Fancy prices set upon horses go for nothing. Mr.
O'Kelly, the owner of English Eclipse, asked for him 25,000
and a life annuity of 500 a year. Mr. O'Kelly's demanding
his price and receiving it (which he did not) are two very differ
ent things. Russia, England, and Portugal have given, to pro
cure the finest and largest diamonds in the world, fabulous
prices, while thousands of their people were starving for bread.
These senseless stones are useless to those countries, save to
adorn the state of royalty ; yet the wealth of the Rothschilds
would not buy one of them. The Vatican, Pitti Palace, Dresden
Gallery, and that of the Louvre, contain many works of art which
originally brought but a mere pittance to the toil-worn artist
under whose hands they grew, yet at the present day untold
gold could not purchase them.
It is the being wanted for the stud which raises the price of
racers and trotters. Whenever a horse has established a repu
tation by his frequent success on the turf, he or she is sought
after for the stud. Twenty years ago, Lexington, then thought
to be the best colt in the United States, was offered for $2,000,
and also with him went half his engagements for mile and two-
mile heat races. After the accomplishment of his celebrated
feat against time, he sold for $15,000; that then being the
largest price ever paid for a horse in this country. His offspring,
Norfolk, some years later brought the same price in green
backs, which were then worth about sixty cents on the dollar.
About five years ago Kentucky sold for $15,000, at auction. In
1870, Kingfisher brought $15,000, after having won his two
most important stakes for his owner. Enquirer also was sold
for $15,000, after winning all his important stakes, and Long
fellow, just before the close of the racing season, a year ago
(1871) was held at $20,000. It was almost unprecedented suc
cess upon the turf, which raised the price of these horses, and
those who bought them did not do so with any expectation of
getting their money back on the turf. The price of racers has
remained almost stationary during the last thirty years, while
those of the trotter have increased trebly during the last decade;
the reason of this being the trotter is much more profitable to
his owner than the racer. Trotting associations hang up heav
ier purses than racing ones ; besides, trotters can make money for
132 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
their owners, without their risking a cent outside their keeping
and transportation. This may be accomplished by running for
a division of the gate money a practice which, to the disgrace of
trotting, too often obtains in this country. During a summer
campaign a first-class trotter can gain for his master from three
thousand to five thousand dollars. The trotter, unlike the
racer, is at nearly all times a saleable article, and in considera
tion of the advantages named, is always a more profitable, as well
as a safer investment than the racer. The owners of the latter
have to depend upon their success on the turf, to support them
selves and their stables. They can depend on no division of
gate money, and if one or more of their horses do not succeed in
winning a few purses during the year, their expenses eat them
up. If a man cannot possess a first-class racer, he is very un
fortunate to possess any. None but those able to support a
stable for his own amusement, or a practical turfman, should
have anything to do with racers. All persons who have any re
spect for their money should place it in some safer investment.
I have known, within the last thirty years, many prominent turf
men, and many of them possessors of large and handsome
stables ; but I have yet to see the first one among them who ac
quired his money by racing. It is the breeders of the racers
and trotters who have been benefited by the sports of the turf,
as well as many of the racing establishments throughout the
country.
It is only within the last few years that trotting races have
been established on a respectable footing in this country. For
merly the trotting ground was under the control of a set of
sharpers, who used it as a means of fleecing the unwary. The
owners and trainers of horses carried on their swindling so suc
cessfully for many years that they had settled down into the
belief that frauds were a legitimate part of the sport. The own
ers of tracks either connived at these or participated in them.
Many proprietors were compelled to see their patrons barefaced
ly robbed in silence, or have their courses rot on their hands for
want of patronage. The owners of several trotters would col
lude together, and make an agreement to trot over a certain
course on a day named, for a division of the gate money. This,
of course, with the sanction of the proprietor of the track. The
announcement would appear in the public prints, and flaming
THE HOKSB. 133
placards, posted everywhere, announced that the race would
take place at such a time, for a purse sometimes of several
thousands of dollars ; the amount being stated according to the
locality. A ten thousand dollar purse might be suitable for
New York, Philadelphia, or Baltimore, while five hundred dol
lars would be large enough for the smaller towns of the West.
The meeting might call to the grounds from one thousand to ten
thousand or more spectators. At some of the trotting races hi
the vicinity of New York, as many as thirty thousand specta
tors have been present repeatedly. The owners of the horses,
their trainers, and confederates on the outside, had a perfect un
derstanding with each other. Should the public make of any
horse a favorite, and bet heavily upon him, their favorite would
be very like to come out second best in the race, and their
money would find its way into the pockets of the owners of the
horses, their trainers, and confederates. These rascally pro
ceedings were not confined to any particular locality, but were
more or less practiced all over the country, and are so still in
many of the smaller places in the South and Southwest. These
things could not be effectually concealed, and the cries of the
victims of these frauds have rung out in tones not to be mis
taken, all over the land, for many years, without any particular
remedy being applied to put a stop to them. An act passed by
the legislature would have put an end to them, within the ju
risdiction of the State passing such act. The very worst of the
scoundrels would have hesitated before perpetrating his frauds,
if the doors of the state prison were yawning to receive him
the moment he was detected. But the generality of law
makers with which we have been blessed, in this free and en
lightened country, would view the stealing of a loaf of bread by
a starving man as a crime worthy the penitentiary, but would
consider the robbing a man on a race-track, by foul driving or
other fraudulent shifts known to some of the trotting faternity,
only a shrewd piece of financiering. But happily, whore trotting
is conducted on a large scale, as around New York, Buffalo,
Kalamazoo, Providence, etc., etc., these track-thieves have no
longer an opportunity to ply their vocation. Trotting associa
tions composed of respectable citizens have been organized in
most of the States, new rules and regulations have been framed,
and are at the present tune rigidly enforced.
134 'WAXDERLJfGS OF A VAGABOND,
POOL-SELLING.
When the stranger first makes his appearance in the betting-
ring of the English race-course, he may well imagine himself
among a crowd of bedlamites. A thousand throats are stretched
to their utmost, crying out their slang betting phrases of "mon-
kies," "ponies," "tenners," "fivers," "one to three," "four to
six," etc., while the noise and confusion, which is over and sur
rounds all, is nothing less than pandemonium itself. I remem
ber when, in this country, men in the higher walks of life, many
occupying high official positions, were not ashamed to be seen
on the race-track, with money in their hands, calling out like
auctioneers the bets they wished to make on their favorites.
Such things were fashionable in this country till within the last
fifteen years. "I'll bet five hundred dollars with any gentleman
that Truxton is the winner," sung out General Jackson, on the
quarter -stretch of the Nashville course, the said Truxton being
his own horse, about to start in the race.
"I'm your man, Gineral," responded Col. Jimmy Smith, a
small stock short card player, who would not bet five hundred
dollars on anything except to have the honor of saying he made
such a wager with General Jackson.
" I'll bet five hundred dollars with any gentleman that Trux
ton is the winner," reiterated the General, without noticing Col.
Jimmy's offer of acceptance.
" I'll take it," cried Smith, running up to the hero of New
Orleans.
The General paused in his promenade, and fixed his eyes full-
cocked upon Col. Jimmy, then replied, in a freezing tone, quite
loud enough for the bystanders to hear, "You don't understand
me, sir; I said I'd bet any gentleman five hundred dollars that
Truxton will win the race," and turning away, he continued at
the same time his walk, and his " I'll bet any gentleman five
hundred dollars that Truxton is the winner."
The custom of crying out bets on the race -course has passed
away, and is replaced by the more refined and quiet method of
pool-selljng. This system was inaugurated some fifteen or sixteen
years ago, and is now in vogue on every race-track of any pre
tensions in the country. Pool-selling answers well enough when
fairly conducted ; but it has its abuses, which should be remedied.
1HE HORSE. 135
In the first place, racing associations charge three per cent, on
what money is won, and at many of the smaller of the racing and
trotting meetings, three per cent, of the whole amount of the pool
is charged, that is, upon the winnings and the investments. Now
this is a fraud upon the public. Racing associations make enough
from their gate-money, and should have pool-selling done gra
tuitously on their tracks, for the benefit of their patrons. Pools
sold should be made play or pay, otherwise wrong may be done
to innocent persons, as the following circumstance, which hap
pened a few years ago in Saratoga, will show. The night before
the race Cottrill sold as first choice in the pools, and several
thousand dollars were invested on him. Before morning Nara-
gansett, in a trial speed, ran a mile in 1.48. This becoming known
to a few initiated, who had large stakes on Cottrill, the owner
of that horse announced that large spots or welts had broken out
on his horse during the night, and appealing to the judges, they
allowed the horse to be withdrawn, so that his backers recovered
their money. Had not Naragansett run that fast trial speed, the
chances are that Cottrill would have started. If such a fraud
could be perpetrated on one of the first class race-courses, and
on one of the most fairly managed, how easily could it be done,
and no doubt often is, on the smaller and more obscure courses in
the country. Such sharp practice would tell for nothing, if pool-
selling were* made to play or pay. The pool -seller has also his
favorites, and it is in his power to benefit them greatly, though by
so doing he does a corresponding injustice to the betting public.
At a nod from a favorite, a pool is suddenly knocked down to him,
or another sign from the same source causes the auctioneer to
dwell loud and long. The system of pool-selling gives owners
an opportunity to bet against their own horses, which many of
them do if they think they will not win. Before the system of
pool-selling obtained, the turfman betting against his own entry
would be dishonored, and such things were not tolerated on the
turf; but turfmen of the present day practice it in the pools, and
no one considers it strange. The turfmen of old never laid against
their own stables, and though many of the modern ones do, it is
a practice which ought not to be tolerated. It cannot be denied
that pool-selling has done away with many evils of the turf, and
notably the noise and confusion which prevailed formerly on a
race-course, in the making of bets, hunting up the holders of
136 WANDERINGS OF A YAGABONDi
stakes, and the quarrels and fights which ensued about the
naming of bets. Pool-selling is also a great advantage to those
who lay against the favorite, and who always take the odds. In
pool-selling, sometimes as much as forty to one are laid against
certain horses, while rating that way in the pool it would be
impossible to get any one on the outside to lay any such odds.
There are no persons in this country who would take such odds
as forty to one, or even twenty to one, and on a horse that would
sell as low as forty to one in a pool, odds of ten to one could not
be obtained in the ring.
GAMBLERS ON THE TURF.
No disinterested class of men in this country have shown the
same liberality towards the turf as gamblers. Whenever funds
have been scarce, or have been wanted for the opening of a new
course, or to give purses for a race meeting, they have invariably
contributed liberally whenever called upon. They have always
shown the same generous spirit in assisting needy turfmen, and
have never been found wanting in upholding the interest of the
turf. Such at least has been their record for the last half century,
notwithstanding the efforts made at various times, by many of
the newspapers of the country, to cause them to be expelled from
the race-courses altogether. To be the fountain -head*of authority
has been the itch of wealth, and to it the majority of our cultur
ed classes have pandered. Previous to the civil war, a gambler
was not allowed entrance to the grand stand on the race-course
at Charleston, S. C, but a negro servant was. At the same time
public women were not allowed on the Metarie course in New
Orleans, unless in a carriage, and then were obliged to drive to
the center of the course, and be confined to their carriages during
the race. Such invidious distinctions have disappeared from our
race-courses, as 'tis proper they should do in a free country like
ours. Only the snobocracy of which the Jerome Park racing
association is composed tried to pattern after their exclusive
brethren of New Orleans and Charleston ; but the arrogant pre
sumption caused such a howl of indignation from the public to
resound about their ears, as compelled them to abandon their
purpose. Racing associations that want to make exclusiveness
one of their regulations, should be taught that it is not necessary
'THE HORSE. 137
for a man to have a voucher, or a woman a marriage certificate
in her pocket, in order to gain admission to the grand stand of
a race-track.
Many gamblers have owned and run race -horses to their mis
fortune, and many have owned tracks ; but, after thirty years' ex
perience, I have never known, and I have yet to learn, of a
gambler being engaged in a fraudulent race transaction. I have
heard, however, of several, and know of my own knowledge of two
instances, where jobs were successfully put up by turfmen, to rob
gamblers. No class of persons behave themselves better than
gamblers on the race-course, or interfere less with its good order
and management ; yet, notwithstanding this honorable record in
their favor, I agree with those punctilious gentlemen of the press,
and others, who imagine all gamblers thieves, and their appear
ance on a race-course, otherwise than spectators, fraught with
some rascality towards the betting public I agree with these
honorable gentlemen in so far that I think gamblers should keep
away from race meetings altogether. It would be a saving to the
fraternity, of more than $100,000 annually. With regard to
numbers, their presence would not be missed, except at the pool
stands, and at the pool-selling rooms in the city during a race
week, in consequence of which the betting, which gives such a
spicy interest to the race, would greatly decrease, and perhaps
the loss would add to the moral improvement of the spectators.
No gambler that I know of has ever yet done any good for him
self on the turf.
Formerly it was amusing to see a young, just-fledged sport,
with a badge fluttering from the breast of his coat, while strut
ting up and down the quarter-stretch, and calling out the name
of his favorite, and laying his money upon him. He thought the
position stylish, and imagined himself the observed of all observ
ers. His knowledge of horse-flesh was about as profound as that
of a citizen of Venice, and he was backing his favorite because
some jockey or stable-boy had given him a " point " that he was
a " rattler," or perhaps he himself had seen him win a race the
previous spring or fall. But he never once gave a thought to his
present condition, what weight he was to carry, or the abilities
of his competitors. Such considerations did not for a moment
perplex his brain. To lay his money was all he wanted, and
sooner than fail in that object he would give long odds. This is a
138 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
fair sample of the reckless manner in which gamblers squander
their money on the turf. Since pool-selling has become the cus
tom, the gamblers flock to the pool-rooms in the city, during a
race meeting, or to the pool-stands on a race-course. They
pitch upon their favorites without any knowledge of their capa
bilities, except such as they learn from the turfmen, and will
often run one up in the pool, in their eagerness to get him, until
he is made a favorite largely over the field ; often, too, when four
or more horses start in the race. Such a thing as a horse be
coming a favorite over the field, when four or more horses start,
is in England a thing almost unknown. In the palmy days of
Gladiateur, when practical turfmen were convinced that Eng
land had no horse to equal him in speed, the odds were never
more than two to one in his favor when as many as five horses
contended for the prize. English book-makers have been
generally successful on the turf, simply because they have in
variably backed the field. " It is only fools," say they, and their
opinions should be of some value, " that will pick a horse in a
race." There are but few professional book-makers that have
not made themselves an independent fortune in the business.
There are no intelligent turfmen in this country, of thirty years'
standing, who will not acknowledge that they might now be
wealthy had they laid their money on the field instead of the
favorites.
It would seem that their constant losses on the turf for many
years would have disgusted gamblers with the sport of racing
, altogether. Such, however, is no^pie case ; at any rate with a
large majority. To-day they are ready to re-commit the follies
of yesterday, and, as few of them ever take the trouble to think
on the subject, I think it very unlikely they will improve. I
shall here mention another great drain on the pockets of gamb
lers, or at least some of the more successful of them. As soon as
they have accumulated $40,000 or $50,000, their ambition is to
own a stable of racers or trotters. They expect to reap from this
notoriety as well as gain. Such gamblers have a very imperfect
knowledge of horses, at best ; consequently are obliged to call to
their aid some trainer of experience, and these gentry never
let a fat pigeon escape their fingers until they have plucked him
clean. They use the gambler that falls into their clutches
much the same as a rascally lawyer uses his rich client. When
THE HORSE. 139
horses are bought, it is by recommendation of the trainer, who
hits generally on such as are broken down, and whose owners are
glad to get rid of them at any price. Between such persons
and the trainer a perfect understanding exists, and the horses
are sold for four or five times, and some times even ten times as
much as they would fetch at an ordinary sale ; and the trainer
pockets the lion's share of the spoils, out of which he fleeces his
master, with as little compunctions of conscience as if he were
really giving him his best judgment and advice. If the horses
are racers they never win a stake for their owner, and the expens
es of his stable, cost of entries and transportation, his losses by
backing them, to say nothing of what he is chiseled out of by
his enterprising trainer, finally drains him of his last dollar, and
when he wants to turn his horses into money, no one will buy
them on any terms whatever, and they are left worthless, as they
are, on his hands. Such has been, in nine cases out of every ten,
the fate of gamblers whose evil genius ambition has led them
on to the turf. Those who have fallen into the hands of trotting
men have not fared one whit better ; in fact, if possible, they have
fared worse ; their downfall has certainly been more speedy. If
a shrewd trotting trickster can flatter, persuade, or cajole him
into the purchase of a fast trotting horse, he is lost. No artifice
is left untried to convince him his newly-acquired purchase has
extraordinary speed. When this is accomplished he is easily in
duced to match him against a horse which his steerers have
already agreed upon for him, and which they know can outspeed
his with the greatest ease. dfcndreds of gamblers have, from
time to time, been inveigled am ruined in this manner by trot
ting men. The latter know right well that no class of men will bet
their money so recklessly on a mere fancy as gamblers ; conse
quently they are ever on the alert to fleece them. Gamblers
have been too often the victims of their wily tongues ; and if
they continue to do so they will surely fall victims to their insid
ious artifices.
140 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XIV.
WASHINGTON CITY.
The races were over in Richmond, and the crowds drawn
thither by them from the surrounding country had all dispersed.
Even the negro-trader, with his droves of manacled slaves, had
departed for the South, and the gay and festive city, where
money was so plentiful during the summer and fall, was now
but a dull and unprofitable place for the gambler. The Major
and myself, during the three months of our stay, had derived a
net profit of about nine* thousand dollars from our share of the
gambling-house, which, finding there was no prospect of making
any more at. present, we disposed of, to Messrs. Lane & Wilson.
We had determined to establish ourselves in Washington for the
winter, anff try our fortune among its law-makers, office -holders,
political adventurers, lobbyists, and such-like cattle, who flock
there as naturally, during a session of Congress, as crows to a
carwon.
We found on Pennsylvania Avenue a desirable suite of rooms,
which we fitted up tastefully, if not extravagantly. In those
days, gambling-houses were not fitted up in such sumptuous
style as has come to be the custom in these days ; in fact, noth
ing like it. - We found the place dull enough, as is always the
case hi Washington until afterthe holidays are over. Such
strangers as were in the tow^fcsonsisted of persons having
claims against the government, wno were waiting, with what pa
tience they might, for that honorable institution to open the
ponderous iron jaws of the treasury, and grant them relief. Be
sides these, the usual crowd of hungry office-seekers bided their
time without a cent in their pockets. We found in the place
many gamblers, most of them residents, but still many strangers
had already opened their winter campaign there. Five faro-
banks besides our ow were already in full operation, one of
them being of the e^Rusive and aristocratic order, where none
were admitted but high government officials, senators, members
of Congress, wealthy lobbyists, contractors, and their invited
guests. The patrons of this bank were entertained gratuitous
ly with the daintiest viands, the choicest wines, liquors, and
WASHINGTON CITT. 141
cigars. It was owned and" conducted by persons calling them
selves gamblers, from Baltimore, who lived hi extravagant style,
separated themselves from the 'others of their class, and would
no more think of speaking to a common gambler on the street
than a savagely virtuous matron would be seen in conversation
with one of the frail sisterhood. None of the other gamblers
were invited to their rooms ; consequently the means by which
such an extravagant establishment was kept up was known only
to its owners. The other faro- rooms in the city were conduct
ed on pretty much the same basis as our own ; that is, we made
no distinction between our patrons, treated them all with civility,
furnished them with liquors gratuitously, and played faro exclu
sively. We however gave to our patrons a limit of $25, and
$100. But one other room in the city (knowing, of course, noth
ing about what the exclusive bank gave), gave the same limit.
This place was owned by a man of the name of Samuel Shirley,
who had for many years conducted a gambling-house in Wash
ington, and had drawn upon himself the ill-will of the other
gamblers of the place, on account of his haughty disposition and
supercilious manners.
He was a very timid gambler, and the previous winter had
placed so small a limit on his game as to virtually drive away
those gamblers and others who desired to play heavily. By this
means he secured the play of treasury clerks, and some of those
from others of the departments, and from these he managed to
makej/respectable living.
A* month or so before oufcbming to Washington, there ar-
rive'd in the place two gambles from Georgia, who bought an
interest in his house, and opened a faro-bank, to which they in
vited .all the gamblers in the vicinity, offering them, if they
would come there to play, a larger limit than any other house
that could be found in the city. The principal moneyed faro-play
ers accepted the invitation, to their misfortune, as the bank dealt
with more than usual success. The new comers were a Mr.
0%orge Simpson, a man of about fifty, and his partner, Mr. John
Cotton, about twenty-one years of age.^ffhese persons were
strangers to the gambling fraternity of Washington, no one in
the city knowing anything either of them or their histories.
According to the elder, Mr. Simpson, he had been a negro-
trader and a horse-tradeuy had roamed for several years over
142 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the South and Southwest with a stable of quarter-horses, and
while in this business amused himself, as he expressed it, by
" dealing a game of faro occasionally, when I came across a good-
natured set of boys with plenty of cash." Mr. Simpson was a
large, heavy-set man, with sandy hair and whiskers, while his
eyebrows and lashes were nearly white. I said he was fifty
years of age, but he looked much younger. His florid face was
the picture of health, and his blue eyes yet sparkled with the
fire of youth. His favorite attire consisted of a green "shad-
bellied" coat, with long flaps hanging over its many pockets, and
ornamented with rows of bright brass buttons embossed with
rampant steeds in the last stage of prancing. His vest, of green
velvet, was adorned with round gold-varnished buttons, on each
of which a dog's head shone conspicuous, and which also pos
sessed wide pockets covered by deep flaps. His nether limbs
were encased in a pair of drab inexpressibles, the bottoms of
which had modestly retired from public view, into the legs of a
pair of red-top hunting-boots. A broad-brimmed hat covered
his head, and in the voluminous ruffle which sprang from his
shirt bosom, sparkled a large and valuable diamond. He wore
a high shirt collar, and around his neck, below it, the ample
folds of a large red silk handkerchief. A heavy embossed chain,
from which dangled a few seals and a miniature jockey's cap,
saddle, spurs, horse-shoes, whip, etc., hung from his watch-fob.
Mr. Simpson was a sociable personage, liberal with his money in
a bar-room, had an exalted opinion of himself, and, being very
loquacious, seemed desirous of convincing every one he met, of
the immense superiority of Mr. ^hn Simpson. Mr. John Cot
ton, his partner, had a fat, stupid-looking face, the cheeks and
upper lip being covered with a small crop of peach-down ; but
his big wall eyes failed to give forth one spark of intelligence as
he talked with you or pursued his business. His hair was tow-
colored, as were also his eyebrows, the hairs of which were few
and far between. Some fashionable tailor of the period had ex
hausted his art in order to render him resplendent in broadcloth
and fine linen, and, 'Solomon, in all his glory," certainly was not
arrayed like him. In his ruffled shirt-bosom also blazed a
diamond, while a large gold chain hung loosely from his neck to
his fob, where it was attached to a small gold watch. Shirley
and Cotton were both unsocial, and of a taciturn disposition; but
WASHINGTON CITY. 143
whatever was lost to the firm from their reserve, was more than
overbalanced by the loquacious and braggart Simpson.
The firm of Shirley, Simpson & Cotton, received some rough
handling from the tongues of the sports who frequented our
rooms, many of whom had lost their all (against the concern),
consequently retained no very good feeling toward any of its
members.
"I wonder where Shirley ever picked up that horse-thief,
Simpson ?" inquired a toothless old sport named Crane, an old
resident of Washington, and a rather heavy loser (against the firm
mentioned). The question was asked one evening in our rooms
when no play was going forward, but several gamblers present,
some of them citizens of the place, but the majority of them
strangers. The subject had been brought up by one of the party
relating how many bets he had lost there consecutively, on
several occasions, while playing against Cotton's dealing.
" Picked up hell ! " said a fellow in reply to Crane's question.
"He don't know enough to pick up anything, unless it's a
pocket-book that isn't his'n, the consumptive snipe."
"Maybe Simpson picked up Shirley, who knows?" chimed in
another gentleman.
" Shouldn't be surprised ; that feller Simpson knows his p's and
q's; he ain't no fool," said the man who had replied so con
temptuously to Crane's question in the first place.
" I'll bet he's one of Murrill's gang !" cried Crane.
"Did you ever notice how skeered that rabbit-faced feller,
Cotton, is o' him ? Them moon eyes o' his'n are alms looking
arter Simpson when he's dea^ig, as if he was doin' suthin' he'd
no business to, and was afraid of catching hell for it. Why, he'd
overlook all the bets he'd win, if Shirley warn't a lookin' out fur
him," said another of those present.
" He deals so confounded lucky, that he can afford to over
look half he wins and then break his party," said a gentleman
in reply.
"He looks to me as if he was dug out of old Simpson with a
wow-bar ; I wonder if he isn't his son, Crane ? " asked a Wash-
ingtonian present, by the name of Jones.
"No, he aint," snarled Crane; "he don't look no more like
Simpson than a bob-tailed cur looks like a brindle ox."
V'Look a here, -boys! There's something damn strange any-
144 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
how, about that stable of Shirely's," broke in for the first time an
old resident named Jackson. "Now I've known that feller
for more than ten years, and he's allers been afeared of his
shadder, and wouldn't mix in with gamblers, no how. Well, this
fall he comes and tells me he's 'opened for horse, mar', or
gelding,' and tells 'em all to come and play agiiist 'em; well,
you've all went agin 'em, and whar's your money ? I've dropped
agin them fellers eight hundred, and damn me if I hadn't rather
chucked it into the river than them thieves should have it.
That's my sentiments about the matter, publicly expressed."
"Don't cry for your money, Jacksey, arter you've lost it,"
sang out the consoling CraTie.
"I cries as little fur my money as any of ye," retorted the
indignant Mr. Jackson, "but when I does lose, I like to doit
where I'm treated like a gentleman. What fur do they allus
make that white-livered boy deal ? that's what I want to know ?
I had to blaggard Shirley an hour the other night, to get him to
make a deal fur me 'twas arter I lost five hundred, too, agin
the boy and when I did get him to make a deal fur me, only
just one, why, I beat 'em out of a hundred and fifty in less than
no tune, and out 'o that there cheer he jumps, like a snake 'd bit
him. Now what kind of doin' is that 'ere, hey?" asked Mr.
Jackson, appealing to his hearers. " Now, gentlemen," he con
tinued, with a solemn shake of the head, " I b'leeve as how them
fellers are a cheating of us ! "
" How ridiculous for an old experienced gambler like you to
talk in that manner ! " said one of^ys friends.
' "It ain't ridiculus, no such thing, and I just b'leeve it'strue,
any how," exclaimed Mr. Jackson, emphatically.
"Well," returned his friend, "I'd like to find one of 'those
cheating dealers ; I'd like to know how the trick is done."
"Would you, tho"?" asked Jackson, with a sneer, "you've
furgot, I reckon, when Pringle imported one 'o them 'ere fellers to
Kichmond, an' how he played strippers on you, 'mongst the rest
on 'em?"
"No, I haven't," replied his friend, "nor have I forgotten he
was damn soon caught at it and had to make tracks out 'o that,
damn quick, too, and you needn't accuse Pringle, for he knew
nothing about it till the scoundrel was detected."
" I'm no ways sure 'o that 'are," doggedly replied Jackson. *
WASHINGTON CITY. 145
" Well, unless you are sure, you have no right to speak of such
a thing, nor have you any right to talk of Shirley's game in the
manner which you have done. I've been around their game as
much as any one, and I don't think I've seen a dozen splits
altogether ; that don't look much like playing strippers, does it?
Cotton is always in the dealing chair, you complain. They keep
him there because he's lucky, and if you were interested in the
game you would do the same ; at least I know I should. Shirley
is too scary to deal a large game of faro, and as far as Simpson
is concerned, he probably knows more about a horse's foot than
he does about a pack of cards."
"You can all think jist as you please, gentlemen, this 'ere's a
free country," said Mr. Jackson, not the best pleased in the
world that his friend should set up a defense of these parties
against his declared suspicions, and the want of active sympathy
shown to him by his listeners. " You can think jist as you please,
but no more cf my money does them there fellers get a chance to
handle. I've had enough o' their game, mind that, gentlemen !"
" You've an undoubted right to do as you please with your
own money, Jackson, but you have no right to accuse any one of
cheating unless you're able to prove it. Supposing now, some
outsider were to hear you; they would naturally suppose if a
professional gambler could be cheated at faro that they were
cheated every time they lost against the bank. It won't do to
wag your tongue in such a careless way, Jackson^' said his
friend.
" I'm glad to hear you express yourself so clearly on this point, ^
sir," said the Major. "Gamblers, sir, are prone to give too
much license to their tongues, sir, and it has never done them
any good, but,- on the contrary, much evil, sir."
When our visitors had left us that night, the Major said to me,
" Now, Jack, you see what envy and selfishness will do. Those
fellows who were abusing Simpson and his partners have no other
cause for doing so than because they could not beat their bank,
and because they could not, they are trying to injure the fair
name of those gentlemen. Had they been successful, Mr. Simp
son and his associates would, no doubt, be a ' devilish nice set of
fellows, sir,' and should we be so lucky as to win any of their
mopey, it's probable they will blackguard us in the same manner,
146 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
" Well, Major, if they are willing to stand the losing, I'm wil
ling to stand the blackguarding," I replied, smiling. " But what
did the gentleman mean when he said strippers were played in
some of the gambling-houses of Richmond ? "
tl Well, sir, it happened about a year ago in Mr. Pringle's house.
A young man from Kentucky, it seems, was introduced to him
by one of his friends as a good faro-dealer, besides being honest,
industrious, and trustworthy. After being in the house for a
month or so, he was detected in playing a pack of strippers on
the players. There was a great rumpus about it at the time, but
Mr. Pringle exonerated himself in the most emphatic terms:
said he had no knowledge whatever of the matter, paid back
every man at the table his losses, and discharged the young
man."
" But what are strippers, and for what are they intended?"
"I'll tell you all about it to-morrow; I'm too fatigued to-night
to do anything except to go to bed j so let's be off."
Messrs. Shirley and Simpson had called upon us a few days
after we opened our bank, and gave us a play, which ended with
out any very important results, and, on leaving, invited us to
return their call at their rooms. This invitation we did not im
mediately take advantage of, and it passed along a week or so,
when Simpson and Cotton came together to our place and lost
against the bank $350. When they left Mr. Simpson again in
vited us tacall on. him at his faro-rooms, which we promised to
do. It was, however, nearly a month before we ajrailed our-
ilves of his invitation ; our reason for not returning their civil-
ties sooner being a pressure of business, which confined us
strictly to our own rooms. Meanwhile, Simpson would drop in
occasionally, have a glass with the Major, and talk over racing
matters with him a subject in which he was pretty well versed.
But his great delight was in telling the Major stories of his
quarter -racing: how he had escaped the snares spread to entrap
him, and how in every instance he out-jockeyed his adversaries.
His free, open manner, his rollicking stories which he told well
besides his knowledge of horses and racing, easily made him
a favorite with the Major. The little good-natured and pleas
ant attentions which he paid me, and which are seldom met
with from elderly people towards youths of my age, were fot-
tering to my pride, and I naturally conceived a high opinion
WASHINGTON CITY. 147
of Mr. Simpson. He had carefully refrained from pressing
his invitation to call at his faro-rooms since we had so ungra
ciously neglected the first ones. A couple of weeks or so
after the firm of Shirley, Simpson & Cotton had received such a
turning over in our rooms, the Major concluded, for the first
time, he would return the numerous visits of. Mr. Simpson
and the calls of his partners, and requested me to accompany
him. We had closed our rooms for the night, it being about
two o'clock, A. M., when we started across the avenue to Mr.
Shirley's, to show him and his friends, as the Major expressed it,
",that we were gentlemen of good breeding." We found no one
in the room, which was large and neatly fitted up and furnished,
but its proprietors. Cotton was seated in the dealing-chair,
with his two fat legs on the lay-out. Without, in any respect,
altering his position, he twisted his vague countenance into what
was intended for a smile, and drawled out, " How-de-do. Ma-
geur?" Of myself he took not the smallest notice, thinking,
no doubt, I was the Major's young man, and not worth it.
"Well, by glory !" exclaimed Simpson, jumping from his chair
and giving the Major a hug like that of a grizzly-bear. When
he had squeezed him sufficiently, he turned and repeated the op
eration on me. "You've found out the way over here at last,
have you? Well, by George, we'll have a drink on that, Major.
Here, Justice, stir your stumps and let the Major and myself
have a drink," said Simpson to his mulatto boy. 'fcLet's have a
bottle of champagne, Justice. We can go a battle, eh, Major ?
I knew it ! " he exclaimed, when the Major assented with a no/l.
" How is my friend, Mr. Shirley ?" inquired the Major of that
gentleman, who was reclining full length on a sofa, having
scarcely noticed our presence.
" Very oad, very bad indeed," he answered, in a doleful man
ner.
"No wonder, by George ! How can a man expect to be well
when you can scarcely drive him out of the house for a mouthful
of fresh air?" said Simpson, addressing his conversation to the
Major. " Fresh air's the stuff to keep a man alive, if he only
mixes it with two or three dozen glasses of grog every day, eh,
Major? ain't that so, old cock?" asked Simpson, slapping him
on the back with his open hand.
"Better than all the d d doctor's stuff ever invented," an-
148 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
swered the Major, swallowing at the same moment the glass of
wine just handed him by Justice.
When the bottle was finished, Simpson said, good-naturedly,
" There, Major, is my young man at his post, ready to receive com
pany, and I'll tell you what, ole boy, we don't get scared here at
anything a man puts down to us. We're blooded stock here.
That's it, blooded stock ! No man shall leave this room having
it to say we were afeard to turn for his money. Don't that show
blood, eh, Major ?"
" It does, sir ! And that's the sort of gentlemen I like to gamble
with, when I'm flush of money," rejoined the Major.
" Well, thar's Cotton; give 'em a hug, ole boy !"
" Not to-night, sir ! I'm not in a playing humor to-night, Mr.
Simpson."
"What's that got to do with it? Humor's got nothing to do
with winning money when there's a chance for it. Hoist out o'
there, Cotton, till I shuffle up for the Major." The latter did as
he was ordered, and Simpson took the dealing chair, and a pack
of cards was handed him by Cotton. When he had shuffled and
boxed them, he bent over towards us and slapped his hand on
the lay-out, crying out, "Here we are, ole stud ! Face the music !"
The Major was badgered into playing against his will ; but he
bought fifty dollars' worth of checks, and to keep him company I
invested fifty dollars in ivory also, with the determination, if I
lost that, to loseio more. But alas for the mutability of human
resolutions. Where one person will make and keep such a res
olution, twenty frill break it, and be insidiously carried away
with their first R>ss, and keep risking mor^, in the hope of re
gaining what they have already lost.
In two deals the Major was the winner of $375, and I had also
been fortunate enough to pick up $140, when Simpson sprang
from the chair, crying out, " Here, Cotton, I'll turn tftse gentle
men over to you. I don't believe I'm a good faro-dealer, nohow.
Getting too old to win, eh, Major I"
" They say youngsters are luckier than old ones; but if they'd
take my advice, they'd be a damn sight luckier yet, which is to
let gambling alone, and follow some other business, sir!"
" That's it, Major," cried Simpson, slapping his hands forcibly
together. " I've been trying to beat that into Cotton's skull ever
since I've known him. But it's too infernal thick for him to see
WASHINGTON CITY. 149
it, so he can go to hell his own gait ; ain't that sense, eh ? Here,
Shirley," he continued, " get off that sofa, and come and look out
for Cotton; if he gets losing he couldn't see a white steer run
across the table ; and Justice, open another bottle o' that wine ;
we're getting infernal thirsty here."
Mr. Cotton, without hearing the remarks of his partner, put the
pack with which he had been dealing, in the card-box, and took
from it a fresh one, shuffled it up, and put it into the dealing-box.
The first two or three riffles, which he gave to the cards, as he
began shuffling, attracted my attention. The sound struck on my
ear as harsh and unnatural. Instead of that mellow sound,
which can be compared to nothing but a covey of partridges
starting on the wing, which a fine pack of cards give forth, in the
hands of an expert shuffler, it seemed like a rough pack of paste
board cards. No suspicion of wrong crossed my mind at that
time, however. The Major lost $400 on his deal, while I, playing
small and cautious, lost $60. Cotton again shuffled his cards,
and again I listened for the unnatural sound, but this tune failed
to detect it, from which circumstance I concluded I had been
mistaken. Several deals were made with this pack, and finally
one on which the Major got even, and won, besides, $20. Cotton
now put this pack away and took a fresh one, and in the shuf
fling I again detected the sound which had struck so discord
antly on my ear before, and on this deal the Major lost $600", and
I $200. Two more were made with this pack, on which the Major
and myself won a few hundreds, when Cotton again changed the
pack, and took another one from the card-box. My ears were
now on the alert to detect that singular sound, which had first
surprised me, and then aroused my suspicions that some fraud
was being practiced upon us. It was, I had observed, when a
fresh pack <fras brought in, that we scarcely won a bet on a deal,
and it was only on those occasions that the cards gave forth that
harsh noise while being shuffled. Another feature of Cotton's
dealing my keen sense of, hearing had not failed to detect, as
unnatural. When a card is pushed from the dealing-box, while
making a turn, it glides out with a nice, fine sound, which
falls on the ear pleasantly. I discovered the monotony of this
sound broken in upon several times during a deal, and in place
of the easy, gliding sound, the cards would issue from the box
with a " cluck," as if the mouth of the box were choked; and I
150 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
observed that it was immediately subsequent to these "clucks,"
that our bets were, picked up off the lay-out by the fat fingers of
Cotton. The idea that a dealer could cheat bis players at faro
never once crossed my brain until I was in Richmond. Late one
night, in our gambling-room, I heard a gambler say, when none
were present but those of his own profession, that a new trick
had been invented, by which a faro-dealer could cheat his players,
by taking from the dealing-box two cards instead of one at a
time. Also that persons were traveling around the country
practicing it upon the unwary, and that the shrewdest gamblers
were imposed upon by it, as well as the greenest fools. On the
following morning I mentioned what I had heard to the Major,
who laughed at the idea that a faro-dealer could cheat his
players, and told me he had been listening to similar nonsensical
stories for thirty years; but said they had no other foundation
than in the cracked brains of the crazy gamblers who went
about telling them. The Major's opinion on all matters pertain
ing to play being to me law and gospel, I thought no more on
the subject until the evening when Jackson thought proper to
ventilate his suspicions at our rooms, with regard to the fair
ness of the game kept in Shirley's house. At the same time
the question of strippers came up, and their having been played
at Pringle's bank in Richmond. Both subjects aroused my
curiosity, which did not rest until I had made the Major explain
to me the nature of strippers, and to what uses they were put.
From the explanation which I then received from him, I was
satisfied that Cotton was not playing strippers on us ; but I felt
convinced that he had a decided advantage over us, which alarm
ed me, and I would have taken the Major home immediately, had
it been possible to do so. But he was already $900 loser, and
pretty drunk, so that I had lost all influence over hift. He had
divested himself of his coat and vest, and also hjs neckerchief, and
was calling the servant to bring more wine, at least once in every
deal. Simpson, after getting the game going, had stretched
himself full length on the sofa, with his feet cocked in the air,
and was now treating us to a most discordant tune from his nasal
organs, while Shirley lounged half asleep in the look-out chair.
Being now firmly convinced that the stupid looking young
scamp dealing was cheating us, and that he did so every time
he brought into play a fresh pack of cards, I played along
WASHINGTON CITY. 151
lightly, being now loser to the tune of $450, and kept my eyes
and ears open without showing him that I harbored any suspi
cion. He continued changing his cards more often the farther
we proceeded in our play, until he only made the second deal
with one pack, when he exchanged it for a fresh one. Another
circumstance strongly confirmed my suspicions that he was rob
bing us. I noticed that several times during a deal his fore
finger and thumb would press heavily against that corner of the
dealing-box nearest him, and that whenever he did so, that in
fernal " cluck" would be heard as the cards fell from the box.
Then for the first time the thought struck me to count the cards
as they came from the box. I did so the next time he took a
fresh pack, and found, when the deal was ended, that but forty-
four cards had left the dealing-box. Without a word being spoken
among us, he shuffled up the same pack, and gave us a new deal
with it, on which the Major won $550; he was still loser of
about $1400, and I was loser nearly $600. Cotton now cast the
pack aside, and took another from one of the pigeon-holes of the
card-box, and shuffled; the cards, during the operation, giving
forth the strange sound which first attracted my attention. I
was now alive to the occasion, and determined to close his
career for the present, at least on that deal. The Major, em
boldened by his success on the preceding deal, commenced laying
his money heavily against the bank, hoping to retrieve his losses.
On the first turn out of the box he won a $100 bet. Several more
turns were made without any action having taken place, when
Cotton, straightening himself in his chair, the muscles of his
thumb and fore-finger, resting on the corner of the dealing-box,
began to contract, and a card was shoved out ; it left the mouth
of the box with a cluck, and was poised between the fore-finger
and thumb .of Cotton's right hand ; but before he had time to
drop it on the pack of dealt cards, I reached across the table
and snatched it from his fingers ; two cards tvere there, instead
of one. I separated the two cards with my finger and thumb,
and held them both up before the terror-stricken face of Cotton.
"That's nice work, Mr. Cotton!" I said, exultingly, shaking the
two cards in his face. Speechless and dumbfounded, Cotton sat
in his chair ; nor could Shirley, who had started bolt upright in
his the moment I snatched the cards, find a word to come to
the relief of his accomplice. The Major could not understand
152 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
my behavior, and stared in speechless astonishment at me for a
time, and then demanded, "What the devil" I was "about,
sir?" "Nothing more nor less, Major, than that this thief has
been robbing us; and here," I cried, holding up the two cards
before his puzzled face, "are the proofs of his guilt." The sound
of my voice, pitched in an excited key, awoke Simpson, who
sprang to his feet with, "Who talks of robbing ? What's the mat
ter here ? "
"I do, Mr Simpson," I said, in a quiet, but firm tone, and with a
determined manner. "I have caught your dealer robbing us,
and here's the two cards I snatched from his fingers, after he
had passed them from the dealing-box as one," holding up the
cards for his inspection.
"Nonsense! nonsense! We rob nobody, boy, here! Major,
your young man's excited; do you know what the matter is
with him?"
"He says we've been swindled, sir, and if I find it's true, look
out for yourself, sir," replied the irate Major.
"Now, Major, be easy; you're a sensible man, and can listen to
reason. Mr. Cotton, explain this matter ! I wouldn't have a
misunderstanding with my friend, Major Jenks, for all the
damned money in Washington. Pray explain matters, Mr.
Cotton?"
Cotton, thus adjured, still laboring under great agitation, could
barely stammer out, "There's n-n-nothing the matter, sir,
only the mouth of the dealing-box is too open for the cards, and
two slipped out instead of one, an' he there," pointing to me,
"thinks as how there's somethink wrong, that's all the matter,
sir."
"My dear Major, I see it all ! It's only a mere accident. You
know, yourself, that cards will frequently slip out of a box when
the mouth is a little too open, or the cards a little too thin. It's
nothing more nor less, I assure you, gentlemen," explained Mr.
Simpson.
" I'm not to be put off with any such explanation, Mr. Simp
son," I replied.
"But, my young friend, what good would it do the bank, to
drop two cards instead of one, or even five, hey?"
"I don't know," I rejoined, "but that's precisely what I mean
to find out ;" and, suiting the action to the word, I reached over
and seized hold of the dealing-box and the cards.
CITY. 153
"Stop, sir ! We don't allow any one to meddle with our tools,"
cried Simpson, advancing to take the things from me. But be
fore he could accomplish his purpose, the muzzle of a cocked
pistol was staring him in the face. My action was so unexpect
ed, that, for a moment, he staggered back against the Major,
crying out, "Do you want to murder me, you infernal assassin?"
" Yes, I do, if you interfere with me here," I said, in a menac
ing manner.
"Don't, for God's sake, Jack, do anything rash!" ejaculated
the Major.
Finding now that I had matters pretty much my own way,
and feeling no way disposed to give up my advantages, I calmly
seated myself at the end of the faro-table, and proceeded to ex
amine the cards, Simpson and his partners standing on the floor
in front of me, the latter not daring to put in half a word, let
alone a whole one. I placed my pistol on the table before me,
and took up the cards and leveled them side-ways on the table,
and then inspected the sides and the ends of the pack. I dis
covered that one side had been trimmed slightly; that is, that it
had a serrated appearance. I separated the narrow cards from
the full ones, that is, those which had been trimmed from those
which had not been, and I then discovered that one-half the
cards had been slightly trimmed near the corners on one of the
sides only, while the other half of the pack remained untouched.
I found, on close inspection, that the trimmed cards were
roughed, by some process, on their faces, and the untrimmed ones
were roughed on their backs; by placing the untrimmed cards
upon the trimmed ones, they adhered so closely as to appear but
a single card, and could not be separated until spread apart by
the fingers and thumbs. Simpson, notwithstanding the cocked
pistol at my side, did not permit me to pursue my investigations
in peace. He insisted that I should restore to him the dealing-
box and cards, and repeatedly informed me he was not to be
brow-beaten in this manner in his own house. But by this time
the Major had become somewhat sobered up, and warned him
that any interference from him would result in his receiving a
hickory cane over his head, in no very gentle manner. "But
this is an infernal outrage, Major, and I'm not a going to put up
with it, damn me if I am, sir."
"He must examine those cards; he's lost his money against
them, and he has a right to know how he's lost it, sir."
154 WANDERINGS or A VAGABOND.
"I say he ain't no right to grab a man's cards that way, and
by God he shan't do it in my house neither, recollect that,
Major Jenks!"
Cotton and Shirley now for the first began to display a little
courage and bluster. The former told Simpson to send the boy
for a policeman, accompanying his advice with the remark that
things had come to a pretty pass, when a man was to be robbed
in his own house. Without paying any attention to their threats
or bluster, I pitched a card from my hand to the table, then
another, and another, all of which fell as a single card. I then
picked up each card, pressed it between my thumb and finger,
when it separated into two cards. "These cards, Major," I
said, "are made to adhere together, in order that two maybe
forced from the box at once. They are stocked in advance; the
trimmed cards are all nines, tens, jacks and trays, fours and
fives. The untrimmed ones are the aces, deuces, kings, queens,
eights, sevens, and sixes. By shoving two cards from the box
at once, one of these denominations will always win, while the
others will as invariably lose. Now, Major, you see how they've
been robbing us to-night ! "
"It's a damned lie! You've not been robbed, and you only
say so because you don't want to give up the money you've lost
fairly," cried Simpson.
Without making him any reply, I sprang over the table,
opened the card-box where the money was, every cent of which
came from our pockets, and conveyed it back whence at least
some of it came, viz., my own pocket, no attempt being made to
interfere with me.
"I'll have you arrested for robbery !" roared Simpson.
"Will you, though!" I answered with a sneer: "and I'll have
the three of you in the penitentiary for swindling, and here's my
proof," I cried, holding up the cards and dealing-box.
"Major, do you countenance such robbery as this?" appealed
Mr. Simpson.
"I'll show you whether I do or not. Jack, run to the window
and cry 'police' as loud as you can. Damn me if I don't have
this matter settled by the proper authorities, sir." This move
ment on the part of the Major was a stunner. Simpson believed
him to be terribly in earnest, and surrendered at discretion. He
was the only one of the firm that had shown any courage hi a
WASHINGTON CITY. 155
bad cause, but the idea of public exposure was more than he
could stand. Not that he was afraid of the law he was well
aware that there was no law to punish him for swindling at
cards ; but he had already done too much swindling in Wash
ington, and exposure would drive him from it, and brand him as
a sharper wherever he went. Besides, it might bring down on
him the vengeance of some of his victims before he could get
beyond their reach. I had started for the window in pursuance
of the Major's command, when I was arrested by the voice of
Simpson calling out, " Hold on, young man; I reckon we can set
tle our little diffikilties without calling in the perlice, don't you,
Major, eh?"
"Yes, sir, we can, on one condition, which is, that you ac
knowledge that we were swindled, and are entitled to have our
money back. And unless you do so, I shall place this matter in
the hands of justice. Do you accede to my terms, sir?" de
manded the Major, bringing his cane down on the floor.
I was afraid the old fellow was pushing matters a little too
strong ; I wanted only to get our money, and leave the place as
quietly as possible. I felt immeasurably relieved when Simpson,
instead of rejecting the terms indignantly, as I fully expected he
would, only said, in a deprecating manner, " Well, well, Major,
let's take a drink on it, all 'round, and let by-gones be by-goues.''
"No, sir, I'm damned if I do," said the Major.
"Yes you will, too, Major," I broke in; "let's have no more-
hard feelings about this affair, but forget it and take a drink
with Mr. Simpson."
"No, sir! I'm damned if I do," reiterated the Major, bringing
down his cane with an emphatic thump on the floor. "I'm afraid
his liquor w.ould poison me, sir!"
"You've taken many a dose of it this evening, Major, and
you ain't dead yet," said Simpson, laughing. "But come, let us
shake hands and be friends. You can't make no money by
bearing malice; come, give us your hand, man," entreated
Simpson, holding out his own.
"No, sir! I never take the hand of a thief, if I know him to be
one." Then, turning to me, said, "Jack, let's get out of this
infernal den !" We were soon in the street and on our way
home. It was not till I reached my room that I discovered that
I had in my pocket the cards and dealing- box which I had
156 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
taken from Cotton. My first impulse was to take it back; but I
reflected that I was not sufficiently acquainted with the work
ings of the box and cards, and was very desirous of being better
versed in their mysteries. I concluded I would wait until next
day, when I would restore both to their owners. The next
evening some of our patrons reported that the rooms of Mr.
Shirley were closed, and no lights to be seen about the premises.
On the following day I ascertained that the furniture had been
removed, secretly, no one knew whither; the proprietors were
not visible, nor could any one tell where they might be found.
For several months their sudden and mysterious departure was
the subject of much speculation among the sporting fraternity of
Washington city, but none were made any wiser by either the
Major or myself.
CHAPTER XV.
INVENTORS.
The person who first conceived the idea of ironing a shirt was
a genius, and the first ship-builder was a benefactor to his race.
So says Voltaire, at least, and he was a good judge. We have
long been proudly enjoying ironed shirts, and the convenience of
ships, without knowing or in the least caring to inquire to whom
we are indebted for these blessings. The inventions of mankind
to supply our wants and minister to our pleasures have been
many and various, and, in the majority of cases, those who spent
years in elaborating them are lost to human memory. Many a
poor wretch has consumed the best years of his life in trying to
produce something which would be useful to his fellow-men,
and has gone down to his grave without meeting with even a
cold acknowledgment of his labors a ruined, disappointed man ;
while another, more fortunate, would seize upon his invention
and enrich himself. The origin of many of the arts is lost in the
darkness of ages. In the vast empire of China, even, at the
present day, the hand of the man of genius is paralyzed by the
thought that his efforts will remain entirely unknown. The
same want of respect was shown to inventors, with the exception
of the Greeks and Romans, by all the nations of antiquity. The
INVENTORS. 157
pyramids of Egypt have outlasted the names of their designers.
That stupendous monument of human skill, the great wall of
China, one thousand five hundred miles in length, thirty feet
high, and fifteen feet thick on the top, has outlived two thousand
centuries; but the name of the man who first conceived the
grand idea of building it is unknown. The names of cut-throat
warriors and stupid princes are ever carefully preserved in the
archives of nations, but the man who in vents a life or labor saving
machine is left to die unhonored and unsung. It is only within
the last two centuries or so that the inventor's talents have been
properly appreciated and acknowledged among Christian nations,
and a century has not elapsed since they have been benefited
pecuniarily in any proper degree, by the productions of their
brains. At the present day a new novel, drama, picture, poem, or
opera, will electrify a whole nation of people until they become
tired of it, when they will toss the production aside like a child
the toy which no longer pleases its fancy. Change and amuse
ment, or, I might say, change of amusement, is as necessary to
mankind as the food we eat or the air we breathe. And in these
days whoever brings forth something novel to instruct or amuse,
(but particularly the latter) or lessen the labors of his race, peans
will be shouted in his praise, every lip will repeat his name, and
wealth will be showered upon him ; and, when ready for planting,
the press will vie with each other in giving him an obituary.
After the above learned disquisition, I will come to my
subject. Card-playing has from time immemorial contributed
to the enjoyment of the people. We are told by some writers
that cards were invented by one Jaquin Gringouneur for the
amusement of his mad prince (Charles VII. of France) ; but it is
probable that this assertion of history, like many another one, is
a mistake. We find mentioned that John I., of Castile, in 1387,
prohibited the use of cards throughout his dominions, by an edict.
It is believed by many students of history that cards were
known in India and China long before the Christian era.
Nothing produced by the brains of man has offered so many
and various kinds of amusements as cards, or been so lasting.
Many games formerly played with them are entirely forgotten,
others obsolete, and new ones have been invented to fill their
places ; goods and money, cattle and horses, houses and lands,
have changed hands on the issue of these games, and will con-
158 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
tinue to do so as long as cards are in existence ; still, the
name of the inventor of a single one of these is unknown to us.
Is it because their creations were of no practical benefit to man
kind? Why, then, neither were Hamlet, Ivanhoe, The Corsair,
Norma, and many other works, the names of whose authors will
live through succeeding ages. These productions only serve to
amuse our leisure, and many of our games of chance display
quite as much genius of a different sort, certainly, but still
genius in their conception, as any of these charming compo
sitions. The game of chess is one of the grandest efforts of the
human mind ; for complexity and dexterity, it far surpasses
any known game. Men have spent a life-time, from buoyant
youth to driveling age, poring over some of its moves, without
having been able to master them satisfactorily to themselves.
Thousands of persons have for a life-time pursued their favorite
pastime of whist, without perhaps a single person in those
thousands comprehending the different combinations of hands
which may appear at a whist table, or the most skillful manner
of playing them, to insure success. Mathematics, mechanics,
and astronomy can be mastered by study, as well as their like
sciences. Why not, then, as easily, the movements on a chess
board, or the different combinations of various hands at whist
and other games played with cards?
The inventor of a game of hazard should be well posted up in
the doctrine of chances ; inasmuch as that, should his creation de
viate in any respect from the law of fairness, it would be false.
Our country has been prolific of inventors, from railroads and
telegraphs down to matches and patent medicines, but as yet
none have invented a game played with cards ; that is, a fair,
square, honest game, acknowledged and adopted as such. But
if we have been deficient in creating games of hazard, we have
not been wanting as far as altering them to suit our own pur
poses are concerned. Our country for many years has been pro
lific in such geniuses. It is a prevalent opinion among foreigners
that our country produces the most scientific gamblers in the
world. Such, however, is not the case. The gamblers of Mexi
co and the South American nations, and also 'those of Europe,
are equally skillful in their profession; and the sharpers of
Europe, if anything, surpass those of our country in their manip
ulations of cards, dice, etc. It is our inventive powers which
INVESTORS. 159
have caused foreigners to have so high an opinion of our gamb
ling talent. Nearly every banking game of chance which has
been introduced into this country has been perverted from its
original fairness, in order that the percentage might be more
favorable to the bankers, or, what is worse, to place them so
entirely in the hands of sharpers that they can bid defiance to
fortune whenever they have for adversaries men having more
money than brains. As faro has in this country more play
against it than all .the other banking games combined, sharpers
have for the last fifty years concentrated on it their talents, for
the purpose of devising cunning schemes for swindling both the
dealer and the player ; and I shall now make it my business to
examine how far they have succeeded.
FARO-BOXES. ,
In describing the game of faro I stated that, previous to the
introduction of these boxes, it was customary for the dealer to
hold the pack of cards face downward, while he turned over with
his right hand a card from the top of the pack This was the
player's card ; he then turned over another, which was for the
bank, and kept on doing so until the pack was exhausted. This
method frequently placed the bank at the mercy of shrewd and
keen-eyed men ; a blotch, bend, or scratch on a card would be
sufficient to give them a very decided advantage over the bank,
and cause it heavy loss. To guard against such accidents, faro-
boxes were introduced, and it is said were invented in the year
1822, by a Virginian by the name of Major Bayley. The box
which he invented, however, was a clumsy affair ; it was wider
than it was long, and was covered over on the top, except an ob
long hole in the middle, just large enough to push the top card
from the box with a single finger. The cards rested in the box
back upwards, and were dealt from it in the same manner as
when the dealer held the cards in his hand. These boxes were
not favorably received, and were viewed with suspicion by play
ers, more on account of their hiding the cards than anything else.
The licensed gambling-houses in New Orleans would not use
them, nor were they received with any more favor in the North
ern States. They were used, however, in some parts of the
country until replaced by open boxes. In or about the year
160 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
1825, an unrivaled genius, by the name of Graves, a watchma
ker in Cincinnati, invented the open dealing-box, similar to those
in use at the present time, though since then many improve
ments have been made. Following on the heels of his faro-box
invention, his prolific brain discovered a method of cheating the
players with his boxes by a cunningly devised arrangement
known to the sharpers of early days as " gaff."
GAFF.
This trick was played in the following manner: The plate
covering the mouth of the box was very thin and flexible, so as
to give upwards, if desirable, to force two cards from the box at
once. The next thing required was a pack of cards that could be
stocked to suit the wants of the manipulator. This was accom
plished by trimming the cards of different denominations in con vex
and concave shapes. For example : the kings, queens, aces and
deuces were separated from the others ; these were trimmed by
a convex plate made for the purpose, while the remainder of the
pack were trimmed with a concave plate. The pack being now
ready for use, the manipulator shuffles it thoroughly, in the usual
manner, then strips it in the following fashion : He holds one
end of the pack between the fingers and thumb of his left hand,
while the other end is resting on the table ; he places the fingers
and thumb of his right hand on the sides of the pack, at the
middle, which makes them rest on the convex cards. He then
draws the pack apart with a quick jerk, which leaves the c^n-
cave cards in his left hand and the convex in his right ; these he
throws upon the top of the pack, which leaves it ready for stock
ing. This was formerly done in the following manner : While
holding the pack above the table firmly in the fingers and thumb
of the left hand, he " milks it down " with the thumb and fingers
of his right hand ; that is, he draws a card from the bottom of
the pack and one from the top at the same time, and continues
to do so until he has " milked " off fifty-two cards, making a
concave card and a convex one fall alternately together, which
completes the stock. He then cuts the pack and puts it in the
dealing-box. If a king, queen, ace, or deuce (the convex cards)
are seen on the top in the dealing-box, or at any time during the
deal after a turn is made, the manipulator will know that all
INVENTORS. 16]
those cards will win. Should it be for his interest to change the
stock, he shoves two cards from the box at once and the kings,
queens, aces and deuces will all come losing, and whenever he
wishes them to come winning again he accomplishes his purpose
by pushing two more cards through the box, in place of one.
This is done in the following manner : Hidden underneath one
of the fingers of his left hand, the manipulator holds his " gaff,"
a small pointed instrument about a quarter of an inch in length
and the size of a small darning-needle, shaped like the point of
a shoemaker's awl. This instrument is usually attached to a
gold ring worn by the operator on one of his fingers the box
being purposely constructed to enable him to see the sides of the
cards opposite the mouth. Wheueves he wants to change his
stock he places the point of his "gaff" against the side of the
second card, that is, the one beneath the top, and by pushing it
gently he forces it and the top card through the mouth of the
box at once, when both are seized by the fingers of the right
hand and placed upon the dealt cards.
I have serious doubts if any of the great army of fools in this
country, at least those among them who understand the rudi
ments of faro-playing, would submit to such a barefaced robbery
at the present time; but when Graves first invented this trick,
and for many years afterwards, sharpers worked it successfully,
and by it made untold money.
The convex strippers were also played successfully for many
years, at games of single-handed poker. The cards intended for
this purpose were all cut concave, except ten, viz., the aces and
kings, with a queen and a Jack, which were cut convex. When
the sharper's antagonist had shuffled the cards preparatory to a
deal, and passed them over to be cut, the sharper gave them one
or more shuffles, and as a cut stripped the convex cards from the
concave ones, and placed them on the top of the pack, when
the hands were dealt off, he could tell by his own hand whether
his partner had the best cards or not. If in his hand he held
three kings, he knew his adversary must hold as much as three
aces; and if he held two pairs, kings, and aces, with a Jack, he
knew he must have kings, and aces, and a queen.
A year or two subsequent to the invention of Graves' "gaff"
trick, a genius named Savage, living in Virginia, invented a
method of cheating players with the Bayley boxes. The cards
162 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
used for this purpose were concave and convex strippers, which
were worked in the same manner as I have just described. The
pack of cards being placed in the box, with their faces upwards,
the fraud was worked precisely in the same manner as that de
scribed, with the exception of the " gaff." This was done away
with, and in its place the two cards were forced from the box
with a lever which rested against their sides, opposite the mouth
of the box. This lever was hidden beneath the top covering of
the box, and was worked by a very small crank. Turning the
crank in one direction, it shoved the lever forward, and with it
the two topmost cards from the mouth of the box, when they
were immediately caught by the thumb and fore-finger of the
dealer, and placed on one of the piles of dealt cards. The crank
was now turned backwards, and the lever thereby drawn into its
natural position. From the crank by which the lever was
worked, this invention was christened the " coffee-mill." The
whole affair was a clumsy invention, however, and was soon de
tected. It was subsequently improved upon by Graves. The
crank, lever, and two cards were discarded. He made the boxes
less ungainly in appearance, widened the hole in the top of the
box, and, by a cunningly devised piece of machinery placed near
the opening which admitted the pack, and beneath the covering
of the box, the top card was held back, and that immediately
beneath it shoved out. The pack, all of which were marked
upon their backs, were placed in the box back upwards, and the
game was dealt in the manner which was customary before
the invention of boxes. When the operator saw a card which
he knew would win a large stake for the player, he held it back,
while his fingers covered the hole to hide it from observation,
and shoved out that immediately underneath it, which he placed
upon the player's pile, while the top card legitimately belonging
to the player was cast in favor of the bank. This fraud could be
practiced on every turn made during a deal, without the least
bungling or danger of detection. This pattern of boxes, first
invented by Bayley, from the time of Graves' improvement re
ceived the poetical name of the " horse box." It was one of the
most ingenious contrivances ever invented for cheating the player
at faro. But the ungainly shape of the box, the fact of its hiding
the cards from the player, surrounded it with suspicion, and it
could never be used with any success where faro-games were
INVENTOKS. 1G3
dealt out of the hand or with open boxes. They have existed
up to the present day, but have not been used in faro for nearly
twenty-five years, and at the present day are used only by a set
of sharpers, for dealing a swindling game known as "Red and
Black."
The open boxes (square ones) invented by Graves became very
popular with both dealers and players throughout the country,
and within three years after their introduction, were in use in
every respectable faro -bank in the United States. The "gaff"
arrangement had by this time been exposed to the more initiated
among the gambling fraternity, as were also the "coffee-mill"
and the "horse's box." Fools might now and then be found
who would allow themselves to be fleeced of their money by such
coarse tricks, but it required something more scientific to be
brought forward, in order to reach the professional moneyed
gamblers. The prolific brain of Graves in the year 1828 discov
ered what are known as roughed cards, and which have held
undisputed sway with sharpers over every other invention of
the sort, up to the present time. The boxes, prepared to drop
two of the roughed cards together, were precisely similar in
shape and appearance to the square ones ; the top plate, above
the mouth of the box, being made to raise sufficiently to allow of
two cards being forced from the aperture at a time. This was
accomplished by a lever placed inside the box near the lid, which
was worked by one of the screws that fastened down the top of
the box. It was placed on the outside corner of the box next its
opening, and on the end next the dealer. Whenever the manip
ulator desired to change his stock, by taking out two cards in
the place of one, he pressed lightly downward on the screw with
his thumb, which forced the lever to raise the lid of the box from
its mouth, which, being enlarged, he pushed, in the ordinary way,
the top card with his finger, but the card pushed out drags with
it the one immediately underneath it, and so long as his thumb
continues to press on the screw, so long will two cards pass from
the box at once ; but immediately he ceases to press on the screw
the lid of the box resumes its natural position, and but a single
card can escape at a time. Since this invention these two-card
boxes have undergone many changes and many improvements.
Many men, in different parts of the country, have at various
times made themselves fortunes manufacturing these two-card
164 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
boxes. Whoever was able to add to them any improvement
could receive for it his own price from sharpers. The material
in any of these two-card boxes scarcely amounts to $25, yet the
makers have received for them from $75 to $300 each, according
to the fineness of the workmanship. There was living hi Peters
burg, Va., long before the commencement of our civil war, a
drunken old watchmaker who was skilled hi the manufacture of
these articles, who never made one for less than $200, and had
always on hand more orders than he could possibly fill. But the
number of artisans who are able to construct these boxes have
very much increased since the war, so much so that they have
fallen greatly in price, to the immense satisfaction of the sharp
ers. At the present day the best silver two-card boxes can be
purchased for $100, and from that down to $30, if not less, ac
cording to the material and workmanship. The machinery used
at the present day in these cheating boxes is placed on a silver
or German silver plate, and is fitted against the side of the box,
beneath its mouth, which is made wide enough to admit of the
passage of two cards at a time. But a small, thin plate, extend
ing from one end of the mouth to the other, prevents the egress
of more than one card, if that only is desired. This plate is at
tached to the machinery hidden between the side of the box and
the false plate, and can be lowered to the thickness of a single
card if the manipulator desires to change his stock, by taking a
brace of cards from the box instead of one. At the present time
the lever which works the plate is attached to one of the bars at
the bottom, on the inside of the box, by which its springs are
fastened. By pressing with the finger against the bar, the plate
which guards the mouth of the box is lowered; the moment the
finger is removed the plate resumes its natural position, and the
mouth is closed against the egress of more than one card at a
time. These boxes are constructed to lock in various ways ;
that is, to close the machinery from working, and from the sight
of the uninitiated ; the object of this being to enable the box to
be shown to any person doubting its fairness. The precaution is
superfluous, however, as no fool capable of being imposed on by
a two-card box, would ever think of searching for its machinery,
more especially as, if he suspected fraud, he could detect it by
examining the cards. I shall now return to the roughed cards
invented by Mr. Graves for the use of his boxes.
INVENTORS. 165
r~
HOUGHED CARDS OR "STRIPPERS."
I am unable to say who was the inventor of these, but they
made their appearance shortly before Graves brought forth his last
and most famous invention, and were no more than an improve
ment on the concave and convex cards or "strippers." The
labor on a pack of concave or convex "strippers" was far
more than that upon "wedge strippers," of which I now pro
pose to treat. A pack of " wedge strippers" are manufactured
by trimming all the cards in the following manner : Each card
is trimmed lengthwise, on one side, leaving the corner where the
shaving away is commenced, intact; it is continued more heavily
to the other end, which takes from the card a long and very thin
wedge, and also makes the pack slightly that shape. While re
taining this position the cards would be useless to the sharper for
cheating purposes. But turn a portion of them so that the un-
trimmed ends of this portion would meet with the trimmed ends
of those remaining stationary, and these respective portions could
be drawn apart by taking hold of the ends of the pack. This
operation is known among sharpers as " stripping." To render
the pack of " strippers " serviceable we will suppose that the pack
has just been trimmed into the foregoing shape : It is now divid
ed into two piles; in one are placed the kings, queens, Jacks, aces,
deuces, trois, and two sevens, and in the other the tens, nines,
eights, sixes, fives, fours, and the two remaining sevens. The
two piles are turned half-way round and placed one upon the
other. The operator takes hold of the pack, while shuffling it,
at both ends near the corners, and when he has mixed it to his
satisfaction, or that of his customers, rather, he "strips" it,
leaving in one part all the kings, queens, Jacks, aces, deuces,
trois, and two sevens, and in the other the remainder of the cards.
It was in this way sharpers first used "strippers," in order to in
crease the number of splits in their games, which would render
the number five times greater than in the ordinary course of
things, with a fair pack of cards, during a deal. They were also
found useful in another way : whenever the sharpers found one
or more were playing in the pot, or betting on any other partic
ular cards, these cards were turned round from the rest in the
pack, and when " stripped " and "milked down," by cutting the
pack at one end, the stocked cards would all lose, but after they
166 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
were placed in the box the manipulator had then no further con
trol over them ; but the renowned Graves overcame this difficul
ty, first by his invention of the " gaff," and afterwards by his
" roughed cards."
SANDED CARDS.
Simple as roughed cards may sound to the reader, when under
stood they are by no means so simple. They have been and are
the cause of much grief and sorrrw to thousands of persons. To
work a pack of cards in a two-card box according to the method
invented by Graves, the principle of which is carried out at the
present day, is accomplished in the following manner. For
example, we will take a pack of " strippers," and after separating
them by drawing them apart, leave in one of the portions the
king, queen, etc., as already described, and in the other, the
tens, nines, eights, sixes, fives, fours, and two sevens. Having
rubbed the faces of these latter ones with sand-paper, we will
proceed to rub the backs of the first mentioned portion in ex
actly the same manner. We will now place them together and
shuffle them up, after which we will "strip" them and "milk"
them down, cut them, and finally place them in the dealing-box.
We will suppose the ace is the soda card. This indicates that
all the kings, queens, aces, deuces, trois, and the two sevens
will win, and that the remaining cards will lose. As the latter
denominations are sanded on their faces, and the former on their
backs, they will naturally adhere ; that is, the cards which are
sanded upon their faces, coming in contact with those sanded
upon their backs, will adhere to them. Now just as long as we
wish the kings, queens, aces, deuces, trois, and, we will say, two
red sevens, to win, we have only to push one card from the deal
ing-box at a time ; but should we wish to alter the stock, we
have only to touch the lever moving the plate that guards
the mouth of the box, and at the same time shove the top card
from the box with the forefinger, and it will drag the one im
mediately beneath it along with it, and the two cards will leave
the mouth of the box as one only. The consequence of taking
these two cards at one time is to alter the run of the whole
stock. The kings, queens, Jacks, etc., will now all lose, and the
tens, nines, eights, etc., will all win; and as often as two cards
are taken at once, the whole programme of the "stock" will be
167
changed. Should an obstinate player persist in following up the
run of the winning cards, that is, if he bet his money behind the
deuce, ace, etc., these being the winning cards, we should be
obliged to take two cards from the box at once, in order that
we might win his bet, and so on, as often as he bet on winning
cards.
About twenty-five years ago an improvement was introduced,
to relieve the dealer from taking two cards too often during a
deal, and also to enable him the more readily to beat two or
more players at the same time. This was accomplished by
placing a small dot on the faces of those cards whose backs were
sanded. This dot was placed on the margin of the card near
the left-hand corner next the dealer, and was made hi such a
manner that the operator could tell whether the card on which
it was placed was a king, queen ace, deuce, trois, or seven.
The inside corner of the top of the box on the left-hand side,
next the dealer, was filed away so that he could see the dots ;
and as the top card dragged with it the one under it, the plate
thus doctored enabled the dealer to see the dot on the third card
below. In this way he could tell before he made his last turn
which was the winning cord. By this cunning device a player,
we will say, has $100 bet on the ace and the same on the ten.
According to the stock the ace must win, and the ten lose. The
manipulator makes his turns regularly, knowing the ten will lose
before the dot on the card below informs him that the ace will
win, on the turn. Should the latter prove to be the case, he
pushes two cards through the mouth of the box, which makes the
ace lose on the turn. If the ten does not win on the same turn
on which the ace has lost, on the next turn he pushes two cards
more from the box, again placing the ten a loser. Strippers in
various shapes have held their own up to the present time. It
was natural that in the course of time these frauds should be
exposed to the farther advanced of the gamblers, and such was
the case, arid it required some new invention in the line of fraud
to cheat them. Upon this class, stripping cards and milking
them were worn out ; and though such tricks might still answer
for the verdant, some new scheme had to be elaborated to baffle
the already awakened vigilance of professional gamblers. This
was accomplished in the year 1835, when a new invention was
set afloat, known among gamblers under the name of
168 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
"BOUNDS "
I am unable to say by whom these- were invented. The credit
is generally awarded to a genius living in Nashville, Term., by
the name of John Powers. A pack of rounds were manufactured
as follows : the kings, queens, aces, deuces, trois, and* red sevens
were taken from the pack, and the tens, nines, eights, sixes,
fives, fours, and black sevens were trimmed in this way: On
one of their sides, near the corners, a slice about the width of the
thickness of two cards was trimmed off, while the middle was
left untouched ; this gave them a slightly oval shape ; each of
these cards were sanded on their faces, and those of the other
portion on their backs. When the trimmed and untrimined
cards were placed together, the pack on one side had a serrated
appearance, especially near its corners, while on the other side
the natural shape was preserved. The reader can now easily
understand how, by separating the trimmed from the un-
trimmed cards, and "milking them down," the whole pack was
completely stocked. The dealer, while shuffling a pack of
"rounds," kept the serrated or trimmed side next him, and held
the pack near the corners with his thumbs resting on the trim
med part, and on the sides of those which were untrimmed.
The trimmed cards held their natural position during the shuffle,
the thumbs being unable to touch them ; the sand on the faces
of the trimmed ones meeting the roughed backs of the untrimmed
ones, they were held firmly in their places, so that a practical
shuffler could shuffle a pack of rounds for more than a minute,
with seeming fairness, without in any manner disarranging his
stock. The shuffling of a pack of these cards has a very differ
ent sound from that of a fair pack it falls roughly on the ear; so
much so, that, in many cases, it has led to their detection.
Rounds and strippers of all descriptions have had their stocks
arranged in different ways. When the cards are placed in op
position as follows: tens, nines, eights, sixes, fives, fours, and
two sevens against the kings, queens, Jacks, aces, deuces, trois,
and two sevens, they are termed "one end against the other."
When they are placed in opposition as kings, queens, aces,
deuces, sixes, eights, and two red sevens, against the Jacks,
tens, nines, fives, fours, trois, and two black sevens, they are
termed "both ends against the middle." When all the odd
INVESTORS. 169
cards are placed in opposition to all the even cards, they are
termed "odds and evens." Cheating packs have been arranged
in many different ways, but the three combinations given above
are those which have been most commonly in use since "strip
pers" and "rounds" were invented. These variations were
made to prevent players from noticing the cards running one
way. When rounds were first invented, they were not intended
to strip, nor was it meant that they should be separated and
milked down in the presence of players. Such work would not
for a moment stand the test with gamblers. Consequently the
manipulators carried with them in their card-boxes, ready
stocked, from one to three dozen packs of cards. In the first
deal the players were robbed, and in every subsequent one,
when a fresh pack was brought into play.
When rounds were played out on gamblers, but not until they
had been robbed, from Maine to Texas, with them, the sharp
ers made strippers of their cards, that one pack of them might
be serviceable every deal. One half the pack were trimmed on
both sides near the corners, and the other half were made con--
cave at the middle, which made the pack both strippers and
rounds. These were christened by the sharpers, "snow-outs."
The frequent scorchings which gamblers received from these
gentry made them suspicious of all faro-dealers. They imagined
that if, before shuffling, the cards were snowed out, that is, scat
tered over the table, it would be a safeguard against fraud. To
meet this- fallacy, rounds and strippers were brought into play
combined. A skillful manipulator would shuffle them for several
minutes, then strip them with a quick, easy motion, as if he were
dividing the pack with both hands to shuffle in again. But no
sooner had he stripped the pack, than he held it up by the sides
between the thumb and fingers of his left hand, while with his
right he drew a card from top and bottom, simultaneously. In
this manner, with a rapid motion, he would toss the cards all
over the table, and then arrange them in their natural shape ;
that is, the shape it was intended they should come in. While
scattering the cards, he would throw those sanded upon their
faces upon those roughened upon their backs ; they would of
course adhere, and in this fashion the whole pack was complete
ly stocked. To give the matter an additional appearance of
fairness, he now gathers up his cards, arranges them into the
170 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
pack, and shuffles them for several seconds by the trimmed
edges, without disturbing, in the least, his stock, puts his cards
into' the dealing-box, and is ready to take two cards from it any
time it suits him to do so during the deal. For more than a year
this game was played on the shrewdest gamblers ~bef ore it was
exposed, and even up to the present time "snow-outs" have
been the main dependence of scores of sharpers who use them in
all their "skinning games" at faro. But they no longer "milk
down," or "snow out" their cards as formerly. That method
was abandoned some tw'euty-five years ago, for a more artful
improvement. The manipulator now shuffles his foul cards care
fully at the start, then rapidly strips them apart, holding in
each hand one-half of the pack ; the ends of these he places to
gether, then shoves the cards between each other, placing each
card of the different combinations alternately together, as cor
rectly as if the pack had been carefully "milked down." This
scientific feat is called by sharpers the "butt-in shuffle," and can
be accomplished only after much practice. The first rounds in
troduced, those not intended to strip, were played for upwards of
three years on some of the most expert faro-players in the coun
try before they were detected. Their detection was the primal
cause, or one of the causes, which forced illiberal faro-bankers
to allow the keeping of cases at their games. It was upon
these rounds which Mr. Cotton exercised his dexterity on the
Major and myself, in Washington. Had I been at the time ac
quainted with roughed cards, he could not have played the
second deal upon us after my suspicions were aroused. When
once shown the nature of roughed cards, they are easily detected.
By holding a card to the light, in such a manner that its glare
may fall on its surface, should it be rubbed with sand-paper,
soiled with acid, or in any manner blotched, it can be easily seen.
Strippers and rounds of every description now became worth
less for robbing gamblers out of their money any farther. They
had now learned to suspect all faro-dealers, and one of them
could not make a deal with a pack of cards till some of the
players had carefully examined it to see that it was not trimmed
for purpose of fraud. Skillful sharpers, however, overcame this
difficulty. They brought a new fraud to bear upon their play
ers, which they named "squared sights." This took place in
1848. The cards were perfectly squared, so as to stand the test
INVENTORS. 171
of the closest examination; for example, we will say the following
cards, kings, queens, aces, and deuces, are sanded upon their
backs, and all the other cards in the pack are sanded upon their
faces ; the cards sanded upon their backs are dotted after the
same manner I have before described the rounds to be, and are
intended to work in a two-card dealing-box, in precisely the
same manner. The pack being examined and pronounced sat
isfactory, the dealer puts it, after shuffling it fairly and squarely,
into the dealing-box. There has been no stripping and stack
ing, consequently, why should not everything be fair and
square ? But it is not. It is all a fraud. I have stated that
the kings, queens, aces, and deuces were sanded on their backs,
and dotted on their faces near the margin of their sides. When
ever a turn is made, and one of these cards remains in the box,
that is, has won on the turn, and a card sanded on its face lies
next to it, it drags it forward against the plate in the mouth of
the box, providing the third card is also sanded upon its back.
In that case the dealer can tell by the dot upon it what that
card is. Should it be loaded with money, he immediately
pushes two cards from the box, in order that this third card may
fall for the bank on the turn, and keeps on doing so on the oc
currence of every similar circumstance during the deal. The
introduction of cue-boxes rendered this trick harmless, and pre
vented it from being played on any but fools, and at the present
day it is not practiced by sharpers.
When case-keeping was introduced, the old tricks practiced
upon faro-players by sharpers became useless, except in the case
of the most verdant fools; but the same introduction enabled
the noble army of the Chevaliers d'Industrie to concoct a new
scheme for robbing those who staked their money on that game.
The bankers were as yet too benighted to adopt the copper
game, and the players against their bank were either compelled
to bet that case-cards would win, or run the risk of having their
money split on double cards. The invention now brought on
the tapis was what the sharpers termed " tie-ups." " Tie-ups "
were sometimes as many as nine cards, stocked so as to make
the last four cases in the box lose. These nine cards were each
pierced near the corners with a very fine needle. Through these
holes was passed a fine hair, and tied. In the hands of a prac
ticed operator, these cards were shuffled with every appearance
172 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
of fairness; so much so, that for about five years they were piayed
ou the most astute gamesters in the country. When the operator
had managed his shuffle, he cut off the pack above the tied-up
cards, which placed them at the bottom. While placing the
cards in the dealing-box, he cut the hair on the sharp edge of
the plate inside the box, which was sharpened for that purpose.
He had now four case-cards to lose on the last four turns of the
deal, and it is upon these turns that gamblers generally play then'
heaviest bets during a deal. Therefore one may easily see how
beneficial was this artful trick to the pockets of the sharpers.
The introduction of copper-betting- at faro destroyed for these
gentry all use of their "tie-ups." Their inventions are, however,
swifter than the detection of their frauds.
One would imagine that, after the introduction of case-boards,
cue-papers, and copper-betting, the votaries of faro would have
been free from any further frauds being practiced upon them at
their game. Every card coming from the dealing-box was duly
scored, and if fifty-two cards left the box, all must be on the
square. Cards, preparatory to having a deal made with them,
could be taken from the box when desired, and examined, and if
found perfectly square upon their sides and ends, and not sanded
or roughed, how was it possible to cheat with them ? A genius
from Nashville completely knocked this argument out of the
ring, by the invention known as the " odd card." This new de
vice, which made its appearance about the year 1850, has last
ed up to the present time, and has been successfully played on
many of the gambling community, who no doubt imagined that
the idea of any one cheating them at faro was beyond the range
of probability.
The " odd card" is the introduction of an extra card into the
pack ; for example, we will say that the extra card is the deuce
of spades. It and the deuce of spades belonging to the pack
are roughed upon their faces with sand-paper, no other cards in
the pack being so roughed but them, all the others being rough
ed upon their backs with sand-paper. The two deuces of spades
are marked upon their backs, in order that they may be easily
discovered in the shuffle. Their backs are also polished with
hard spermaceti. This is done in order that the cards may
glide easily off them whenever the pack is divided into two por
tions for the purpose of shuffling. The smooth faces of the other
INVESTORS. 173
cards glide easily off their polished backs, while the sand upon
their faces causes them to adhere to the sanded backs of the
rest of the pack, and keeps them in a firm position, so that the
operator, whenever he divides the pack for the purpose of shuf
fling, finds one of the deuces of spades to be the top card of
that portion of the pack which he holds in his right hand. Be
fore he commences building his stock, he notices the card upon
which he builds, which is always the card lying on the top of the
pack. We will say, for instance, that his build is the king of
hearts. On this card, while shuffling them together, he places the
deuce of spades. He then cuts the pack apart, and shuffles a
card on the first deuce of spades, and then glides the pack apart
to find the second deuce. Should he miss it he shuffles under
neath his stock, and keeps on so doing till he finds the second
deuce of spades, which he shuffles on the top of the stock, and
also a card upon it, which completes the stock. Sometimes the
pack is cut by a false shuffle before placing it in the dealing-box;
but more often by a "brief card." The deal is now commenced.
Every card which comes from the box is duly scored by the
case-keeper, and also on the cue-papers. The entire deal is con
ducted fairly until it comes down to the last turn. On the pre
vious turn, the king of hearts, the build card, has won, as it must
always do on the five-card turn, and its appearance warns the
dealer that his work is now before him. For example, a deuce,
six, and four, is marked on the case-board, as the cards remain
ing in the dealing-box. According to his stock he can make
one of the deuces win or lose on the turn as he pleases. Should
it be for his interest for it to lose, he makes the turn fairly, and
it loses. But if it be for his interest that it should win, he shoves
from the box at once two cards; underneath the king of hearts is
buried the first deuce of spades, the next being either a six or a
four, and the losing card. If he makes the first deuce lose, in
order to make his cards come out right, and to hide the second
deuce of spades, he presses upon the lever, and shoves two cards
from the box, the underneath one being the second deuce ; after
it comes the " hockelty " card, which ends the deal, which, as far
as fairness is concerned, gives general satisfaction to the players.
If he makes it win, and turns out the king of hearts with the first
deuce lying perdu beneath it, the next card will be either a six or
a four, and the losing card, and the one following that is the
deuce of spades, the winning card, which remains in the box.
174 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
The commanding of a single turn on a deal may seem at first
sight a very insignificant advantage, and it is so when compared
with exercising a pack of rounds upon a party of gamblers.
The "odd card" is never brought into service, except upon such
players as will not stand rounds or strippers of any kind, and
who are likely to score the cards carefully as they come from the
dealing-box during the deal, and who would immediately cry
"foul play" were the pack to come out short at the end of the
deal. Moreover, players of this description play high, and make
their heaviest bets on the last turn, which circumstance gives to
the sharper a very decided advantage. Though the trick called
the "odd card" has been in existence twenty odd years, it is
still extensively played by sharpers. Many faro-players, being
warned of the trick, have tried to protect themselves by counting
the cards before playing against them, but such suspicious in
dividuals are frequently outwitted by the sharper in the follow
ing manner. He hides under the lay-out next to his shuffling
board an extra deuce of spades, and whenever a customer comes
along, of whom he has doubts, or who has been in the habit of
counting the pack before playing against it, he hands him over
a pack of cards for examination. Should his customer decline,
he draws out the secreted card and puts it into the pack and
goes on with his work; but if his customer counts over the pack,
he takes it, shuffles it up, and makes one or two deals on the
square, after which, having gained the confidence of his man,
he draws forth his secreted card and goes to work on him.
Nothing in the line of card-sharping is so difficult as playing
the odd card, and it will not answer for a bungler to attempt it
upon any except the most verdant fools. It requires long prac
tice and great patience to be a skillful manipulator of this
branch of the business. Sharpers who have attained the highest
degree of excellence in this respect have in the end been fre
quently detected in playing it upon their customers.
To make the cheat stronger, two odd cards have been intro
duced into the pack by some sharpers, which they call "fifty-
four." But the work required to stock and manage two extra
cards in a pack is rather of a bungling order, and it is seldom
played except in aristocratic skinning-houses, where it is gener
ally resorted to when the customers insist upon keeping the
cases with cue-papers.
INVENTORS. 175
Sharpers did not entirely confine themselves to frauds for the
purpose of robbing faro-players; faro-bankers were also objects
of solicitude to them. As early as 1836, a Tennesseean named
Miller invented an artful trick for "snaking" faro-boxes, as it is
called in the sharper's parlance. This invention was called
"THE TONGUE-TELL."
Although at the present time this trick is not used by sharp
ers, nor has been for twenty years, yet for some years after it
made its appearance it was successfully played upon faro-bank
ers throughout the country wherever faro-playing had taken a
hold. The tongue-tell was made by inserting a false plate in
side the dealing-box and underneath its mouth. Fastened to
this was a piece of fine watch-spring, which ran lengthwise be
tween the false plate and the side of the box, and came out in a
fine polished steel point under the screw on the right-hand side
of the box facing the player.
Fastened to this watch-spring was a pivot about the thickness
of an ordinary sewing-needle and about the eighth of an inch in
length. This pivot penetrated the false plate through a hole
drilled for the purpose, and the point extended just sufficiently
to rub against the fourth card from the top in the dealing-box.
To make a pack of cards work in this box, it was necessary to
trim them all on their sides with a concave plate, except the
"tell" cards. For example, we will say that the "tell" cards
are the queens and deuces; these are not trimmed or otherwise
tampered with, except to harden their edges by rubbing them
with a piece of fine linen. The concave cards in dealing could
not touch the pivot, as they gradually rose up alongside of the
false plate while the deal was progressing; but the "tell" cards
would, and whenever one of these rubbed against the pivot, it
shoved back the watch-spring, which shoved out the "tongue-
tell" underneath the screw of the box. As soon as the "tell"
card passed above the point of the pivot, the " tongue-tell " went
back again under the screw. Whenever the "tongue-tell" stood
out beneath the screw, it informed the person playing it, that
either a queen or a deuce would win on "the second turn.
A French watchmaker living in Natchez, by the name of
Louis David, manufactured "tongue-tell" boxes for more than
176 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
ten years, in which time he made a handsome fortune. At first
he charged for a silver box, the material of which did not cost
$25, $175, and for a German silver, $125; but in the course of
a few years he lowered his price to $125 each for silver, and
$75 for those of German silver. His boxes had attained such a
celebrity for the superiority and fineness of their workmanship,
that he was patronized by sharpers from one end of the country
to the other.
Between the years 1837 and 1852, every faro-sharper in the
country carried with him a "tongue -tell" box, and half a dozen
or so packs of "tell" cards. This kit he would ring in upon
verdant gamblers who were anxious to open a snap at faro, or if
any of these took stock with him in a faro-bank, it is needless to
say he had a "pal" on the outside to break it.
In those days, dealing-cards were not squared so smoothly on
the sides and ends as at the present day, but on the contrary
were sold by the manufacturers in a rough and uneven state,
which greatly favored the fraud of "tell" cards from being de
tected. When squared cards became popular with dealers, it
destroyed the efficiency of the "tongue-tell," which was short
ly afterwards abandoned by sharpers as an article "played out."
"THE SAND-TELL,"
at the present day, answers the sharper's purpose for ridding
green faro-bankers of their superfluous cash. Although pre
viously, the value of sand-paper was well-known to the sharper,
this cunning device was not discovered until 1842. The name of
the person who did so cannot be handed down to grateful gen
erations of these gentry, being unknown. Any person possessing
a spark of mechanical genius, who has once seen a "sand-tell,"
could "snake" a set of faro-tools. Cards won't travel in a
"square" box; that is, the top card on leaving the box will not
drag forward the one immediately beneath it, because it is kept
firmly in its place by the edge resting against the side of the
box just below its mouth. By fastening a false plate on the in
side, similar to those used in the two-card boxes, not allowing it
to reach the mouth by just the thickness of a single card, it
makes a groove into which the second card is dragged as the
first leaves the box in the turn. Whatever may be the thickness
INVENTORS. 177
of the false plate, say the eighth of an inch, just that space will
the second card be dragged, till its edge comes in contact with
the mouth of the box. Such an extent of space, or even the
sixteenth of an inch, would almost certainly lead to detection,
consequently the false plate is seldom made thicker than about
thrice the thickness of an ordinary playing-card. If the groove
between the edge of the false plate and the mouth of the box is
large enough to admit two cards, or if too small to admit one,
the "tell" will not work; therefore the groove must be precisely
as large and no larger than to admit one card at a time to enter.
When a plate of this kind is placed in a "square" box, a fair
pack of cards will travel in it, or, in other words, the top card,
while the dealer is making his turn, will drag the one imme
diately underneath it forward towards the mouth of the box, just
a distance corresponding with the thickness of this false plate.
The box being prepared, it is now necessary to fix the cards to
make them "tell" in it, which is accomplished as follows. "We
will select, from the pack, for exam pie, all the deuces, aces, and
trois; these we will touch lightly on their faces with sand-paper,
not molesting any of the other cards of the pack. We will now
shuffle up the pack, and put it in the dealing-box. Whenever
we make a turn, we can see that the top card, as it is shoved
from the box, drags after it one of the others as far as the mouth,
unless it is one of those we have sanded on their faces. The
sanded faces of the aces, deuces, and trois, hold the cards on the
top of them steady, so the manipulator, when he sees the top card
stand firm, knows by that sign that a trois, deuce, or ace lies im
mediately beneath it, and as long as he can see that the top
card has moved in the smallest degree, or traveled towards the
mouth of the box, he can bet behind those three cards without
fear of losing.
It requires much practice and a quick eye to work a " sand-
tell "well when the work upon the box and cards is done finely.
Sharpers at this fraud have frequently been detected, either from
the coarseness of the workmanship on the tools, or because their
avarice spurred them on to win all the money they could, for
fear the cheat would be detected. A shrewd sharper never bets
on any of the " snaked " cards until they become cases ; he plays
away from them, and is careful to make no unnatural bets,
which might draw upon him the suspicions of the bankers or by-
178 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
slanders. If he can win four or five bets on a deal, at the most,
he is satisfied, and in this manner plays along slowly till he
breaks the bank.
The faro-dealers in this country who will stand the " sand- tell "
may be numbered by hundreds ; but they have protected them
selves from this and other frauds by keeping their tools in strong
safes. At the present day there are few bankers who do not use
a safe to protect themselves from the artful dodges of these
worthies.
The stealing of a set of faro-tools, in order to "snake" them,
first led to the detection of " tie-ups." The affair took place at
Columbus, Georgia, where a couple of itinerant sharpers dropped
in with a card-box full of " tie-ups." Columbus was at that time
a lively place, and at that time contained as hard a set of cases
in the gambling line as could be found among the whole fraterni
ty. They were all "high rollers" against faro, had plenty of
money, and, if the cards came favorably, would "chaw up" a
bank in double-quick time. On this party our " tie-up " sharp
ers commenced their labors, and in three nights succeeded in de
pleting them to the amount of about $4,000. One of the Colum
bians was versed in the scientific principles of the " sand-tell,"
which had been discovered a short while before ; consequently
he held a consultation with several companions, when, after a
stormy debate, it was unanimously voted that the two strangers
were "suckers, " and ought to be " goosed." The two "tie-up"
sharps opened their game every evening in the back room of a
coffee-house, which was fitted up for that purpose especially.
After they had closed their game they took their tools with them
to their room in the hotel, hi order to arrange their disorganized
" tie-ups " to have sufficient for the next night. The fact of the
faro-tools being left in their rooms during the day came to the
knowledge of some of the Columbians. Two of them were dele
gated to entertain the two strangers, by showing them the most
beautiful parts of the city, while the others stole the tools from
their room and " snaked '' them. The first part of the programme
being duly accomplished, the other delegates took the kit of
tools into another room in the hotel, where it was opened by
means of false keys. When the contents of the card-box were ex
posed to the vulgar gaze of the " snakers '* it created no little
astonishment. For the first time they learned the virtue of "tie-
INVENTORS. 179
ups," and how they had been swindled out of their money during
the last few days. The knowledge added a desire for revenge to
their cupidity ; a false plate was put into the box, the " tied-up "
stocks were not molested, but certain cards in each pack were
sanded, after which the tools were carefully returned to the place
where they were found, everything being restored to the same
position as before they were molested. The sharpers were well
acquainted with the mysteries of a " sand-tell," but so deeply
immersed were they in their own " little game," that they did not
even suspect any one there of any designs on them, and fell vic
tims to their cupidity and excessive confidence. The Georgians
performed their part well. The fact of finding the "tie-ups"
convinced them that they had under-estimated the talents of the
two strangers ; that they were not quite such " suckers " as they
had supposed, and, therefore, it might be prudent to act rather
cautiously with them. Accordingly they played along warily, but
heavily, making no unnatural bets, all playing together, in order
to win what they could before the cards came down to the " tied-
up stock," not refusing to avert suspicion by throwing away a
portion of their gains on the " stocked" cases. This they could
afford to do, as the sharpers made at least two deals with each
pack before changing it for a fresh one. When the sharpers had
expended what " tie-ups" they had, they closed their game
losers by about $8,000 and retired to their sleeping-rooqj for
the night. When they commenced arranging their "tie-ups"
for another sitting, they found, to their mortification, not only
that their trick had been discovered, but, also, that their tools
had been " snaked." Not having sufficient nerve to meet the
jeers of the Columbians, they took the stage early in the morning
for Montgomery.
180 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XVI
INCTJBI.
It is a popular fallacy that those terrible demons that disturbed
the rest of our forefathers have vanished, with many others of
the belongings of those good old days. But they are still
amongst us, though they now empty our pockets while broad
awake, instead of sucking our blood while asleep. These vam
pires carry on their depleting process under the disguises of
various callings, and practice upon the peaceful and industrious
their robberies and extortions under many shapes. The class of
mankind that are free from their machinations must be, in world
ly goods, poor indeed. They toil not, neither do they spin ; but
prey upon their fellow men for sustenance. Among them may
be found hereditary landowners, monopolists of every description,
cunning priests, scheming lawyers, usurious " grip-alls," corrupt
judges, scurvy politicians, greedy speculators, and blackmailers
of every description. The crimes of these are not within the
province of these memoirs. The pens of many abler scribes have
exposed their depredations upon peaceful industry, but they are
as powerful, rapacious, and selfish as ever, and will continue to
be so until the broad light of intelligence is more generally dif
fused among the lower classes. It is with the incubi known as
" gambling sharpers," who infest the land, " seeking whom they
may devour," that I now propose to deal; because I am more
thoroughly acquainted with the manners, customs, and artful
dodges of that cunning race of thieves, than of those of their
brethren in infamy.
Prejudice is fostered by ignorance. The public at large has
never had anything like a correct knowledge of gambling or gam
blers the different relations and degrees of social standing
which exist among them, their manners and habits, the charac
ter of their rooms, the patrons who frequent them, or the games
of chance played there, or the manner in which those games are
conducted. Dice-coggers, three-card throwers, red and black
dealers, strap players and their ilk, with their cappers, generally
of the worst rowdy order, have been met with at fairs and other
public gatherings, and formerly on race-courses, plying their
DTCUBI. 18J
calling. This class has been taken, by the public in general, as
a representative one of the gambling community ; for the reason
that no opportunity has been given them for more correct judg
ment. The press of the country, either through ignorance or
design, has placed gamblers before the people on the same grade
as thieves and murderers ; then why should the community at
large be blamed for not judging them more favorably?
For many years the fraternity has keenly felt this cruel wrong,
and, through this misjudgment, have at various times suffered
many persecutions. Those of them able to take up the pen
in defense of the brotherhood have been deterred from doing
so by a fear of outrage from a horde of banded sharpers, who
have become powerful in this country through their wealth and
influence. To place the gambler in his proper light before the
public, and expose the rascally practices of the sharper, is the
principal object of this work.
A GAMBLER
*
Is a person willing to back his opinion, whenever he is in
possession of any money with which to do so. His studies are
the doctrine of chances, and the science of playing " short
games ;" that is, popular games, like poker, brag, Boston, whist,
cribbage, all-fours, euchre, ecarte, chess, billiards, backgammon,
etc. By studying the doctrine of chances, he makes himself
acquainted with the percentage of banking games of chance,
such as faro, roulette, monte, rouge-et-noir, lansquenet, hazard,
vingt-et-un, etc. A thorough-bred gambler will hazard his
money at all short games with which he is acquainted, and often
too when he is overmatched. He will also bet his money on
banking games of chance, on elections, horse-races, boat-races,
boxing- matches, cock-fights, and even on raffles for turkeys if
nothing better offers. It would be impossible to make a correct
estimate of this class, but I scarcely think that within the broad
limit of Uncle Sam's dominions three hundred thorough-bred
gamblers can be found.
The majority of sporting men may be more correctly ciassea
as gambling bankers. The greater part of these rely solely on
banking games of chance without playing against them or
hazarding their money at games of short cards or other sports of
182 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
the kind. Among them are some who will risk their money
only in dealing faro, some in banking vingt-et-un, some in
roulette, others in monte, and still others in banking chuck. The
majority of faro bankers are as ready to play their money against
the game as to bank it ; so also will monte bankers ; but it is a
rare thing to see chuck, roulette, or vingt-et-un bankers, play
against each other's games. Many gamblers will play at short
games and against faro, who will not risk their money banking
any game of chance. Some depend entirely on short games, and
would not risk their money on any banking game whatever.
Regarding the number of regular gamblers in this country, I
doubt if the number who may be thus classed will reach two
thousand, and they are now more numerous than at any former
period, on account of the many produced by our civil war. But
in addition to these there are at least four hundred more who may
be classed aa
MIXED GAMBLERS,
vho hazard their money in banking games of chance and at
whatever short games they play, with confidence; many of them
being inferior to none in playing poker, Boston, brag, all-fours,
whist, etc. For the most part they are men who have either in
herited or gained a sufficient competency, and are in nowise
dependent on their play for a livelihood. Many of them move in
the highest walks of life, and among them may be found doctors,
lawyers, hotel proprietors, merchants, brokers, politicians, etc.
They are fond of gambling and the society of gentlemanly
gamblers, to whom they often loan money when in need, and
frequently take what is called a silent share in their business.
They are mostly shrewd, calculating business men, well versed
in all the phases of life, good judges of character, and have
commanded generally more than ordinary political influence
among the authorities of their places of residence. They have
been the friend of the professional gambler, whenever the hand
of persecution has been raised against him. (ramblers and
mixed gamblers form the nucleus from which emanate all the
square gambling in the country. Their numbers are far less than
the public suppose. The uninitiated are deceived by the large
number of employes, and the immense amount of hangers-on at
a suite of gambling-rooms. All these claim to be gamblers, and
INCUBI. 183
are naturally taken for such by the public at large. I shall now
separate from the assistants or hirelings the hangers-on and other
leeches who follow on the heels of gamblers, but who have no
real status in then: community. First of all I shall marshal to the
front
THE ASSISTANT GAUBLEK.
Two persons at least are required to conduct a faro, roulette,
or monte bank. I have seen as many as ten employed at the
same time at a monte bank in the city of Mexico. All large
faro banks in this country have usually as many as four engaged
at any rate. It may happen that each of these four persons are
interested in the bank ; such is frequently the case many bank
ing games being conducted entirely by their owners. But faro
bankers, like the majority of mankind who are above the necessity,
dislike manual labor ; and the dealing of all kinds of the games
mentioned certainly comes under that head. Consequently,
there are very few faro- banks dealt in this country, that have
not at least one assistant employed, and several can be found
that keep constantly as many as four. It would be impossible
for bankers to conduct their games without their help. Nearly
all the banks on the Pacific slope have four of these retainers
employed, two to conduct the game during the day, and the
others to attend to it during the night. Years ago, it was
customary in the Atlantic States to divide among the assistants
what small change was taken at the bank during the day, and
in a few banks the custom is still retained ; but the majority of
bankers, finding themselves considerable losers by the custom,
were forced to abandon it. Their assistants, in many cases,
would give to outside cronies money to buy small change to play
against their bank, thus taking a chance to win and none to
lose ; for if the money was lost against the bank it was divided
amongst the employes when the game closed. At the present
time, in the Atlantic States, assistants receive from $5.00 to
$10.00 per day, and some have not been paid more than $7.00
per week ; but such cases are rare, and exist only among New
England bankers, whose custom it is to pay their journeyman
dealers very low. Many of these assistants get, in the course
of time, an interest of five per cent, in the banks where they
deal, and some as high as ten. In the territories and on the
184 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Pacific slope they are paid $10.00 a day, and many are allowed
a dollar each <day from the game, for dinner money. In the
Western and Southern States, they receive from $5.00 to $10.00
per day for their services, the price varying with the capability
and trustworthiness of the employe. The mass of assistant
gamblers have no talent for card playing; few among them
could be rated as second class short card players, and scarcely
one among them has been capable of protecting the games
at which they were employed, against the arts of sharpers.
The dealing of all banking games is a labor which may be
taught to a person of ordinary capacity within a few weeks.
It would be impossible to make an estimate of the numbers of
the assistant gamblers, from the fact that they spring up and
retire from sight according to the increase or decrease of gamb
ling, both public and private. During the California excitement,
in the space of two years more than two thousand sprung into
existence. As gambling decreased many of these sought other
occupations ; but the great bulk of them followed the fortunes of
Gen. Wm. Walker, in his Nicaraguan expedition, where the cli
mate, bad whiskey, and the bullets of the natives, in a majority of
cases, closed their mortal career. The few who returned to New
Orleans were a burden on the city; many died in the hospitals;
and the few who remained on earth were swallowed up in the
army during our civil war. During the rebellion, gambling in
creased rapidly all over the country, and before its suppres
sion, at least ten times as many faro-banks as before flourished
in the country, and gave employment to at least fifteen hundred
assistant gamblers, who were all creations of the war.
With the ceasing of the war gambling greatly decreased, and
the faro-banks, roulette wheels, vingt-et-un, and chuck-games
dwindled down hi a proportion of ten to three. In consequence
of this, the newly-created gamblers were driven to other occupi?
tions for a livelihood. A few still hung around the gambling-
rooms of the different cities, living upon the bounty of profes
sional gamblers, or by wheedling a few checks from faro-players,
borrowing a few dollars when they could, and in this way kept
soul and body together. Finally they wore themselves out, and
were obliged to seek other climes or some other pursuit for
maintenance. Perhaps one thousand assistant gamblers are at
present employed around the different faro-banks in the United
INCUBI. 185
States and territories. I shall now bring forward a class for
whom I am unable to find a more appropriate name than
SYCOPHANT GAMBLEBS.
This parasitical class hang around all kind of gambling bank
ers, whom they contrive to leech in one way or another. Among
them are to be found men of culture and refinement, who con
sider labor degrading, but are not ashamed to become the spies
and pimps of gamblers, from whose pockets, as they are des
titute of all gambling talent, they derive their support. Some,
on account of their companionable qualities, have their expenses
paid by the banker to whom they cling; others make them
selves useful by keeping the accounts of a gambling-house, and
transacting out-door business ; and not a few have obtained the
confidence of their patrons to such a degree as to be entrusted
with the money belonging to the bank, and the control of its
domestic affairs, for which they receive a salary of from $100 to
$150 per month. Others of them obtain a small interest in the
bank, for their real or supposed influence in obtaining customers.
There is also the protector of the faro-bank, generally a worn-
out prize-fighter resting on his laurels, in many places an im
portant personage. Sometimes he is only a bully of the better
description, whose presence in the rougher order of gambling-
houses is a discouragement to rowdyism, and whose services are
usually requited at the rate of from $5 to $10 per day. These
peaceful guardians of gambling-houses should not be properly
classed among the Sycophants, as they are generally useful ap
pendages to it; neither should the blackmailing class whom I
shall now marshal into line.
These worthies are generally of the lower order of politicians,
who have sufficient influence with the police to induce them to
spare whatever house they wish to protect, and to shut up what
ever place has made itself obnoxious to them, by the refusal of its
proprietor to submit to their blackmailing. The stock in trade
of the political blackmailer is either fawning or bullying, or both,
and he makes either useful, or both, as the case may be, whenever
he can find a banker weak-minded or timorous enough for him
to prey upon. His pay generally depends on the liberality of his
dupe, but often on the amount of terror with which he can
186 WANDEEISGS OF A VAGABOND'.
manage to inspire him. He has often received an interest of ten
per cent, in a faro-bank, for his mere promise to protect it against
the raids of the police, and some have been known to receive
twenty-five per cent. It is to be understood that, if the bank
won, their share of the winnings must remain with the rest, until
the stockholders made a dividend.
It would be utterly impossible to estimate the number of
sycophants and blackmailers who hang around and feed upon
gamblers. . In some places it is impossible to shake them off,
while in others they are perfectly independent of them. The
parasitical tribe are to be found, more or less, in every place, and
will be, so long as foolish gamblers exist, who will allow them
selves to be leeched by them. They help to swell the number of
those persons known under the name of gambler. The last and
most numerous of this tribe I shall place under the head of
HAXGERS-Off.
This class outnumber all those described, five to one. They
hover around gambling-houses of the lower order in our cities,
lounge around hotels, coffee-houses, and billiard-rooms, and seem
to have no visible means of support. They live by begging,
borrowing, and stealing chips from the players around the faro-
tables. Whenever they can get a stake they will play it, or will
steal a sleeper from the table, if they can get away with it.
Many of them are cappers and ropers for skinning-houses, and
not a few are dependent upon unfortunate women for support. N
Numbers of them are clothed in the most fashionable style, and
seem to enjoy life with the wealthiest in the land. In our large
cities hangers-on are excluded from all the better class gam
bling-houses.
SHARPEKS. 157
CHAPTER XVII,
SHARPERS.
The brotherhood is numerous and varied. But the individual
to whom we wish to introduce our reader is the sharper who lives
under the cloak of the gambler. To chance money on an equal
hazard is not only repugnant to his principles and constitution,
but in direct violation of his conscience. As he seldom possesses
any skill in playing short card games, he does not waste his time
nor risk his money on such follies, except when he chances to
find a verdant adversary whom he can cheat. His stock in trade
is two-card boxes and gorgeously furnished apartments. The
bare thought of banking a 28-numbered roulette wheel, or a
chuck-luck box, unless the former is worked with a trigger, and
the latter in the hands of a No. 1 dice-cogger, makes him turn
pale and clutch his pockets tighter. If one of bis tribe ever
dealt a square banking game of chance he bas deluded some un
fortunate individual into staking him. Not a farthing of his own
money goes that way. He would consider it most culpably
wasted. He will sometimes play against faro, which has often
impoverished him; for but a short time, however. With his two-
card box he reaps from the crop of fools that spring up yearly,
which presently sets him again on a sound pecuniary footing, and
^he flourishes like a green bay tree until his penchant for " fight
ing the tiger " again overtakes him. But the more sapient sharper
knows the value of his money, like the persecuted Jew, and is
better posted than to lavish it against faro -banks, or to waste it
in luxurious living, unless by so doing he can increase it a hun
dred fold. Ability and wealth make their distinctions among
this community, as among more honest people ; therefore, in en
deavoring to describe them, I shall place them in two orders,
the proprietors of first and second-class " skinning-houses."
FIRST-CLASS "SKINNING -HOUSES."
In our large cities may be found numbers of these, as well as
at our fashionable watering-places. They are magnificently
furnished, as much as $50,000 having been expended in the fit-
188 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
ting up of some of them. The walls and ceilings are artistically
frescoed, while from the latter depend costly chandeliers, adorn
ed with Bohemian glass shades. The finest Brussels and Tur
key carpets cover the floors, and from the costly cornices hang
double curtains of rich silk and lace. The furniture is of the
most expensive and fashionable style, conspicuous among which
is a magnificent side-board, loaded with silver goblets and the
finest cut-glass, together with the choicest wines, liquors, and
cigars, for the free use of the guests of the house. Many of them
are adorned with valuable pieces of bronze and marble statuary,
representing horses, fawns, nymphs, etc., while costly oil paint
ings decorate the walls.
The gaming paraphernalia consist of a faro-table of the
finest design and workmanship, and a No. 28 roulette wheel,
placed on another table, quite as handsome and artistic. The
checks and other articles belonging to the games are of the most
elaborate style possible, and a large fancy safe occupies a con
spicuous place, calculated to give a solid and moneyed look to
the establishment. Adjoining this apartment is the dining-
room, furnished in the same gorgeous manner. The table is
provided with heavily embossed and carved silver service, and
can seat comfortably thirty or forty guests. Before them are
placed, in fine porcelain and Sevres dishes, the choicest viands,
comprising every delicacy to be obtained, served up by a "maitre
de cuisine " unsurpassed in his art. Fruits, both hi and out of
season, gratify the eye and tempt the palate, and from costly
Bohemian and cut-glass expensive and delicious wines are drank.
No expense is spared hi furnishing the table with everything
which would meet the approval of the most fastidious epicure.
Nightly at eleven o'clock these luxurious feasts are furnished the
patrons of the house. The expenses of these establishments de
pend much upon their location, and also range according to their
order. For instance, to run a first-class house such as I have
described at Saratoga, or Long Branch, or New York city,
would probably cost $250 per day ; while some of those of Balti
more, Philadelphia, or Boston, would not require over $100 per
day; and many are run that do not cost more than $30 per day.
Within a few years the proprietors of some of those aristocratic
" skinning-houses" have hired reporters to write articles for
insertion hi the newspapers to which they belonged, describing
SHARPERS. 189
their establishments, setting forth their splendor and magnifi-
. cence, and laudatory of the manner in which they were kept.
These may be styled "ambiguous advertising dodges" for the
purpose of drawing strangers to their houses. I have selected two
of these, which will speak for themselves, and which will give the
reader an idea of the magnificence and splendor of these places,
and also of the immense sums spent in decorating and fitting up
these palatial robbing dens, and the social standing of the gulls
who frequent and support them.
A Gorgeous Gaming Palace. Description of the "Maryland
Gentlemen's Club House," in Baltimore. Scenes of Dazzling
Splendor ! Dedication Banquet ! TheBank opens its career
by tvinning a Stake of $20,000.
[Baltimore (Sept. 12,) Correspondence of the New York World.]
The great gaming house of Slater, Kirby <fc Parker, the open
ing of which has been looked forward to with immense interest
by the sporting men of this city and vicinity, was inaugurated
last evening by a grand dinner, to which about two hundred
invitations were issued.
The building in itself is an old one, and has long been used as
a sporting establishment; but the proprietors becoming am
bitious, and the " gentle men" of Baltimore complaining at the
want of a first-class "club house," it has undergone a complete
renovation, the floors in the upper parj; of the building being
raised four feet each, the rooms in the second story thrown into
one, and connected with a large dining-hall in the rear, through
folding doors, and the ground-floor being devoted exclusively to
kitchen and store-room purposes. The upper story is divided
into private club-rooms, bed-chambers, bath-rooms, and wine-
closets. A large cellar extends the length of the building under
ground, and a private entrance leads out into the open lot on a
back street, through which the visitors can pass if desirous of
shunning the main entrance.
REGARDLESS OF EXPENSE.
In making these extensive preparations, no regard has been
paid to their cost, it being the intention of the proprietors to
make it the first club house in the country. The total cost, I am
190 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
told, of furnishing the house, amounted to fifty thousand dollars.
This does not include various costly works of art, such as rare
paintings and statues, and the dinner service, for which the round
sum of twenty thousand dollars was paid to one European firm
alone.
Dinner was set for six o'clock. Shortly before that time about
one hundred and fifty persons assembled in the great saloon on the
second floor, where the several games of faro, roulette, etc., are
played. Special care was had in issuing invitations, to select those
only known to be fearless votaries of this game of chance, so
that by far the greater number of those present were men of at
least ordinary means, and many of wealth. All were dressed in
FULL DINNER COSTUME.
Black coats and pants, white vests, and white ueck-ties.The com
pany numbered many of the most distinguished men of Mary
land, members of the State Legislature, Judges of the higher
Courts, and a score or so of representatives of the city govern
ment, contractors, etc. At 6.30 P. M. the dinner was announced,
and the guests took their seats at the table. But before discuss
ing this part of the proceedings, I will briefly touch upou the fur
niture and appointments of the house, which, from personal
observation, exceeded in splendor and completeness any of the
kind in this country, or, in fact, in Europe, not even excepting
the famous establishment of Baden-Baden. The latter, however,
is much larger.
A GORGEOUS VESTIBULE.
The hall doer which faces Calvert street, about half a block
from Baltimore street, the principal thoroughfare in the city,
opens into a small vestibule, from the ceiling of which hangs a
large bell-shaped chandelier lined with silver, and with the jets
so arranged, that the light streams down and outward in a soft
flood, revealing oak-paneled walls in etchings of gold, and a lofty
ceiling frescoed with groups of sporting naiads. Immediately be
yond, and dividing the hall into two parts, stands another and a
more massive door of solid walnut. A colored servant in evening
dress sits behind this, and, after inspecting the visitor through a
small oval glass on one side, yields or refuses admittance, accord-
SHARPERS. 191
ing as the applicant is known to the house, or gives evidence of
being a bona-flde customer. This inner hall- way is larger than
the outer, and once over its threshold, the visitor is at liberty to
explore the mysteries above, to which a flight of steps winds slow
ly upwards. The same paneled walls and a similar chandelier
mark this second hall, which has, however, the addition of a
velvet carpet, thick enough to stifle the heaviest foot-fall. In a
niche in the wall, and overlooking the stairway, is a statue of
Don Coesar de Bazan, in bronze, about half life size.
MAGNIFICENT FTJBNITTJRE.
The main saloon, to which the hall stairs conduct, occupies the
entire front of the second story, and is about sixty feet long and
thirty wide. It is gorgeously fitted up. A seamless dark blue
velvet carpet, like that in the east room of the White House,
covers the floor, over which are scattered articles of furniture of
the most massive description. On the right, as you enter, an
etagere of rose -wood that reaches up to the ceiling; two bronze
statues of Richard Cceur de Lion and PhillipeAugusterest on its
lower shelves, flanking a famous equine bronze representing a
stallion teasing a mare. A mirror forms the backing of this piece
of furniture, which was imported at a cost of three thousand, five
hundred dollars. On the left stands a side-board on which are
ranged all sorts of decanters and glasses, the former of cut glass,
and filled with various kinds of wines and liquors ; these are at
the gratuitous use of the visitors. All along the room are placed
various articles of furniture, made wholly of walnut and rose
wood ; sofas, chairs, foot-stools, massive round tables for the con
venience of short card parties, writing-desks, lounges, etc. Two
mantels of Parian marble, surmounting ranges of the most ap
proved and costly make, are set in the west wall, over which hang
two mirrors of French plate glass set in walnut frames, with an
intertwining of gold leaves and vine work. Other mirrors of
equally large dimensions surround the room, reflecting the
smallest object it contains.
AN ARTISTIC CHECK-BOOK.
The check-book for the use of persons who, having no ready
cash, are yet desirous of playing, together with other writing
192 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
materials, is kept in a large book-case in one corner of the saloon.
This book-case is filled with private compartments of various
sizes, in which such articles as are accidentally left behind by
the players are kept until called for. It also contains a number
of secret drawers, used to keep " collateral" in until redeemed.
BLUE AND GOLD.
The walls of this saloon are paneled similarly to those of the
entry, except that the background is of blue, and there is a freer
use of gold. The contrast between this and the frescoes on the
ceilings is very striking and effective, the artist having given
his figures a joyous animate expression, that well accords with the
rich warm color. The windows are concealed by fine lace dra
pery, backed by heavy damask curtains, pendent from cornices
of rosewood with gold borders. The room is lit by three chande
liers similar to those already described, and a number of jets in
small clusters here and there on the wall.
THE GAMI3TG TABLES
are three in number. At two of these faro is played; at the other,
roulette. The tables are as large as possible, consistent with
comfort, and their appointments, such as chips, dealing-boxes,
cue-cards, etc., are of the finest quality. Immediately behind
the faro-table hang two pictures of Rubens, representing Sunrise
and Sunset at Sea. A third, of a French Peasant Girl, returning
home laden with fruits, is the production of a clever French
artist whose name now escapes my memory. The dealers, of
whom there are five, are men well known in the profession.
MOKE SPLENDOK TJP-STAIKS.
The upper story comprises seven chambers, three of which are
used as club rooms. Appurtenances for playing all sorts of games
can be found in them, and the furniture is of the richest possible
description. Back of these rooms are three bed-chambers ele
gantly furnished. The beds are importations, and cost five hun
dred dollars each. These rooms are for the use of players who
wish to leave the city by an early morning train, or who, from too
SHARPERS. 193
free libations of champagne, are disinclined to walk home. A
bath-room, with hot and cold water, is attached to each chamber.
The kitchen and store-room run the whole length of the ground-
floor. The former is larger than any hotel kitchen in the city,
and has a range able to cook provisions for one hundred persona
at a time j its cost was three thousand, five hundred dollars. One
head and three under cooks and two scullions comprise the force
employed here. The wine-cellar, which is under ground, is filled
with casks and butts, and long shelves on which are deposited
various kinds of wine, of which each separate brand has its own
compartment. Twenty thousand dollars' worth of wines and
liquors are stored here already, and a large importation, I am
told, is en route.
THE CLIMAX OF ENCHANTMENT.
Of all the various departments of the house, however, it is re
served for the dining hall to stand forth as the Alpha and Omega
of its many splendors. The entrance to it is from the main saloon,
and it is through folding-doors of stained box-wood, the panels
of which are carved to represent various scenes of the chase.
They move on noiseless wheels in grooves an inch and a half deep,
made so on account of the great superincumbent weight. On
the day of opening, after the announcement of dinner, these doora
were thrown wide open, and the guests, headed by the proprie
tors, were conducted to their seats at the table, which was in the
shape of a capital T. A printed menu, according to which sev
enteen courses were to be served, lay by the side of each plate,
together with a list of wines, and the order in which they were to
follow each other.
A RICH AXD EAUE TABLE.
The table is an immense affair, and is capable of seating eighty
persons. It is made of black walnut, supported by heavy dragon-
legs of the same material. The chairs are also of black walnut,
with soft cushions, covered with green morocco. The appoint
ments of the table are dazzlingly magnificent. In the centre rests
an enormous silver ice-holder, which can be also used as a flower-
stand. Its sides are of solid silver, with an embossed net-work
of branches and fruits in virgin gold ; the inside is also of the
194 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
same metal. Flowers to the amount of two hundred and fifty
dollars filled it, reaching almost to the ceiling. Here and there,
over the table, were smaller stands, also filled with flowers, con
nected with each ether and the centre-piece by links of roses, so
that each guest saw his vis-a-vis through a flowery screen, as it
were.
A DAZZLING DINNER-SERVICE.
All the glass used in this establishment is cut, and of European
importation, and stamped with the initial " S." The glasses
have cleverly executed portraits of prominent German politicians
on their sides. The rest of the dinner-service is of solid silver,
lined with gold. Among other things are two silver pitchers,
two feet high, which were made in Geneva at a cost of one thou
sand dollars each.
BRIGHT AS SUNLIGHT.
The room is lit brilliantly by two chandeliers and various side
jets. The heat and smoke from the former pass through ap
ertures in the roof arranged on the same principle as those
used in the Hall of Representatives at Washington. The walls
are unlike those in the main saloon, being box-wood paneled
with etchings of scarlet and silver to match the doors. Half a
score of sporting prints in walnut frames are suspended about the
room. The floor is laid with a red velvet carpet, so thick and
soft that the foot falls noiselessly upon it.
It would be next to impossible to give a detailed account of the
various courses served to the 150 guests present at the banquet.
The first caterer of Baltimore had the affair in charge, and as
that city is famous for its cuisine, his efforts were of course a
success. Speeches were made by prominent gentlemen, lauda
tory of the enterprise of the management in enacting so fine a
club room, and the establishment was unanimously christened
the " Maryland Gentlemen's Club House." After dinner the play
ranged high, the bank beginning its career by a run of luck, win
ning about $20,000, half of which was lost by a well-known City
Hall contractor.
The foregoing article first made its appearance in the New
York World, and from thence found its way into the columns of
many of the newspapers throughout the country. It was written
SHARPERS. 195
by the order of Slater, the principal proprietor, whose inordinate
pride could not be satisfied unless the public were made acquaint
ed with his new gorgeous establishment. Besides, it was an ad
vertisement to draw strangers visiting Baltimore, on business or
pleasure, to his house. A few words will be sufficient to inform
the reader of the new founded institution christened at its dedi
catory banquet, the ''Maryland Gentlemen's Club."
Doc. Slater, as he is nicknamed, was raised in the city of Balti
more, and brought up to the butchering business. He belonged
to that political class which for many years ruled Baltimore with
pistols, knives, brass-knuckles, and sluug-shots, known as " Plug
Uglies," among whom he was a kind of leader, up to the time of
their suppression, which was not until the commencement of the
rebellion. About this time he discarded the knife and steel, and
his stall in the market, and went to gambling. He had indulged
in it surreptitiously from boyhood up, and later as an amateur ;
but never before had he come out and taken his place among
professionals. With two others he put up a faro-game in the
same building where the Maryland Gentlemen's Club at present
exists. This bank played for all persons, at an open limit of
$6.25, and was almost exclusively patronized by the rougher class.
Incredible as it may appear, with so small a limit, the bank in
the course of a year, besides its expenses, won $40,000. Slater's
partners, satisfied with their share, withdrew from the partnership
and sold their share in the house to Slater. He now run the bank
himself and increased the limit to $25 open. For more than a
year success attended him, when he closed his [house, renovat
ed it, and furnished it respectably. He now meant to entertain
a different class of customers, and gave to his doorkeeper orders
to admit no one except those whom he had invited. To these he
furnished, gratuitously, liquors, and plain but substantial three
o'clock dinners and ten o'clock suppers. Fortune still smiled
on him ; his bank seldom lost. Young and inexperienced in his
profession, never having met with any reverses worthy the name,
he believed it impossible for a faro-bank to lose, and felt too
proud to have it said that he put a limit on his game. He invit
ed all gamblers transiently in the city to come and play. When
no other established bank could be found in the country to take
higher than $500 bets from a single player, his bank turned for
wagers of $5,000. He staked gambling-houses in Washington,
196 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Philadelphia, Annapolis, and Cape May, besides entrusting
money to different gamblers, and allowing them to roam all over
the country with it, in search of faro-players. Many of these
were unable to protect it, and many made no effort to do so,
while others spent it among themselves or played it off against
various faro-banks. Finally, fortune, who had so long favored,
deserted him. This happened in 1868, and before reverses had
overtaken him he was worth about $80,000, and had lived at the
rate of $20,000 a year, being an " extravagant cuss." His bank
lost almost continually for two years, and after it had drained
from him his last dollar, he still kept it going by borrowing from
his friends until his debts exceeded $20,000. But friends soon
tired of giving up their money when it was doubtful, to say the
least, whether it would not follow what had preceded it. The
Doc.'s circumstances had now gotten to their lowest ebb. A few
months of his former good luck would have reinstated him, for
the wealthiest and highest in the land patronized his game. But
fortune refused to be propitiated, and would not smile again upon
him. She had once distributed to him her gifts with a lavish
hand ; but he was too dull to seize upon and appropriate them.
Some of the two-card sharpers of Washington had been for sev
eral years greedily watching the fat fish that frequented Slater's
place, and had on many occasions reminded him how easily
their money might be made to change hands through the agency
of a two-card box, instead of allowing them to walk away with
his, through "bull-headed luck." To these overtures Slater had
turned a deaf ear, until he knew not where to obtain money to
carry on his game. The Parker, mentioned as one of the pro
prietors of the Maryland Gentlemen's Club House, had made
about $200,000 by keeping a skinuing-house in Washington, dur
ing the war. Being a moneyed man, Slater courted his friend
ship. When he could no longer borrow money from his friends
in Baltimore to sustain his bank, be applied to Parker, who
loaned him $5,000. When that was gone he again sought Parker,
which worthy gentleman politely informed him he'd no more
money to shoot off at "squar' farrer," but if he wanted to fit up
a stunner of a house and let his man Kirby go into it as operator,
he was willing to throw up $100,000 that way. Slater was in
desperate need; he hesitated, and then yielded, and we are in
debted to the reporter for his description of the place, and the
SCENES AT LONG BRANCH. 197
dedicatory dinner given by Messrs. Slater, Kirby & Parker.
"After dinner the play ran high, the bank beginning its career
by winning a stake of $20,000, half of which was lost by' a prom
inent City Hall contractor."
CHAPTEK XVIII.
SCENES AT LONG BRANCH.
Some Social Contrasts There. Johnny Chamberlain and his
Establishment at Long Branch.
CHAMBERLAIN'S GAMING-HOUSE.
[From the Chicago Tribune, July 22, 1870.]
Sitting one night on the wide, cheerful verandah of the West
End, looking out upon Fisk's six-in-hand going by, I saw that
worthy address a square-set, black-haired, black-eyed man,
riding by in a trotting wagon.
"That's Johnny Chamberlain," said a gentleman, "that fleshy
one. Do you see how he holds his buttoned coat -collar close up
to his throat with his hand ; he's got a mighty bad cough, has
Johnny, and if he don't watch sharp, they'll plant him next spring
where he won't grow any more."
"That's the great gambler, is it? He's young looking, and
not ill looking."
Oh, he's as good a fellow as ever you see. He's full of enter
prise. Morrissey is a parvenue to Johnny Chamberlain. He's
put $90,000 into that club house, and he has got up, all of his
own idea, the notion of a racing park here; and that man has
put $150,000 of his own money into that park before he asked
any one to help him a cent's worth. Then he raised $100,000
just by asking one or two of us. He's a young man. He's got a
wonderful memory. He's never been married, but he's a
business man right through. It's just up and up with Johnny
Chamberlain, square and square. He never asks nobody to play
cards nor buy a chip. He never looks for it, he scorns it."
" It seems rather strange that a man can have all the business
198 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
virtues, when his occupation is to stimulate the propensity of
iren to play and ruin themselves in a night, out of a year's
labor."
Just at this tune the man referred to in the talk, appeared
upon the piazza, and stood for some time leaning against the
jamb of the main door, quietly peering down the porch amongst
the men. The proprietors and several other people went up to
him. He had a short cough now and then, which caused in
quiries into his health and copious advice. He seemed to be a
petty man among the average of manhood congregated there,
in the deepening evening of the seaside. It was a beautiful
night up in the sky, and the stars were out, and the far-off sails
were clearly seen riding under the moon. All the senses of men
were acute, and their cigars smoked like the blessings of provi
dence, lulling such sharpened intellects. We all talked of the
lives of gamblers, and it was easy, in that atmosphere, to see
reasons for wickedness, and trace commercial laws out of the ebb
and flow of ineradicable sins. This gambler grew to be a mer
chant, that supplied a want implanted in man. His success, and
the uses he put it to, dignified the investment. The mind
rambled illogically around the superfices of history, and dis
covered, without effort, that he was no worse than this politician,
or that soldier, or yonder speculator. We grew upon wonder
fully apologetic terms towards everybody in that enlivening
atmosphere, and every conviction slipped away as if it were an
unfounded prejudice now for the first time exposed and discarded.
Such are the heights, such the atmosphere when we forswear
our vows, and take merit upon ourselves, at the moment, for so
doing.
" Come over to the club house, and I'll introduce you," said
my friend, the editor. u I know him right well."
The club house was now all full of light, half emitted from its
carefully-closed window-sashes, but streaming ruddily and wel
coming from the open door. Two gaudy lamps on the gate-posts
blazed red and white.
"I never played faro, or bet a dollar in my life."
" If he sees you betting anything there, he'll put you out. He
never allows us to play. There will be no hints of any kind."
" Come on ! It's part of experience."
Suppose I had been a man with a pocket full of money, what
might have that experience cost me !
SCENES AT LONG BRANCH. 199
" These gate lamps," said my conductor, " were presents from
Bill Tweed, of New York. Tweed is the Grand Sachem of Tarn-
many Hall. The cottage of itself cost sixty thousand dollars,
and Chamberlain claims that the whole affair cost him $90,000."
We had now passed through a wide-open gate, always closed
by day, into a very large level lawn, inclosing perhaps fifty acres,
the only buildings whereon were the club house, an ice-house
just beneath it, and a stable two rods further away ; both ice
house and stable were roofed with variegated slate and hand
somely capped with golden vanes and rods.
The club house itself was of a pale yellow color frame, and
three stories high ; the upper story in a tipped Mansard roof of
beautiful inlaid slate, and the whole was tipped with a gilded
balustrade of peculiar iron work. A piazza surrounded the first
story of the house, of a light and beautiful construction green
trellis-work below, the columns painted red, with gilt Corinthian
capitals, and the balustrade above was also yellow and gilt.
There was but one entrance, and that a grand one, with a drive
meandering up to it. ,The whole edifice was a gem of carpentry,
standing high and gracefully, and I guessed its proportions to
be eighty feet square. It is the noblest cottage on Long Branch,
and but one or two pretend to cope with it.
As the sound of our feet rang on the steps, three or four per
sons appeared, well dressed, and I thought one of them, a negro,
wore white gloves. There were plausible invitations all around
of " Good evening, gentlemen. Walk in, gentlemen."
We passed into an elegant house, rather extravagantly be
decked with mirrors, and yet upholstered in places with as much
taste as cost. Copious supplies of gas filled the many softly
enameled globes of the chandeliers, and these lights were repro
duced in the mirrors ; while yet the rich carpets were of subdued
patterns, and the wall paper would have done credit to an edu
cated lady's eye. The furniture was as unique and solid as the
workmanship of the day can afford. The time has gone by
when we can describe a master gambler by his gaudy surround
ings. The arts find no better patrons in our time than successful
gamblers. The tenderest, neatest palaces they build, and are at
Hamburg, Saratoga, Baden-Baden, and Long Branch. Splits
and trumps are sovereigns.
I am going to tell what I thought about this place at the mo-
200 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
ment, and not draw morals in advance. Being in a man's own
house, and being welcomed, I could do no worse than be polite,
and I looked about me with something, perhaps, of Aladdin's
sensation, when he first struck his lamp and saw the illuminated
caverns of the genii. It was sumptuous, and by its elegance in
spired respect. Room opened into room, so that there were three
or four apartments into one, all brilliantly lighted, and nothing
offended the eye except the instruments that had reared this
structure and furnished it the green tables. Behind a plain table
in the first room sat a man, and at his left elbow were piled up
round ivory checks, red and white. In the second room a long
handsome piece of furniture, with carved legs, reached along
the wide side of the wall, a man behind it, and in the middle
of the table a brass wheel was sunken into the baize, and
around the brass were numbers and colors in circles, and on
the verge of the table were various other plots, patterns, handles,
and so forth, betokening different means of wagering money. ,
Opposite this infernal machine was a third table and a man
behind it, and the engraved copy of a whole pack of cards was
enameled into the table, while at the man's elbow were piles of
ivory checks. This I knew to be the faro-bank, and a silver box
was standing upon it, the dealing-box. All the men were neatly
dressed, and they all said,
"Good evening, gentlemen."
" Where is John?" said the editor.
"He was here just now. Perhaps he has gone over to the
hotel. Will you walk in and take some supper f "
As we paused, irresolutely, there were cries of " Here is Mr.
Chamberlain ; here he is ! "
The man I had seen at the hotel walked in and addressed my
friend in a hearty way, and at once led the way to the supper-
room.
"Take seats," lie said; "here is about everything frogs,
woodcock, quails, robins, trout, soft-shell crabs, and terrapins.
William, some wine."
A black man, of deferential manners, gave me a plate of frogs
and robins, and filled a glass with such wine that all previous
vintages of my acquaintance seemed mere cider to it. The table
was epicurean in every part, and at the head of it, next to the
host, was a beefsteak which seemed to be a tenderloin cut from
a megatherium, so large and juicy was it.
(SCENES AT LONG BRANCH. 201
"Do you set such a table every night, John?"
"All day and all night; I like to see my friends eat. My 'cook
is the best that money can hire."
A tall, bald-headed, affable man, also a gamester, belonging to
the place, drew up to the table, and took a piece of woodcock.
He said that all Morrissey's furniture at Saratoga was made in
Grand street, New York, while John bought every article he pos
sessed in Paris. The John named last here turned to me and
said he would be happy to drive me out to the track any morn
ing I wanted to go.
Chamberlain was a good-looking man under forty years of
age, with the blackest eye one can see in a man's head, large,
piercing, and animal-like, and at once beautiful and dangerous.
His forehead was good, and with large developments over the
eyebrows, so strong that I was not mistaken to see some in
stances of a wonderful memory, so necessary to a gamester. The
lower part of his face and nose were coarser, and his moustache
appeared to be dyed, while his hair was glossy black as the
crow's wing. He had a laughing manner, a good smile, and in
his features the gentleman and the outlaw were blended.
His shoulders were broad and square, and his frame was over-
powerful, and he stood upon his feet in that posture approach
ing bow-leggedness. which is natural in the sporting man and
the sparrer. Withal, he looked his part, a man of wild in
stincts stricken with a commercial ambition, and erecting his
vices into a business interest ; a young man, still unmarried, but
consoling himself with the temporary possession of one of the
most voluptuous actresses in America ; dearly paid for, and fickle
as dear, his very prosperity was pitiful ; never to know the truth
and consolation of home, to be an askant study for his guests,
and to be always considered at his worst ; to feel, perhaps, that
his winnings could bring him no blessings ; to look around, up
on the teeming, struggling world, and know that in considering
their species, they never include him ; to catch their eye as he
rode by, and feel that the words they felt were, "bloody gam
bler." Then, that occasional cough, which seemed to hurt him,
and I noticed, with sympathy, that the negro always got behind
him solicitously, when he coughed so, and looked down upon
Chamberlain like his own prodigal son and master.
After eating, we talked a few minutes, and Chamberlain
202 WANDERIXGS OF A VAGABOND.
described the house. There was his famed side-board, made en
tirely of iulaid wood, costing $1,200. The upholstery of his tall-
backed chairs was praised, and the lateness of the season advert
ed to. As we passed through ths main gambling saloon, an
appearance of wild delight was manifested by every one of the
three employes ; the roulette man spun his ball as if he was
playing with a ghost that "bucked" opposite; the faro man
drew off the top card and gravely "coppered" the ace all by
himself; the third man spun a round check at something invisi
ble, and looked alive to business. If these were temptations to
play, I put them by, saying: "It would take a man as dumb as
myself two years to understand these things." " Take my ad
vice," said Chamberlain, "and never learn; I am too old to for
get them."
We took an omnibus at the door, and the host, calling, "Pete,
come with me," jumped in with us, saying he had a visit to make
down the beach drive.
"Master Johnny, is you going off in de night air, widout
yo' ovacoat?"
He put it over the gamester's shoulders, as if he were his
fragile and best beloved daughter. What would American life
be without the negro's loyalty ?
Gentle reader, if you have learned anything regarding the
magnificence and gorgeous fitting up of our aristocratic skin-
niug-houses, and the sumptuous manner in which they entertain
their guests, from the foregoing description of Johnny Chamber
lain and his fashionable "Maison de Jeu," at Long Branch,
given us by that ethical blatherskite of a reporter, I am satisfied
for the present. For the insertion of that article in the " Chi
cago Times, 1 ' and its subsequent transplanting to the " St. Louis
Democrat," Johnny disbursed at least the round sum of $150, if
not $200.
His description of the personnel of Johnny Chamberlain is very
good, as is also that of his club house at Long Branch. The
statement that he is unmarried is incorrect. He is married,
and also indulges in the aforementioned voluptuous looking mis
tress. That dangerous cough, which so deeply aroused the
sympathies of our blatherskite reporter, is all a humbug ; Cham
berlain has the constitution of an ox, and, I will venture to say,
SCENES AT LONG BRANCH. 203
has not the remotest idea that any one will plant him for many
years to come. After a hard night's debauch, many men are
troubled with a cough, and such, no doubt, was the origin of the
one with which Johnny was troubled when our veracious in
formant pretends he first made his acquaintance that learned
pundit, who informs us the "splits and trumps" are sovereigns.
"But who is Johnny Chamberlain?" methinks I hear the
uninitiated reader inquire. "What is the reason of his wonderful
success in his profession ? "
Gentle reader ! it is to his indomitable energy, brazen impu
dence, and a two-card faro-box. His first appearance in public
life was made as bar-tender on one of the numerous steamboats
running from the port of St. Louis. While in this capacity, he
learned the rudiments of short card sharping from those thieves,
some of whom never failed to travel on every river steamer,
and made himself useful to them in their search for suckers.
He assisted them in making up their games from among the
passengers, and then rung in their marked cards for them,
keeping them in his bar until wanted for use. As he became
farther advanced, he insisted on an equal share of the spoils,
and exacted the same from all three-card-monte throwers who
came aboard his boat to ply their calling. He followed up this
business successfully for three or four years, and, being thrifty,
accumulated a considerable capital, and in the meantime ob
tained an insight into the immense profits to be derived from
roping suckers to brace games. Being gifted with a happy fac
ulty of commending himself to strangers, and a willingness to
spend his money freely whenever he thought he could make
ten dollars for one by so doing, and being well acquainted with
all the haunts of pleasure and vice in the City of St. Louis, he
made a capital "roper-in" for a two-card box establishment. In
his mind's eye, he marked out each passenger on the boat, dur
ing her trip to St. Louis, whom he thought likely to prove a
profitable subject to him, and, after showing him the "sights"
of the city, would bring him up standing before a "brace game,"
have him robbed, and afterwards receive half the plunder.
Johnny Chamberlain shortly became known amongst sharpers,
as the best "roper-in" in the city of St. Louis, and, in fact, the
best in all the West. Partly through the inducements of these,
but probably much more through ' his own knowledge of the
204 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
profits and advantages of a skiuning-house, he threw up steam-
boating, and opened one of these establishments for himself. He
was obliged to take with him an operator, because he was totally
unable to exercise a two-card box himself; nor do I believe he
can cheat at any of the games played for niorey. Even could he
do so, his functions were on the outside, to iure customers into
his den. This business he diligently followed up, until the spring
of 1864, having increased his store of wealth thereby, up to forty
thousand dollars, and by his audacity and energy as a roper,
gained the envy of all the sharpers throughout the West. Mean
while, however, he had become pretty well played out in St.
Louis; so much so, in fact, that any " brace dealer," having any
respect for his future bread and butter, would not be seen with
him in public. Johnny was now desirous of taking the money he
had accumulated with him to New York, and there opening an
aristocratic skinning-house. Heretofore, he had mixed only
among second-class sharpers; he was now anxious to be ranked
in the first division of that honorable fraternity, and more es
pecially among those of New York city, where a wider field was
open for the exercise of his talents, and a higher goal within
reach of his unbounded ambition. To accomplish his desire, it
was necessary to have the countenance of some first-class sharper.
It must be understood that not even the Brahmins themselves,
nor those of England's aristocracy who claim their descent from
the heroes of the field of Hastings, are greater sticklers for caste,
than the American sharper. Powerful as is money and its in
fluence is not less among this than other classes of mankind
it has in many cases failed in launching the keeper of a
second-class skinning-house within that magic cordon which
separates them from those of their tribe who have never been
interested in any but a first-class house of the sort. Johnny
found the individual he was seeking, in the person of a worthy
gentleman from the blue-grass country in Kentucky, who, for
many years previous to the rebellion, was principal proprietor of
one of the most fashionable of these places in the city of New
Orleans. When Gen. Butler was placed in command, after the
capture of the city by the Federal forces, he allowed no card-
sharping within his dominions, in consequence of which, the aris
tocratic skinuing-house at No. 4 Carondolet street, belonging to
Mr. McGrath, was closed. When Gen. Butler was superseded hi
SCENES AT LONG BEANCH. 205
command of the city, Mr. McGrath left his home in the blue-
grass country, and went again to New Orleans, with the inten
tion of again opening his house there; but his first attempt at
doing so caused his arrest and incarceration in the parish prison,
where he was kept for more than a year by the Federal authori
ties. On regaining his liberty, he made the best of his way to St.
Louis, where he arrived without a dollar. Being one of the best
ropers in the country, and a man of distinguished parts in a
fashionable skinning-house, which means that he could black
guard his victims into playing whether they wished to or not,
besides being acquainted with many of the Border States men,
who had flocked to New York to speculate in gold and stocks,
McGrath was the "open sesame" that Johnny Chamberlain re
quired. Together they started for New York, where they arrived
in the winter of 1864. They soon discovered that, to obtain a
desirable house in a suitable location, and fit it up, and furnish it
in a manner fit to enable them to hold their own among first-
class establishments of the sort, would require more money than
Chamberlain could command. McGrath now induced two of the
wealthiest sharpers in New York to enter into partnership with
them. They bought a splendid residence near the Fifth Avenue
Hotel, and fitted it up in so gorgeous and magnificent a style,
that its equal had never been seen in the city, and I doubt if in
any other. It is said that the furnishing and fitting up alone
cost over sixty thousand dollars. It is reported that, within four
months after the opening of the house, it made within the neigh
borhood of a million of dollars, and it is more than probable that
such was the case. Among its patrons were wealthy contractors,
high city officials, stock-brokers, and other speculators, many ol
whom were making their thousands per day in the exciting
period of speculation, and some of them at a single sitting drop
ped against the two-card boxes of Chamberlain & Co. as high
as fifty thousand dollars.
The firm did not get along harmoniously together, and a dis
solution took place. McGrath and Chamberlain withdrew from
it and the former returned to the blue-grass country in Kentucky,
where he invested his money in a large stock farm. Johnny now
opened an establishment on his own hook, fitting it up in the
most extravagant style. This place, for which be paid an annual
rent of $8,000, was located on Twenty-fourth Street, near Broad-*
206 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
way, one of the most fashionable localities in the city. The
monthly expenses of running this establishment averaged $4,000.
On every night, except Sunday, a table might be found there,
which, for the rarity, diversity, and choiceness of its viands,
wines, and liquors, the elegance of its appearance, and the
excellence of its cuisine, could not be surpassed by any in the
world. This luxurious establishment and its recherche en
tertainments were kept up on the strength of a two-card box.
The best any one ever yet received there was two cards, or "fif
ty-four/' and he must be a very suspicious individual, indeed,
who received as good. On opening his house he had to contend
against the envy, and in many cases with the open enmity, of
the proprietors of first-class " skinning-houses," who were jeal
ous of him, and who used every effort and underhand method
they could devise to prevent his success. But his indomitable
energy and assurance overcame all obstacles and won the day.
The proprietors and clerks of the principal hotels in the vicinity
of his place were nearly all ropers-in for it, the majority without
having the remotest idea of its character. He commended him
self to the favor of many of the highest of the city officials, and
his house became their resort, where the finest of wines and the
choicest of luxurious feeding awaited them, with the hospitable
smile of Johnny for a welcome. Beyond this, he has no enter
taining qualities, for he is as ignorant as an ass of everything
outside of his business. He is, however, wise enough to know
when to hold his tongue, when to smile, and at whose jokes to
laugh, and at a single glance can tell a " blood " from a " gray-
back."
All his tribe, whenever they have established a foothold, their
great desire is to gain a position on the turf, either by owning a
stable of racers or having an interest in some race-course. It
gives to them the aroma of respectability, and throws them into
the company of wealthy persons whom they can rope into their
" skinning dens," and there rob them. Johnny was by no means
false to his order. He got up a racing association and opened a
magnificent race-course at Long Branch, which is unsurpassed
by anything of the sort in the country, and has proven itself a
great success.
A year or so before he opened this course, he fitted up his
magnificent " Maison de Jeu " at the Branch, which has been so
SECOND-CLASS SKTNNING-HOUSES. 207
graphically described by our friend, the reporter. The season of
its opening it cleared $60,000, and in no season since has it
cleared less than $30,000. His friend, Henry P. McGrath, is
again with him in this house, and comes, to rope-in for it, every
season, from Kentucky. In addition to his other extravagances,
Johnny keeps a steam yacht, in order that he may indulge his
patrons with a sail down the bay, if they desire it, or take them
on a fishing excursion, or clam-bake, whenever they fancy such
a relaxation. Verily, reader, what do you think now of " splits
and trumps being sovereigns"?
CHAPTER XIX.
SECOND-CLASS " SKINNING-HOTJSES "
Are not generally fitted up and furnished in the gorgeous and
magnificent style of those just described. Still, in New York,
Philadelphia, and Washington, there are some splendidly deco
rated establishments of this kind. None of these, however, en
tertain their guests to suppers or refreshments of any kind, with
the exception of liquors. Some of them, it is true, have tables
set out and arranged handsomely, but they are only a sham,
and no food is set upon them unless some extra fat customers are
in one of the dens, giving up their money freely to a two-card
box. In such a case a supper is ordered from some neighboring
restaurant, and the verdant guests are fed and wined sumptuous
ly ; or it may sometimes happen that an important roper, having
his eye on one or more fat " gulls," may desire to invite them
round to the club to sup with him. In such a case a supper is
duly ordered from the restaurant for the expected guests. But
the only capital required to start a second-class skinning-house,
or, as they are more generally termed a " brace game," is suffi
cient money to hire a room, put in a faro-table, a side-board, a
dozen or two of chairs, and a carpet ; but the latter luxury is
sometimes dispensed with. The "brace " dealer needs not one
dollar after he is ready to open his game. His rounds, two-card
box, and case-keeper, is all the stock the bank requires. If some
of these sharpers fit up and furnish their "brace" rooms on a
208 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
grander scale than others, it is only to give to them a more re
spectable appearance. The " personnel" of a brace game
consists of an "artist," a case-keeper, three or four "cap
pers," and some steerers or ropers ; the last two of which fre
quently exchange roles, or act in either, as the case may require.
The head of this delectable concern is the master-sharper who
furnishes the money for fitting up the room. He is generally a
superior roper, and spends the greater portion of his time hang
ing about hotels, coffee-houses, billiard-rooms, and other public
places, hunting up "suckers" for the purpose of decoying them
to his den to be robbed. Next to him comes the " artist," whose
duty it is to be at all times in the house, ready to operate on any
"sucker" who may drop in accidentally, or be roped in by the
attaches of the establishment.
The case-keeper isaman who keeps the case-box, and whenever
the "artist" takes two cards, secretly marks it up. I shall here
describe his duties, which stand second to those required of the
"artist." Each card, as it is run off from the dealing-box, is
marked by the case-keeper. Suppose two cards are "taken"
as one, the top one only being visible ; the result would be, un
less there were some means of letting the case-keeper know
what the card was, he could not mark it; consequently the
swindle would be detected at the end of the deal. But the
"artist" is equal to this emergency. On the lower right hand end
of the losing cards, as the pack lies before the dealer in the box,
the denomination is indicated by a dot precisely the same as I
have described the dots in rounds on the winning cards. When
the "artist" finds it necessary to pull two cards from the box at
once, he does not know, before doing so, the name of the buried
card. The moment the cards are dropped on the pile, the under
card, being a trifle longer than that above it, reveals its name
to the dealer by the dot on its corner. By a system of telegraph
ing, as laying one finger on the end of the box, or on its middle,
or one at each end, or two fingers in various positions, he lets
the case-keeper know the name of it, who quietly slips up the
button while the eyes of the "suckers" are elsewhere.
"Ropers" or "steerers," and "cappers," as I said before,
occupy interchangeable positions. A roper is a man who
operates outside, and fishes for " suckers." His business is to
capture some verdant individual, and decoy him to the "brace
SECOND-CLASS SKINNING-HOUSES. 209
rooms." In ninety-nine cases out of every hundred, steerers
and cappers for ''brace games" are the most disreputable
loafers in existence. They are men devoid of decency, honor,
or a single redeeming quality. They are nearly always dead
broke, and are so mean as to be despised by the proprietors of
the "brace games," which they serve, and their "artists."
During the day, they haunt bar saloons, billiard-halls, street
corners, and low brothels. Many of them belong to the class
described as "hangers-on" of the rougher class of gambling-
rooms; and of all human beings, none are lower, meaner, or more
contemptible. Occasionally, however, are to be found among
them, men of good appearance, affable manners, capable of
commending themselves to strangers, and these are the valuable
decoys for "brace games." The "steerer" is perpetually on 1
the look-out for verdant people who possess money. He frequents
theatres, hotels, coffee-houses and other public places, for that
purpose, and if he can find one whom he regards as a promising
subject, he will use every endeavor to make his acquaintance.
Frequently a game of billiards is proposed, and during its pro
gress the acquaintance of the " sucker" is assiduously cultivated.
The fifteen-ball pool -tables are favorite angling places for these
gentry, and it is a rare thing to be about one without seeing a
steerer engaged in play with some country merchant or other
verdant fool with more money than brains, and who has conse
quently allowed the former fact to leak out.
When the " steerer" thinks matters are ripe for it, he carelessly
remarks to his victim, "Well, I must quit; I've got to go around
to the club house. I made a pretty good winning there last
night, and they want a chance to get even."
The "sucker," having probably by this time imbibed liquor
sufficient to make him feel a trifle reckless, and the remark
about the winning having somewhat excited his cupidity and
curiosity, he inquires, ''What club house?"
" Oh," returns the steerer, " it's a place where a few gentlemen
and board of trade men meet every evening, to have a little
game."
The " sucker" thinks, where board of trade men and gentle
men meet must be all right, consequently he is all ready to
answer affirmatively when the steerer says, "Won't you walk
around ? JThey have some mighty fine brandy there. You
210 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
needn't play. Let's go around and have a good drink of liquor,
anyhow."
The victim thinks it looks all right. He'll go and see the
elephant and get a drink; he needn't play, of course, unless he
wishes. And so he accompanies the steerer to the " brace room."
Let us now take a peep into the brace room, while the steerer
and his victim are on their way to it. The room is brilliantly
lighted up. The "artist" sits behind the table, mechanically
shuffling, cutting, and butting in, a pack of cards.
Scattered about the room, in various attitudes, are some
half-dozeu or more men one or two of whom are asleep on the
sofas and several others playing casino, cribbage, or some game
of the sort. The principal subjects under discussion are the
"merits of this or that prostitute, or perhaps one relates, hi
choice slang, garnished' with an occasional oath, his exploits of
the evening previous, and informs the company how much I win,
never in any case using the word in a past tense. Possibly the
conversation turns on the excellencies of this or that dealer, the
exploits of trotting-horses, or any kindred subject. Their lan
guage is always slangy, indecent, and blasphemous. Presently
there is a ring at the door-bell. The negro servant answers it,
and one of the steerers enters alone, his single ring at the bell
indicating that he had no victim.
After a moment or two the bell is again rung twice in rapid
succession. Presto! In an instant everything is changed.
The " artist" slides his cards into the box. The cappers gather
round the table. Stacks of checks are passed to each of them,
bets are put on the cards, the deal has begun; when enter the
" steerer" from the billiard room, and his gull. " The gentlemen
and board of trade men" are deeply engaged in playing.
The steerer takes a stack of checks and commences to play,
while the sucker sits down behind him to watch the game. The
former wins, of course. The cupidity of his victim is excited; he
readily sees into the game if he did not before understand it, and
begins to be anxious to win himself. The dealer grumbles
occasionally about its being a bad night for the bank, and affirms,
with an oath, that everybody's beating him. Some "capper"
relates how a man went into some bank this afternoon with a
$5 bill and broke the concern, carrying off about $2,500. A
drink or two having been by this time administered to the
SECOND-CLASS SKINNING-HOUSES. . 211
"sucker," he is quite ready to acquiesce, when his "friend,"
the "steerer," passing over to him a stack of checks, addresses
him with, "Here's ten dollars 7 worth of chips; put in another ten
with it, and we'll try our luck together, by jingo ! We'll go
halves, win or lose."
The proposition is apparently a fair enough one. He puts in
his $10 and loses. He puts in then another $10 to retrieve his
first, and again loses, and continues to do so until he is cleaned
out. When this is accomplished the " cappers" gradually with
draw, and the game breaks up.
A dozen of suckers may be playing at the same time, under
the guidance of as many different steerers. A competent artist
will manage that number as easily as one.
The game being ended, the steerer leaves the house with his
fleeced victim, and, when he has shaken him off, which he does
as soon as possible, he returns to the den for his division of the
spoils. Ten per cent, goes to the case-keeper, forty-five per
cent, goes to the bank, and forty-five per cent, to the "steerer,"
who brought the victim.
This is the division made, unless the "sucker" happens to be
some influential person, and fleeced while drunk, and who, when
sober, will " squeal " for his money. In such a case, the bank re
tains all the money for a few days, until they see what the victim
intends to do. If he remains quiet, it is divided; if he " squeals,''
or threatens them with the law to get it back, it is returned to
him, either in part or the whole, as he can be induced to settle.
The forty-five per cent, which goes to the house belongs to the
proprietor; out of which he gives his "artist" his share, after
the expenses of the establishment are paid. |This worthy gets
generally about twenty-five per cent, in second-class skinniug-
houses. The cappers get only whatever the bank chooses to give
them, three or four dollars each, according to the length of
time they were employed, and that only in a long game with
heavy winnings.
All second-class skinning-houses use nothing but rounds and
strippers. Not one of their proprietors would bank a game
dealt by the best "fifty-four" player in the country. He might
lose, and nothing could have a more disastrous effect on the
internal economy of the keeper of a second-class skinning-house.
They play for roped games; one half of the winnings go to the
212 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
"steerer," after ten per cent, has been deducted for the case-
keeper, from the full amount fleeced from the vcitim. These
houses are conducted on the same principle as when first estab
lished, thirty years ago, except they are furnished more gorgeously
and the keepers of them have now less fear of intrusion from the
police than formerly. They have discovered the strength of
political influence, and themselves and their satellites generally
vote in a body for such magistrates as they think likeliest to
favor their thieving operations. It would be impossible to give
anything like a correct estimate of the number of places of this
sort at present in this country. Before the close of our civil war,
it is possible that, throughout the country, as many as two
hundred established robbing dens of this sort were in operation
throughout the land, including both North and South; but at
the present time probably not more than one hundred could be
found. They increase and decrease according to the times, and
more particularly with the amount of money in circulation. They
are located exclusively in our large commercial cities. Small
towns will not support a skinning game ; but there are points of
transient visits, whenever the sharpers learn of a place where
any fat subjects may be found, that may be robbed with a two-
card box. It is possible that the city of New York contains fif
teen established second-class skinning-houses, that do not set
suppers, and that do play for "roped games. 1 ' These are located
on Broadway or on the cross-streets not far from it, and always
within a short distance of the first-class hotels. Philadelphia
supports from four to six of these delectable institutions; Balti
more one or two ; Boston, two or three; Washington City, during a
session of Congress, from four to five ; Richmond, two or three ;
Charleston, during the winter season, one ; Savannah, two or three;
Augusta, two; Atlanta, two; Montgomery, one; Mobile, four;
New Orleans, from three to five ; Memphis, two or three ; Nash
ville, one or two; Louisville, four or five; Cincinnati, two or three;
Indianapolis, generally two; St. Louis, from three to four; Chica
go, about the same; Kansas City, two or more; Leaveuworth,
one; Omaha, one; St. Joseph, one; Denver, one or two; St. Paul,
the same; Pittsburgh, Toledo, Columbus, Cleveland, Buffalo,
Rochester, Syracuse, Saratoga, Albany, Providence, and other
cities of the same size, have at least one " brace-house " each, and
sometimes more, which depends on the moneyed u suckers " either
SECOND-CLASS SKINNING-HOUSES. 213
living or transiently stopping in them. Nearly every capital seat
in the country can boast of at least one brace-house, during the
session of the legislature.
The Pacific slope has been free from these nuisances during
the last ten years, so also have the principal towns in our terri
tories. This has been entirely due to the determined hostility
shown towards the sharpers and their practices, by the gamblers
resident in those places.
During the building of the Pacific Railroad, the sharpers
followed it up step by step, from Omaha to Salt Lake City, and
beyond, and in every mushroom town that sprung up along the
route, like Jonah's gourd, in a night they built gambling-houses
in which could be found nothing but thieving games. At one
time, along the line of this road, at least three hundred sharpers
were operating, with their ropers, cappers, and other stand-byes,
all of whom were engaged in conducting such games or frauds
as waxed card monte, snapper roulettes, marked cards "vingt-
et-un," red and black lottery, and three-card rnonte. On all
the railroads building at this time, or that will be commenced
west of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, are or will be found
these pests of society, practicing their swindling arts on the un
wary, and they will not cease to do so, until the legislatures pass
severe laws for the purpose of punishing, as they deserve, frauds
at gambling.
PATENT DEALERS OR ARTISTS.
Of the different methods of cheating at faro, none have been
invented by sharpers, or even gamblers, but have principally
emanated from the brains of mechanics. The fruits of their
genius were eagerly seized upon by the sharper, the price paid
being generally the furnishing of capital to test the new work,
and division of the profits with the inventor, if successful.
The first requisite was a suitable person to work the invention.
The inventor might create, and the sharper might fully under
stand the value of his production, and where it might be made
most profitable ; but neither were able to execute the necessary
maneuvers, even on the most verdant player, not to mention a
party of suspicious gamblers. At least no instance of the kind
has ever fallen under my observation. There is scarcely to be
found at the present time, a single keeper of a first or second-
214 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
class skinning-house, who can manipulate a two-card box, or, in
fact, any of those tricks at faro, which are constantly in use
there. These operators, or "artists," as they are termed, are, as
a general thing, young men, some but little better than boys,
but averaging from eighteen to twenty-five, who have been
picked up and educated by master sharpers for this purpose.
They are trained with the greatest care, until they are made
perfect hi the role required of them, and which they must play
before an observing, and perhaps suspicious audience. The
least lack of skill, the slightest want of confidence in themselves,
or the most trifling mistake, would be certain to lead to the de
tection of the fraud. Plenty of men have learned the science of
pulling two cards, shuffling, stripping, and stocking a trimmed
pack to perfection, and can do it in an unexceptionable man
ner before those of their own ilk, but place them before even
the most verdant, who are to be taken in by the maneuver, and
they lose all confidence in themselves, and are totally unable to
operate upon them. It requires years of constant practice for
the most of men to become accomplished brace dealers. Occa
sionally, one reaches pre-eminence in his profession, in a year or
so, but such is not often the case. Whenever one becomes
more than commonly skillful, his fame soon spreads among those
of his tribe, and he is eagerly sought after by the master-sharp
ers throughout the land.
The "artists" are generally taken from among the cappers, or
case-keepers, if any of them show aptitude for the profession.
At first these individuals demanded half the plunder, but as
their numbers increased, their interest in the games they dealt
gradually became smaller. They receive at the present time in
second-class houses, from one-third to one-fourth of the profits,
and in first-class houses, ten to fifteen per cent. In some aris
tocratic establishments, as for instance that of Chamberlain, at
No. 8 Twenty-fifth street, and at Saratoga, they receive a fixed
salary of $75 per week with board and lodging. The increase in
the number of these dealers, and the decrease in the number of
houses of this sort since the war, has induced the boss- sharpers
to take advantage of their artists in this respect, or, in other
words, has compelled them to "steal" for wages.
These persons, or very few of them, outside their brace-deal
ing ability, have never shown any skill as card-players, and very
SECON T D-CLASS SKIXXING -HOUSES, 215
little or no business capacity. Were they thrifty, they might
be masters, instead of slaves in their profession ; because their
money could purchase them an equal interest in the frauds
which they operate ; but they are not. Money is a burden to
them, and if they possess it, they are restless until they play it
off against faro, or lose it in betting on horse-racing, or spend it
extravagantly on themselves or abandoned women. They take
no thought for the morrow, but literally leave it to take heed for
the things of itself. Of the many who have sprung up since the
invention of brace-dealing, not a dozen out of the number have
had forethought enough to secure to themselves a home, or* any
provision against a rainy day ; though among them are but few
that might not have accumulated a handsome competency.
When impoverished and out of employ, which, with them, are
synonymous terms, they are the most miserable creatures on the
face of the earth.
ROPERS AXD CAPPERS OF ARISTOCRATIC SETfTNTN-G-HOUSES.
These houses, as I have already mentioned, are always loca
ted in large cities, or crowded watering-places. At one time,
during the war, New York supported as many as ten, and now
can boast of four. Washington has every winter, up to 1870,
supported from four to five, but the scarcity of moneyed suckers
has induced them to sell out, and abandon the place in disgust,
and ''Ichabod" may now be written above their former gran
deur. They are generally temporarily opened at the State
capitals during sessions of the legislature, for the accommodation
of such wealthy law-makers as desire to make or renew the ac
quaintance of the "tiger." Immediately after the war, three
were furnished and fitted up in New Orleans, in the most gor
geous style, by some enterprising spirits who bore in mind the
lavish manner in which wealthy merchants and planters had
formerly dropped their money on the green tables, but these
were now impoverished, and the sharpers soon discovered that
a single house was all that city would support. Previous to the
war, Charleston was every winter blessed with a magnificently
appointed skinning-house, but since that little "unpleasantness,"
the sharping gentry have found but thin grazing there, and
have abandoned it entirely. Savannah still supports a fashiona-
216 . WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
ble den, which is considered one of the best paying institutions
of the sort in the country.
For more than thirty years, Saratoga has supported a highly
aristocratic Maison de Jeu of this species. During the war, as
many as three flourished here, but the business is at present
conducted by a party of sharpers who have monopolized every
thing in their line, to the utter exclusion of their brethren, and
who have there built and furnished one of the most magnificent
of these houses to be found in the world.
Of their artists and cappers, the former are paid from $40 to
$79* per week, and the latter, as is everywhere customary, are
dependent on the generosity of the bankers.
Newport has enjoyed for thirty years a skinning-house, which,
if reports are true, has been a very profitable one to its owners.
One of its principals, James Watson, died a short time since,
leaving an estate worth about $250,000.
It is only since the commencement of our civil war that a first-
class house of this sort has been fitted up at Cape May, but
every season the place was visited by nomadic sharpers from the
large cities, who operated in their rooms at the hotels. But a
party of prominent Philadelphia sharpers, seeing how popular
the place was becoming as a summer resort, and the numbers
who flock there during that season, at once divined how advan
tageous a business might be done there, and bought and magnif
icently furnished a residence for that purpose, where they
entertain sumptuously such members of the moneyocracy as
call upon them, for which they collect their score, with a two-
card box.
Every aristocratic skinning-house has its aristocratic loafers to
"cap" its games, who, from time to time, receive the acknow
ledgments of the proprietors, in the shape of a five or ten dollar
bill. Occasionally, when employed for a long time, and the bank
has made an unusually large stake, even twenty or twenty-five
dollars may be given to each of them. As the case-keeper stands
a grade higher, in these mansions, he is more munificently paid
than these gentlemen ; but in most houses he is entirely depend
ent on the generosity of his employer. In some, however, he
receives a regular salary, as those houses I have mentioned in
New York and Saratoga. The case -keepers and cappers are
usually changed as often as once every month, in order that their
SECOND-CLASS SKINNING-HOTJSES. 217
continual presence about the game may not excite suspicion
among its habitues. Aside from the proprietor of these brace
games, their ropers are often lawyers, doctors, brokers, horse-
dealers, merchants of all descriptions, hotel and coffee-house
proprietors, and others engaged in public life, all of whom have
undergone the ordeal of a two-card box before becoming such.
These immaculate gentlemen are careful of their reputation,
and allow none, except the proprietor of the house for which
they are operating, to suspect their true calling. They seldom
meddle with any, except those dupes who have their thousands
ready and willing to hand over to a two-card box, and such as
are certain to make no loud complaints after their losses. This
class of fastidious ropers only introduce their victims to the dens,
though they may, on some occasions, cap the game, by way of
encouragement to their dupes to play. Half a dozen of these
may meet in one of these houses, each with his "gull," without
having the remotest suspicion of each other's calling.
The next on the list is the practical roper. He is a man who
has been well raised and who moves in good society, and has an
extensive acquaintance among business men, and men of wealth
generally. He bets on races and on short games of cards with
amateurs. He is fond of display, liberal with his money, of
agreeable manners and easy address, and has such other ac
complishments as will easily entrap men devoted to play or
pleasure, and well calculated for seducing those who have no
very particular leaning towards either.
When this class of ropers get on the scent of a victim, they are
as untiring as a bloodhound. Should his standing at home not
admit of his entering a gambling-house, your practical roper will
follow his prey thousands of miles, if necessary, in order to land
him inside some skinning den at last.
It is absolutely necessary that the proprietor of these houses
should be widely known as a No. 1 sporting man, be the keeper
of a fashionable club house, where he gives recherche suppers
and the finest brands of liquors and cigars to his guests. The
more widely himself and club house are known, the more profit
able will be his business. It is vital to him, then, to cultivate the
acquaintance of all who can in any respect benefit his house. In
it may be found officials, from aldermen to senators, and all
other grades who have the one thing here requisite the almighty
218 WANDEKINGS OF A VAGABOND.
dollar and are willing to surrender it insufficiently large quan
tities to the irresistible fascinations of the two-card box. They
move generally among what society terms the respectable class
es, and are frequently the associates and friends of wealthy men,
whose presence in their establishment gives to it an air of
respectability, and who frequently become ropers for it, and
introduce good subjects, without for a moment suspecting its
character.
A stranger, known to be rich, arriving in a city, is at once set
upon by ropers. If neither these gentry nor the master sharper
are acquainted with him, a mere introduction is all that is requir
ed. A champagne cork or two is pulled in the bar-room of the
hotel, and, when the victim is sufficiently warmed up, he is
invited round to the club house to take supper. Should the fas
tidious subject require more gentle treatment, a carriage is call
ed and he is put into it and driven to the theatre, or perhaps the
opera, and duly installed in one of the fashionable boxes. Per
haps neither music, the ballet, nor the histrionic is suitable to
the taste of the honorable guest, and he prefers visiting one of
the fashionable bagnios. Your roper and sharper is at home
there ; he knows all about the principal fancy houses, and is per
sonally acquainted with all the inmates. Returning, the car
riage drives up to the doors of the club house, into which the vic
tim is duly escorted. After an excellent supper, and under the
exhilarating effects of rich wines, he is marched into the gamb
ling-room, where the brace-dealer sits, surrounded by his cappers,
dealing his game, and the roulette wheel man is spinning his ball,
as an invitation to play. The roper commences playing against
the bank, having bought a hundred dollars' worth of checks, but
does not urge his " friend "to play; and whether he does or not,
he is treated with the same courtesy. Should he have but little
money about him, and lose that, his generous host is quite will
ing to credit him with whatever amount he may wish to play
against the bank.
Sharpers are selfish, crafty, and avaricious, and in no case
are they ever moved by the liberal and generous impulses which
characterize the true gambler. They are a privileged class of
robbers, because legislation has as yet failed to devise any means
for punishing their frauds. Whoever has the misfortune to come
under their influence, they invariably rob, or use to carry out
SECOND-CLASS SKINNING-HOUSES. 219
their nefarious designs upon others. Whenever they make any
display of liberality, they are prompted by some selfish motive ;
and whenever they spend a dollar it is with the expectation of
making ten. By the luxurious feasts which they spread nightly
in their robbing dens, they manage to draw around them the
wealthy and influential persons of the place where they are lo
cated, and obtain their countenance and protection. The public
at large looks upon them as the leading sporting men of the
country. Numbered among their nightly guests are astute
lawyers and politicians, calculating bankers, brokers, and mer
chants, who regale themselves on the elegant suppers and choice
wines of their host, without casting a thought to the problem of
where the money is procured to meet the cost of such magnifi
cence. Should it ever cross the mind of one of these sapient
"gulls" to inquire how such gorgeous establishments are kept
up, his question is answered by his friend, the gentleman-roper,
"Oh! the 'splits' at faro are something enormous!"
Reader, the percentage of square faro does not reach two per
cent., and it would require a play of at least $50,000 daily, to
support such establishments as I have described ; and I have
grave doubts if any bank in the world has averaged, daily, for
the space of six months, a play of $20,000.
So conflicting are the interests of gamblers and sharpers, that
if the former possessed the power, the latter would be so com
pletely crushed out, that not a two-card box could be found
in America. The breaking up of the skinning-houses in San
Francisco, and their final extirpation from the Pacific slope, is
entirely due to the efforts of gamblers. Every person robbed
there was informed of their rascally practices, and urged to
sue for his money back. Men were posted before the dens, to
warn strangers about to enter them, of their character. The
doors of square faro games were shut in the face of ropers. By
these hostile measures, they were driven from the Pacific slope.
Self-defense prompted them to pursue this course. So long as
these swindlers were allowed to operate, they cast a taint on
faro-banks in general. While gambling-houses were licensed iu
the city of New Orleans, the gamblers did all in their power to
break up the skinning-houses; and succeeded, until the legisla
ture, in 1836, repealed the act licensing gambling, which opened
the way for again introducing the skinning games. The sharpers
220 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
hired private rooms to operate in, or used their rooms at the
hotels, while their ropers were upon tlie streets or around the
coffee-houses, billiard-rooms, and every -other public place,
picking up customers for them. When arrested for violation of
the law. the money they fleeced from their victims bought off the
police and informers, so that they could follow their calling with
but slight risk. But the square gambler could not afford to run
the risk of being arrested, the fine for dealing any game being
$1,000; and square faro cannot pay such fines.
Wherever the sharpers have obtained a foothold in a place,
they have not failed to outgeneral the gamblers. Their extrava
gant entertainments bring them in contact with men In high
places, to secure whose protection they launch out their money
freely. Not, of course, by direct bribery ; but by presents, and in
many delicate ways covering the offensive odor of bribery ; and
sometimes by advancing a sum of money for electioneering
purposes. The square gambling banker cannot afford to do
these things, nor do one in fifty of them ever think of meddling
in elections. The sharpers are greatly opposed to having square
games near their skinuing-houses, or, in fact, if they could
prevent it, in the places where they are located. They fear
their dupes may learn the difference between them, if given fre
quent opportunities of playing against the latter. The frequenter
of the den of Johnny Chamberlain on Twenty-fifth street, who
has been for years dropping his money against the bank, without
the relief of a single winning, or even the gratification of seeing
a friend win, will naturally become awakened to the fact that
there is something strange in this perpetual ill luck, not only of
himself, but in every case he has observed. When he changes
his base, and alternates his visits between Johnny's and the
square establishment at 818 Broadway, No. 12 Ann Street, or
8 Barclay, or any others of the square gambling places in the
city, where, according to the mutability of the chances, he must
frequently win, himself, and also see many of his friends win,
whose knowledge of the art is no better than his own, his
suspicions will probably be pretty thoroughly aroused, that he
has been robbed scientifically and continually, in the aristocratic
establishment of Chamberlain. In addition to this, the square
gambler is always a source of uneasiness to the sharper, because
he knows the former will warn his victims of the fraudulent
SECOND-CLASS SKENNING- HOUSES. 221
character of his transactions, whenever he can. Under the
Know-nothing regime in New Orleans, when the sharpers became
more powerful than ever before or since, and it is to be hoped
ever will be again, they raised every obstacle in their power to
prevent the square games from being opened. In the winter of
1858, but a single game of square faro was open in the city ; and
that was located over a livery stable. The room was meanly
furnished, and the limit was six dollars and a quarter, with a
paroli to twenty-five dollars. At the same time there were fifteen
bird supper (skinning) houses in full blast. So long as the Know-
nothing party were in power in the city, the sharpers could depend
on it for protection ; for the reason that they gave money freely
toward its support, and so long as they could exclude from the
city, square houses, so long the charge of unfairness was less
likely to be cast against them. Gamblers were the only persons
they feared; and during the ascendency of the Thugs in the city,
were not only kept from opening their games, but from speaking
against the sharpers, by dread of assassination. To illustrate
how anxious were the sharpers to have the mysteries of their
dens preserved from exposure, and their great desire that their
dupes should learn nothing about the game of faro, that might
lead them to suspect they were being foully dealt with at their
places, I shall here relate a circumstance which occurred in the
city of New Orleans in the winter of 1859. A party of sharpers
from Richmond had opened a gorgeous establishment on Canal
street. So far as their gambling relations, or the appearance of
them, went, they conducted their house on a more liberal scale
than any other of the sort in the city. When they could do no
better they were willing to depend on the odd card which made
the percentage fifteen per cent, more in their favor than in a
square game. Or when the game had around it only small
players, they frequently dealt it on the square. What they
principally depended on was fleecing fat subjects who were
roped into the den, or dropped in accidentally. To give their
game every appearance of fairness they introduced cue-papers.
Up to that time the keeping of the cards by pencil and paper
was unknown in that city, or in any of the Southern States south
of Richmond. This innovation created the greatest alarm
among the skin-game sharpers there. A deputation waited upon
the Richmondites, who were informed that too much money had
222 WANDERrNTJS OF A VAGABOND.
been spent to bring gambling up to its present standard and
have it protected, to permit strangers to come into the place and
teach customers how to protect themselves at faro. This warn
ing was all-sufficient, and the papers were at once abandoned
by the Richmondites.
The question no doubt arises in the mind of the reader, why,
if the sharpers were so powerful in the city, they allowed any
strangers to enter, and divide with them the magnificent harvest
to be reaped there every winter with a two-card box. The
answer is, jealousy. Mutual preservation united the sharpers
against the Democratic party, which, while in power, never ceased
to persecute them. Consequently, as soon as the Know-nothings
had gained the ascendency in the city, the sharpers, with one
accord, were its steadfast upholders, both by their activity and
their money. It was virtually the Know-nothings who destroyed
the severe laws enacted against gambling, by wiping out that
clause which gave one-half the fines to the informer. But if
these worthies were fully protected in their robberies, a burning
hatred and jealousy existed among them. Each was envious of
the other's influence with the authorities, and only fear of ex
posure kept them on terms of decency and good behavior to
wards each other. For one sharper to be instrumental in
breaking up the establishment of another was a dangerous ex
periment, as retaliation was sure to ensue. The law against
gambling was severe, and still in full operation ; but offered no
bribe to informers, which was to the sharpers a protection. But
should one of these, by underhand measures, break up the den
of another, revenge would induce the party injured to go be
fore the grand jury in the light of an informer. In this fratrici
dal war, every skinning den in the city would be broken up;
besides, whatever amount of hatred and jealousy might exist
among them, they mortally feared detection of their frauds, which
would be certain to ensue if they depended on a court of justice
to revenge them, one upon another. These reasons, and only
these, caused the sharpers to respect the rights of each other,
but against square gamblers, who, having no particular influence
there, wished to open square games in the place, they were, as a
unit, hostile. They were prevented from opening their banks
through fear of violence from the Thugs, who were hand in hand
with the sharpers, and ready to commit any outrage at their
SECOND-CLASS SKINNING-HOUSES. 223
bidding. Just before the breaking out of the rebellion, when
political excitement was engendering a hatred towards all per
sons of northern birth, some of the sharpers agitated a move
ment to have all their northern brethren expelled from the city.
These resident sharpers had been compelled to look quietly on
for the last few years, and see others from the North and West,
fitting up gorgeous establishments, which far surpassed their
own. The consequence was, that their own business was de
creasing, and, blinded by jealousy and rage, they tried to have
the new-comers driven from the State. Feeling ran very high,
just then, against all persons of northern birth, and those who
inaugurated the movement might very probably have succeeded,
had not their activity in the matter been viewed by a portion of
the skinning fraternity as a dodge of the expulsionists to in
crease their own interest and influence, and a suspicion that
when the obnoxious northerners were gotten rid of, the next
move of the expelling party, who were the wealthiest sharpers in
the place, would be to crush them out, that they might have the
monopoly of the skinning trade all to themselves. Nor were
their fears entirely groundless, if one may judge from another
move on the part of the expulsionists, a few months later. They
offered a large sum to procure a bill, log-rolled through the leg
islature of Louisiana, licensing gaming, but confining it in.
New Orleans to three houses, each of which three houses
should pay $75,000 per annum for its license. The passage
of such a bill would have thrown all the gambling in the city
into the hands of four or five wealthy sharpers; but corrupt as
was the Legislature of Louisiana, at that time, it dared not arouse
the just indignation of all the decent people in the State, by the
passage of such a nefarious law.
Self-preservation and mutual jealousy were the centripetal
and centrifugal forces, which held the oligarchy of sharpers to
gether in New Orleans for a period of nearly six years. When
the Thugs were driven from the city, or, at least, the worst of
them, this oligarchy fell asunder. Its support was gone. Nine
square gambling-houses were established in the place within a
month after that event, and in three months more but three
skinning-houses existed in the city, and these were not paying
their expenses.
224 TVAXDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XX.
SHARPERS.
It would seem that the fountain-head of all our social misfor
tune is the accumulation of wealth. In whatever country a few
families have possessed themselves of the larger portion of the
arable lands, the remainder have become their serfs. England,
Ireland, and Scotland have, united, a population of about
28,000,000 ; out of this immense number, about 20,000 own the
entire lands in the United Kingdom. The statistics of the popu
lation of Great Britain, taken a few years since, show that she
has 1,039,000 paupers, and a moment's reflection will show that
in the background of that immense army of want, as many
more must be enduring their misery in silence. Wealth is the
mother of pride, fraud, extortion, rapine, and cruelty. It has
divided mankind into classes, set neighbor against neighbor
and children against parents. It has ever tempted the cupidity
of man, roused all that is worst in his nature, and created
schools for the education of the sharper. Eighty per cent, of
the cultivated classes worship the golden calf, and ignore the
brotherhood of man ; consequently, as they prey upon the rights
of their fellows, they are nothing more nor less than sharpers.
What are the myriads of priests, who lie soft, and fare sumptu
ously every day upon the sweat of the toiler, but sharpers ? Or
what are the hordes of lawyers, who live by fostering "man 'sin-
humanity to man," and confusing the rights of property, instead
of regulating them, but sharpers? The cultivated scoundrel,
who finds his way into our legislative halls to give his voice in
favor of a monopoly, which, while it brings wealth and power to
a few, will bring want and misery to many, is only a sharper.
That magistrate is but a sharper, who, dispensing justice with
severity to the penniless and friendless, is yet leniently disposed
towards the wealthy and influential. So long as the more
cultivated and superior classes are permitted to use all their
knowledge and powers of invention, for the purpose of enriching
the few at the expense of the many, the human race can expect
to be but little better than birds of prey, and "the beasts that
perish." Since the attainment of wealth has become a virtue,
SHABPERS. 225
fraud has almost ceased to be a crime. "Had not I seized the
prize, another would have done do," is the balm that quiets the
conscientious scruples of the plunderer. Consequently, swin
dling and fraudulent transactions of all kinds have become
every-day occurrences in all branches of trade and industry, and
among all classes of society. In the breathless hurry-scurry
scramble for wealth, few men are really strictly honest; they
salve their conscience with the thought that when they have
accumulated what riches they desire, they will be so, but as the
passion for wealth increases with its accumulation, an honest
man is about as hard to find as " pearls in ocean's midst."
What has caused all the sanguinary wars that have devastated
countries, and left them hopelessly impoverished and enslaved?
The desire of more possessions. Who brought about those wars
but scheming sharpers? If we except the few noble souls who
have seized the sword in order to free their country from the
chains of the oppressor, like Spartacus, the Gracchi, Eienzi,
Washington, Toussaint L'Ouverture, and Bolivar, the great mass
of military heroes, in whose honor peans have been sung, and at
whose feet the world has fallen down to worship, have been
nothing more nor less than a set of cut-throats and plunderers.
Why then should we be surprised to find the sharper plying
his trade under the guise of gambling? It is as natural to find
him playing false cards, loaded dice, etc., as to find him selling
his vote in the legislative halls, his decisions upon the bench,
or buying up the necessaries of life, in order to enrich himself
upon the necessities of his suffering countrymen. These crimes
are committed daily, and their perpetrators not only go un-
whipped of justice, but the world considers them venial sins, to
be winked at and passed over, for they sit in high places and
roll in wealth, giving to their dear five hundred friends, sump
tuous entertainments in splendid mansions, built from the fruits
of their dishonesty.
Possibly, cheating at cards is coeval with the hazarding of
money or its equivalent. That such unfair dealing should be
viewed by the fleec*ed party as criminal, is but natural, and that
they should punish the sharper, if able, is also quite natural, and
he richly deserves it, for doing his work in such a bungling man
ner as to be detected ; the main object being generally to wrest
from him the plunder, and, after that is accomplished, to admin-
226 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
ister a sound drubbing to the offender. We frequently read of
detected sharpers being thrown from windows or kicked down
stairs in Europe by their irate victims ; but I am much inclined
to believe that one case of this sort has been magnified into
hundreds by the writers. In this country it woul'd be rather a
dangerous undertaking to endeavor to throw one of these gentry
from a window, who has been detected in his "little game." From
what I know of the tribe, I should say they were but little dis
posed to stand such nonsense quietly, and the thrower might,
before he was aware of it, find himself acting the role of the
thrown. Offenbach will not allow Chalcas to give up but half the
spoils, when the" princes of Greece detected their high priest ring
ing in false dice upon them. Unveiled from the ruins of Pompeii,
were found the skeletons of men around a gaming-table, the dice
still clutched in their skeleton fingers, a speechless evidence that
the Pompeians were in the habit of rattling the " blarsted nibs."
From the writers of Rome we learn that gaming was extensively
indulged in by all classes during the empire. Many of the em
perors are reputed to have been gamesters. Caligula made of
his palace a gambling-house for the nobility. We are told that
Claudius hazarded about sixteen thousand dollars on the throw
of a die, a large sum in those days. According to Horace, the
cogging of dice was as well understood in the days of Augustus
Caesar as it is in the nineteenth century ; and if many of the
writers of the last two centuries are to be credited, in their time
more sharpers than dupes existed in Europe. It is a great mis
fortune that many writers look more to their imagination for
facts, than to historical records. At the present day, when I
read the ridiculous stories relative to turning the tables on sharp
ers, ruined families caused by card-tables, blowing out of brains
on account of losses incurred by gambling, millions won by black
legs, I conclude that the writers of the two latter centuries
knew no more about the genuine sharper and his mysterious op
erations, than those of the present day. When cards were in
troduced into Europe, in the early part of the fifteenth century,
there arose such a rage for gaming, and to sueh a fearful extent
did it spread throughout the country, that it was quite natural
that all good men should endeavor to check the vice. Charles
VII of France issued an edict against it, but it had no effect in
suppressing it. Many of the clergy traveled through the country
SHAEPEKS. 227
preaching against it ; Tmt, as it was as prevalent among them as
among the laity, their exhortations had little or no effect, nor
could legislation check its growth. The most powerful weapon
of the opponents of gambling was the accusation of swindling,
and it was used so unsparingly by preachers, writers, and law
makers, that the uninitiated, in reading their records, are in
duced to believe that nothing was to be found in Europe except
gambling-sharpers. Doubtless many existed in those days ; we
read, and know how they spring up in times of excitement ; but
I am far from being disposed to believe that so many ever ex
isted in any one country at a time, as exists at this present day
in our own, or that any sharpers ever existed who were so skill
ful in devising means of cheating at play, and putting their arts
into practice, as those of the present day. England is the first
country within my knowledge, that passed laws making cheating
at gambling a punishable offense. During the reign of Queen
Anne, that law was tacked on to an act prohibiting gambling,
and as the document is rather a curious one, I quote from it, for
the reader's edification: " The statute further enacts, that if any
person cheat at gaming, and at any one time win more than 10,
he maybe indicted, and shall forfeit five -times the value, and
shall be deemed infamous, and shall suffer such corporal punish
ment as in case of willful perjury." Since the passage of the
foregoing law, no sharper can pursue his calling in all the king
dom of Great Britain with impunity. Should he be detected in
cheating, while playing at any game of hazard for money, he
stands in danger of the law, and, upon conviction, may be con
signed to a felon's cell. And to-day a similar fate awaits the de
tected sharper in every country in Europe worthy the name of
civilized.
In the early days of our country, the existence of the sharper
was not so pleasant as now. Running about the country with a
fast quarter-horse to ring in upon farmers and the like ; hiring
the privilege of a race-track, and the while being obliged to keep
a strict watch upon his cappers, dice-coggers, thimble -riggers,
two-card pullers, strap players, trigger- wheel players, etc., lest
they should sink on him it was no easy task to watch and man
age such a gang. Nor were his labors a whit less while travel
ing on a steamboat, with his gang of strikers plying their calling
among the deck and cabin passengers. This line of business was
228 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
not in all cases pleasant while on these excursions, when we take
into consideration that he ran considerable risk of being lynched,
or set ashore in some wild cane-brake, should one of his strikers
be caught in the act of chiseling some verdant passenger. Those
rough days for the sharper are now over. He now may be
found in his gorgeous club house, surrounded by every luxury
and attendance for which the sensualist might wish. Instead of
prowling about the country in search of victims, they quietly
drop into his trap, or are roped in for him by his subordinates.
Instead of being persecuted and driven from place to place by
the officers of the law, they are now his friends and companions,
and protect him in his swindling operations, or, if not quite that,
are conveniently blind to his acts. The magnificent feasts which
he spreads draw around him both the makers of laws and their
executors, and he is more than repaid by their protection and
the respectability which their presence adds to his house and
calling.
, When sanded cards were played out upon gamblers, and sharp
ers were forced to fall back upon greenhorns for support, they
could obtain more of that stock by setting up a shop and wait
ing for them, than by running around the country in search of
prey. At first they opened small traps in the by-streets, near
the principal hotels, and frequently set up their games in their
bedrooms at hotels, where their ropers brought their victims.
From the opening of these dens dates the marshaling of our
present army of ropers, cappers, case-keepers, and artists, under
the command of our leading sharpers.
For many years the gamblers of this country lagged far behind
their brethren in Europe in the fitting up of costly gambling es
tablishments. At the beginning of the present century the gamb
ling-hells of London were fitted up in extraordinary style. The
furnishing alone of Fishmonger's Hall is said to have cost
40,000. Previous to 1837 all the gambling-rooms in this coun
try were fitted up and conducted purely on the democratic prin
ciple. SucTi articles as carpets, curtains, or a side-board, were
entirely unknown there. Even chairs were scarcely tolerated.
They were usually located on some back street or alley, and
frequently in a cellar. To furnish these, it only required some
chairs, and a few tables and benches, and to strew the floor with
sand or sawdust. No liquors nor drinks of any sort were furnish-
SHAEPEES. 229
ed by the proprietor, except a pail of cold water. Many of them
were, however, located convenient to some rum -mill, from whence
refreshments could be ordered. Besides faro-banks, could be
found those of roulette, chuck, vingt-et-un, etc. To these places
ah 1 sorts of characters had entrance during the hours devoted to
play, and to preserve order at least one bully was maintained on
the premises.
When men wearing polished boots and boiled shirts were too
exclusive to play in company with the " great unwashed " at
faro or roulette, private games were opened for their convenience
in the hotel or some other convenient place. As the people grow
prosperous their Spartan virtues gradually retire from the field
and allow luxuries to creep in upon them. How should gamb
lers be expected to escape its insidious approach? Their patrons
demanded private rooms, decently furnished, in order that they
might not be jostled by the unclean, the uncouth, and the ruf
fianly. The first genteel gambling-rooms fitted up in this coun
try were opened in the city of New Orleans, under the old license
law. These were closed in 1836, and shortly afterwards a re
spectably furnished gambling establishment was opened in
Richmond. After the suppression of gambling in New Orleans,
Mobile became the favorite gaming place in the South ; and as
early as 1837 several finely furnished rooms were opened there.
That is to say, they were furnished with carpets, curtains, side
boards, etc. The games played in these rooms were principally
faro and roulette, and all genteel-looking persons were permitted
to play at them. The rooms in which faro was secretly dealt,
in the French quarter of the city of New Orleans, after gambling
was suppressed by law, were usually fitted up tastefully, if not
extravagantly. But at this time, excepting these and those
mentioned as in Mobile, and one or two in Richmond, but very
few rooms, where square faro was dealt, were decently furnished,
in the whole United States. The faro-rooms in large cities like
New York, Boston, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and
Louisville, were of the most primitive description, located in the
rear of some doggery, in by-streets, and frequently in cellars.
In such places would congregate men of nearly every grade and
calling, for the purpose of " bucking the tiger." Near the close
of the Mexican war, gamblers in the Northern and Western
States began to take an interest in fitting up, for the accomino-
230 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
dation of themselves and their patrons, respectable faro-rooms.
If these cities had handsomely furnished rooms for dealing
square games of the kind before 1845, I can find no evidence of
the fact j and I think the same assertion may safely be made re
garding the cities of Louisville, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. The
custom of setting meals, adopted by all first-class skinniug-dens
and many square houses in our larger cities, originated under
the old license law in New Orleans. These establishments had
their kitchens and tables for the accommodation of the proprie
tor and his employes. Plain, but substantial dinners, with clar
et wine, were served every afternoon at three, to which the
proprietor was in the habit of inviting many of his friends and
patrons. After the suppression of these houses, many of the faro-
rooms run by stealth in the French portion of the city, through
the connivance of the police, gave to their guests gratuitous
dinners and suppers. The custom was adopted by some of the
Mobile gamblers, and shortly by a few houses in Baltimore and
Richmond. None of .the gamblers operating in the Eastern or
Western cities furnished meals to their patrons previous to 1855.
I believe the first attempt of this kind was made in the city of
New York. None of the faro games dealt on the Pacific Coast
ever set a table, with one exception. When Stepen Whipple
opened his magnificent establishment in the city of San Francis
co, he gave to his patrons both dinners and suppers of the
finest kind. But within his gorgeous rooms no professional
gambler was allowed. No other square game, on the Pacific
slope, since the discovery of gold, has ever furnished meals to
its patrons.
The first fashionable skinning-house was opened in Washington
hi 1832, by two sharpers named Pendleton and Marshall. The
former was a native of Winchester, Va., and, as a sharper, stood
pre-eminent. For more than twenty years he conducted a fash
ionable house in Washington, and the remarkable success with
which he met must be attributed to his own peculiar talents.
Poorly raised and worse educated, he had still acquired the
manners of a perfect gentleman, and had a way of ingratiating
himself with such wealthy persons, and those of influence, as
were devoted to play and pleasure. The magnificent display
which he made, and the celebrity of his table, which, for rare
viands and choice wines, was not surpassed by those of the weal-
SHARPERS. 231
thiest in the land, rendered his house, during a session of Con
gress, the resort of the rich, the eminent, and the powerful. Mr.
Marshall, the confidential artist of Pendleton, was a native of
Kentucky, and I shall here close the mortal career of this gen
tleman, as far as I am concerned, by stating that he made ten
fortunes while with Pendleton, of all of which he got rid, either
by the most reckless extravagance, or bucking at faro, and
finally died a miserable drunkard in his native State. They also
planted Pendleton, a short while previous to the rebellion, and,
though a reckless spendthrift, and an extravagant liver, he left
to his widow an ample fortune.
The success of Peudleton's trap incited the sharpers of Mary
land and Virginia to come and do likewise. Consequently,
from 1833 up to the present time, the office-holders, office-seek
ers, lobbyists, claimants, strangers, and their high mightinesses
of both houses of Congress, have had every winter from two to
eight skiuniug-houses in which to loaf, sup, and be fleeced of
their money, whenever they played the unequal game against
the two-card box.
Fashionable houses of this sort were about this period opened
in Richmond and Baltimore. From these cities the sharpers
extended their operations to Philadelphia, where they opened
one or more in the summer of 1836, but they received such bad
treatment from the roughs and black-mailers in that city, that
they were forced to abandon their enterprise. Between the
years 1844 and 1845 they obtained a foothold there, and since that
period Philadelphia has never been without two or more fash
ionable skin games.
In the year 1840, an Irishman named Pat Hearn fitted up, in
Barclay street, New York, a splendid suite of apartments for that
purpose, where he entertained his customers with suppers of the
"bird" style, and "braced" them to pay the expense. From the
best information I can get, I believe this to have been the first skin-
ning-house opened in New York. Hearn, before his advent in
New York, was employed in a notary's office in New Orleans, but
his profligate habits and passion of gaming caused him to lose
his situation. After spending a year or two loafing around the
licensed gambling-houses in the place, the proprietors of one of
them gave him a situation to attend at one of the games, where
he remained until public gaming was suppressed. While there
232 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
employed, he made the acquaintance of many of its wealthy
patrons. Having received a good education, and being a man
of polished manners, with a social and genial disposition, and
having, withal, a large stock of rollicking Irish humor, he com
mended himself to all with whom he came in contact, and those
fond of play and fast living found in Pat Hearu a congenial
companion.
Some proprietors of private skiuniug-deus in the place saw in
Hearn a valuable roper, and at this business he soon recruited
his fortunes, and lived in the most extravagant style until he
came to New York, where he was allowed, almost without inter
ruption, to carry on a skinning-den for about twenty years.
Meantime, during that interval, many sharps fitted up fash
ionable skinniug-houses in the city, and conducted them with
various success. Some were closed for want of patronage, while
others were broken up from receiving frequent interruptions
from the rowdy element ; and not a few were compelled to close
by the extortionate black-mailing of the police. Through all
the years, however, Pat Hearn maintained his position, and
weathered every political storm, by his native tact. His superior
roping and entertaining qualities filled his den with fat subjects
belonging to the' more intellectual and wealthy classes. His
genial manners, profuse liberality, and off-handed way, made
him a favorite with the rowdy clement, and they gave to him
their support. The money and presents which he secretly dis
tributed among the chiefs of the poh'ce force in his ward, en
sured him against interruption from these satellites, while he
compromised with all black-mailers who tried to prey upon him,
sooner than allow then: snares to draw him within the meshes
of the law. Notwithstanding his extravagant habits, at his
death, which took place in 1860, Hearn managed to leave his
widow about $30,000.
The first gorgeous skiuning-palace opened in New York, which
could bear any comparison to those at present located there, or
those at Long Branch or Saratoga, was fitted up by a company
of sharpers in 1853. This magnificent establishment was chris
tened "The Crystal Palace," and it is reported that a fabulous
sum was expended in furnishing and fitting it up. It was
placed under the charge of Mr. Pendleton, himself a large share
holder, who could afford to give it his whole attention when
Congress was not hi session.
SHAEPERS. 233
The house did not at first take well, and would probably
have proved a failure, had it not met with a rich subject in a
cashier of one of the city banks. This defaulting gentleman
dropped in the house, at various plays, about $70,000. Expect
ing, no doubt, to make his losses good, he requested Mr. Pendle-
ton and his associates to keep his losses from the public,
but the "swag" was too big. The first desire of a sharper is to
acquire money; the next, to let the world know of his acquisi
tion. The cashier was arrested, and his employers sued the
"Crystal Palace" for the stolen money. But Peudleton ran
off to Washington carrying it with him, and the sharpers se
cured their prize, but, in consequence, the "Crystal Palace" was
broken up by the authorities.
It was about the commencement of the rebellion that the fash
ionable dens of New York first acquired an assured foothold in
that city; and, since then, they have been able and have bidden
defiance to the attacks, both of the police and black-mailers, be
ing protected by the higher city officials. During the last decade,
all the proprietors of these places have become wealthy, though
always living in the most extravagant manner. Several of them
have either country-seats or finely stocked farms within a short
distance of the city, while others live in palatial city residences,
supporting the most extravagant style. A few have stables of
racers or trotters, while some are managers and large share
holders in some of the popular race tracks around the city.
The first skinning-house of which Boston ever could boast,
was opened there in 1844, and conducted by a man of the name of
Lyman Brittain, with the assistance of three or more other sharp
ers. Their houses proved a success, and induced others to try
their fortunes there, by opening and conducting similar estab
lishments. Those who failed did so more from want of patron
age than any hostility shown towards them by the authorities.
In no place in this country have such places been better protect
ed by those honorable bodies than in Boston. Mr. Brittain run
his house in Boston until about 1864, when he went to New
York, and identified himself with one of the most aristocratic es
tablishments of the kind there.
Two years afterwards the worthy gentleman handed in his
chips, which disastrous event was caused by sizing up too
heavily against the brandy bottle.
234 WATERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
I have already stated the manner in which the sharpers
followed their calling subsequent to the repeal of the law per
mitting public gaming in New Orleans, and the manner in
which they kept their games and caused suckers to be roped to
them in by-streets or in their sleeping-rooms at the hotels.
When sued for the money or spotted by informers, the matter
was generally compromised. If the haul was a large one and
fears were entertained that the victim might "squeal," the
sharpers took a lake or river steamer, and left the city for a few
days till the affair had time to blow over. In this underhand
manner they conducted their business for about twenty years,
without once attempting to open a fashionable skin-game. The
first of the kind opened there was in the winter of 1853, and
was superintended by a sharper from Tennessee, named Allen
Jones. The greatest care was taken not to let what went on
within the house become known to the outside barbarians.
This institution, during the winter, cleared for its owners about
$55,000 ; a young Portuguese Jew, a banker in the place, having
lost $30,000 of the money. The following winter,' Jones and
some of his compeers subscribed several thousand dollars, and
with it caused the obnoxious anti-gambling law to be stripped* of
its most dangerous and odious feature, that which gave to the
informer one-half the fine. In the whiter of 1854 two additional
skinning-dens were opened hi the place, to add dignity to the
city of New Orleans, and all met with the most encouraging
success. Sharpers now gathered from nearly all parts of the
earth to that city, and vied with each other in the fitting up
and furnishing of magnificent establishments. New Orleans
being at that period renowned for its market, no finer tables
could be found in the world than such as were nightly set out hi
these houses. It was considered a poor season with one of these
when it did not clear $40,000, and some of them have been
known to make in the neighborhood of $100,000 during a single
winter. It was during these lively times for sharpers that
houses were opened in Cincinnati, Louisville, and Chicago, but
neither of these cities were able to support more than one or
two of them before the rebellion. I believe that during the
years of 1863, 1864, and 1865, Cincinnati never supported less
than three, and sometimes as many as five or six. The sharpers
were afraid of starting such houses in Louisville, Nashville, or St.
SHARPERS. 235
Louis, during the war, these cities being in a great measure
under military rule, and, to the credit of the military authorities
be it said, they showed no mercy to sharpers, while they in DO
way interfered with regular gamblers. The military detectives
found out the character of each game dealt within their stamp
ing ground, and swindling sharpers and their operators were not
tolerated. Many were arrested in Louisville, Nashville, Mem
phis, and St. Louis, and other places where military authority
prevailed, after they had opened their houses, and some of them
were imprisoned for months, and not a few set to work on the
fortifications. Small wonder if, after that, they and all their ilk
kept strictly beyond the power of military authority. But
scarcely a town or city of any size existed, during the war, in the
East or West, which did not support a skin-game. I believe
that Chicago had at no time less than three, and some of the
tune six of these, which were furnished in the most extravagant
manner, and all of which kept the most luxurious tables.
That the reader may have some idea of how openly the swind
ling transactions of which I have spoken are carried on, and in
what a barefaced manner the articles which I have described
are offered for sale, I append the following copy of a circular
which is publicly sent out, accompanied by the little book therein
mentioned, containing fac-similes of the backs of the marked
cards.
[CUT OF EAGLE.]
He either fears his fate too much,
Or his deserts are small,
"Who dare not put it to the touch,
And win or lose it all.
E. M. GRANDINE, 41 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK,
Manufacturer and Dealer in Advantage and Marked-Back Play
ing Cards, by which you can tell the size and suit,
by the Sack as well as the Face.
EVERY STYLE OF BACK CONSTANTLY ON HAND.
These cards are an exact imitation of the fair Playing Cards
in use, and are adapted for Bluff or Poker, Seven-up, Forty-
five, Euchre, Cribbage, Vingt-et-un, or Twenty-one, Loo, and all
other games of cards, where knowing just what your opponent
holds in his hand would enable you to win. Square and Marked
236 WANDEKIXGS OF A VAGABOND.
Cards cut to order for Stocking Hands, for every game. Also
Faro-boxes, Lay-outs, and Tools. Roulette -Wheels, Keno-Sets,
Ivory Goods, Rouge-et-Noir or Red and Black, Roulette,
Feather and Anchor, Over and Under Seven, Eight and Ten
Dice, and Faro Cloths, and every variety of Sporting Imple
ments and Materials.
My cards are now issued on a quality of board, which, though
in exact imitation of the Square Cards of the same patterns, is, in
toughness and elasticity, but little if at all inferior to a Faro
Dealing Card, and uuequaled by anything to be obtained in this
country in the way of Marked Cards. I have the greatest variety
of styles, and have them perfect, both in mark and finish.
Faro Boxes, Tools, and all other goods herein advertised, are
of the very best quality, and parties wishing goods for practical
use, will do well to favor me with their order. Especially is
this true of those wishing to purchase Faro Checks. There are
various concerns who are selling Checks made from gi'een, un
seasoned ivory, which are almost entirely worthless. Especial
attention is paid to this department, and my Checks are made
from the very best seasoned and finest quality of ivory imported.
Full and explicit directions for reading and using will be sent
with all Cards and Tools. Should you wish for Cards, state the
style of back as per sample-book accompanying, and they will be
forwarded to any address.
SPECIAL NOTICE.
Any of these goods -will be sent by express C. 0. D. (collect on
delivery) if so desired, express charges at the purchaser's ex
pense. When Goods are ordered C. 0. D., to the amount of
over $20 and less than $100, a deposit of 15 per cent, must
accompany the order by mail, registered, if at my risk, and for
$100 a deposit of 10 per cent. This is to secure freight expenses
in case the goods are not taken by the persons ordering, and
this rule will not be departed from. No goods sent to the Terri
tories C. O. D. in less amounts than 825. Orders for less
amounts must be accompanied by the money.
Customers will bear in mind that in the following price-list,
where the price of single packs, are given, they will be sent
closely sealed, postpaid, for that price. The price per dozen is
net; freight at purchaser's expense.
SHARPERS. 237
Parties living at a great distance, where the express charges
would be very heavy, can have their cards sent by mail by the
dozen or half-dozen, by remitting, in addition to the price per
dozen, $3 extra for postage, on each dozen packs, and I will
guarantee safe delivery.
I hold myself responsible for all money sent by registered let
ter, also postal money orders.
PEICE LIST OF MARKED CARDS.
Per pack, any style on sample sheet, postpaid by mail, $1.25
One dozen by express for --------- 10.00
Two dozen ","",*'* - - - - 18.00
Three doz. " " " 26.00
Six dozen " " " - - ------ 48.00
One gross 'L " " - - 85.00
DEALING, SQUARE, AND ADVANTAGE CARDS.
PER PACK. PER UOZ.
Hart's LinenEagle Faro Cards, squared for dealing, $1.50 $15.00
The same cut in any form, either wedges, rounds,
and straights, or end rounds, 3.00 30.00
Spanish Monte Cards, 75" 6.00
Ordinary Cards, cut for strippers, brief, or any
other style, 1.25 9.00
Three-card Monte Tickets, 1.00 8.00
Flag-backs, marked, per pack, ------ 1.50 12.00
Any of the above cut for strippers, 50 cents per pack extra, or
$3 per dozen.
FARO BOXES AND TOOLS.
Square Dealing Faro Box, German Silver, extra heavy
silver plate, -. $25.00
Two-card Faro Box, top sight tell, improved lever, best
in use, 60.00
Back up, second card box, for Red and Blacks, - - 35.00
Card Press without cover, --- 6.00
Card Press with slide cover, compartment for dealing-
box, lock and key, - 10.00
238 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Card Press same as above to hold a dozen packs, double, $14.00
Card Punches, steel, ----------- 4.00
" " silver, with hinge, 10.00
Trimming Shears, double edged cutter, 35.00
Knile, small, .- 20.00
11 large, 50.00
Stripper Plates, to use with knife, per set 5.00
Case-keeper, Cards, Wooden Markers, - - - - 12.00
" Composition Markers, ------ 15.00
" finest painted Ivory Markers, - - - - 25.00
Check Racks, 5.00
" " small, 4.00
Card Box, to hold Checks, Dealing-box, Cards, Case-
keepers, Card-racks, 50.00
Shuffling Board, 2.00
Ruled Cue-papers, or Faro Tabs, per hundred, - - - 1.50
" " " per thousand, - - - 12.00
BROADCLOTH AND OILCLOTH SPREADS.
Broadcloth Faro Lay-outs, best quality, ----- $18.00
" " " mounted on board, - - - 23.00
" " " on fold-up board, - - - 28.00
Enameled Oilcloth Faro Lay-outs, ------- 10.00
Broadcloth Roulette Lay-outs, 7 feet by 4i double, - - 50.00
Enameled Oilcloth Roulette Lay-outs, 3 ft. by 3 ft. 9 in., 10.00
Red and Black or Rouge et Noir Cloth, large, - - - 18.00
" " size Faro Lay-out, 14.00
Eight-Dice Cloths, --- 16.00
Ten-Dice " 20.00
Feather and Anchor Cloths. Emblems horse head,
anchor, feather, game cock, leaf, and star, - - - 10.00
Mustang or Horse Head Cloths. Emblems horse head,
anchor, club, spade, diamond, and heart, - - - 10.00
Sweat Cloth, large gilt figures, - 5.00
Over and Under Seven, 5.00
Different styles of above painted to order, same price.
Old Faro Cloths repainted for 8.00
SHAKPEKS.
239
FAKO CHECKS,
FIKST
SECOND
QUALITY.
QUALITY.
hundi
red - - - $32.00.
28.00
u
- - 35.00.
30.00
11
- - - 37.50.
32.50
u
- - - 35.00.
30.00
It
- - - 37.50.
32.50
11
- - - 40.00.
35.00
,-'(!<()
19-16 " "
H "
H " fancy engraving
19-16 " "
Complete Faro Kits per set,
Comprising the following: Extra heavy plated Dealing-box,
600 H inch Composition Ivory Checks, 1 Oilcloth Lay-out, 1 Case-
keeper, 1 Check Rack, and 1 Card Press.
Composition Ivory Checks, per set, ------- $30.00
Per hundred, for any less than set, ------- 6.00
The above comprise in each set 600 H inch Checks : 300 white,
200 red, 100 blue, with Markers, Coppers, and Splits, in neat fit
ting box, and the same as sold by other parties for $50 per set.
POKES CHIPS.
Parties sending for Poker Chips will please specify the number
wanted of each color.
$10.00
12.00
14.00
4.00
3.00
5.00
7.00
9.00
12.00
Ivory, size 1 inch, per hundred, --------
fi (( Jl U (I ........
It U Jl U U .........
Composition Ivory, H inch, will size up - - - - -
Bone, cut to measure or to size up, 1 inch, per hundred,
II U J I U II
u a i
DICE, ETC.
Set loaded Dice, best Ivory, 9 Dice, 3 high, 3 low, 3
square ; warranted sure, exact imitation of common
Dice, -.....-...
Set 3 High or Low Dice, ----------
Three Square, to match,
2.50
1.00
240 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Feather aud Anchor Dice, inch, per set, $10.00. liuch, $14.00
Mustang or Horsehead Dice, inch " 10.00. 1 " 14.00
Box lor throwing above for finch Dice " 2.50. 1 " 4.00
Ron'do Balls, eight in set, size H inch 6.00
" " " H " 8.00
Eight-sidedTop Dice, that you can spin high or low, and
force your opponent to spin as you desire, - - - 2.50
Dead Props per set, 9 in set, --------- 12.00
Square Props, 4 in set, 2.50
KEtfO.
Consisting of Globe and Stand, Proof- board, 100 Cards,
90 boxwood Balls, $45.00
Keno, very handsome finish, consisting of Globe and
Stand, Proof-board, 20 Cards, best style, Tally-
board, 90 boxwood Pegs, and 90 boxwood Balls,
medium size, 80.00
Same as above, with best Ivory Balls, ------ 100.00
Extra large size, same as above, with best Ivory Balls, 125.00
Boxwood Balls, 100.00
Keno Cards, per set of 200, 3 rows figures, - -" - - 25.00
" " " 100, 9 " " 18.00
" " " 50, 18 " " 18.00
" " " 200, 3 " " 15.00
SPECIALTIES.
The Sleeve Machine, for holding out, or playing extra cards,
the most perfect piece of mechanism ever invented for this pur
pose. This article works in the coat-sleeve noiselessly, admits of
holding the hands in the most natural manner, requires no false
movements, and weighs about four ounces. This article is man
ufactured by no other firm in this country, and is guaranteed to
be all it is advertised. Price, with full directions for use, $35.00.
Right and Left Snap Roulette Wheel, small, for high or low
numbers, 6 inch center, price $20.00.
The Breastworks, or " vest hold-out," concealed in vest front,
and worked by the foot with spiral coils and catgut. Price
$25.00,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 241
The " Bug," a contrivance for playing an extra card, utterly
defying detection, price $1.00.
This accommodating gentleman, after enumerating many more
articles, under the head of sundries, but with which we have
nothing to do, they being articles in legitimate use in various
games, and several books on games and the manly art of self de
fense, informs his patrons that all his business is confidential,
and appends his full name at the end of his circular with as much
confidence as if the articles which he advertises were an inesti
mable boon to his race.
CHAPTER XXI.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
It has become the custom of newspaper and magazine writers,
when they have designs on the pockets of some wealthy individ
ual, to treat their readers to a biographical sketch of the victim,
enumerating his virtues, and endeavoring to force upon the world
at large the idea that he is a benefactor to his race. If the sub- .
ject of their adoration be possessed of any vices, these they are
careful to keep in the background, and if he has oppressed and
impoverished many, while feathering his own nest, a discreet
silence is kept on that point also.
These sketches generally commence : "Of all the remarkable
men of our age," or, " One of the self-made men of our times." As
it is my intention to marshal before my readers a few of-the most
prominent sharpers of the day, I shall class them also as " the
self-made men of our times." All sharpers, or nearly all, are
essentially self-made men. Most of them have sprung from the
lower, and, in many cases, the lowest order of society. The ma
jority have not received even a common school education, and
not one in ten, in their boyhood, had any.moral training. Some
of them have schooled themselves, after arriving at manhood;
but many are entirely destitute of any education whatever. I
shall now introduce to my reader,
242 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Mil. ELIJAH SKAGGS.
He was born and raised in the backwoods of Kentucky, near
the northern line of Tennessee. In this section, book-learniug
sunk into the veriest insignificance, before the knowledge of the
high arts of card-playing, cock-fighting, and running quartet-
horses, and the butchering of one's neighbors, in the most scien
tific manner. Here had the Vendetta reigned a hundred years,
and the only law in force, that of the bullet and the bowie-knife.
The Skaggs family, which was a numerous one, cultivated a small
farm, from which they extracted sufficient hog and hominy to
keep them from starvation. The only member whose ambitious
soul soared above these sordid pursuits, or showed any particular
genius, was Elijah, the subject of this present sketch. He was
a steady, sober, and industrious youth, who disliked strife and
avoided all roistering company. He was inordinately fond of
money, and looked with a keen eye about him to see where it
was to be made. In the region round about where he lived,
there was more money to be made in gambling than anything
else; consequently, young Skaggs studied the science of card-
playing, and, at the age of twenty years, knew considerably
more about a pack of cards than a plow. By his prudent habits,
combined with his skill at cards, he managed to accumulate,
from among the boys in his neighborhood, about two thousand
dollars, a large sum in those parts, even for so aspiring a youth
as young Skaggs. But it was not to be expected that so much
genius should confine itself to a small, half-civilized settlement
in the backwoods of Kentucky. A thousand times no ! So Mr.
Skaggs shed his butternuts, and bought a suit of store clothes,
and left the roof of the paternal Skaggs. He appeared in Nash
ville, dressed in a frock-coat and pants of black broadcloth, a
black silk vest and patent leather boots, a white shirt with
standing collar, and around his neck was wound a white choker,
while, resting on his cranium, was a black stove-pipe hat, which
completed his attire. His long, attenuated, and awkward frame,
together with his solemn young face and demure habits, created
quite a sensation in the town, and caused him to be nicknamed
the "preaching faro-dealer."
For twenty years and upwards he never changed his style of
dress. In the earliest days of California, when nearly every one
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 243
dressed in the rough, Skaggs still held on to his clerical style, and
his appearance in a mining canip was the cause of considerable
stir and merriment among the miners, which was only surpass
ed by their astonishment when he proceeded to open a faro or
monte bank, instead of a prayer-meeting, as they had anticipated.
The rude jokes made upon his personal appearance, and the
sarcastic reflections cast upon his habits, passed Mr. Skaggs like
the idle wind that blows. He wanted money, and he knew he
could make it, by his ability and industry.
He soon discovered the inconvenience of the want of educa
tion, and the year after that in which he had launched himself on
the world, hired a schoolmaster to accompany him in his travels
while in search of faro-players, and thus picked up a good busi
ness education.
In the meantime he made himself acquainted with the dif
ferent arts in vogue among sharpers for fleecing the unwary.
He possessed no inventive faculty, but had a keen sense for de
tecting any unnatural deviation at play, and whenever his sus
picions were aroused, would watch for hours with the patience of
a sleuth-hound, never drawing on himself the suspicion that he
was spying upon them. If successful in unraveling the mystery,
as soon as the game was broken up he called aside the prin
cipal sharper putting the trick in practice, and forced him to
divide his future play with him. If unable to detect the fraud,
he tried to purchase the secret, and, if successful, when in pos
session of it he confined himself strictly to his room until he
could play it to his satisfaction, and when it came to fraudulent
schemes for robbing players at faro, but few better executors
than himself could be found anywhere.
It is said that he watched a sharper manipulating "tie-ups "
upon his customers, for several nights, without being able to dis
cover the nature of the trick. He was convinced that a decep
tion existed, from the unnatural movements of the hands of
the artist while shuffling the cards; but more from their
strange manner of running, more particularly, the last four cases
on a deal losing, while the double cards were winning, and this
occurred only when the operator took a fresh pack of cards.
Even this knowledge he could make profitable, by betting on the
double cards remaining in the box, at the close of all deals made
with a fresh pack, and thereby winning several hundreds before
244 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the sharper should drop on him. But Mr. Skaggs scorned to
take such a mean advantage of a brother sharper; besides, the
trick, once in his possession, would be a hundred-fold more valu
able to him. Therefore, having failed to detect the nature of
the fraud, he sought an audience with the manipulator, and said
to him, " You're working on your players. I've been for some
time trying to find out what you are doing. Now I want to buy
that trick; you may just as well sell it to me, because if you don't
I'll follow you up everywhere you go, till I do find it out, and I'll
play against your game, and on double cards every time I believe
they'll win. Take your choice, sell or take the consequences."
This argument being irresistible, after some haggling Skaggs
paid eighteen hundred dollars for the secret, after which he se
cluded himself until able to execute the trick to his entire satis
faction, when he struck his tent and started on a trip through
the country, to work his new fraud on moneyed gamblers, and in
less than two years time he realized from it about fifty thousand
dollars.
In this manner he grasped the different arts invented at gam
ing, and skilled himself in the putting of them into practice. Of
the numerous horde of sharpers who have battened upon suckers,
I mean the keepers of skinning-houses and the other capitalists,
among them Skaggs was the only one who could skillfully execute
the different maneuvers with his own hands. And also, unlike
these, he would risk his money on the square ; but always with
the expectation that he would have a shade the best of it. In
one word, in him was combined the qualities of a gambler,
sharper, and business man.
He bought the friendship of every person who added anything
in the way of new inventions to the frauds already known, by
furnishing them with means, if necessary, to perfect their inven
tion, or whenever the productions of their brains were in anywise
useful to him, he put them in practice. From among the hang
ers-on around faro-rooms, he picked up young men of genteel
appearance, who, if they showed any signs of ability, he educated
into artists, keeping them at close study until he made them per
fect manipulators in the science of stocking, and taking two
cards at once. When satisfied with their attainments, he was
wont to place them in pairs under the supervision of trustworthy
agents, who were generally brothers, cousins, or some other con-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 245
nections of the Skagg family. These worthy mentors were well
acquainted with the localities where faro-players might he found,
and they generally took charge of the money, and attended to
the business of the firm. It may be here premised that it was
only to the most tried and trustworthy of his artists, that Mr.
Skaggs ever entrusted any money.
From the year 1853 to 1856, he had scattered over the country,
from the lakes to the gulf, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
as many as twenty of these business associations, or firms, as I
shall call them, for want of a better name. Wherever play could
be secured, the agents were instructed to hazard the bank money,
in all cases where any doubts existed, that any attempt at cheat
ing might lead to detection. Consequently, their games pos
sessed every appearance of fairness, even to the most suspicious
gambler. For more than two years his schemes worked admirably j
but at length the true character of his games leaked out, and a
hue and cry was raised against them throughout the country.
fill the name of " Skaggs' patent dealers," as they were termed,
was a synonym among gamblers for all sorts of frauds and dis
honesty at the gaming-table.
Whenever .Skaggs was notified by one of his firms that the
bank was broken, or its fortunes at a very low ebb, he immedi
ately telegraphed for the members to return, and sent out a fresh
installment to fill their places. . When the unlucky operators ar
rived, they were furnished with another stake, and started off to
a new field of labor. He was liberal to his "broken" artists; in
fact, they were seldom otherwise than broken ; he furnished them
with banks, money to pay their expenses, and gave to each 25
per cent, of the profits after paying expenses. From each bank
to which he furnished money, he deducted in advance a yearly
interest of ten per cent., and if his "artists " fell into his debt, he
took their due-bills for the amount.
He must during his lifetime have educated and given a start to
as many as fifty artists, a few of whom made money for him ; but
by far the greater part of them betrayed their trust. All these
individuals possessed, in common with their class, a penchant for
fine clothes, diamonds, and jewelry, and were by no means averse
to champagne and fancy women. For the supply of these tastes
money was required, and when they had squandered their own,
the money belonging to the bank was brought into requisition.
246 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Skaggs was at various periods concerned in first-class skinning -
houses, both in New York and New Orleans, and also speculated
in mules, sheep, real estate, and bank-stocks. As early as 1847
he owned a splendid sugar plantation, within fifty miles of the
latter city, on which he worked about two hundred as likely look
ing negroes as could be seen in the State. He was in every
sense a kind master, and when, in 1848, cholera visited that region,
he staid upon his plantation and nursed those who were stricken
down by it, as tenderly as if they had been his own children. He
lost but seven of his slaves, while neighboring plantations were
almost depopulated by that terrible scourge ; the ignorant blacks
being left to its mercy by their cowardly masters, who sought
safety in flight on its first appearance among them.
About the year 1859 he dismissed all his patent dealers, and
took no farther interest in gambling. The war breaking out
shortly afterwards proved his ruin, the slaves being emancipated,
and his plantation and real estate property greatly depreciated
in value. At the commencement of tho war he was worth a
million of dollars, at its close he was almost a pauper. The loss
of his plantation and negroes did not affect his energies. He ran
the blockade, speculated in cotton and sugar in and around
New Orleans with great success, and would no doubt have re
trieved his shattered fortunes, had he not been so strong a be
liever in the ultimate success of the Confederacy. To the last
moment he bought its bonds and money, of which he had in his
possession about three millions when that institution caved in.
This was the heaviest blow he had ever received, and he never
rallied from it. He stood up to whiskey for relief, and fought
manfully for over two years; but it finally planted him at last.
He died in Texas in 1870, and I doubt if he was possessed of a
dollar in the world, or its equivalent, unless it was a few acres of
unsaleable land in that State. Peace to his manes !
The ruling passion of Skaggs was the love of money. When
worth a million he would travel a hundred miles on a stormy
night, on horseback, if by so doing he could rob any one of as
many dollars at cards. He would at times take an even hazard
at gambling with his money, which fact placed him far above his
tribe, who never do so suicidal a thing. He showed no traits of
generosity or liberality outside his own family or kindred ; but
nevertheless, in all business transactions, was the soul of probity.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 247
COL. J. J. BETANT.
This gentleman for many years enjoyed the honor of being
well-known in the Southwest and California. His military title,
of which he was vain, was, like those of many others in the South
ern States, a greatness thrust upon him by his towns-people. He
was a native of Lynchburg, Va., and there received an ordinary
education. Before he was twenty years of age he made his bow
to the public from the ring of a traveling circus, where he per
formed on the slack rope, and swallowed a sword for the delec
tation of the audience. Becoming tired of his roving life, he left
the circus, took to himself a wife and settled down in Jackson,
Miss., where he opened a grocery store. Subsequently he kept
a hotel in the same place. In the course of a year or so he cast
this business aside also, and began trading in negroes, and it was
while pursuing this ennobling occupation that he was "dubbed"
a "Colonel. It is impossible to enumerate, at this late day, the
different sorts of business the "Colonel" was engaged in before
he threw them all aside, in order to devote his talents exclusively
to the green table ; but he had always one or more partners, and,
through some unexplaned cause, a wrangle was the unvarying
result of any attempt at settlement on the part of the firm. The
consequence of which little misunderstanding was usually a law
suit, of which the " Colonel" had always an unfailing assortment
on his hands, from which he always emerged second best. But
if his partners "bested " him at law, they gained no material ad
vantage thereby, for the "Colonel" was sure to get away with
all the available plunder, in spite of sheriffs or their auxiliaries.
Card-playing, if I am not mistaken, wasoneof the " Colonel's"
accomplishments which he learned in early life, though he con
fined his efforts exclusively to poker, brag, and old sledge, which
games he played remarkably well. While engaged in his differ
ent business operations he played cards whenever an opportunity
occurred, and, having a great veneration for the profession and a
still more exalted opinion of his talents in that line, he finally
cast aside all pretensions to other business, and declared him
self a gambler. He was naturally a heavy better, and no person
could be found capable of winning more money than he, if for
tune favored him. He understood the advantages of display, and
spent his money freely with those who were rich, more especially
248 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
when he had designs on their pockets. He had more assurance
than twenty men ought to be entitled to, and would obtain what
credit and borrow what money he could, with the predetermina
tion of never paying a cent of it. Still, no man in California or
the Southwestern States had more wealthy and influential friends
than Col. J. J. Bryant.
It was during the great Mississippi land sales, when Brandon
money was almost as plentiful as mosquitoes in the swamps of
Louisiana, that he commenced his gambling career. At that
period he knew nothing of the arts of sharpers. But if he was
unable to fleece the verdant fools who gave him their confidence,
with a two-card box, he borrowed their money under various
false pretenses, or induced them to take an interest in his games
and then "throw them off." The following anecdote will serve
to show the character of the man, and the lengths he would go
to obtain money. Charles Cora, the same that was afterwards
hanged by the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco in 1856,
was, at the time of the Vicksburg land sales, and those of Jackson,
Miss., in 1835-'36, but eighteen years old. He was an ignorant
Italian boy, and had been picked up and raised by a woman who
was the keeper of a house of prostitution in Natchez. A constant
frequenter of the low gambling dens under the hill, he won from
some of the faro-banks there about $2,000. With this money
he went to New Orleans and won some $8,000 more. He then
proceeded to Vicksburg, then the liveliest gambling place in
the whole Southwest. Gambling banks existed, of various
kinds, both on the hill and under the hill, in log-cabins, board
houses, canvas tents, and in flat-boats. Vicksburg was a great
place in those days, and Col. J. J. Bryant was the biggest gam
bler in the place, being interested in several faro-banks and
various other banks, and was reputed to be worth hundreds of
thousands of dollars.
Cora, on his arrival, started in rough-shod, and soon gobbled up
seven or eight faro-banks, from which he gained about $40,000.
Bryant, being deeply interested in the raided banks, started in
to get even. Cora was an uncouth boy, poorly versed in the ways
of the world, or the deceptions of men. The attention paid him
by so exalted a personage as Col. Bryant flattered his vanity and
fairly turned his head. The latter lost no time in carrying into
effect the scheme he had concocted for getting quits with him.
BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. 249
He stated to Cora that he had lately purchased several thousand
acres of valuable land, which, in a few days, he intended to sell
out, and expected to realize from it a million or so of dollars.
But at the present moment he was in need of money to meet
some small payments falling due, and asked him for a loan of
$10,000 for a few days. It was granted with pleasure. Why
not ? The Colonel's standing was high, and his friendship would
be a fortune to him.
Bryant handed over the borrowed money to one of his cronies,
and directed him to open an unlimited faro game with it. To
this game he brought Cora and gave him a chance to win back
his own money. I have said before that the Colonel was at this
time ignorant of any means of cheating ; but if he had possessed
a good artist, Cora would certainly have proven a bully subject.
But the best he could do was to borrow his money, and then
rope him in to play, with the expectation that he would break
himself against his own stake. But Cora was in a gale of good
luck, and walked off with the $10,000 he had loaned the Colonel.
The latter, though repulsed, was not beaten. He' had urgent
need of $10,000 more for a few days, to meet another payment,
which Cora loaned as willingly as the first. The same disposal
was made of the money as before. Cora was again brought be
fore it, and told by the dealer he could win it, if so disposed, at
a single bet. He was not quite so greedy as that, but certainly
did win it in a few deals. The day following, the Colonel again
struck Cora for $15,000, which he also obtained. The money was
put to the same use as the preceding $20,000, and again did
Bryant entice his victim to the bank ; but what was his chagrin
when Cora again walked off with the $15,000 in his pocket.
It is hard to tell how much longer this little game might have
lasted, had not one of those meddlesome and envious fellows,
who, in every 'community, take such an interest in the affairs of
their neighbors, got the ear of Cora, and maliciously poisoned
his mind against the worthy Colonel. Cora demanded his mon
ey. The Colonel had nothing to give him but promises, and a de
sire to borrow $15,000 more, just to make the debt an even
$00,000. Cora was inexorable, and insisted on having his money.
The Colonel, in order to rid himself of his importunities, set upon
him one of the most noted desperadoes of the place, who man
aged to give him such a " healthy scare " that he took the steam-
250 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
er for New Orleans, immediately. It is quite unnecessary to add
that he never received one cent of the $35,000 which he loaned
to Col. J. J. Bryant.
Previous to the California excitement, which called the
Colonel to the Pacific coast, he confined his operations to the
States of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. During the sum
mer season he visited the most frequented watering places, and
in the winter spent his time iu New Orleans, Mobile, or Jackson,
Mississippi. At this period, his inseparable companion was
Allen Jones, a man whom I shall introduce to my readers in my
next sketch. This delectable pair were acquainted with every
business man, sporting man, professional man, or planter, in the
whole region, who could play a game of cards. To such flats as
they could skin in a rough manner at games of short cards, they
showed but little mercy, but neither of them could have worked
a two-card box upon the veriest fool. This difficulty was, how
ever, easily overcome, as they knew the principal brace-dealers
who made New Orleans or Mobile their stamping ground every
winter, and to their dens they roped their fat gulls fresh from
the country for skinning. During each session of the Legisla
ture, held at Jackson, Mississippi, they ran a faro-bank in that
place, which was patronized by the most wealthy and eminent
men of the State, who met there for the purpose of law-making.
These worthies attended to their game themselves. Not even
an artist would they keep, for fear he might become acquainted
with their patrons, and meeting them in New Orleans or Mobile,
have them roped into houses there, and skinned. The Colonel
and his estimable partner desired a monopoly of that business.
It does not appear that the Colonel and his partner had
accumulated any large sum of money during the time of which I
speak. Both were extravagant livers, both had large families,
and were fond of playing at faro, which, together, served to keep
them almost impoverished. These two worthies separated in
1849, and Colonel Bryant sailed for the Eldorado to seek his
fortune.
The Colonel reached San Francisco early in the fall of 1864.
Within a few weeks after his arrival, he won, playing at monte,
about $75,000. He immediately sent to his family about $25,000,
and spent as much more in endeavoring to procure his election
as sheriff hi San Francisco. The gamblers of the place were his
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 5251
bitterest opponents; not that they disliked him personally, but
because they considered him unlit for the office. He would,
however, in all probability, have been elected, had it not been for
the opportune arrival of Colonel Jack Hays from Texas, about
four days previous to the election. The undeserved laurels
which he had gained in the Mexican war were yet freah when
he made his appearance in San Francisco. In the enthusiasm
of the moment, they pitted him against Bryant, whom he easily
defeated.
About a month after this disastrous affair, he opened in the
city the finest hotel which had ever been seen in the State. But
the times were out of joint for such a costly undertaking, and
the Colonel sunk what money he had with him in the country,
at the venture.
Knowing how popular he was with his faro-bank players, the
proprietor of the Eldorado gambling saloon in San Francisco
put up for the Colonel the largest faro-bank in their house, in
which they gave him an interest of one-third of the profits.
This bank could win or lose daily, on an average, $20,000, and
was one of the most lucrative games in the country. The bank
continued its success until something more than three months
had passed, and during that time, on each tri-weekly steamer
which left for Panama, Bryant shipped to his wife, in Virginia,
his share of the winnings of the bank, and so continued to do
until he had sent about $30,000. Finally fortune deserted them,
and in about six weeks the bank lost $50,000. The Colonel then
abandoned it, in spite of the demands and entreaties of the
proprietors, who insisted he should conduct the game until it
won him out of their debt.
After this event, I do not think the Colonel was ever con
nected with another banking game, but he played heavily
against both faro and moiite whenever he had money, which was
not always. When broke, he relied on borrowing from business
men whom he had known in the States, and seldom paid them
back unless some extraordinary pressure was brought to bear on
him. As he would scorn to strike his victim for less than a
thousand dollars at a time, it will readily be seen how severely
he must have punished his too-confiding creditors. Whenever
he was successful in winning at bank as much as $10,000, he at
once shipped it off to his wife, to whom, if his own story be true,
252 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
he shipped altogether, while in California, $110,000. This money
he lavished freely on his large family of sons and daughters,
educating and supporting them in the most extravagant style.
Finally he played himself completely out in California, and in
the year 1856 left that country.
In the winter of 1858 he opened a suite of magnificent rooms
on Canal street, New Orleans. The fitting up and furnishing
of these rooms cost about $18,000. Yet the Colonel did not expend
one penny on them, but got all this done on the strength of his
tongue. In addition to this, he borrowed from a prominent
jewelry establishment in the place, about $30,000 worth of sil
ver-plate, to set off his side-board and table.
This was the first skinning-house which the Colonel ever con
ducted. The two partners who run the place with him were as
poor as himself, but both could exercise a two-card box to per
fection, and the Colonel had a healthy opinion of himself as a
roper; nor was he deceived. The house, though not in the im
mediate vicinity of the hotels, made during its first winter about
$44,000, of which the Colonel received one-half, while the other
half was divided between the two other partners. Meanwhile
the Colonel had exercised his talents outside against different
faro-banks, and was so fortunate as to beat them out of about
$20,000.
One would naturally suppose that the Colonel, being so success
ful, would pay those whom he had induced to fit up his house on
credit. But no! not one cent would he pay; it was entirely
against his principles. The most any of his creditors got was
the upholsterer, who got his furniture back after it had been used
all winter. Even his wine merchant he cheated, or did not pay
his bill of two thousand dollars. He never attempted to avoid
his creditors; he would scorn so mean an action as that; besides,
he was not afraid of any one. He was a fighter if fighting was
requisite; but always put off his creditors with, "I can't pay you
now, but I'll pay you shortly." But that shortly never came to
a head with the Colonel.
The following winter he fitted up, at a cost of forty thousand
dollars, a suite of rooms opposite the St. Charles Hotel. In this
magnificent establishment, the finest of its kind ever seen in New
Orleans, he had three partners. His success of the previous
winter had filled him with the most extravagant ideas. He im-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 253
agined that he was going to make in his new house one million
dollars during the winter, and in order to outdo all the other
skinning establishments in the city, he wanted to have an en
closed passage from the second story of the St. Charles Hotel,
leading across the street into his skinning-deu. His club house
cards, emblazoned with his name, he distributed about the
reading and bar-rooms, and even in the ladies' parlor. But the
proprietors would not consent to the passage-way ; nevertheless,
his house was nightly filled, and during the winter robbed from
its foolish patrons nearly one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The year following, murmurs of war began to disturb the equa
nimity of the South. Money became less plentiful among the
gulls, even plantations worked by negro slaves could not bring it
forth from its hiding-place. It began to look rather squally for
the skinning- dens. The Colonel thought so, and disposed of his
share in the house to his partners.
During the war he fitted up in Mobile a splendid establish
ment, which he ran successfully for about two years, when it was
closed by the military authorities. In this house he made more
than a million of dollars, which was, however, in Confederate
money. Being a strong believer in the ultimate success of the
Confederacy, he held on to it until it became worthless. With the
close of the war he returned to New Orleans without a dollar.
He had lost one of his sons in the Confederate service, and his
wife was at that time living with one of his married daughters hi
California. But in New Orleans he found his old friend, Allen
Jones, keeping a fashionable skinning-shop, and he extended to
the Colonel a helping hand for the sake of "auld lang syne,"
and gave him a half interest in his business. Here he remained
until the year 1868, 'at which time he was killed in the rotunda
of the St. Charles Hotel, by one Col. Tate, of Texas. He had
roped Tate to his den and caused him to be skinned of what
money he had about him. He now asked for checks on credit,
which were furnished him ; he left the house in its debt about one
hundred dollars. As he did not return to liquidate his indebted
ness, Bryant, after the lapse of a few days, went in search of him.
He found him seated in the rotunda of the St. -Charles. An
altercation ensued between them, in the course of which Bryant
made a motion as if he were about to draw a weapon. Tate, be
lieving his life to be in danger, drew a pistol and shot his opponent
254 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
dead on the spot. He was tried on the charge of murder, and
acquitted.
If Bryant ever paid one of his creditors a debt of a thousand
dollars, he did so with the expectation of making ten thousand
dollars by the operation. To use an expressive Americanism, he
was " a dead beat." He beat everybody he could who was worth
beating, and was no respecter of persons outside his own family
and profession. He was uneducated and uncultivated, possessed
of neither wit nor conversational powers of any sort, but his con
summate impudence and tact overcame all difficulties. His extra
ordinary success in obtaining so many dupes on whom to prey
was due to his profuse liberality, his extravagant habits, and the
generous manner in which he entertained those with whom he
came in contact. Aside from these, his many heavy losses and
winnings had established for him a sort of frothy reputation, on
the strength of which he obtained credit with the unwary, who
believed him honest, and at any moment likely to handle large
sums of money. Hundreds of such confiding idiots found too
late what was his real character, and cursed the hour in which
they first made the acquaintance of Col. J. J. Bryant.
"Descend to hell with the curses of orphans and widows!"
shrieked a half maniac woman, as she gazed on the bloody and
pallid face of Kobespierre, as he lay in the tumbril which was
dragging him to the guillotine. The curse was re-echoed through
Christendom; yet the landlord of Robespierre loved him, and
his brother gave his life for him.
With all his grand faults, Bryant had also his redeeming qual
ities. He was generous and liberal to a fault, and the indigent
never called upon him in vain. He would sell the coat from his
back to assist a stranger in need. He was the foe of all cruelty'
and had plenty of nerve to oppose it, and did so successfully
whenever he had an even chance. He paid liberally those who
labored for him, and never was known to cheat a small trades
man out of his bill. With his partners he was honest. His ne<rro
servant, Sully, lived with him over thirty years. The Colonel
purchased him with his wife and children, the latter of whom he
caused to be educated at one of the schools in Ohio, and so
great was the attachment of Sully nnd his wife, that, duriner the
reign of slavery, they followed the Colonel and his family to Cali
fornia and back again to the slave States. However straitened
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 255
might be bis circumstances anu ^o was frequently witbout money
for weeks at a time he could not be induced to oell one of his
slaves, nor did he fail to take the best of care of his own family.
However hard pressed he might be for money, his wife and
children were well provided for. His sons and daughters were
educated in the best colleges and schools; one of* the former
fell, fighting for the Confederacy, while the other is now a prac
ticing physician in Illinois. His three daughters all married
respectable men, one of whom is an able lawyer of California.
The two characters which I have endeavored to sketch for
the reader are dissimilar in habits, manners and disposition, yet
each were no less pirates on society. One was generous and ex
travagant, while the other was mean and stingy. One was a
fraud in nearly all his business transactions, while the other
was the soul of probity. Both of them would, however, hazard
their money at 'the gambling-table on the square, which places
them as far above the common run of sharpers as the brilliancy
of the diamond surpasses a piece of common charcoal. I shall
now introduce two other worthies, who are a fair specimen of
those men who are running aristocratic skirming-games in our
large cities and at our fashionable watering-places.
ALLEN JONES.
This name has already figured in the foregoing sketch, as
the partner of Col. J. J. Bryant, and I would have spared my
readers any further acquaintance with him, had not his unpre
cedented meanness and his wonderful success in the skinning
business rendered him conspicuous among his class.
Allen Jones was a native of Tennessee, and a saddler by
trade. In the year 1839, at which period he was about thirty
years old, he possessed a well-stocked saddlery business in the
thriving town of Huntsville, Ala. Col. Bryant on one of his pre
datory excursions made his acquaintance, and stripped him of
saddles, bridles, money, and all the rest and residue of his pos
sessions at the fascinating game of poker. Being the first person
who had ever trounred him at that game, he conceived a very
high opinion of the Colonel's abilities, and petitioned to become
his traveling companion. The Colonel magnanimously consented?
and for the greater part of the next decade they were known as
256 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the Orestes and Pylades of the gambling fraternity swindling
in company, living upon an undivided purse, and fighting each
other's battles. When so great a sensation was caused through
out the land by the discovery of gold in California, the erratic
nature of Bryant predisposed him to catch the infection, which
he did in its most virulent form. But the practical Jones saw
more gold in the cotton pods of the Southern States than in
traversing stormy seas to join in the breathless scramble of the
millions who were flocking to the Golden Gate. The partnership
was accordingly dissolved, having lasted ten years. The insep
arables parted, whether in tears I am unable to say, but as
neither were much given to the "melting mood" I presume
pocket handkerchiefs were not introduced at the final moment.
Jones' career had been a rather checkered one since he
abandoned the honest trade of a saddler to follow the precarious
chances of gambling. Frequent combats with the "tiger, "in
which he pretty generally came out second best, had kept him
impoverished. He beat up suckers, and cheated them out of
their money at short cards, or roped them to " brace dealers,"
there to be skinned, and squandered the fruits of his endeavors
at faro. Nor did he show any signs of reform until in the winter
of 1852, when he was offered a third interest in one of the se
cretly conducted skin-games of New Orleans, if he would rope
for the concern. This offer he accepted. The nomadic life which
he had led for the last ten or twelve years having made him ac
quainted with many persons of wealth and respectability who
were fond of cards or "bucking the tiger," he made a capital
roper. This was the first house of the sort in which Jones had
ever been directly interested, and during the winter his share of
the profits amounted to about $10,000. He now discovered his
true vocation, and the ready wealth which might be amassed in
keeping a "bird-house" on the same principle as that of Pendle-
ton's, in Washington. But it was dangerous to invest a large
sum of money in such a house, as it might be at any moment
raided by the police, and the fine for gambling was $1000 for
the first offense, and $5000 for the second, and on the third
conviction the doom was two years in the State prison. He
had already passed the ordeal of the first two, for dealing snaps
of faro in New Orleans, and if convicted of the third offense
stood in danger of being punished for felony. However, he
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 257
flung his fears to the winds, and opened, with two other sharp
ers, a handsomely fitted up establishment on Eoyal street,
which proved a great success.
This house, opened in the fall of 1853, made, during the ensu
ing winter and spring, besides its expenses, something like
$55,000. The following winter the house was again opened, and
met with better success than before ; but an informer smuggled
himself into the establishment and caused Jones to be indicted
for dealing faro. The first information he had of the affair, was
the finding of a true bill against him by the grand jury, and
being hauled up and obliged to give bail for his appearance in
court to answer the charge of gambling. Jones stood his trial,
was convicted, and sentenced to two years in the penitentiary,
but the Governor's pardon was presented to him before leaving
the court-house. He said he had it in his pocket during his
trial. Be that as it may, he had made powerful friends, and at
the next session of the Legislature, through the influence of his
friends and money caused the law against gambling to be
stripped of the obnoxious clause which gave half the fine to the
informer, thus virtually destroying the law. The following year
the Know-nothing party got possession of the city, and, as Jones
soon proved himself one of its ablest supporters, he was relieved
from all fears of further persecution. He now showed the most
sordid and grasping disposition; he owned his establishment,
and however many sharpers were there employed to assist, he
invariably claimed half the plunder. Not being satisfied with
this, he concocted the following scheme for robbing his partners.
Whenever his wealthy patrons desired to gamble in his house on
credit, he permitted them to do so, and debts of this kind from
thirty to fifty thousand would be owing to the house of a season.
These debts, or a large majority of them, he would secretly col
lect and retain the money. Every winter, from 1854 to 1860, he
kept a skinning-house, and each succeeding winter had in it a
new stable of sharpers, and of all who served him, not one ever
received one cent that was due the house when they left it. His
partners traced up, at different times, large sums of money which
he had collected, a share of which was rightfully theirs, but
neither threats nor entreaties could induce him to disgorge a
single penny. The only partner whom he was never known to
swindle, was Colonel J. J. Bryant ; he was afraid to cut any of
258 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
his capers on that redoubtable chieftain. If one spark of
generosity ever glowed within the breast of Alien Jones, it was
stilled the moment he began to accumulate a little money and
be placed above actual want. Honesty was entirely foreign to
his nature, and his rascally greedy and domineering disposition
aroused against him the enmity of his own class to such a degree
that, hi such a place as New Orleans during the reign of Thug
gery, it is a wonder be- was not assassinated. The year previous
to the breaking out of the war, he owned a fine plantation on
the Mississippi River twenty-five miles above Vicksburg, on
which he worked two hundred and twenty-five slaves, who
made, in the year 1859, nine hundred bales of cotton. Besides
this, he owned two fine houses and lots in New Orleans, for one
of which he was offered $60,000. Altogether, he must have been
worth about $400,000, all of which sprang from the magic
recesses of a two-card faro box.
In the height of his prosperity the civil war swooped down
upon him, and tore from his grasp the large fortune he had
accumulated by the most sordid frauds. His slaves were gone,
but he still retained his plantation and city property, though
much reduced in value. Immediately after the city of New
Orleans again fell under civil government, Jones reopened his
skmning-den, taking as partner, as I have before stated, Colonel
Bryant. But money was scarce, and the wealthy planters and
merchants, who were wont to surrender their money so confid
ingly to the two-card boxes, were either dead or impoverished,
and skinning-houses were getting, besides, pretty well played
out there, since several square banks had obtained an ascendency.
After the death of his partner, Jones continued to keep his
house open, but with indifferent success. He now commenced
playing against the different faro-banks in the city, a thing he
had not done since the beginning of his successful career, driven
thereto, no doubt, by ennui. In the course of a year, he lost what
money he had and what money he could raise by mortgaging
his city property, in all about $70,000. His plantation he had
made over to his wife and children at the breaking out of the
rebellion, fearing that retaining it in his own name would cause
it to be confiscated. This his wife held on to, or he would most
certainly have played it off against faro. At the present time
he has no more money to buy chips, and consequently cannot
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 259
pursue his favorite amusement. He has not the general " dernier
resort" of his stripe, to open another skiuuing-house, for he is so
completely played out that nobody would patronize his game,
and he bears among those to whom he is well known, the
unenviable reputation of being the meanest and most sordid
wretch that ever disgraced the fraternity of sharpers.
HENRY PRICE M C GRATH.
The reader will doubtless remember that this is the gentleman
who came to New York with Johnny Chambejlain, and of whom
I have already spoken under the head of " sharpers." My object
in once more bringing this " roystering cove" to the front, is to
demonstrate to you that good behavior and manners, suave
address and language, are by no means indispensable to the
successful roper.
In no other person with whom I am acquainted are the vices
of fraud, avariciousness, insolence, jealousy, and cowardice,
more strongly developed than in the subject of this sketch.
His entertaining qualities consist in being a good eater and
drinker, singing snatches of blackguard songs, telling stories
decidedly bordering on the indecent, and chattering learnedly
on the merits of various race -horses a subject about which he
knows as much as he does of the method of squaring the circle,
or the secret of perpetual motion. It is a strange phenomenon
that such an ignorant, uncouth, and unmannerly loon, should
have succeeded through so many years in drawing to his skinning-
house such numbers of men of the highest cultivation and
intelligence, and making them his victims. Such has, however,
been the case, and he is one of the most successful sharpers that
ever operated in this country.
Henry P. HcGrath was born and raised in Versailles, Kentuc
ky. His parents were comparatively poor, but managed to give
their three sons each a commonplace education, and teach them
each the tailoring trade. The subject of this sketch was reli
giously inclined, and when between twenty-one and twenty -two
years old became a member of the church. He soon fell from
grace, however, and gave himself up to a life of dissipation and
idleness. He renounced psalm singing and the tailoring busi
ness simultaneously, shook the dust of Versailles from his feet,
260 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
and started for Lexington, where he was " hale fellow well met,"
with the worst desperadoes in the place. He here took his first
lesson in the tortuous ways of the sharper's career by capping the
games of "thimble-riggers" and " dice-coggers " around races
and fairs. Having some ability, he shortly learned how to swin
dle at short cards ; after following this for a year or two, he be
came initiated in the mysteries of a two-card box, for which he
was employed as roper by some sharpers visiting Lexington. He
now began to make some headway in life. Having on his side
many of those young desperadoes with which Lexington was
then disgraced, and with whom he consorted, he made his name
a terror to all timid faro-bankers who visited Paris, Frankfort,
Lexington, and the different watering places of the blue-grass
country. By in various ways intimidating these, he forced from
them a small interest in their games without risking any money
of his own. If they refused to comply with his demands he pre
vented them in various ways from opening their games. Such
gamblers as he could not work on in this manner he publicly im
peached the fairness of their games, and as he made it a point to
force his acquaintance upon all verdant faro-players of respecta
ble standing, with whom he had made himself popular, he pos
sessed sufficient influence to keep them from patronizing any
game which had fallen under his displeasure ; because they con
sidered him "aufait" in all gambling matters. After commend
ing himself to the favor of faro-players, he either borrowed their
money to play against a bank, or roped them to the first itine
rant " brace " sharper that came along, to be fleeced. In this
manner did Mr. McGrath pave the way for his future greatness.
Gamblers coming into the blue-grass country during the summer
months, or the neighboring watering places, gave him a share in
their games and allowed him to assist at them, on account of his
popularity. If these games lost, as was frequently the case, he
never paid back his portion of the losses, it being one of the
maxims of Mr. McGrath's life, never to pay anything he could
squirm out of.
With all the popularity he won for himself, and the ready
money he had often iu hand, he met with no remarkable success
until the year 1855. In that year a splendid skinning establish
ment was fitted up on Carondolet street, New Orleans, by three
prominent sharpers. Knowing how popular was Mr. McGrath
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 261
with the "bloods" in the blue-grass region, many of whom visit
ed New Orleans in the winter, for either business or pleasure,
they engaged him to rope for the house, giving him an equal share
in the profits with themselves. Their foresight redounded to the
filling of their pockets ; for Mr. McGrath proved to be the best
roper in New Orleans, more especially among Kentuckians. The
first year the house made about $50,000, and every subsequent
one up to 1860 it made from $60,000 to $80,000.
In the meantime HcGrath became mighty upon the turf. He
bought a stable of race horses (though he seldom won a race with
any of them), and what with the expenses of keeping them, his
losses on the turf, combined with his extravagant style of
living, he could barely make both ends meet, notwithstanding
the immense revenue derived from his skinning-house. At
the commencement of the war he had nothing but his share
in the house, the property having been bought by the com
pany. I have already related his going to New Orleans to
prospect for opening his house there, during the war, and how
he was, in consequence, captured by the military authorities,
thrown into prison, and kept there over a year. Also how, upon
his release, he accompanied Chamberlain to New York, and there
opened with a company of sharpers the most magnificent estab
lishment ever seen in that city. From this, I believe, McGrath
received as his share about $200,000, when the partnership was
dissolved, and himself and Chamberlain withdrew from the con
cern. He invested his money in a splendid farm a short distance
from Lexington, from whence he comes every summer to Long
Branch to assist Johnny Chamberlain in conducting his magnifi
cent "Maison de Jeu," in that place, of which the reader has had
already a full description.
He still keeps up his stable 01 racers, and at every important
race meeting in the country some of them may be seen. The
following was copied from a public print dated May 5, 1872, and
will give the reader an idea of the princely manner in which the
chief of sharpers entertains his friends on his splendid estate in
the blue-grass country :
"McGrath, of beautiful and princely McGrathiana, Sun
day last gave a dinner to his many friends gathered at
Lexington with the object of attending the races. Report
says the day was lovely and the dinner was a grand sue-
262 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
cess. Among the gentlemen who gathered round the tables
spread on the blue-grass lawn, under the stately locust trees
were Mr. R. Ten Broeck, of Louisville ; ex-Governor Robinson
A Keeue Richards, Esq.; General A. Buford; General John C.
Breckiuridge; Major Thomas; General Basil Duke; General
James F. Robinson, Jr. ; General Wm. Preston; Colonel Robert
Wooley; Dr. W. G. Chipley ; Hon. K. C. Barker, of Detroit ; Cap
tain O. P. Beard; Victor Newcomb ; Garnett Marshall, of Louis
ville ; Lieutenant Ward ; Mr. Grensted ; and others. Hospitality at
McGrathiana is as princely as the estate is lordly ; and it is not
necessary to add that the distinguished gentlemen thoroughly
enjoyed themselves. Not to know McGrath and McGrathiana
is not to know all the splendors of the blue-grass country."
CHAPTER XXII.
NEW YORK.
Time, that restless agent of Nature, had dispelled the frosty
breath of winter, and brought on its wings the balmy airs of May.
The trees were clothed in their vernal mantle, the shrubs with
variegated blossoms, and the fields and lawns green with rich
pasturage ; while myriads of birds of various notes and plumage
filled the air with their cheerful songs. It had been a long ses
sion of Congress ; but already was Washington deserted by the
most of its strangers, lobbyists, and office-seekers, and the re
mainder were fast leaving the place, with its sultry climate and
swarms of mosquitoes, to its proud, pompous, and arrogant den
izens.
The Major and myself, having sold the furniture and given up
our rooms, were making our final preparations to leave for New
York. Our business during our winter in Washington had been
but an unprofitable one, and to endeavor to make up for lost
time and money, we had concluded to try our fortunes in the
city of New York, by the advice and under the patronage of one
Mr. Phil. McGovern. This gentleman had, during the past
winter, made several visits to Washington, from the city of New
York, where he resided. He kept a coffee-house in Chatham street,
NEW YORK. 263
and also belonged to the noble army of New York ward politi
cians. While in Washington, Mr. McGovern had honored us by
making our faro-rooms his loafing place. He gambled but
slightly, but drank deep. He was, as his name indicated, a native
of the " giin of the say," and a big one too, as witness a frame
six feet two, and proportionably stout. He wore on the front of
his head a large jovial red face, guiltless of beard, whiskers or
mustache, while his poll was adorned with a shaggy crop of flam
ing red hair. He might have passed for a man of forty, but had
seen more years ; he dressed a la mode, and at first sight looked
a dignified personage enough. Regarding the disposition and
manners of this worthy, the reader will have ample scope for
judging as we progress in our narrative. The Major was be
witched by the oily tongue of our new friend, and, after a short
acquaintance, had come to the conclusion that he was one of the
most noble and generous-hearted Irishmen with whom he had
ever come in contact something new for the Major, who, as a
general thing, was by no means fond of the Celtic tribe. On the
other hand, Mr. McGovern swore that the Major was a "thrue
Varginny gintleman o' the rale ould shtock, and a credit to the
Shtate that raised 'im, by the powers." My suspicious nature
was in nowise aroused by the sudden intimacy which sprung up
between the pair. Mr. McGovern did not seem much in the gam
bling mood, and I could not discern in what other way he could
carry out designs upon the Major's pocket, supposing him to
have them. They both loved their talk and their toddies, and
the society of each seemed nearly indispensable to the other.
Mr. McGovern informed the Major that his frequent visits to
Washington during the winter were caused by his great anxiety
to advance the welfare of his political friends, who he was de
sirous should receive a share of the federal patronage of New
York city. "Damn a man won't shtand by his friends, Major;
that's me motto, me boy."
How far Mr. McGovern succeeded on behalf of his friends, or
whether he ever had such a benevolent project in view, I never
troubled myself to ascertain. The subject gave me no uneasiness ;
but what interested me much more, was the pains that worthy
gentleman was always taking to convince the Major he was on
the wrong road to fortune.
" It's a shame and a disgrace, so it is, that such a fine gintleman
264 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
as yourself should be spindin' his days in such a dirty place as
Washington, when it's in New York ye'll get as many faro-players
as ye want, and be the same token, live like a lord. Lave this
dirty place, Major, and come with me beyaut there to New York.
The divel a good ye'll do here at all ! Come to New York wid rne ;
faith, ye'll uiver regret it while ye've Phil. McGovern at yer
back. Take me word fur't, ye'll do well there." To these con
tinual and pressing invitations the Major yielded, and started for
the city, taking with him your humble servant.
Within a week after our arrival in the great metropolis, Mr.
McGovern secured for us a commodious room on the Bowery,
which he caused to be plastered, cleaned, and papered, supplied
with a faro-table, a poker-table, a couple of dozen of chairs, a
side-board, a writing desk, lamps, and other requisite small
articles, all of which were of the most ordinary description. When
it was ready for us to enter, Mr. McGovern, who had attended
to the fitting up of the place, presented us with a bill of $514,
which the Major paid to him on the spot. Having received the
money, he conveyed it to his pocket, and proceeded to address
us in the following strain :
" Now, gintlemen, we'll all three be aqually interested in the
good or bad of this room ; but mind ye's, I wouldn't for the wor-
ruld have it known I was yer pardners. Begorra, if that was to
lake out, sure it 'ud be the ruin o' me intirely, so we'll kape that
to ourselves, whatever comes amiss."
" On that score you need be under no uneasiness," answered
the Major, in a dignified tone.
" Troth, I belave ye's ! or I'd have nothing to do wid ye's ! so
that matther's done for, now for the nixt. To-night I'll bring
me friends and introduce 'em to ye's, so ye's can see what they
are. Begorra, ye'll find 'ern gintlemen anyhow, an' with fists full
of money, divil a lie in it ! An' they'll bet at ye's hot and heavy,
take my word for it, Major, an' bate ye's too if ye'll let 'em,
begorra ! Howld a bit ! Howld a bit ! Sure we mustn't do the
thing shabbily at all, at all. I'll sind up two or three baskets o'
champagne to thrate the b'ys ! Sure it '11 look dacent on the
openin' night."
" I was on the point of suggesting something of the kind my
self," said the Major.
McGovern addressed his conversation exclusively to the Major,
NEW YORK. 265
and never by word or look acknowledged my presence. It is
true he used the plural "ye's," and opened business by saying,
"We'll all be aqually interested," etc.; but otherwise had paid
me no more attention than if I were one of the chairs or tables.
The Major listened with profound attention to his remarks and
acknowledged the wisdom of his suggestions and instructions,
by sundry nods and remarks of " Very good, sir, " and concluded
by saying, " We shall endeavor to obey your instructions, sir, as
you are undoubtedly the best judge of the manner in which your
town's-people should be treated."
"Lave me alone for that, Major, me b'y. Sure I know ivery
mother's son o' them, an' can do as I plaze wid 'em."
" How much bank money shall we require, Mr. Me Govern?" I
inquired, for the first time putting in my oar into the conversa
tion.
" That '11 be a schmall affair. Three or four thousand or the
likes o' that '11 be lashins," he replied.
" Very good ! And as we are going to open the bank to-night,
let us make up our banking money now," I answered.
" Go on wid the money ye have wid ye's, an' whin ye's nade
more, ye'll find the check o' Phil McGovern as good at the
Bank of America for $5,000 as ould Asthor's ! "
"That's all right, Mr. McGovern," said the Major, darting
a savage look at me; then bowing to McGovern, he said,
" Sufficient, sir, among gentlemen."
"Faith, none knows the likes o' them better nor yoursel,
Major, an' that the' dirthy subject o' money shouldn't be
mintioned betwixt and betwane 'em, till the article's naded, any
how. So now I'll lave ye's an' order the wine, an' in the avenin'
I'll bring up me frinds to drink it," and bowing to the Major,
he left the room with a lofty stride.
When he had left I paced up and down the room for some
time, meditating on the sublime heights to which human im
pudence may rise. At last I suddenly stopped in my exercise
before the Major, and addressed him with, "Major, this seems
to me to be a very loose way of transacting business, sir. We
don't know what kind of a game we may have to deal, nor how
much money it will require to bank it, or if it should lose, whether
Mr. McGovern will pay his share of the losses."
"Jack, you're always finding bears and lions hi the way.
266 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
You're too suspicious to deal with gentlemen, sir. Mr. McGovern
is a gentleman, sir, and of the highest standing in this city, and
were he inclined to commit a dishonorable action, sir, towards us
here, he could not afford to do so. We need his assistance to
procure customers, and also to protect our game, and 'twould be
impossible for us to get on without him. But to relieve your
anxiety, I'll hold myself responsible for his share of the bank
money, sir; will that be satisfactory?" demanded the Major,
with some asperity.
" Certainly, Major, but "
"Very good, sir ! Now, sir, as we are in a strange place and
among strange people, let's try and get along as smoothly as
possible, sir," he said, peevishly.
" You can't go very far amiss in keeping a strict watch upon
strangers with whom you are concerned in money transactions,
and when I ventured to express a doubt of Mr. McGovern, 'twas
as much for your protection as for mine."
" I have arrived at that age, sir, which needs no protection
from others," stiffly replied the Major.
" I must beg leave to differ with you there, Major, for you are
ready to place confidence in every scheming villain who talks in
a highfalutin strain about the things that are proper between
gentlemen, and flatters your vanity to get an opportunity to pick
your pocket. I should have thought the Simpson affair would
nave made you more cautious; but you seem to be just as ready
to be cajoled as ever. What do you know about McGovern's
honesty? Why should you be so ready to take his word on so
short an acquaintance ? This is a matter of business, not cour
tesy, and the way for him to show his honesty of purpose is to
come up with his money, and not blarney about it."
" Keep cool, Jack ! Don't fly off at the handle, my boy; I'll
be responsible for McGovern, and you shan't be in any way a
loser by him."
" Yes, Major, but I don't want you to be a loser by him, either,
and it's my opinion he's beat us both, already. Look around
this room what is there to show for five hundred and odd dol
lars here? Why, I don't believe he's spent three hundred dol
lars altogether, sir ! I tell you, Major, this man has chiseled
ns already, and he means to do it again; and he will, too, if we
don't take him to task pretty sharply. His big talk about his
NEW YORK. 267
five thousand dollar check is all 'popycock.' Why don't he show
up his money ? This is no way to do business."
"Well, well!" exclaimed the Major, testily; " let's see first
what our prospects are, before we commence quarreling with
McGovern. I'd stake my life he's an honest man, and means
well by us. Should he prove otherwise, I'll take the loss on my
shoulders."
" Then you intend to let him go ahead his own way ?"
" Most certainly, sir! Do you want me to dictate to him what
he shall do, in his own home, and among his own people?"
Finding that the Major was already somewhat angry with me
for my perseverance, and seeing the futility of further discussion,
I dropped the subject.
Mr. McGovern, true to his promise, made his appearance in
our rooms, in the evening, in company with twenty or more
individuals, whom he characterized as the b'h'ys; and a motley
crowd they were. Nearly all were respectably dressed, and
some stylishly. Many carried in their hands gold-headed canes,
while gold and gems adorned the fronts of their shirts and
glittered on their stumpy fingers; and every face, though some
were by no means ill-looking, bore the stamp of dissipation and
debauchery. Their fine raiment, and the gems and jewels which
they wore, could not conceal a certain air of coarseness and
roystering rowdyism which hung about them.
Mr. McGovern presented his "fri'nds," one after another, to
the Major, and each having shaken him by the hand, in the
most energetic pump-handle fashion, he, prefacing his remarks
with a stentorian "whist," and thereby bespeaking silence,
proceeded to deliver himself of the following speech:
"Gintlemen! Major George Jenks is one of the rale ould
Varginny stock; a thrue gintlemau, ivery inch ov 'im. You can
take me wurrud for it. He's a sthranger among ye's, 'an ye'll
thrate 'im kindly, for its desarvin he is of it, if he is a gambler!
He's come to dale faro to ye's, an' be the same token, he's
brought lashins o' money wid him, an' he'll hand it over to ye's
like a man if yer able to win it."
This address received several interruptions during its delivery,
several of the audience calling out, "Spin yer string short,
Govey!" "0 gas!" "Dry up and bust!" "Shy yer castor and
let's drink," with many more elegant phrases in common use
268 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
among this refined crowd. When the speech was concluded, a
gentleman at the rear of the crowd, who had not opened his
mouth since entering the room, remarked solemnly:
" S'pose the by's kin tell a blood whin they sees 'em widout
all that palaver. Faith, ye's know a gintleman as will as the
best o' them, but the divil a harrum in knowin' what fashion o'
gentleman yer interduced to."
"Blarney!" "Too much chaff!" "Cheese it!" "Stash it,
Govey, ole boy, an' let's try the Major's champagne," roared
half a dozen at once.
"Yaas, Govey, stash it, ole boss, yer too long-winded,"
drawled a gentleman of the "Mose" order, who was standing
immediately opposite Mr. McGovern, and who, to give point to
his remark, favored that gentleman with such a punch in the
ribs as brought the water to his eyes and sent him reeling to the
opposite side of the room. This scientific feat was received with
laughter front all sides, and Mr. McGovern, seeing no more op
portunity for speechifying, hid his chagrin in the popping of the
champagne corks. General hilarity prevailed. Two dozen of
wine were uncorked, and the Major's health, extension of longev
ity, and success, drank in bumpers with vociferous cheering,
to which that gentleman responded in a short, but good-natured
speech.
Mr. McGovern had meanwhile planted himself in front of the
faro-table, and demanded $200 worth of checks, which I sup
plied to him, but for which he offered me no money. Several
other persons now came up to the table, bought chips, and I
soon had a lively play. As no arrangement had been made
relative to the limit of the game, I took it upon myself to fix it
at $25 and $100, when one of our players desired to make a bet
on a card, of $200. Some twelve men were about the table, and
several had shown large rolls of bank bills, and were betting
heavily against the game. The chances were favorable for us
to win or lose a considerable sum of money, and the conduct of
the players was admirable. Not so, however, with the other
portion of the company. After hoisting in a large quantity of
champagne, and brandy to top off with, they had gathered about
the poker table. For a short time they behaved with propriety,
but the liquor they had drank having had time to loosen their
tongues, they became pretty noisy. They discussed in loud
NEW TORE. 269
tones the merits of different ward politicians, fire engine com-'
panics, prize fighters, and many kindred subjects, talking all
at once, and using more profane language and slang than is
generally to be heard in assemblies of gentlemen. Occasionally,
when the uproar waxed deafening, McGovern would turn around
in his chair, and cry out, " Whist, ye divils, ye're not at a pri
mary meeting." After such a remonstrance, comparative quiet
would reign for a few moments, when the babel of tongues would
recommence. Finally, amid their rude wit and chaffering, two
of the party had got into angry dispute relative to their respect
ive fire-engine companies, which resulted in one of the parties
calling the other a liar, and a square knock-down was the con
sequence. The game had dealt up to this time with more than
usual good luck, and was nearly $3000 winner, besides $400
which McGovern owed the bank. As there seemed plenty of
money around the bank, the chances were for us to make a
good winning, but our prospects were not realized. The moment
that little pleasantry took place between the two worthies at the
poker table, the whole party jumped to their feet, and a deafen
ing shout arose of "A ring! a ring! fair play! fair play!" My
players also hastened to the vicinity of the combatants j some
had their checks cashed, while others crammed theirs hastily
into their pockets. With scant ceremony, the faro-table and all
other furniture was pushed back or piled one upon the other, to
give the combatants a clear field, after which they were placed
in a position facing each other, stripped to the buff, and duly
seconded according to the established rules of the P. K. Mr.
Phil. McGovern was chosen referee, an office which he accepted
with joyful alacrity, to the immense astonishment and disgust of
the Major.
" Fifty dollars on Jakey Grier," sung out a bystander. The
bet was immediately taken, several others were offered and
taken the moment they passed the lips of those making them.
" Jakey Grier" had the "call" over his opponent, Jimmy Riley.
Whether it was owing to the fact that he had knocked down
Jimmy, or his previous exploits in the manly art, that had given
his backers such confidence in his mettle, I am unable, unfortu
nately, to inform my reader, but certain it is, that as the "mill"
was about to commence, the odds were $50 to $40 on Jakey, and
no takers. I suppose, altogether, about $600 was wagered upon
270' WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the issue of the fight. The combatants pummeled each other
for something like fifteen minutes, when the "mill" was brought
to a close by Jimmy Riley delivering an upper cut with his left,
which landed underneath the ear of Jakey, knocking that gen
tleman completely out of time. The combat being thus closed,
the spectators liquored up all round, and a double portion being
imbibed by the combatants. Jakey, entirely "hors du combat,"
was assisted to his domicile, while the victorious Jimmy, with
two teeth knocked out and one eye in mourning, not to mention
the general appearance of his "mug," was congratulated by his
numerous friends.
Mr. McGovern and some of his party now returned the differ
ent articles of furniture to their places, and a general demand
was made that the faro-bank should be reopened. But the
Major positively declined to comply with the request, alleging as
his reason, that he was afraid the police would force an entrance
into the house. "Force hell!" roared a brawny son of the Emer
ald Isle, holding up a fist which looked as if it might have felled
an ox. "It's myself 'ud like to see one o' the dirty sons o'
bitches poke his mug in at that dure till I'd mash it for 'im."
But neither threats nor entreaties and both were unsparingly
used would induce the Major to reopen his game.
"This is a d n nice hole you've roped us inter, Gov.," said
one of that gentleman's friends; "these ere fellers are 'fraid o'
their shadder."
"The perlice, is it?" said another, "Be Ja s, it's the likes o'
them I'll kape clear o' the likes of us; it's themselves knows
we'd put a head on ivery mother's son ov 'em if they interfare wid
the divarshins o' gentlemen."
"Ye's must excuse me friends; sure, they're not used to the
b'ys yet," said McGovern, apologetically.
"That ain't it! They've took in a few hundred dollars, and
that '11 last 'em till they die," cried another worthy.
"Let 'em go to h 1 if they don't open their game," said a
gentleman in the crowd; " there's plenty o' games in town be
sides this. Come down to Jimmy Daley's, he'll give ye farrer till
yer belly aches."
This elegant sentiment being received with great approbation,
the originator started for the door, and probably ultimately for
the domicile of the accommodating Mr. Daley. He was accom-
NEW YOKE. 271
panied by two or three comrades, while the remainder soon
followed suit, arid stood not upon the order of their going by any
means.
"Well, Major! How do you like our game?" I inquired, soon
after our guests had departed.
"The money I saw I liked well enough, sir ; but a more dis
graceful set of ruffians than our players to-night, I have never
had the luck to meet."
"Mr. McGovern owes the bank $400; did his play count, or
not?"
"Unquestionably it did, sir! Always does in such cases, un
less an express understanding is had previously."
"Should he refuse to acknowledge his play as a genuine one,
are you willing to pay me one-third of what he owes the bank ? "
I coolly inquired.
"Pay you one third of what he owes the bank ?" repeated the
Major, his face flushed with anger, aroused by my question.
"No, sir! I told you I'd be responsible for his share of the bank
ing money."
" Oh ! Very well, Major, I shall speak to Mr. McGoveru about
the matter to-morrow," I replied, coolly.
" Speak to him about what ? " demanded the Major, excitedly.
" Why, about his play, to be sure," I rejoined. " He now owes
the bank $400. Should we to-morrow ask him for this, he might
say he was only capping the game in order to induce his friends
to play. But should we allow it to pass on without any under
standing about the matter, he might, to-morrow night, or any
night, win two or more thousands, and put it in his pocket. That
would, no doubt, be very good for McGovern, but it wouldn't
exactly suit me, Major, and I doubt if it would you, sir."
"You mustn't act in this manner, Jack. Wait until they
show some evidence of guilt, before you commence convicting
people in this way."
" There's nothing like being on the safe side, Major."
" No, no, Jack ; whenever you enter into a business with a
gentleman, do not insult him by showing, -either by word or
deed, that you . doubt his honesty of purpose ; and in this case
it is especially for our interest to keep on the best of terms with
McGovern. Without his protection, how in the world are we.
going to manage these brutes? To lose his friendship, Jack,
would be to have our game broken up."
272 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
"I am desirous of continuing the game, sir, because I see
money in it; but I don't care to have Mr. McGovern get any the
best of me ; and the surest way to prevent a misunderstanding,
is to ask him to-morrow whether his play must count or not.
He owes $400, therefore he cannot be angry at a plain question
upon the subject. If he says his play does not count, we are but
slightly the losers, and know what we are doing."
"We mustn't say anything to him," he replied, doggedly.
"We have already displeased him by closing our game to night,
and refusing to reopen it. I am sorry I did so. Just let me
manage this matter, Jack, will you f It will be all right in the
end."
I saw it was quite useless trying to bring him to my way of
thinking, consequently dropped the subject and proposed that
we should retire for the night.
Mr. McGovern called at our rooms on the following morning,
and reprimanded the Major for closing his game on the evening
before, against the wishes of his friends. "Bad luck to me if I
wouldn't rather lost a thousand dollars than had ye's done it.
Begorra, if that's the game ye're goin' to play, ye'd betther lave
this city. The b'ys '11 not be standin' it, at all, at all ; an' if they
iver come here again, it's meself ye'll have to thank for it!
Didn't they swear by this and by that, they'd niver set fut inside
yer dures agin ? "
"Is it expected that we shall close our game whenever they
want a ring fight in the room, and open it again when it is their
pleasure to demand it?" I laughingly inquired.
"What the divil is it to you what they want? It's to win
their money ye's are here, ain't it? Do ye's want to reform
their morals, too ? " he inquired, angrily.
"But, my friend," politely remonstrated the Major, "a faro-
room is no place for a ring fight. I never witnessed so disgraceful
a scene before, and I've been in the profession thirty years."
" Thin it's time, Major, ye were acquainted with the fashions
of New York, if ye's mane to sthay in it. Take me wurrud for
that. An' more be token, if it wasn't gintlemin ye's had wid ye's
last night, it's out o' the windy yersels and yer faro tools would
a gone, by the howly St. Patrick, when ye's refused to open
yer dirty game to the first gintlemen in New York ! "
" This must be a rough country on faro dealers," said the
Major, laughing.
NEW YORK. 273
" The divil a betther set o' b'ys in the worruld, but they won't
stand any hurubuggiu', mind that now, Major."
"Well, sir, I shall endeavor to please your friends in future,
Mr. McGovern," said the Major. " Tell your friends that I was
afraid of the police arresting us, or I should have opened the
game when they requested me to do so."
"Don't let the perlace trouble yer head. It's too wise the
blaggards are, to interfere wid thim b'ys whin they're out on a
lark. But I'll lave ye's now, an' see what I can do for ye's this
avenin'." And away he went.
Early in the evening, three respectable looking men dropped
in, and commenced playing; and later, McGovern came with
four companions, but one of whom had been in our rooms on
the previous evening. Our game became lively, and lasted
till morning, without a "muss" of any kind having taken place.
Again McGovern demanded checks from the bank, which I
furnished, and he again neglected to pay for. As he played
comparatively small, and there was a debt of $400 hanging over
him, the circumstance gave me little or no uneasiness. When
the bank closed, he was loser $280, and as he rose from his chair
he turned towards the Major, and said, " I'll hand ye's that
money in the mornin', Major." The latter responded by a nod.
But the money was not forthcoming as promised, which led me
to believe that McGoveru had no idea of his play counting, and
did not intend taking any unfair advantage of us in that way.
As the Major was determined not to ask him whether his play
counted or not, or, in other words, was afraid to ask him, and
opposed my doing so in such a bitter manner, I made up my
mind not to say any more to him on the subject nor to mention
it to McGovern so long as he continued to lose, but to permit
him to go ahead until the end of the month. But I had also
made up my mind, that, in case he played himself even with the
bank, I would come to an explanation with him, even if I was
obliged to call him away from the faro-table to do so.
Our play gradually increased, until we had nightly a full table
of betters. Disputes would frequently arise relative to the own
ership of bets, which often resulted in damaged eyes and noses
and the smashing of heads. These delectable amusements would
frequently end in a ring fight, similar to that which we had en
joyed on our opening night. We got thoroughly used to this sort
274 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
of amusements, and when the combatants had punished each
other to their satisfaction, we resumed our game. On three oc
casions small scrimmages having led to a general engagement,
while the battle was raging hottest the Major and myself seized
our faro-tools and money, and fled from the field of action, and
did not return until the following day. Those who had checks
when the row began kept them until we opened our bank on the
following evening. Three times during the month was the service
of a carpenter called into requisition, to repair damages caused
by these little eccentricities of our customers. They broke our
windows and doors, and smashed our chairs and tables. During
the month, we were obliged to buy two extra dozens of chairs,
and have a new faro-table made.
During these rows we were entirely free from police interfer
ence, and every disturbance was settled by science and muscle.
When McGovern was present, he exerted his utmost influence to
prevent these trials by battle, or angry altercations leading to
free-fights; but when the first blow had been struck he was as
much interested as the combatants themselves. One night a
powerfully-built gentleman, having lost some sixty dollars
against the bank, conceived the idea that he had been cheated,
and, by way of reprisal, made a dive for the card-box in order to
get his money back. He would have done so, and considerably
more with it possibly, had not the Major, who was in the look
out chair, hung on to the card-box like grim death. Finding he
could not wrest it from his hands, he struck him a stunning blow
on the head with his fist, which knocked the poor Major sprawl
ing on the floor, and dragged after him the card-box containing
the money, which he held still in his hands. The ruffian was
prevented from doing him any further mischief, by a blow from
the dealing-box in my hands, which forced him to loosen his hold.
At the same moment he was struck from behind with a chair, in
the hands of one of our players. Several persons now began to
kick him about the head and ribs ; but, in spite of these solici
tous attentions, he regained his feet, and struck out for his assail
ants. His brawny fist felled whoever it came in contact with,
and several of his adversaries drew off rather suddenly to repair
damages. But they increased faster than he could disable them,
and as one after another joined in the melee, a storm of chairs
was rained on his devoted head, and finally stretched him out
NEW YORK. 275
senseless. While in this situation he was kicked and thumped,
and at last dragged down stairs, and thrown into the street in an
almost denuded condition. For several moments he lay there as
he had been thrown, and when he recovered his consciousness
the first thing he asked for was some whiskey. Having swal
lowed it at a draught, he then stared around him to collect his
scattered senses. At last, as he looked up to the building, his
eyes fell on the lighted windows of our room. The sight seemed
to recall to his memory the late stirring event, in which he had
been an important actor. He shook his clenched fist at our win
dows, and muttered between his clenched teeth, "If I'd a had a
fair show, them 'uns couldn't a whipt one side o' me." He then
got once more upon his pins, and quietly toddled off.
Our faro-table had been broken, and many of our chairs smash
ed, in this fracas, so we concluded to close for the night, in order
to repair damages, and not to reopen until the following evening.
The Major's wounds did not prove to be so severe as I feared,
and I was much rejoiced to find that, with the exception of a few
bruises, he was, to use his own expression, " as good as new, sir."
While we were on our way to our hotel, we were overtaken by
one of our players, by the name of Joseph Chapin. He was a
small, attenuated specimen of humanity. That he was inclined
to be sickly one did not need to be told, for his pinched features
and shrunken form amply attested it. He did not seem to have
the least fellowship for any one, always came and went by himself,
and rarely engaged in conversation ; though scarcely thirty years
old, seemed to be burdened with the cares of age. Since we had
opened our room, he had been one of its most constant frequent
ers. He seemed to have a sufficiency of money for his purpose,
and played almost steadily against the bank, but lightly, and the
most he would win or lose at a sitting was about $50. The life
of Mr. Chapin, and how he obtained his money, appeared to
be a mystery which the boys could not fathom. And many were
the turnings over which he got in our rooms in his absence from
them. "Where the hell does Joe Chapin get his blunt from?
I never seed 'im doin' nothin' for it; I wonder if he dusent stand
in with the cross-men ? But he never jines 'em !" After which the
speaker proceeded to take several leisurely whiffs at a remark
ably dirty meerschaum. The speaker was one of Mr. McG-overn's
friends; the time early in the evening, ut few persons being
276 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
present in the room. " Maybe his gal comes out to him," sug
gested another gentleman present.
" The dirty ghost ! and is it him have a gal ? he's too -white-
livered for that," laughed another.
"He's allers got the blunt, anyhow, an' that tells he's a
keener," dreamily responded the first speaker, with his pipe
in his mouth. .
"Joe Chapin, gintlemen', is as fine a pinman as ye'll find in
the cithy o' New York, an' the divil a man in it can put his
name to the bottom av a check as will as Joe himself."
These remarks were received with many exclamations of sur
prise and wonder, and one gentleman present gave vent to a
long, low whistle, followed by a "Wh a at! and that's his
game, is it?"
"What the divil do ye mane by axing is that his game ?" de
manded Mr. McGovern, pretending to be very indignant. "Did
I say anythin' wrong o' the man ? Am I a man capable of sland-
therin' a gintleman? The divil a bit. Not Phil. McGovern,
begorra!"
But whenever Joe's foes measured tongues with him, they
stood about as much chance as a novice would have in crossing
swords with an accomplished duelist. He had a supple tongue,
which was never at a loss to hurl bitter gibes towards his adver
saries. He seemed also to have a perfect knowledge of every
one's character, antecedents, and present social standing, and
he was more pleased to show up the deformities of poor human
nature than its redeeming qualities. The bullies held him in
respectful fear, because, on the few occasions in which he had
been concerned in rows, he had shown an ugly disposition to use
a knife an instrument held in great detestation by your mus
cular expounder of the science of hitting from the shoulder.
Joe and myself had gotten on very amicably together, and he
often favored me with a dissertation on the characters of those
who frequented our rooms, and if any one of them ever possessed
the smallest virtue, Joe had, unfortunately, forgotten the fact.
"Delightful shindy that, Major?" remarked Mr. Chapin,
when he had overhauled us.
. "A brutal affair, sir, very brutal," returned the Major, doubt
less still suffering from the weight of the fellow's fist.
"He's a whale. If he'd had a fair start, now, he'd a cleared
out that McGovern gan^."
NEW YORK. 277
"Do you know him?" I inquired.
"Yes! His name's Jack -Kline; lie keeps order for Johnny
Walker's dance-house in the Points."
"He's an infernal robber," angrily cried the Major.
"He ain't no worse than the rest on 'em, McGovern and his
gang; they're all on it."
" On it ! On what ? " demanded the Major.
"The rob," laconically replied Mr. Chapin.
"Mr. McGovern is a gentleman, sir, and my friend," said the
Major, in his stiffest manner, and stopping in his walk to eye
Chapin from head to foot with a glance which ought to have
annihilated him.
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Chapin, on whom the Major's
dignity did not seem to take much effect. "He a gentleman!"
What, Oily McGovern ? Why, Major, he's the dirtiest thief in
New York."
"I am afraid you're somewhat prejudiced against the gentle
man," I remarked.
"I always am against low-flung villains and cowardly row
dies."
"Has he lived long in this city?" I asked.
"About fifteen years. He'd been transported to Botany Bay,
had he not left Ireland when he did, and he left it in a hurry,
too, I can tell you. He first opened a three-cent grog-shop
and a fence in the Five Points ; that's where he got his first start.
Three or four years afterwards he fitted up that rum-mill of
his in Chatham street, and ever since it was opened it has been
the resort of the better class of knucksmen, cracksmen, low pol
iticians, prize-fighters, and that kind of stock."
"They say he has a good deal of political influence in the
city?" I asked, merely by way of keeping up a conversation, as
I knew anything uttered by any person whatever, against
McGovern, was anything but agreeable to the Major's feelings.
"Yes, he has with the stock that visits his whiskey-mill, and
some among the lower orders of Irish."
"What has made him so popular with the Irish?" I asked.
"A hundred things," replied Chapin. " He gets city contracts,
and keeps them in work ; trusts them for rum at his dead-fall ;
gets up prize-fights for their amusement, and whenever they're
'pulled' by the police, he gets them out of quod."
"Then he must have some weight with the police?" I said.
278 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
"Weight with the police? You may bet he has, when he can
send any one he takes a notion, over to the island, or up the
river."
"What do you mean by over on the island or up the river?"
"Why, can have them sent to the penitentiary or Sing Sing."
"Oh! that's coming it rather rough, Chapin."
"Well, you just let anybody who hasn't friends in New York,
just stack up against McGovern and his crew, that wants to ;
but I tell you they'll soon find themselves where the dogs won't
bite em', and they'll stand an almighty poor chance o' getting
their liberty too."
" But how can he have an innocent man sent to prison?"
"Because he can get fifty men to go into the witness box and
swear to just what he wants 'em to. He's in with all the detect
ives, and the heads of police departments, and is influential
with many of the police judges, and other high officials ; that's
how he can do it."
"That's a hard customer to have for an enemy, ain't it,
Major?" I asked.
"Pshaw! Mr. Chapin is amusing himself at our expense,"
contemptuously replied the Major.
"Well, Major, that's the politest way I've heard yet of telling a
man he lies; but take a fool's advice, if you want to stay in New
York, don't make an enemy of Phil McGovern."
"Mr. McGovern is my friend, sir, and has no cause to be my
enemy, sir. I never make enemies, sir," replied the Major, be
coming more and more heated with every repetition of the "sir."
Fearing an angry altercation might ensue between them, I
asked Chapin if McGovern, that he knew of, ever injured the
business of any faro-dealer in New York.
"No strange gambler has dealt faro in the city for the last
three years, but McGovern has black-mailed him in some way
or other. If he couldn't cajole him into letting him have an in
terest in the game without putting up his own money, he set
his ruffianly gang on to break up the game. And he has put
up jobs with the police to have gamblers arrested, thrown into
prison, and there kept until they were willing to come down
handsomely, in order to regain their liberty ; and for no other
reason in the world, only because they wouldn't stand black
mailing."
NEW YORK. 279
"Well, Chapin, if that's the case, I'll try and keep on the
right side of him during our stay here."
"You can do that in only one way by letting the dirty thief
rob you in some way or another," said Chapin, who now, with a
"good-night," left us, and crossed the street, on his way to his
own lodgings.
"Chapin draws a pretty rough picture of Mr. Mac," I ob
served.
"Now, Jack! how on earth can you give credence to that
sleek-tongued, slanderous viper? I've never heard that fellow
speak well of any one yet."
"That's true, Major, nor have I ever heard any one speak well
of him. But there must be some truth or cause for him speak
ing in the manner he did of McG-overn, and I'm afraid we'll
have trouble with him yet."
Though the Major vouchsafed me no reply, it was evident to
me that his faith in that worthy had been considerably shaken.
In one respect he was entirely undeceived. In Washington he
had believed him to be a gentleman in habits and manners, as
well as in integrity of principle. In New York he found him to
be the associate of rowdies, and entering with zest into their
brutal habits and amusements. Whether he had begun to sus
pect his honesty of purpose, I could not ascertain, but I thought
so. However, they always seemed very friendly, and the Major
invariably treated McGovern with the most punctilious polite
ness, while he showed the Major the most respectful attention
whenever he met him at the hotel, where he sometimes came, or
in our gambling-room. But he never had invited him to his
place of business, and did not seem at all desirous of being seen
in company with him on the street, or other public places,
though the Major, on leaving Washington, had no doubt ex
pected more flattering attention from his friend, Mr. McGovern,
while sojourning in the great metropolis.
280 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XXIII.
SQUARING ACCOUNTS.
The end of the month arrived, and with it our day of settle
ment. Mr. McGovern, the Major, and myself, were alone in our
gambling room. When I had figured up, and given a few
preliminary ''hems," I thus addressed my audience. "Gentle
men, the bank is winner, in the month, $8,700 cash, and the
$1,700 owed it by Mr. McGovern."
"Is it me owes the bank siventeen hundred dollars?"
exclaimed Mr. McGovern, with a face expressive of the blankest
astonishment.
"That's the amount of your losings, at your various plays
against it," I coolly replied.
"To h 1 with ye's! An' is that what yer at, ye thieves
o' the worruld! Begorra, that's fine tratement, anyhow, an'
meself working fur ye's ivery night o' me life to bring players to
ye's ! An' I owe the bank siventeen hundred dollars ! faith, ye's
won't starve for cheek, anyhow!" said Mr. McGovern, rising
from his chair, and rapidly pacing the room. Then suddenly
stopping in his walk, he faced me, and said, " Begorra, I made
a great mistake when I took ye's for a gintleman."
"Such language, sir," interrupted the Major, "is outrageous,
and there is no justification whatever for it, sir. Mr. Morris
demands of you what he thinks to be right. I told him myself,
sir, on the first night we opened hfcre, that your play against the
bank was a genuine one, because I believed it to be so myself,
sir!"
"A ginuwine one, is it? The divil a bit ! If I'd wanted to
play in airnest fornenst it, wouldn't I towld ye's so like a man ?
There's no humbuggin' about Phil McGovern ! "
"Very well, sir!" said the Major, "if you say your play
against the bank was not a genuine one, have it so, sir !"
" Be J s, it's myselfs glad to see some rason left in ye's at
any rate, an' as the little matther is explained, I'll be civil enough
to say I'm sorry we had any words on such a dirthy subject."
"In that case," I resumed, "the bank is winner $8,700."
" Troth, it's in bad luck 'tis, not to have won fifty thousand.
But it's thankful we ought to be for shmall things."
SQTJAKIN-G ACCOUNTS. 281
" Out of this sum is to come $514 for the fitting up of this
room," I continued.
" Fan: and aisy, Misther Morris. Split that small item be-
twane yersilf an' the Major, as ye plaze, for the divil a cint of
it comes out o' my share o' the money, mind that, now 1"
"'Tis but right, sir, that you should pay your share of the
expenses, sir ! " said the Major.
" Divil a bit o' right in it, Major. The room was for yer own
convanience, entirely. 'Twas myself was to bring the b'ys to
ye's, an' didn't I bring lots uv 'em ; so pay yer own expinses, for
divil a cent of it '11 yc's get from Phil McGovern."
" Very well, sir, if you think that just, have it so, sir I "
exclaimed the Major, in a voice choked with passion.
" Well, what shall I do now ? " I asked.
"Do, is it? Settle up the game, ye spalpeen, an' give to each
man what belongs to him."
" Then there is $2,900 coming to you, sir," I politely replied,
taking no notice of his insulting manner.
" By the powers, that's good, anyhow. Thin hand mo $1,900,
me b'y, an' I'll lave the thousand in the bank."
"Three thousand dollars, sir, is too small a sum to bank such
a game as we are dealing here, Mr. McGovern," interposed the
Major. " We should have a bank of at least $6,000."
" The divil a bit small is it, an' if yer players can win it, sure
I wish 'em joy of it. Whin they win thim $3,000, I'll bring 'em
twice as much more to win in the snap o' me fingers."
Three thousand dollars in bank, and one-third belonging to
Mr. McGovern! Well, that was better than when we first
started hi partnership with that worthy, for he had not a single
dollar in the game.
Again deceived ! Poor, generous-hearted, chivalric old Major !
And for the fortieth time perhaps in your life, that, meaning no
evil itself, thought none of its fellow creatures. Tour generous,
credulous, and unsuspicious nature formed a rich pasturage for
crafty knaves to batten upon !
The footsteps of McGovern had scarcely died away upon the
staircase, when the Major seized his hat and cane, and hastily
left the room, to find relief for his pent-up wrath in the open air.
He felt, poor old man, humiliated, and feared my taunts; he
need not have done so, however, for I had no wish to add to his
torments. % ~ " "* ~~"
282 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Shortly after his leaving, I lifted up the window-sash and
looked into the street. There, a few doors away, stood the Major,
motionless on the curb-stone, with his eyes fixed on vacancy, evi
dently hi the state of mind described by the phrase, " a brown
study/' I withdrew my head and closed the window, lest ho
might suddenly turn and detect me in the act of watching him.
That night our game ran until daylight, and we closed it loser
$490. Neither McGovern nor any of his cronies came near the
place during the evening ; but shortly after lighting up on the
following one, McGovern made his appearance, and showing signs
of being in a great hurry, he walked up to the Major and asked
him if he had $1,000 he could loan him for a few days.
"I have not that amount of money belonging to you in the
game, sir," replied the Major, coldly. "We lost four hundred
and ninety dollars last night."
" An' what the divil if ye did ? Can't ye give me a thousand
dollars for a few days, when I nade it ?"
"Our money, sir, is all deposited in bank, except what I carry
with me to bank this game, sir!" said the Major, still more coldly.
" Blood-an-ouns ! Can't you untherstand a gintleman when he
spakes English. I want the money an' must have it ; there'll be
lashins left to carry on your game, if ye's give me a thousand out
av what ye have there."
"If you desire it, sir, I will pay over to you what belongs to
you out of the banking money."
" How much might that be, Major?"
"Eight hundred and thirty-six dollars and sixty cents, sir," re
plied the exact Major.
"Give it to me, thin!"
The Major counted out the money and handed it over to him.
"Now, Major darlint, jist lind me the loan of enough to make
up the thousand; sure I'll give it to ye, in yer fist, in a'day or
two!"
" I have no more money in the bank belonging to you," an- "
swered the Major, in the freezing tones he had used throughout
the interview.
"Is it denyin' me the loan of a few dirthy dollars that yc are,"
. roared Mr. McGovern, in a rage. " Begorra, there's frinds for ye I
An' afther all I done for ye's here. By the Howly St. Patherick,
I'd a bet the full o' both me fists o' hundther dollar bills, I could
SQUARING ACCOUNTS. 283
av had every tint ye had in the wurruld for the axin. It's de-
saved I was whin I took ye's undther me wing, and brought ye's
to New York."
" Mr. McGovern, we are now, sir, arranging a business transac
tion. I have paid over to you, at your desire, your stake in our
bank. Whenever you wish to resume your interest with us here,
you can do so by putting up your money."
The red face of Mr. McGovern waxed purple. He had made
a miss instead of a hit.
"What the divil do ye mane, Major? Bad luck to the chit I'd
touch at all, at all, only I've pressin' nade of it just now. Haven't
I towld ye's always, that whenever ye's wanted money I'd lave
it wid ye's in a moment V
" If you desire to retain your interest in the game, we want
your money now," replied the Major.
"Begorra, but that same's a shabby way to thrate an' owld
frind whin he's short taken."
" I'm treating you with perfect justice, sir," the Major returned.
" An' I'm to get no share in the bank till I hands ye's the cash,
is it that ye mane, Major?"
" None, sir," was the laconic reply.
"Thin take a frind's advice, an' close yer dirthy game if ye've
any respect for the heads that ye carry on yer shouldthers."
" Do you mean to threaten me, you infernal scoundrel !" shout
ed the Major, springing to his feet and snatching his cane.
"Divil a bit!" replied Mr. McGoveru, in the most lamb-like
tones; " it's only offerin' ye a bit o' frindly advice I am. Musha,
it's a grate frind I am to ye's intirely, Major. Good avenin' to
ye's, gentlemen," he said, with a mock bow, " fur fear the look of
Phil McGoveru might choke ye's, I'll take him out o' yer sight,"
with which parting salute he left the room.
The Major, after this little rencontre, paced up and down the
room in a state of terrible excitement; but according to his
custom in such cases, he did not give vent to his feelings in
curses, as another might have done, but only paced up and down
in moody silence, with his cane stuck under his arm, at a right
angle.
"Well, Major," I ventured presently, "what do you intend
doing now ?"
"I shall leave for Richmond to-morrow, and stay there, sir.
284 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
It's the only place fit for a gentleman to live in. I feel," he said
with a perceptible effort, after a slight pause, "that I have de
served this punishment, and am provoked and disgusted with my
self, for associating so long with such a set of unmitigated rascals
and scoundrels. I ought to have left the city the next day after
the disgraceful row the infernal ruffians kicked up the first night
we opened here ; I did think of doing it at the time, but the ex
pense which we had incurred in getting here, and fitting up this
place, together with the amount of money which I saw a chance
of winning, decided me on remaining, against my better judg
ment an error I now greatly regret."
"Then you have concluded to remain here no longer than to
morrow !"
" No, sir; I shall start for Richmond to-morrow morning, as I
told you."
" Then I shall remain here and deal faro," I replied, with the
utmost coolness.
He wheeled suddenly around and gazed at me in speechless
astonishment, as if he thought I had surely gone demented.
Finally he found voice to ask, "Are you mad?"
" No ! but I mean to see if that contemptible Irish ruffian can
prevent me from dealing my game here."
"I would not join you, sir, in your venture, for all the money
I've seen in the infernal place since I came into it. I don't be
lieve even our lives would be safe since that brutal villain has
become our enemy."
" I don't wish or expect you to run any risk of the kind, Major;
I'll go it alone ! "
At first he thought I was on the bluff, but when he found I was
hi sober earnest, and meant doing exactly as I said, he tried
every argument of which he was master, to dissuade me from
so dangerous an undertaking as he believed this to be. He beg
ged and coaxed me to abandon my insane project, as he call
ed it, and prophesied it would end in my being murdered or
sent to State prison. But I was inexorable, and determined on
carrying out my foolhardy enterprise.
The next evening I accompanied him on board the Richmond
steamer, where, before bidding him "good-bye," he extracted
from me a solemn promise to keep him posted up on all my
movements in New York, and that, in case I failed to succeed
LN THE LOCK-UP. 285
there as I anticipated, I would immediately join him in Rich
mond.
Even at the last moment the old fellow tried to induce me to
abandon my foolish project and accompany him, offering to leave
the steamer, and wait for the next one, in order to give me an
opportunity for making my preparations for leaving ; but I was
inexorable.
"Good-bye, Jack, my boy," he said, as the gang-plank was
about being withdrawn. "You know where Richmond lies, and
whatever happens, you've always got a friend there, in Major
George Jenks."
At that moment I would have given the last dollar I possess
ed in the world, had my baggage been on board that steamer,
and I ready to accompany the Major on his exodus from New
York. But foolish pride withheld me, and prevented me from
putting into execution the greatest desire of my heart.
I watched the steamer until her smoke-stacks were lost in the
dim distance, then retraced my steps to my hotel, feeling more
sorrowful and lonely than I had ever felt before in my life.
CHAPTER XXIV.
IN THE LOCK-UP.
On my return from seeing the Major off for Richmond, I im
mediately sought the advice and assistance of Mr. Chapin, for
want of better, made him acquainted with the state of my
affairs, and confided to him my intention to keep open my faro-
rooms at all hazards. Having heard me to the end, he gave a
discouraging shake of his head, and at once advised me to fol
low the Major as soon as practicable.
" You'd make a d n nice job of it, going up against McGovern
and his bruisers. Why, they'll bust you all up in five minutes,
and what are you going to do about it f No, no, McGovern and
his stripe rule the roost here, and my best advice to you, as a
friend, is to close up yer crib, and make yourself scarce round
these diggin's, fur a while, anyhow."
But this advice by no means coincided with my desires.
286 WANDERINGS OF A. VAGABOND.
" Where's that fellow, Kline, that got such a thrashing in our
rooms the other night?" I asked, not even thanking him for his
advice.
" Down at Johnny Walker's dance-house."
" I'll give that fellow five dollars a night, if he can protect my
room."
" C-h-r-is-t ! that fellow wouldn't be a marker for that gang of
Phil McGovern ? s. But hold on, I've got it ; there's Clem Jones,
anothex Five-Pointer, and the best fighter in North America.
Now, if you can get him and Kline joined, you'd have a full team
in harness. Could you afford to hire both ? "
" I can afford to pay for any protection."
"Then by God you're all right ! " swore Mr. Chapin, jumping
up from his chair and dancing a Jim Crow jig round the room.
" C-h-r-i-s-t ! " he sung out, when he had finished his exercise.
"Them two fellers can whip, in a lump, all the shoulder-hitters
in New York."
" Where is Mr. Jones to be found ? "
" Well, he makes his loafing place around the Five Points."
" Couldn't you find-them, and bring them both to my room,
right away ? " I asked.
"I don't know I'll try to;" and off he started without
another word.
Two hours had scarcely gone around, before Mr. Chapin
entered my faro room with the two aforementioned gentlemen.
Both were large, powerfully built specimens of the genus homo.
Their powerful frames and brawny limbs, together with their
coarse, heavy features, stamped them at once with that gladia
torial distinction which they enjoyed in common with many of
their compeers of the bloody Sixth. With them, a face was a
"mug" to be "mashed;" a man, a lay figure to be sent to
"grass," with scientific precision, by a blow from their sledge
hammer fists. According to Mr. Chapin, they had been a terror
to the rowdies for years, who visited the low dance-houses in
the classic neighborhood of the Five Points. I opened my
business with these muscular gentlemen by offering them a dose
of whiskey, and when they had tossed it down their capacious
throats, I proceeded to explain what I required of them. We
easily came to terms ; Messrs. Kline and Jones agreeing to per
form what fighting I required, hi consideration of the paltry sum
IN THE LOCK-TIP. 287
of five dollars each per night, payable nightly on the closing of
the bank. "The services which I require of you, gentlemen," I
said, " is to protect my room. To that end,, I shall expect you
to be on hand every evening when I light up, and remain until I
close for the night. You are to remain in the street, and keep
yourselves from observation as much as practicable, because I do
not wish your business here to be suspected by any one except
ourselves. I shall give you a signal by which you will know if
you are wanted. You are not to come unless you hear that
signal, but when you do come, come with a rush." I took from
my pocket a dog whistle given me by Mr. Lane on the day we
parted in Richmond, and blew a shrill blast. "That's the signal,
gentlemen, and when you hear that you may know you're
wanted, and can't "get here too quick. , If I only desire you to
put some one into the street who is disturbing the peace and
comfort, and making a muss in the room, you are to do it as
gently as possible, and put the person out without hurting him
if you can. But if any rowdies attempt to break into my place,
or in any manner commit violence about the premises, I'll give
you two dollars extra for every one of them that you will pum
mel well."
" Bet yer guts we'll give em J s," said Mr. Kline, with an
ominous shake of his head, at the same time straightening his
right arm and throwing out his clenched fist with a jerk in imi
tation of that movement known among the "fancy "as "deliver
ing from the shoulder."
"Air you specting ennybuddy's goin ter make a smash,
here?" inquired Mr. Jones.
"Well, I cannot say," I replied, "but I'm afraid of that Mc-
Govern gang, and if you see any of them prowling about the
place, keep your eyes open."
" I knows them roosters."
"Wa-al now, if Kline and me can't clean out them cheese-
eaters, I'll never show my mug to the Pints again," said Mr
Jones.
" There ain't no hazard there, Jonesy, old boy. It's a flake
o' snow to a brick house you fellers can do it," cried Mr. Chapin.
" I think, Mr. Kline, you've a small settlement of your own to
make with McGovern, if I'm not mistaken."
" Not as I knows on," he replied.
288 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
"Do you remember the fight you were engaged in, in this room,
a few weeks ago ? " I asked.
" Yes, I do ! Them fellers knocked the kinks out o' me, then,
kinder."
"It was because you had not a fair chance. While you were
fighting' with the others, McGovern hit you on the head from be
hind with a chair, and knocked you down."
" You don't say so ! Is that so ?"
" Yes, he did, and it was a cowardly act," I replied.
"What more could you expect from such a dirty, cowardly
louse?" asked Mr. Chapin.
" I'll punch his head in for that," said Mr. Kline, shaking a
brawny fist in the air.
" He richly deserves it, Mr. Kline," I responded.
" I'll eat that red head o' hissen off fur that," said Mr. Kline,
gritting his teeth together till the sound was painfully distinct,
and caused the cold chills to run down my back-bone.
My mercenary guardians now left me, promising to be at their
posts at the appointed time.
" It wasn't Phil McGovern that knocked Kline down the
other night," said Chapin, after they had gone j " it was Joe
Delancy."
" What's the difference who knocked him down ? " I replied," so
he thinks it was McGovern, it answers my purpose."
"Phew!" he whistled. "Not a bad job for a youngster like
you."
I caused a strong lock to be placed on the door, and a wicket
window to be put into it, that I might see the faces of those de
manding entrance, before admitting them. Several persons who
had rendered themselves nuisances while there I shut out of the
room, and received a sound cursing for my pains, but I happily
recovered from its effects. My guardians were duly at their
posts each night at the appointed hour. Neither McGovern nor
any of those persons who formerly visited us in his company,
ever came near me, and I began to feel quite secure.
I now began to be patronized by a more respectable class,
since I had rid the room of many roughs and loafers, who had
formerly made it their loafing place. But the game was nothing
like as lively as it had been before. Still, it was every day im
proving, and though under considerable expense, I had strong
IN THE LOCK-UP. 289
hopes, if not molested, of making money. I kept a negro servant
-to attend the door, and paid Mr. Chapin ten dollars per day_ to
assist me in dealing the game. This was, for the times, high
wages, but Chapin was useful in many ways to me. He was ac
quainted with many respectable faro -players, and also with the
rougher characters I was trying to keep away from my place.
For ten days everything went on smoothly and peaceably, and my
bank was about $000 winner, besides its attendant expenses.
The constant fear of a visitation from the roughs, under which I
first labored, wore off gradually, and as time passed without any
demonstration from that quarter, I began to dream of security,
and to make up my mind that McGovern had abandoned his
hostile intentions, if he had entertained any. But we are born
to disappointments in this world, and I was not to miss my
birthright.
One night while the game was going quietly forward, and the
hands of the clock pointed to twelve, a violent ring at the bell
caused me to rise from my chair and approach the wicket to re
connoitre. I discovered on the outside the figures of eight or nine
persons, and with his face pressed closely against the wicket, Joe
Delancy, the constant companion of McGovern, and standing
close behind him I discovered the pock-marked features of
another of his gang, named Larry Mooney.
" What's wanted, gentlemen ?" I inquired.
"Wanted, is it? We want to get in. What the h 1 do ye
suppose we want," answered the voice of Delancy.
" You must excuse me, gentlemen; my room is private."
"Is it? Then I'll d n soon make it public," roared Delancy,
at the same time placing his shoulder to the door, and throwing
upon it the whole weight of a by no means delicate frame. But
the door did not yield to his strength. " Give me a lift here, b'ys,"
he shouted, and in an instant Mooney and two more of the gang
came to his assistance. " Heave ho, and here she goes," sung
out Delancy in the true Matelot strain, and the whole party
surged with might and main against the door. Quick as thought
I rushed to the window, threw up the sash, and, putting my
whistle to my lips, sounded upon it a shrill note. I then ordered
. Chapin to buy in what checks were among the players; but it
was unnecessary, as they had already passed them in, and received
.their money for them. But three players had any chips at the
290 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
time, consequently, that part of the business was soon finished.
Altogether, we had but seven of our patrons present when the
attack on the door commenced, and these showed the most abject
and cowardly fear the moment the party on the outside com
menced trying to break it down. The room which looked on the
street was on the second story, and had no exit except the stair
case and door now in possession of the rowdies. Our players
rushed to the windows, and would have tried to make their es
cape to the street below, by jumping from them, which would cer
tainly have resulted in broken limbs, if not loss of life to some of
them, had not Chapin and myself prevented them from doing
such a rash act.
"There's no danger, gentlemen," cried Mr. Chapin; "keep
cool a moment and you will see one of the nicest mills you ever
saw in your life.
Jones and Kline were on the track of the McGovernites, and
cat-like and unseen had been watching their movements since
their first appearance in the street, and on their ascending the
stairway had crept to the entrance, where they waited impatiently
for the signal to commence hostilities.
A few of those powerful surges against the rickety old door
tore off its lock, and in rushed the McGovernites (some of them
with more force than elegance, caused by the sudden yielding of
the lock) with the redoubtable Delaucy at their head. He took
a rapid survey of the room, and seeing nothing to oppose him,
and only a set of cowering men huddled near the windows, he
shouted to his followers, " Come on, b'ys, let's clane out the d n
crib. Dash iverythiug ye's find out o' the windys." And suiting
the action to the word, and by way of encouraging his comrades,
he seized hold of the faro-table, on which were all the tools of
the game. Some of his companions came at once to his assistance,
and the table was already lifted from the floor, and being borne
towards the windows, when the ruffians were pounced upon by
Kline and Jones, both armed with clubs. It was a complete
surprise, and a complete walk-over for Mr. Kline and his com
panion. The McGovernites were allowed no time to recover from
their surprise, until they were knocked off their pins, and lay
stretched on the floor, to a man. In this condition they were
kicked and stamped by the boots of Jones and Kline, until they
lost all consciousness. After which those worthies threw them
IN THE LOCK-UP. 291
one by one into the street, like so many slaughtered hogs, to re
cover the best way they could. The whole affair, from beginning
to end, did not last more than ten minutes, and the dragging the
victims from the room, and throwing them into the street, occu
pied at least half that time. Our patrons fled incontinently as soon
as the McGovernites were floored by the prowess of Messrs. Jones
and Kline. The work of these worthies being finished, Chapiii
and myself were fain to put out the lights, our servant having
escaped from the scene with the players. We then set up the
broken door against the entrance, and descended into the street,
which was lighted by a dim moon in its last quarter. Lights
could be seen shining in many of the buildings along the Bowery;
but not a soul was stirring, as far as we could see up and down
the broad street. Mr. Jones and his comrade were standing on
the pavement at the foot of the stairs, discussing their late battle
while gazing at their victims.
I now began to feel uneasy about the condition of the de
feated rowdies, and asked Kline if he thought any of them had
been seriously injured.
" Injured ! " exclaimed Mr. Chapin, in the greatest astonish
ment. " Why, you can't hurt one o' them roosters; they relish a
lickin' every now and then."
I went up to one who was lying doubled up near the pave -
ment, caught hold of his leg and shook it, in order to see if I
could not brings him to a state of consciousness, when he suddenly
raised his foot, and let fly such a kick at me as sent me into the
middle of the street, and laid me out there on the flat of my back.
I was rescued from this perilous position by the benevolent
Jones, who soothingly remarked, " Sarved ye right, he oughter
kicked the head o' ye. Don't you know them fellers is danger-
ousest when they're dead."
On the way to my hotel, we stepped into a coffee-house and
" liquored," after* which I gave my guardians their wages, and
two dollars each, as was agreed, for the eight McGovernites
they had so unmercifully drubbed; which they received with
many acknowledgments, and promised to be at their post on
the following night. Mr. Chapin accompanied me to my hotel,
and as he was about leaving me, I asked him if he thought I
should succeed in keeping my room open.
" Keep it open ! " exclaimed my companion. " C 1, yer up
292 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
: in the pictures now. Whenever one has won a first-class fight
in New York, he's established himself."
When I had eaten my breakfast in the morning, I went down
to the gambling room, where I found my servant settling things
after last night's scrimmage ; I sent for a carpenter, and had
the broken-down door repaired, and in the evening I was once
more ready to receive company. I still felt uneasy, lest some of
the rowdies were severely hurt ; not that I entertained, personally,
any sympathy for them. Had the whole batch died from the
effects of the thrashing they had received, it would not have cost
me a moment's sorrow. But the thought of being dragged within
the meshes of the law, on the charge of aiding and abetting
murder, was anything but pleasant.
Directly Mr. Chapin made his appearance, I sent him out to
try and gather some news of the dkcomfited McGovernites. In
about an hour he returned, and I could almost have hugged his
skeleton carcass to my bosom, when he informed me that none
of the rowdies were dead, but, instead of that, were all but two
on their feet and ready to stand another flogging.
" And did you learn if they were seriously hurt? w
"One on 'em has got his head mashed pretty badly."
"Is he likely to die?"
" C 1 ! yer couldn't kill ona o' them roosters with a chain
shot!"
Neither on that night nor the following one, did any of our
patrons come to our place. The row had scared them away.
On the third night, however, three dropped in, played an hour or
so, and departed. Chapin and myself sat up until after mid
night, but as there were no signs of more customers, we finally
closed our room and went to bed. On the following night, as
soon as we had lighted up, Chapin and my servant, as was their
custom at that hour, went to their suppers, leaving me alone in
my room. They had been gone scarcely five minutes, when the
door-bell was rung violently. I hastened to open the wicket
and look. out. I discovered several persons in the uniform of
policemen, and, as far as I could see from my place of espial, the
stairway was blocked by them. I therefore concluded their num-
- bers were considerable, eight or ten at least.
" Open that door ! " was the surly reply to my question of
--" What do you want, gentlemen?"
IN THE LOCK-UP. 2
"On what authority must I open my door?"
"-Fin a lieutenant of police. Do you see that?" answered
the person standing at the wicket, at the same time pointing to
the silver star on the breast of his coat.
" Yes, I see it," I replied, "but whoever you are, you cannot
come into my rooms without you have the warrant of a magis
trate," was my answer.
" Open the door, or Fll break it in! " was his response.
" Do it at your peril ! " I rejoined.
"Burst in the door," ordered he of the silver star. He was
immediately obeyed, and my room was filled with a swarm of
blue coats, headed by a tall, powerful, red-haired and sandy
whiskered fellow, who claimed to be their lieutenant. He
took a rapid survey of the room, and seeing no one but myself
there, he roughly accosted me with, "Where's your com
panions, young man?"
" I am sole master here," I replied.
"None o' your impudence, youngster! where's them hired
murderers o' yourn! Kline and Jones, and that sneak thief,
Chapin?"
"You've got a d n sight of effrontery, you mean scoundrel, to
break into a man's house without a warrant from a magistrate,
at any rate, and it may cost you dear, before it's done with."
" Put the darbies on the kid," drawled out the lieutenant to
one of his subordinates, and in a moment more I was adorned
with a portion of the jewelry belonging to the city. "Take
everything here to the station-house, and take the kid to the
lock-up," ordered the red-haired lieutenant; and I soon had
ocular demonstration of the ease with which a man, guilty of no
crime, may be entombed in a prison.
On our arrival at the station-house I was relieved of my
"darbies," and handed over to an ancient citizen, who lost no
time in going through my clothes, and relieving me of my watch
and $1,024 in money. Being ever in dread of my present mis
fortune, and also afraid of being robbed, I had, since I parted
from the Major, kept no money in my possession, except about
$1,000, which I considered sufficient for banking my game. The
remainder, amounting to something like $8,000, I kept deposited
in the Bank of North America,
I gave my name to the clerk as John Grimes, and demanded
294 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
of him a receipt for my money and watch. "We don't give any,"
he gruffly answered. " Then I call upon you, and you, and you,"
I said, pointing to the policemen who were present, " to take
notice that a gold watch, Tobias, maker, No. 1980, and $1024,
in New York city bank bills, have been taken from me ; I wish
you to bear this in mind, gentlemen, for I may have to call upon
you to prove it." A general laugh was the only response to this
appeal.
"Lock the kid in No 17," ordered a gentleman behind the desk.
In a few moments I was gazing out onto a small paved court
yard, from between the iron bars of my cell door. I had the
apartment all to myself, "the monarch of all I surveyed," in a
limited sense. I paced the floor of my narrow quarters until I
heard the city clocks strike five, when I threw myself on the
straw in one corner, and was soon lost to life's cares and sorrows.
" Tired natnre'8 sweet restorer, balmy sleep."
I was awakened from my slumbers by the unlocking of my
prison door, and a coarse voice fell on my ear with " Here's yer
bruckfast." I looked up and saw two men, one of whom held in
one hand a bunch of keys, while with the other he held open the
door of my cell. The other fellow placed on the floor a small tin
pan. The door was locked again, and both vanished. I could hear
the locking and unlocking of doors, and the buzz of human voices.
The sun was sending a small stream of rays into my cell, and I
arose from my bed of straw, stiff and unrefreshed, and examined
with some curiosity the contents of the pan, in which I had been
informed was my " bruckfast." It contained about a pint of thin
broth, and a bone with a few shreds of meat attached; also two
ship biscuits. I had no stomach for this feast, and to procure
better I shouted through the grating of my cell door for some one
to come to me ; but no one answered my call. I shouted the
louder, and kept on doing so, in hopes some one might come. Pres
ently a coarse, ill-looking, worse clad and supremely dirty fellow,
showed his burly form before the door, and putting his face close
to the grating, said, in a cold, low voice, "If I comes in there to
ye's, I'll make yer screech worse than that wid a cow-hide, ye
d n thief." This cold-blooded threat, uttered in such a matter-
of-fact tone, struck me with horror, and caused me to recoil from
my cell door.
IN THE LOCK-TIP. 295
"What the h 1 are ye's makin' all that fuss about, hey? Why
don't yer spake, ye d n whelp?" he angrily demanded.
" I see no justification for such harsh language as that, sir !" I
replied.
" What do yer want? damn yer," he again demanded, without
noticing my remark.
" I want to get somebody to go to a restaurant, and get me
something to eat. I've money to pay for it."
"There's yer bruckfast, an' if yer don't like it, leave it, d n
yer, and don't let me hear any more wind from that trap o' yourn,
or I'll bust.it. D'ye hear, youngster?" he said, pointing his finger
at me in a threatening manner. He said no more, but, to my
great relief, now left me.
About an hour before dark my cell door was again opened,
another pan was left on the floor and the door relocked without
a word being spoken to me. The second meal offered was pre
cisely the counterpart of the first some broth, a boiled bone, and
two ship biscuits. I paced my cell until wearied down, when I
sought my bed of straw, and slept soundly until morning. My
jailers again opened my door, and again left the same kind of
meal they had before, and removed the two pans, with their con
tents untasted. While doing so I asked when I was to have an
examination; but they only looked at me for a moment with a
vacant stare, and then locked my cell door. Hunger had now
gotten the best of me, and although I could not yet stomach the
contents of the pan, I ate the crackers with a great relish. In
the evening the same stereotyped meal was left me, and I passed
the night in the same manner as the two preceding ones.
During my sojourn in the city, I had taken pains to acquaint
myself with the "modus operand!" of its police courts, and also
its upper courts of justice, and was perfectly well aware that it
was the duty of the persons arresting me to have arraigned me
before some police justice on the following morning. I had also
informed myself concerning its gambling laws, and knew the ex
treme penalty for dealing any banking game of chance was $50 ;
consequently I had no fears in that direction. Neither did I en
tertain any concerning the thrashed McGovernites, for I had
learned positively, on the day preceding my arrest, that they
were all upon their legs again. I became convinced that these
irregular and mysterious proceedings had been taken against me
WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
for the purpose of frightening me out of my money, and I was
firmly determined that I would not be robbed in that manner.
With fretful impatience, and much inward chafing, I bore my
confinement for the first two days ; but gradually becoming more
calm, I awaited, almost with indifference, the final solution of my
affairs.
On the fourth evening of my confinement, between the unusual
hours of eight and nine* my cell door was unlocked by a tall,
thin, consumptive-looking turnkey, and I was ordered to come
forth. I followed him into a wide hall, on each side of which
were two rooms. Into one of those he ushered me, and ordered
toe to remain, after which he left me, closing the door behind him
without locking it. It was a fine large apartment decently
furnished. A plain but substantial carpet covered the floor, a
clean-looking double-bed occupied the end of the room opposite
the door, and against a large window, hung with faded silk cur
tains, stood a centre-table covered with blue cloth, on which
burned an astral lamp. On the table were several books and
papers, an ink-stand, and a decanter half filled with liquor, to
gether with two or three tumblers. Several cane-bottomed chairs
stood about the room in a disorderly manner, and its whole ap
pearance indicated that it had quite lately been occupied by a
party, and the recently used glasses proclaimed the fact that
they had been regaling themselves.
Not wishing them to have any advantage over me in that
respect, I poured some of the liquor into one of the tumblers, and,
by its smell, thought it a good article of brandy ; but to make
sure, I "put myself outside of it," in the language of the im
mortal Arternus, as speedily as possible. While engaged in
this, to me, then, very satisfactory occupation, the door was soft
ly opened, and there glided into the room a tall, cadaverous
gentleman, with a pair of gold spectacles on his nose. He was
attired in a claw-hammer coat, vest, and pants, of seedy black
broadcloth, and wore an immaculate white shirt, with- a high
standing collar, while around his neck was wound, in voluminous
folds, a white choker. His head was bald, and he wore no beard
upon his face. To judge by his bent body, pinched features,
and the thin sprinkling of gray hairs which formed a ring round
the lower part of his cranium, he was hunting up fifty years very
fast. He approached me with a smirking face, rubbing his
IN THE LOCK-UP. 297
hands together perpetually (which, on reflection afterwards, I
concluded was figuratively washing them from the clinging
filth of all the disreputable businesses in which they had been
engaged) ; he addressed me in a bland tone, with, " Good
evening, my young friend ! Taking a little comfort, eh ? Glad
to see you enjoy yourself. Be seated, pray ! " I complied with
his request, and patiently awaited his overtures. I was not
long left in suspense; for, after a few preliminary ahems, my
companion opened his batteries with, " Bad business ! Bad
business this, Mr. Grimes."
I looked towards the door, supposing he was addressing a
new comer, when I suddenly recollected that I had given the
name of Grimes to the clerk, on the night of my arrest.
"Well, I don't know, sir! It looks very pleasant here. Beg
pardon, sir; but whom have I the pleasure of addressing ?"
" Sedgewick, my dear young friend, of the firm of Sedgewick
& Snipes, Counselors and Attorneys at Law, at your service,
if you need anything in our line."
"What a singular place for a lawyer's office, Mr. Sedgewick! "
I exclaimed, gazing about the room.
" Oh ! my dear sir, our office is in Park Row. This beautiful
room belongs to Captain Smith, but he kindly allows me to use
it whenever I visit this place to aid the unfortunate."
" Who is Captain Smith ? " I inquired.
" He's the chief police officer of this precinct."
"Did the Captain send you here to consult with me? "
" Oh dear, no ! I merely saw your name on the books among
the list of prisoners, and after examining into the charges against
you, thought I could not do better than give you a call."
" Indeed, sir ! You are very kind, and I am most grateful for
it."
" Not at all ! Not at all! Don't mention it, my dear sir. The
duty of my profession is to aid the unfortunate."
" Why have they kept me here so long, without an examina
tion?" I asked.
"Because Captain Smith, who is one of the kindest-hearted
men in the world, is anxious to save you, sir ! Had your case
been pushed on at the present time, I'm afraid it would have
gone hard with you, my dear sir ! " said Mr. Sedgewick, with an
ominous shake of his head.
298 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
" Why, sir, what have I done to merit so severe a fate, sir ? "
" I see, my dear young friend, that you do not seem to realize
the perilous position in which you stand. Let me solemnly as
sure you, sir, that if matters were pushed to extremities against
you, six months on the Island would be the most lenient pun
ishment you could expect ! "
" You alarm me, Mr. Sedgewick ! Of what am I accused, sir? "
"There are several complaints against you, sir ! First, you
have been keeping a gambling house a misdemeanor which the
authorities can turn into a felony, if they wish to make an
example ; and in such a position would you stand, were your
case brought before the courts. Numerous complaints have
lately been made against gaming houses, by citizens, and the
attention of the public has been drawn to the subject. You are
also charged with keeping a disorderly place, and with having
attempted the lives of several persons there, by hiring bullies to
beat, and otherwise maltreat them, while on your premises.
Such an offense, my dear sir, if proven, would send you to Sing
Sing."
" And you say Captain Smith does not wish me to be prose
cuted!"
" He wishes to save you, sir, on account of your youth ; besides,
he believes you to have been the dupe of bad, designing men."
" Has he arrested any person concerned with this affair, with
the exception of myself ?"
" You press me too hard, my dear young friend. I cannot say,
because I do not know ; but if your case could be kept out of
court, it would relieve all others who have been in any way con
nected with you. If, my dear sir, you will leave yourself in my
hands, I will engage to snatch you from the clutches of the
relentless law. At least the firm of Sedgewick & Snipes never
yet failed to do that which they set out to do ! " he added, with
a low cackle.
" How can you clear me, Mr. Sedgewick? " I inquired.
"That's my secret, my young friend," he replied. "But this
much I'll tell you, I must prevent your case from coming before
the courts. Do you see?" he asked me, placing his forefinger
alongside of his nose, while at the same moment he winked at
me with his right eye.
" Then you think if my case goes before the courts I shall be
severely punished?"
IN THE LOCK-UP. 299
" With the rod of Nemesis, my dear young sir."
" What sort of a rod is that, sir?"
"Dear me, you're not up in mythology, sir? Nemesis, my
dear young friend, was the Grecian goddess of retributive jus
tice."
" I don't want anything to do with her, sir. But can't you get
me out of here, Mr. Sedgewick ? I don't want to stop any long
er. The soup is bad, the bread is bad, the lodging is bad, and
everything about the place is bad, excepting this brandy," I
added, seizing the decanter, pouring myself out another horn,
and tossing it down my throat.
" I will use my best endeavors, my young friend. Nay, I will
get you released!"
"But when, sir?"
" To-night, my dear young friend, if you follow my advice."
" All right, sir ; I'm ready to go anytime."
"Well, that looks something like business," he replied, with a
disagreeable smirk, and for a moment pulled his fingers till he
made them every one snap, and then resumed. "You see, Mr.
Grimes, money can do wonders, when it is in the hands of a wise
and discreet person." Stopping for a moment, he furtively re
garded me.
" Yes, sir," I replied ; " proceed, sir."
"Without money I could do nothing, absolutely nothing for
you, Mr. Grimes."
" Certainly not, sir ; but pray go on."
"Let me see," said Mr. Sedgewick, drawing towards him a
sheet of paper, and picking up a pen he dipped it delicately into
the ink. " Ahem," he exclaimed, as if in a deep study, and re
iterating the words, " let me see," a great many times, he finally
commenced muttering to himself, as he made a suppositions cal
culation on the paper. " He must have $1,000." At the same
time he jotted down the amount on the piece of paper before him.
"Yes, nothing less would do," he murmured, half inarticulately.
" Then there's Tibbetts," he muttered; "but I'll cut him down to
$200. Yes, I think that will do," he said, in an absent manner;
then turning to me, whom he'd been furtively watching during
the whole of this little by-play, he said, " My dear young friend,
it will require $1,200 to be expended on the outside, in order to
get you released. Then will come in the little bill of Snipes &
300 "WANDEKINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Sedgewick, but we will be very moderate in bur charges for
managing this delicate business, my dear sir ; we will put the
figures down at $300 very low, I assure you, sir. The sum re
quired, therefore, is $1,500, a small item, taking into considera
tion the dangers in which you are involved, my dear young
friend."
" But I haven't got so much money !"
"Dear me! I understood you were exceedingly rich. How
could you have carried on a faro-bank unless you had more than
$1,500?"
"Well, sir, I did have plenty of money, but I have lost it. My
players have won from me all I had, with the exception of what
was taken from me on the night of my arrest."
"Dear me! how very unfortunate. With less than $1,500 it
would be quite impossible for me to do anything for you, my
dear young friend. You must appeal to your friends."
"I am a stranger, and have no friends here," I answered, dog
gedly.
" Dear me ! and those persons who were concerned with you
in the gambling-house, where are they ? "
" At the time of my arrest no one was concerned there except
myself. Some time ago an old fellow was with me, but he's sold
out to me and gone now."
" Don't you think, my dear young friend, that we might find
him ? " said Sedgewick, with a sly smile.
" What ! and place him in my situation f "
" By no means, my dear young friend, but to come down with
the money and restore you to liberty."
"Not he. No! We quarreled when we parted, so there's no
hope in that quarter, and if there were, I should never know
where to find him."
" How very unfortunate. I'm sure I don't know how I can
serve you unless you can get me the money."
" I have nothing more than what was taken from me on the
night of my arrest in the prison here, sir," I replied.
" Dear me, how unfortunate ! It would be cruelty to abandon
you in your extremity of distress. No. no, we will assist you, we
will assist you," he cried, grasping me warmly by the hand.
"The firm of Snipes & Sedgewick will save you, my. dear
young sir," and while giving me this comforting assurance he-
shook me energetically by the hand.
Uf THE LOCK-tr*. 301
"I shall be ever most grateful, Mr. Sedgewick," I replied, re
turning the pressure of his snaky fingers.
"Well, then," he continued, "let me see how matters stand
now," picking up from the table, where he had dropped them,
his pen and slip of paper. " It is absolutely necessary we should
have $1,200 to obtain your release. After the accomplishment of
that, the firm of Snipes & Sedgewick will wait for their fee, my
dear young friend, until such a time as it may be convenient for
you to pay it to them. Now, my dear sir, how much money have
you in the office ? "
" One thousand and twenty- four dollars." The amount was
immediately set down on the paper before him in figures, and he
inquired, "What else f"
"A gold watch, sir."
"Ah ! yes j valued at how much, now ? "
"It cost me $150."
Mr. Sedgewick carefully set this down also on his paper, and
inquired what other property I possessed.
" A set of faro-tools, valued at $250, sir."
"What else?" he asked, with his eyes still on the paper be
fore him.
" The furniture of my room, worth about $200," I rejoined.
" According to this statement you have in money and property
$1 ,624," said the affable Sedgewick.
" But we couldn't sell the property at any such price as that
at which I've valued it, Mr. Sedgewick."
" I'm aware of that, but you would rather keep your property,
would you not?"
" Certainly, sir, if I could do so."
" Well, my dear young sir, the firm of Snipes & Sedgewick
will keep your property for you, and advance sufficient money to
make up the $1,200 which you require," said Mr. Sedgewick, in
his most insinuating tone, and peering at me over the tops of his
glasses.
"It's very generous of you, sir!" I exclaimed.
"Don't mention it ! Pray don't mention it, my esteemed young
friend," said the delighted Sedgewick.
"Now, my dear young sir, as we have come to a friendly un
derstanding, let us at once arrange this business. We must all
die sometime or other, and it is customary for wise men to set
302 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
their houses in order, for ' we know neither the day nor the
hour,' " quoted the pious Sedgewick, sanctimoniously raising his
eyes to the ceiling, "so, as I said before, it's best to have every
thing, in order, before that awful moment arrives which cuts us
off from every hold on life." This was delivered with a doleful
shake of the head. "Now, sir," he continued, "I will advauce
one hundred and seventy-six dollars to make up the requisite
twelve hundred dollars, and to secure the firm you will transfer
to it such property as you have, together with the money, etc.,
you have in the office, which can be effected by giving me an
order for it on the clerk. And, with your permission, I'll write
out the order and you can sign it, and after you have done so I
will get you released inside of fifteen minutes."
I made him no reply, and he presently placed before me a slip
of paper on which he had written the " order," and presented
me the pen he held in his hand. "Put your signature there, my
dear sir," pointing to the spot where the autograph is generally
seeu in such documents, and waited for me to place my name to
a paper that would give to a parcel of blood-suckers what money
and other property I had in the possession of the city officials.
I took the offered pen, and while holding it in my fingers care
fully read the instrument.
"You say that if I sign this I shall be at liberty in fifteen
minutes !" I inquired, looking into his face.
" In less time, my dear young friend," answered the obsequious
Sedgewick.
" But if you take everything I possess, how am I to live when
released from prison, sir ?"
" Liberty, my dear young sir, should be the first desire of man.
Sign first, please, and you'll find afterwards that the firm of Snipes
& Sedgewick will not allow one of its clients to suffer for the want
of a few dollars."
"Indeed!" I said with a sneer, dashing the pen down on tne
floor, and rising from my chair. "The firm of Snipes & Sedge
wick, and the scoundrels they are jobbing for, will find I am not
quite such a fool as they seem to have imagined. No, sir ! I shall
not sign that paper. This is a conspiracy hatched by a gang of
thieves for the purpose of robbing me, and you, you scoundrel,
are doing the dirty work of the party. But you've made a grand
mistake ! You've failed, Mr. Sedgewick 1 I've no money to waste
IN THE LOCK-TIP. 303
on black-mailers ; but I've plenty to pay honest lawyers to pros
ecute- the thieves who have kept me in prison four days without
a trial, in hopes to extort from me my money and other property
as the price of my release, instead of at once bringing me before
the Justice for examination, as it was their duty to have done."
" Dear me ! dear me ! how very ungrateful !" gasped Mr. Sedge-
wick, aghast at the totally unexpected turn affairs were taking.
" I am astonished to hear such language from your lips, ungrate
ful boy when I was doing my best to keep you out of State's
prison, too. Dear me !"
"You had better direct your efforts nearer home, and keep
yourself out, you sleek-tougued scoundrel!" I retorted.
"I'll make you repent this, you impudent-tougued puppy!"
said the highly indignant and exasperated Sedgewick, leaving the
room and slamming the door behind him.
Nearly an hour passed before any one entered the room. At
length, the person who had brought me there entered, conducted
me to my cell, and locked me up.
On the following morning, when I arose from my bed of straw,
the sunbeams were brightly dancing on the stone floor of my cell.
About an hour afterwards the door of my prison was unlocked
and I was bidden to come forth, and was again conducted to the
room where the previous evening I had enjoyed the satisfaction
of seeing the redoubtable Sedgewick retire discomfited.
The only occupant of the room was the fiery-headed Lieutenant
who had arrested me. He inquired after my health in a kind,
but patronizing tone. " Grlad to see you looking so well, Grimes;
I thought you might have some appetite this morning, so I sent
for you to breakfast with me."
I looked upon this fellow as the principal cause of my arrest,
and also of keeping me in secret confinement with the direct
purpose of robbing me. I had no proof of my suspicions, or
rather presentiments, that he was the tool of Phil McGovern,
who I did not for a moment doubt was the primary cause of all
my troubles. The bold front I had shown to their agent, Sedge
wick, had probably convinced them that they had a more
troublesome customer than they had bargained for. The invi
tation to breakfast satisfied me that a change of policy had
taken place, and that the party who held me were opening their
eyes to the fact that they had on their hands a huge elephant in
304 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the person of John Grimes. I made up my mind, however, to
behave quietly, and listen to whatever my red-headed guardian
should say to me.
I thanked him for his invitation, and told him I had been
whetting my appetite for the last four days in order to do just
ice to his breakfast.
Without making me any reply, he rang a hand-bell which was
upon the table, and it was answered by a big greasy looking
negro.
"Breakfast for two, Snowball!"
'Y-a-a-s, sir," responded Snowball, standing as rigid as a
post.
"Well, what the h 1 are you standing there for?" demanded
the Lieutenant.
"What's I ter fotch, sir?" responded Snowball, with a grin.
"Anything! Coffee, mutton-chops, eggs; and be damn quick
about it, do ye hear?"
''So you don't like old Thompson's grub, eh?" he inquired,
when Snowball had closed the door behind him.
"Who's Thompson, sir?"
"The prison cook."
"No, sir ! I should have preferred to have had my meals from
the outside, but I was not allowed to do so."
"You would have been, though, if you hadn't been so infernal
smart with that tongue o' yourn the night you was pulled."
"Indeed! I was not aware that I had so deeply offended my
jailers that they would wish to starve me in order to revenge
themselves."
"Look here, Grimes, alias Morris, take a bit ov friendly
advice, and when you get your head in the lion's mouth, draw it
out as easy as ye can, or yer might git it snapt off. And while
we're waiting for breakfast, I'll just take the opportunity to say
I'm d n sorry I was forced to pull you the other night, but you
see as how there was several complaints made to the Cap about
that there crib o' yourn, and in course he had to notice it after
awhile, an' he ordered me to pull it. I ougbter pulled it the
night o' the big row, if only to save you from being murdered by
the friends of Mooney and Delancy. How could you expect to
last, an' have a 'muss' in yer crib every night? Now do you
take a hint, an' git away from this burgh as fast as yer can.
IN THE LOCK-UP. 305-
Don't you be a fool ! You've made enemies here that don't for
get nor forgive nothin', an' they're powerful here, an' the worst
set o' men iu the city. I'm advisin' yer fur yer good, an' if yer
don't take it, yer friends may find yer missin' some fine day."
" Then you're going to discharge me ? "
"Yes, I shan't make any complaint agin yer; I didn't want
ter du it, an' I've asked the Cap ter let yer go, an' he's done it."
"Who were the persons who complained against my 'crib,' as
you call it?"
"We never answer such questions as them, youngster, and
the least said about the matter is the soonest mended. I'll give
yer your money and watch, if you promise me faithful, you'll
leave the city to-day."
"What have you done with my faro-tools, and the furniture?"
"All gambling appurtenances, wherever found, are confiscated
by the laws of the State."
"Not until after conviction, I believe, and then the power of
confiscation lies in a Judge of one of the upper courts," I said, in
an uuimpassioued voice.
"Yer want to teach me the law, do yer? Now you take what's
offered yer, and be damn thankful you've got off so easy."
"I'm sorry to say, Lieutenant, that I don't feel in the least;
thankful for your offer, nor shall I accept it. Now, let us under
stand each other perfectly. Your 'pulling' me, as you term it,
I am perfectly satisfied was a put-up job between yourself and
McGoveru, because I did not choose to be black-mailed into
giving him an interest into my game, where he had not put
in a single cent of money. He wanted to break up my game,
and have me robbed by you. You joined him, nothing loth.
You have broken up my game, but you shan't rob me out of one
single cent, if I can help it. You had one of your 'Shysters'
here in this room last night, trying to scare me into giving him
an order for my money and property. He failed, and that
should have satisfied you that I am not going to suffer myself
to be robbed so easily. You are anxious for me to leave the
city I am perfectly aware why you are so, and am also willing
to accommodate you, because I don't like trouble, and don't care
about distributing my money to lawyers, if I can get along with
out it. But if you keep back from me one cent's worth, which
is mine, I'll spend every dollar I possess, trying to bring you
306 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
and those concerned with you, to punishment, for falsely im
prisoning me ! Now, will you give me my property or not?"
"I'm only here to obey the Cap's orders," he answered, gruff
ly, "and I can't do nothing only what he tells me to."
"Then, Lieutenant, it's entirely useless for us two to have any
further conversation on this subject." I had barely finished
when Snowball made his appearance with the breakfast tray on
his head. In silence we ate it, although the negro was ordered
from the room as soon as he had arranged it on the table. I
thought my man was anxious I should resume the conversation,
but I felt in no way disposed to gratify him. When he had fin
ished his meal, he arose from the table, lit a cigar, and after
giving five or six savage whiffs, he again turned to me and said,
in a pompous tone, "Grimes, I did want to get you out of this
scrape, as easy as possible, but you're as obstinate as a mule,
and there's no use talking to you."
" Not the least, Lieutenant ; I've told you what I wanted, and
what I would do, and you can accept or reject it, just as you
like," I said, in the same unimpassioned voice as I had all along
conducted the interview.
"What the h 1 do yer expect to do about it, if yer don't git
yer things ? " he demanded, in a voice choked with passion.
" That's my business," I replied.
"You're a d n fool. You'd fight the police, eh? C 1!
Who the h 1 is going to listen to the complaints of a dirty
blackleg!"
"I don't know, but I'll try and see if the police are allowed
first to break into a man's premises without the warrant of a
magistrate, then arrest a man, and keep him in prison day after
day, without preferring any charges against him, for the purpose
of robbing him of his money and valuables."
"Now look here, youngster! don't let that there tongue o'
yourn wag too strong. Enny more o' your sass, an' I'll send yer
back to yer cell, an' leave yer there till ye're fergot ! ''
"I fear your threats as little as I esteem your advice," I
retorted.
His red face ablaze with anger, and the gleam of hate that
shone in the ruffian's eyes, showed me plainly that the villain's
fingers were itching to be at my throat. But I was perfectly
tranquil, and satisfied that my property would be restored to me.
IN THE LOCK-UP. 307
Eager as I was for revenge upon those who had broken up my
business, and caused me to be imprisoned, I was perfectly aware
of the obstacles I had to encounter if I tried to carry out my
scheme. Any trumped-up charge might be brought on, and a
dozen suborned witnesses procured, who would swear to its
truth. I was fully cognizant of the dangers which stared me in
the face when I declared war on the police, and was well con
tent to leave the city and its dangers and quicksands, if I could
get back my property. It was, with me, a matter of pride, that
I should not let my enemies triumph over me so much as to get
my money and valuables ; and I verily believe, at that time, I
would sooner have lost every cent I was possessed of, in the ordi
nary way of play, than be black-mailed out of a single dollar by
these scoundrels. I well knew the McGovernites would not fail to
do me an ill turn whenever it might be in their power, on account
of the warm reception I had gotten up for their benefit; but
their enmity I cared but very little about, but when united with
the machinations of a powerful and unscrupulous police, who
had already injured me, and who knew I was willing, if not able,
to retaliate upon them for the wrongs which I had suffered at
their hands, I was satisfied that my presence in New York city
was fraught with danger to myself, and the sooner I left the place,
the better.
When the Lieutenant had allowed his temper to cool down a
little, he told me he should send me back to my cell until he had
consulted with his Cap, as he termed him, relative to my affairs.
Accordingly, a bell was rung, and I was again delivered over to
my jailer, and put under lock and key. The clock was striking
one as I was once more brought into the room, and the presence
of the red-headed Lieutenant. "Well, Grimes!" he said, "the
Cap's consented to give you all your things, provided you leave
the city to-night."
" But I cannot ! I must sell my furniture before I go," I said,
coolly.
" How much do you want for it? "
"Two hundred dollars."
" Then I'll give you a hundred."
"No, sir! The sideboard alone cost that amount; but to
facilitate matters, I'll take a hundred and fifty."
" Very well ! I'll give it," and seizing a pen, he made a bill
WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
of sale of my furniture, which he pushed over to me, and ordered
me to sign it. I did so, after I had read it over carefully. He
then handed me the sum agreed upon, $150. "Now, sir,
which way are you going to travel ? " he inquired, with some
appearance of interest.
" To Richmond," I answered.
"There's a boat leaves for Richmond at four o'clock this
afternoon. I'll have a carriage to come for you in ample time."
"But there's my baggage at the hotel, and my bill there,
which I must see paid," I cried.
"I'll attend to that, if you'll give me an order for your
baggage."
- "Several articles of my clothing are hanging round my room,
and all my things are in more or less confusion. I must attend
to them, and pack my trunk myself."
"You can't go!'' he said, in a determined tone. "Give me
an order, and I'll get all that belongs to you, every article, and
have them brought to this room."
I did as he ordered me, and in something less than an hour's
time my baggage, complete in every respect, arrived. When
I had expressed myself satisfied, he brought me my watch and
money, and after I had given him a receipt, as he desired me,
he asked me if I had any more commands. I told him that, on
our way to the boat, I wished to call at the Bank of North
America. He promised to do so, though some distance out of
our way. He then brought my kit of faro-tools, which were
packed in my valise. I arranged all my belongings to my satis
faction, and then signified to my red-headed friend that I was
ready to emigrate. Without making me any reply, he shook his
hand-bell, and Snowball appeared in answer to the summons.
Take this trunk and other baggage, and put it on the carriage
at the door. When Snowball had duly performed this duty,
he turned to me with a gruff " Come along." When we got to
the door I saw a carriage, and my plunder stowed away round
the driver's legs. " Get in ! " said the Lieutenant, holding the
door in his hand. I did so. He then whispered a few words to
the coachman, and then followed me into the carriage ; and in a
moment more we were rolling over the city pavements at a
rapid pace.
"Have you ordered the driver to stop at the Bank of North
IN THE LOCK-UP. 309
America f ' I inquired after we had gotteu fairly under way. He
nodded, laid back on his seat, and spoke not a word until we
drew up before the bank.
"Here's the bank, be quick !" he said to me.
A few moments sufficed for me to draw up a check for the
amount. I had deposited. When I had received my money, -and
again entered the carriage, the Lieutenant sung out, " To the boat,
Holmes!" Not another word passed the lips of either till the
lauding was reached. My luggage having been put aboard, I
consulted my watch, and found we had at least a quarter of an
hour before the steamer would leave. I made my way to the
after-cabin, and, to my vexation and annoyance, I discovered my
red-headed guardian still at my heels. " You don't intend to
travel with me, I suppose ?" I said, testily.
" No !" answered my tormentor, with the utmost calmness, " but
I'll keep my eye on you till the boat starts." He took a step to
wards me, put his hand on the collar of my coat, and whispered
in my ear, " Don't you ever come into this city again, youngster,
or it won't be healthy for ye."
" Neither you nor your dirty clique own New York," I replied,
defiantly, " and I will come here when I please, in spite of you."
"Will you, though?" he hissed in my ear. "If I ever catch
you here, I'll send you up the river, remember that." He van*
ished from my side, and in a few moments we were steaming
down the bay of New York. Neither of my valiant guardians,
Kline or Jones, nor yet -Chapin, did I ever see again since the
eventful night of my arrest by the red-headed Lieutenant. Neither
did I ever hear of my servant who waited on the door, and to
whom I owed a few days' wages. McGovern was killed in the
summer of 1857 in one of the rows between the Plug-Uglies and
the Dead-Rabbits. For the relief of decent people he did not die
a moment too soon.
310 WANDEIUNGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XX V.
BOXERS.
We are indebted to England for many noble pastimes, and
none stands more prominent among them than that of the prize-
ring. At what period this manly sport first became fashionable
among the Britishers, I am unable to say I doubt if they can
themselves and I have never yet enjoyed the acquaintance of a
single prize-fighter whose historical recollections went beyond
his own first appearance in the ring, either as second or prin
cipal. That the prize-ring has been for more than three cen
turies a favorite sport among the English, is unquestionable. It
has been patronized by the patrician and the plebeian, and those
of gentle blood have frequently " shucked themselves," and con
tended with the peasant for the honors of the ring. It is true
that this sport has had opponents in England, as well as in this
country. Strange as it may appear, men have been so insane as
to declare the manly art brutal and demoralizing, and statesmen
in England have at different periods endeavored to suppress it by
act of Parliament; but the besotted prejudices of such old fogies
were condemned, as they deserved, by the almost unanimous
voice of the people. No statesman has ever made himself popu
lar among the English by advocating the destruction of any of
their national sports. Within the last thirty years the prize-
ring has not only lost much of its pristine purity, but has fallen
into discredit, and from the once proud position it held in the
hearts of the people of Great Britain. While in London, I heard
a veteran of the ring bewail the degeneracy of the times some
what in the following strain: " Why, blarst it, when I was a lad
a prize-fighter wus a nobby cove ; the swells wus his pals, an'
he'd blunt by the fist-fulls. Why, when a pair o' well matched
coves went hiuter trainin' for a battle, ye'd see the nobs drivin'
to the trainin'-ground, with their tandems, hand their coaches
an' four's, just as if they were goin' to receive some blarsted
furrin prince. Hevery day the papers would be looked hinter the
first thing, ter find out in what condition the men stood, and
what price they were backed at. Damn it, if 'twar a run for the
Darby the bookmakin' couldn't be 'eavier, or more excitiu'.
BOXJSKS. 311
When the day o' battle comes, there was no sneakin' round ter
git rid o' ther peelers. The noosepapers told the people where
the battle would come off; 'twas a free blow to heverybody, hand
them as couldn't ride would walk to the grounds, hand room
wus made fur heverybody to see the sport. On the ground
would be the nobility hand the gentry hiu their coaches, hand
hamong 'em you'd see ladies with their 'ands full o' bank-notes
hand guineas, back in' their man, same as the swells. Blarst it !
hit makes a man feel young again, ter think o' the good old times.
None o' yer blarsted swell-mobs broke up the ring then if their
coves couldn't win, none o' yer bloody duffers wus chosen fur re
ferees ; but blooded gentlemen, the first hin the laud, who'd see
the best man win. But look at the blarsted mills the blaggards
git up now-a-days ! Blarst it, they're bloody 'umbugs ! Two
coves his matched, ha great blow his made habout it when they're
trainin' fur battle. The sportiu' papers his squared to blow up
the men an' the match; the honest patrons o' the ring his told
that the ground hand the day o' battle must be kept secret, cos
why ? the peelers will break up the mill. Three or four nights
before it's ter take place, tickets is sold fur a place hon the ground
hand hin the railroad-car, hat one, two, three, or four soverings
apiece. A train o- cars his 'ired to take the spectators ter the
ground, baud when hit gets a mile or so outside o' Lunnon hit
stops, hand they hare hinformed there's no fight, cos the peelers
'as pulled the coves. Hif they hask their blunt back, they gits
a laugh for their pains. The whole thing his a bloody 'umbug
from first to last. Heven the blarsted peelers his squared to pull
the coves. Hif hits an honest mill hits broke hup hin a row be
fore the bloody duffers as backs the thrashed cove will give up
their blunt. No gentleman ought ter go ter one o' their blarsted
mills; hif he does -'es robbed, cos hall the thieves hand pick
pockets o' Lunnon's there."
We Americans have always been a fighting people ; if lead or
steel has not been brought into action, the combatants have
gone at each other rough-and-tumble, kick, strike, punch, bite,
scratch or gouge, all of which were considered fair. To assist
in the polishing of these rough traits in our character, England
has at divers times sent us over professors in the manly art of
self-defense. At first, these honorable parties confined their ex
ertions to the large cities on our seaboard. Their schools and
312 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
sparring exhibitions were liberally patronized by the English,
Irish, and Scotch element in our population, and also by sailors.
At first, our roughs viewed these innovations of new-fangled
fighting arrangements with scorn and contempt, very much as
wild animals might regard fire-arms before learning to dread
them. But a rough-and-tumble bully soon discovered himself
at a great disadvantage, when faced by a shoulder-hitter who
could score one on his nob once a minute and coolly step out of
the reach of punishment himself. What he at first despised he
was now eager to seek, and the boxer became his preceptor also.
But the labors of these professors were not confined to the im
provement of the rowdy element. Men of respectability, wealth,
and even refinement, became their pupils. In order to give a
nobler tone to this science, the ring, which, until 1830, had been
in the hands of sailors and the lower classes of the foreign ele
ment in the population, was brought forward for the entertain
ment of a more respectable, if not more enlightened class. Those
who had established their fame in the prize-ring of Great Britain
flocked to this country to enlighten its inhabitants in the art of
self-defense. Of these gladiators the Irish were perhaps the best,
and certainly the most numerous ; and when two of these were
matched for a mill it generally came off as quietly as a prize-fight
can ever be expected to come off. But let an Irishraam be pit
ted against a Scotchman or Englishman, and a row was pretty
generally the result; invariably, if it so happened he could not
hold his own against his adversary the clannish disposition of
the Irish forbidding them to see one of their countrymen lose
the fight for the want of a little "heeling and tapping." Many
noted English prize-fighters have tried their fortunes against
those of Irish birth, in the rings of this country, almost invaria
bly to meet with humiliating defeat. Knowing they could ex
pect neither friendship nor fair dealing from the Irish, they sought
sympathy of the American roughs, and chose for their colors the
. national stars and stripes ; but their adopted banner could not
save them from throwing up the sponge before the green sham
rock. The partisan and domineering spirit shown by the Irish
at all ring-fights, where one of their countrymen was a cham
pion, and their unmanly disposition towards foul play, had a
tendency to combine against them the rough element of all other
. nationalities, uud in this. manner were created two rival factions
BOXERS. 313
in New York and Philadelphia, and to some extent in Boston.
Had these rowdy partisans settled their disputes in the prize-
ring, instead of in drinkiug-saloous and around polling-booths,
the cities named would have escaped many of the bloody and
disgraceful scenes which they witnessed. But it seems to have
been destined otherwise; when local politics marshaled the
hostile rowdy factious into their ranks, from that moment the
prize-ring became a political power, and one of the established
institutions of the country. These factions were Ireland and
Young America in the ring. At first, in politics, Democrats and
Native Americans, and when the Know Nothing banner was flung
to the breeze, "Dead -Babbits" and " Plug-Uglies." Deep and
sore was the humiliation of Young America that she could not,
from her own soil, produce a hero capable of maintaining her
supremacy in the prize-ring. The champions of her adoption
were entirely of foreign birth, and from a country which she de
spised and hated ; even these had proven failures. The jeers of
her hated foes rankled deeply in her breast. When it came to
combats on the brick-bat, slung-shot, " knock-down and drag-
out" principle, her champions could "whale blazes" out of the
" Micks," but in a forty foot ring they found -'themselves no
where. We had a tremendous country, we had the largest
lakes, swamps, and rivers, the biggest forests and tallest timber ;
we raised the most corn, cotton, tobacco, and pumpkins ; built
the best and fastest ships, and could man them with sailors able
to whip all creation ; we had the largest hotels and steamboats,
and the largest railroads, and blew up and smashed up more
people than all the world beside ; we had the best military acad
emy on earth, the finest schools and colleges, better preachers,
abler statesmen, and more eloquent orators ; and the Englisher
always said, "you know," we had the cleverest rascals, and more
of them than any country on the face of the globe. But as John
Bull has always been somewhat jealous of us, any of his state
ments regarding us should be taken with the proverbial " grain
of salt." But notwithstanding all the blessings showered upon
up by an indulgent Providence, we were denied a first-class
bruiser to sustain our honor in the prize-ring, and like Haman of
old, " all this availed as nothing while Mordecai sat at the king's
gate ; " and if it was intended as a punishment for our trans
gressions we certainly felt the infliction keenly. But at length
314 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the days of our mourning were ended, and a champion arose
whose prowess redeemed his country's fame. The hero was no
whitewashed American, but one who sprung from the soil, and of
an unblemished pedigree. Tom Hyer, in the spring of 1849,
restored our long tarnished fame by suitably pummeliug
Yankee Sullivan in a forty foot ring. The latter was the victor
of a dozen battles, and one of the best light-weight pugilists in
the world.
American vanity claims that Burgoyne's surrender at Sara
toga was one of the fifteen decisive battles of the world. His
torians tell us that it brought more hope and joy to the de
sponding patriots than any other battle of the Revolution. It
sent a thrill of exultation throughout the struggling laud, which
was only equaled when the electric news flashed over the
wires, that the heroic Thomas had, in a battle of seventeen
rounds, pounded the celebrated " Yankee Sullivan" nearly out
of all semblance to humanity. The victory was regarded in the
light of a new leaf added to our national laurels, by thousands
who would not countenance a prize-fighter nor adorn a "mill"
with their presence. It is true, it was believed by many that
Sullivan ''threw off" the fight, but " kickers" will be found in
every country. For the first time in the annals of the country,
New York city had produced a celebrity a Hyer ! who had re
deemed his country, not exactly from the chains of a tyrant,
but from what entitled him to certainly as much gratitude, the
vile reproaches of insulting foreigners, that we were unable to
produce a thorough-bred boxer on our own soil. To Young
America he was the beau ideal of all that was great and noble,
the finest gentleman in the laud, and "could whip any d d fur-
rin scoundrel that could be imported." He became a sort of
deity; but, like many of those of the fabulous ages, he lacked all
the attributes. He had neither brains nor education sufficient
to make him a political leader, when his popularity might have
carried him. He squandered the money lavished upon him by
his admirers, with a reckless hand, until he became a burden
upon them, when they shook him off. He tried to replenish his
revenues by terrorizing over certain gamblers of New York.
Some of these for a while submitted to his extortions ; but
others would not give him thftr money, nor submit to have their
games broken up, unless he was disposed to go up against lead,
BOXERS. 315
or cold steel articles held in wholesome awe, invariably, by your
muscle expounder. He finally died in a state of destitution, in
1864, and was buried by tbe cbarity of his friends.
For several years before Hyer's victory over Sullivan, the
prize-ring was a political power. Upon the fighter who estab
lished his reputation in the ring, were showered wealth and
honors. Being too ignorant in all cases to fill any sort of office,
they were usually presented by their admirers with a gorgeous
driukiug-saloou, which became the general resort of all rowdies
of whichever faction was so fortunate as to enroll them under
its banner. In this manner did the prize-fighter find "great
ness thrust upon him," and became prominent as a ward poli
tician. Aspirants for political favor sought his society, and
both by flattery and bribes courted his political influence, and
woe to the unlucky candidate who refused to do so, or in any
manner expressed his disapprobation of the P. R. ; he very shortly
found himself compelled to take a back seat. The result of this
was that the city offices were filled with none but the ignorant
and the corrupt; men who had only the twofold object, to assist
their friends politically, and to enrich themselves at the expense
of the citizens. Had the two factions coalesced instead of split
ting up into parties bitterly jealous of each other's power, the
wealth and power of the city had been prostrate under its feet.
But fortunately for the citizens, it split into two factious, and
very turbulent ones. Both had their fashionable head-quarters
as well as their newspapers, which kept the people at large post
ed up with regard to each match that was made, the course of
training underwent by the respective champions, as well as their
biographies, in which their virtues and the important services
they had rendered to the prize-ring were duly recorded. Re
porters belonging to the most respectable papers were on hand,
as well as artists with their pencils, to transmit to posterity the
most insignificant incident of the fight, from the building of the
ring to the throwing up of the sponge. Whenever one of the illus
trious lights of the P. R. died, or, as more frequently happened,
was killed, the remains of the illustrious hero would be followed
to its last resting place by a splendid funeral cortege, accom
panied by bands of music, with muffled drums; all the gin-shops,
coffee-houses, and sometimes the public buildings, were draped
in black. A stranger arriving in the city, and seeing this " pomp
316 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
and circumstance," would naturally suppose that the nation
mourned one of her most illustrious and honored sons.
The Mexican war afforded some slight relief to the cities of
New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and New Orleans, by freeing
them of some of their rowdies. Boston sent out to Mexico one
regiment of her roughs, Philadelphia two, while New York sent
one to join the army under General Scott, and another to Cali
fornia. New Orleans sent two six months regiments, but they
were disbanded after a two months' residence in the swamps of
the Rio Grande, with the exception of those among them -whose
bones were laid there by disease. On the whole, not more than
one-half of those sent out ever returned to their homes ; the
remainder either having been killed in battle, or died from
diseases peculiar to the country. The next drain upon the
"rough" element in our large cities, was the California excite
ment ; but with the growth of these cities, particularly New
York and Philadelphia, increased the rowdy element, which,
until the commencement of our civil war, held the political
power. That event not only greatly thinned out those gentry,
but almost entirely destroyed their ruffianly rule. New Orleans
sent at least fifteen hundred of the worst hell-hounds that ever
disgraced humanity, to the Confederate armies in Virginia and
Arkansas ; and Louisville sent as many as five hundred of her
Plug-Uglies to fight for the Confederacy, and Baltimore fur
nished more than one thousand ; but these last, instead of seizing
their muskets and " dying in the last ditch," became spies and
informers. On the first call "to arms," Philadelphia sent five or
six regiments of roughs down into Virginia; those among them
who escaped the ravages of disease, and the battle, returned
homo after being mustered out of a three years' service, and
could never be induced to enlist afterwards. Since their return
they vote the Democratic ticket to a man, which enables them
to almost control the city government. When the news of the
bombardment of Fort Surater reached New York, the rowdy
element, boiling over with patriotism, formed themselves into
several regiments, some of which were officered with shining
lights of the P. R. Officers and men left the city with the idea
that they were going to "chaw up" the "secesh," body and
bones ; but if any among them ever returned from the front,
covered with the glory of heroic deeds, the recording scribes of
BOXERS. 317
the war have either been too prejudiced to do them justice, or
have forgotten it entirely. A regiment of these coves, calling
themselves the "Fire Zouaves," who had blown their trumpets
remarkably loud, and threatened the Southrons with a doom
as sanguinary as the color of their own breeches, were brought
into action for the first time at the battle of Bull Run. They
only waited to hear one volley from the guns of the "seceshers,"
but threw down their muskets and started for Washington, a
distance of nearly thirty miles, and never stopped until they
reached it ; on the principle, doubtless, that
" He who fights and runs away
May live to fight another day ;
But he who is in battle slain
Can never hope to fight again."
Since the last terrible uprising of the roughs, in the summer of
1863, which is still fresh in the minds of all, these gentry have
learned that it is not wise for them to indulge in such demon
strations, and have been kept in pretty good subjection.
Plug-Uglyism, Dead-Rabbitism, and Thuggery, have passed
away with the days in which they flourished, but the material of
which they were composed still remains, though now held in
salutary check by a well-disciplined police force, backed by the
bayonets of the military. The rowdy element still flourishes,
and is still a power in the cities of New York and Philadelphia,
and a united one. In these cities, the commission of brutal
murders by election roughs is of almost daily occurrence in
times of excitement, and the perpetrators walk abroad in open
day, fearlessly, as it is seldom one is punished for his atrocious
conduct. Bands of organized thieves are continually committing
their depredations on the community, and are either allowed to
go ''scot free," or, if arrested, to purchase their freedom, or in
some way escape the punishment they so richly deserve; be
cause, to a man, on election days, they work to elevate their
chosen friends to office. The detectives "stand in" with the
thieves. Justice is administered by- an unscrupulous set of men,
whose decisions are often more in accordance with their feelings,
and those of their friends, than strict justice; consequently the
laws are enforced only against obscure or friendless persons.
Let any unfortunate render himself obnoxious to any of the prom
inent politicians of New York, a charge is trumped up against
318 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
him, and villains are suborned to swear away his liberty, or per
haps even his life. None who have read "Monte Christo," I
think, could fail to shudder at the horrible villainy which con
signed Edmond Dantes to the Chateau D'lf, and felt relieved
to think the whole terrible tale was but the creation of a fertile
brain. Reader, men innocent of every crime have been placed
at the bar of justice in New York city, and their liberty sworn
away by villains hired for that purpose. Such acts are no secret
to hundreds of people in the city, many among them being
practicing lawyers, well versed in all the cunning artifices used
at the criminal bar men who are considered highly respectable,
occupy pews in prominent churches, and outwardly strictly ob
serve all the religious duties of their creed; like the Jews of old,
they keep the outside of the platter clean, but within, "all is
rottenness and dead men's bones." Why should they raise their
voice in behalf of some poor, wronged, obscure wretch, who can
bring them no glory, and has not even a cent to pay them?
Why should they draw upon themselves the enmity of a power
ful political clique, only for the sake of seeing justice done, and
gain nothing material by it either?
But why should any one desire to send an innocent man to
State's prison? Just so; but why are some people so anxious
sometimes to send a rich relative to the lunatic asylum? Be
cause they have something to gain by it. Policy, gain, revenge,
or lust, are generally the whips with which the devil scourges on
mankind to the commission of such deeds.
A person knowing more than might be desirable of the affairs,
or perhaps the previous life of some powerful individual, high in
authority, might some day ventilate his knowledge, possibly
before a court of justice; but if his wisdom is railroaded to
State's prison, his evidence becomes harmless. A poor, but
ambitious young fellow may become popular in the ward where
he lives. Such rising eaglets are, if recalcitrant, always objects
of inquietude to the reigning political favorite, who thinks the
sooner their wings are clipped, the better. The Thugs of New
Orleans would have handed such as these over to the assassins ;
but these little affairs are managed in a more humane manner
by the political powers of New York city. With the assistance
of a pliable judge, a clever lawyer, and three or four suborned
witnesses, he is ticketed and handed over to the keepers of
BOXERS. 319
Sing Sing for a few years. Love, or rather lust, has sometimes
had something to do with this extraordinary railroading. A
handsome wife, sister, or daughter, may he a desired object, and
their honor may be protected as far as in them lies by a husband,
father, or brothers. Should these prove troublesome, and love
honor better than money, the easiest way, perhaps, of removing
them out of the path of the seducer, is to railroad them into the
State's prison; not a difficult task, if the modus -operandi be
well understood. Witness the following extract from the Her
ald, (New York), Dec. 23rd, 1869:
A WAIF FROM THE OKIENT.
On the application of Mr. David B. Philip, a writ of habeas
corpus was granted yesterday, by Judge Troy, of Brooklyn, in
the case of Miss Hentus Harootuma, who had been sent to the
penitentiary for the term of two months, by Justice Lynch, on a
charge of malicious trespass. The lady, who is a native of
Turkey, finely educated, and highly accomplished, is about
twenty-five years of age, and very prepossessing, was brought
into the Court of Sessions yesterday, when Mr. A. Bedrosiara,
who appeared on behalf of Mr. C. C. Oscanyan, the Turkish
Consul, acted as her interpreter, and stated her case to the
Court. From her story, it would appear that she was the vic
tim of the most despicable outrage. A year or so ago, she says,
a man named C. H. Christian, a confectioner on Fulton Avenue,
Brooklyn, formed her acquaintance in Turkey, and induced her
to elope with him to this country. She had considerable money
at the time, amounting to within something like four hundred
pounds sterling, and on his promising to make her his wife as
soon as they arrived in this country, she gave him her money,
and consented to elope with him from her home, and followed
him to America. On reaching this country, Christian established
a confectionery store, with the money he had obtained, but re
fused to marry her, and recently, when she asked him for some
money, acted in a very violent manner towards her. On the
5th inst. he had her arrested, taken before Justice Lynch, and
sent to Raymond Street Jail for ten days. On the day of her
release she again returned to the house of her betrayer, and
rung the door-bell. Christian appeared at the door, she says,
320 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
and ordered her away. Having DO other home, and not know
ing where to go, she refused to leave the house, when he again
caused her arrest. On this occasion he made a charge of tres
pass, and, at his solicitation, the Justice seut her to the Kings
County Penitentiary at Flatbush for two mouths. The atten
tion of the Turkish Consul was called to the case, aud through
him the unfortunate woman was liherated from prison. Judge
Troy looked upon her case as one deserving a great deal of
sympathy, and called the attention of the District Attorney to it,
as one it would be just and proper to submit to the grand jury.
He said ho had in several instances been compelled to release
parties sent to prison by Justices, where no proper complaint
had been made, and he thought it time,, now, that the attention
of the grand jury was called to it. The lady was promptly dis
charged.
Respectability makes a charge of trespass against Obscurity,
and solicits Justice to send obnoxious Obscurity to prison for two
mouths. The obsequious Justice grants the request of voting
Respectability. Humanity steps in and takes Obscurity before
a higher tribunal, which at once decides that the prisoner has
been deprived of her liberty without sufficient cause, and orders
her to be released. The Justice also informs the District Attor
ney that this is by no means the first instance in which he has
been compelled to release parties from prison where no proper
aud sufficient complaint was made against them. There's jus
tice for you ! in the laud of the free and the home of the brave !
where the " star-spangled banner," flaunting to the breeze, in
vites the down-trodden and oppressed, from the four quarters of
the globe, to come aud take shelter under its broad aegis, prom
ising all equal rights before the law. What a mockery !
PERSECUTION. 321
CHAPTER XXVI.
PEKSECUTION.
Up to the commencement of the civil war few gamblers have
been so fortunate as to escape being preyed upon in some man
ner by desperadoes, rowdies, black-mailers, or rascally officials,
reckless assassins, and rowdies. These worthies in the Southern
and Border States and territories would not coolly "bonnet" a
dealer and deprive him of his bank, in that freebooter style so
much in vogue among the rowdies of the North. In the laud of
chivalry the rights of property were generally too highly respect
ed to tolerate such bare-faced robberies ; but in some sections,
where armed violence had full sway, it might not be safe, at
times, for a strange gambler to put down his money on a table.
What gamblers principally had to dread from Southern and
Border State ruffians was having their games broken up by vio
lence, their valuable patrons driven from their banks in conse
quence of their bets being stolen from the lay-out, or gross
abuse, if not violent assault from some desperate ruffian, because
unwilling to hand over to him their money at his mere request.
The gambler was sometimes not only forced to witness such
outrages on his players, without power to protect them, but that
he might be allowed to carry on his business was often compell
ed to disgorge to the ruffians forced loans. They frequently,
too, chose his crowded room as the arena where they settled
their feuds; pulling out tbeir pistols and banging away at each
other with the greatest imaginable looseness, and the most su
preme disregard for the safety of the other inmates; or perhaps
while the business of the house was in full blast a band of these
ruffians would enter and amuse themselves by shooting out the
lights, and otherwise terrifying and molesting the patrons until
they had dispersed them.
Peaceable citizens would naturally be deterred from visiting a
place where such scenes were constantly transpiring, and the
efforts of the owner to protect his game, had he the temerity to
make any, would place his life in constant jeopardy.
In New York and Philadelphia^ and many other Northern
cities, the gambler having the temerity to open his bank without
322 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
securing the protection of some rowdy leader, was almost sure to
be robbed. Should he set up his bauk on Ann street, the Bow
ery, Chatham, or Barclay Streets, and all persons be privileged
to play at it, he might count himself fortunate if one day's grace
was allowed him without having a blanket twisted over his head
and his person relieved of whatever valuables he carried upon
it. Should his ambition soar above such mediocre places, and
induce him to fit up a respectable room and open a bauk in it for
select players only, the rowdies would make a descent on him,
break down his door, run all the players out of the place, and
steal everything they could lay hands on, and whatever they
could not carry off they maliciously destroyed. While strangers
were suffering all the indignities described, a dozen or more
banks in the city carried on their business without fear of mo
lestation. Their dealers were neither "bonneted" nor robbed,
nor in any respect disturbed at their business. The police nor
the rowdies dared raid them, because they were under the pro
tection of the rowdy chiefs.
Many gamblers are still living who remember the establish
ment at No. 10 Ann Street, the famous "Tapis Franc." The
front room, which was on the ground floor, contained a bar, on
the English ale-house plan. Immediately behind this was
another long narrow room, where various games of chance were
played, such as chuck, roulette, twenty-one, and faro. The
patrons of this house were from almost every grade of society .
merchants, bankers and lawyers, came here to solace their lei
sure hours by a combat with the "tiger," as well as city politi
cians of every grade, from the alderman to the pot-house spout-
er. Garroters, pickpockets, and slavers frequented the place
all were welcome, so long as they came with money in their
hands. The ill-gotten gains of the footpad were as welcome to
the proprietors of the "Tapis Franc" as the revenue of the
millionaire, provided one bet as freely as the other. But if any
of the roughs frequenting the house conceived the idea that they
could grab any of the banks by "bonneting" the dealers, or
breaking up by violence the games, they soon received strong
demonstration of their error, for the proprietors were complete
masters of the logic of the "knock-down and drag-out" ar
gument, and if overpowered by numbers, or any way over
matched, a single cry of " Police ! " brought a detachment of blue-
coated city guardians to the rescue.
PERSECUTION. 323
No. 98 Barclay Street was another resort of the roughs to play
at faro. The banks here were generally snaps, and the com
pany of the most abandoned and turbulent description. But
they would not rob each other of their bank money; the old
adage which enjoins "honor among thieves "was in force to
that extent among them. A captain of police would as soontake
his men into the heart of the Comanche nation, when all the
warriors were on the " war-path" to avenge some injury done
them by the whites, and attempt to capture their chief, as to
enter 98 Barclay Street and arrest one of its patrons. No gamb
ler having any respect for his money, if knowing the character
of the place, would dream of opening a bank there, though there
was plenty of money among the crowd who frequented it. It is
related that eight dealers were successively blanketed and rob
bed there of their money and other valuables.
At that time it was simply impossible for any gambler to con
duct a game in New York city, without the countenance and
protection of some rowdy leader. Gamblers have repeatedly
arrived here, from the East, South, and West, bringing with
them plenty of funds, and invested them in fitting up houses,
where they desired to entertain a less dangerous and objection
able class of customers, and to do so in a more agreeable and re
fined manner than they had previously been received in such
places ; but the moment the roughs learned that they were to
be excluded, they burst open the doors, rushed in upon the par
ties, and stole or destroyed everything of the slightest value
they could lay their hands on. During these raids, the proprie
tors and their patrons might consider themselves indeed fortu
nate, did they escape to the street with unbroken bones and a
whole skin. On the day following one of these raids, a leading
rough would call on the despoiled gambler, and condole with
him on the rough usage he had received, and advise him to give
his friend "Larry Reilly," or some other Hibernian appellation
equally euphonious, an interest in his game. " A d n dacent
fellow. None o' the blaggards '11 come snakin' round where
Larry is. They've tasted his mutton too often for that, an be
the same token he's a gintlemau ivery inch av 'im sure ; he knows
all the valuable players here, an' they like him too. Take him
in wid ye's ; he'll make yer fortin fur ye."
The gambler, having already gone to considerable expense,
324 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
feels that he cannot afford to abandon the enterprise, if he can
procure protection enough to secure him against such raids in
future, so he consents to give "the dacent man, Larry Reilly,"
an interest in his game, without his risking a single cent in it
himself. Larry, who belongs to a political ring, has gained his
point. 'Twas he put up the job to have the house raided, suc
ceeded, and is now duly installed as one of its proprietors and
its protector. He has probably just sufficient knowledge of gam
bling to play a game of euchre or romps for " drinks all round"
in some rum-mill; but among the roughs he is all-powerful, and
when he " opes his lips no dog must bark." Let him but raise
his finger, and the most turbulent among them is reduced to in
stant obedience. Should any person try to black-mail the house
during his connection with it, he will get his head " mashed" for
his pains.
About the time of the breaking out of our civil war, the roughs
of New York were beginning to learn that even a gambling-
house was entitled to legal protection. A Mr. William Mulligan,
duelist, desperado, boxer and bruiser, the hero of three duels,
half a dozen street fights, and ring and bar-room fights innu
merable, being expatriated from California by the Vigilance
Committee of San Francisco, found, after an absence of many
years, " his foot upon his native heath " in the city of New
York. Whether muscle, steel, or lead, were brought into play,
Billy Mulligan was found to be rather ail unpleasant customer
to stagger up against. On his arrival in New York, he was re
ceived with open arms and demonstrations of much joy, by the
great unwashed ; and why not ? Was he not the hero of fifty
battles the victor on many a hard-fought field a leader of
political rowdyism in California a bold and fearless expounder
of its opinions ? and was he not at that moment a martyr to the
cause ? Favors and money were showered on the redoubtable
Billy, by his admirers, nor did it for a moment cross his mind
that he was violating any moral or social duty in accepting
everything that was offered him. Ho had a strong appreciation
of the luxuries and pleasures of life, and among other things was
prone to enter into tussles with the tiger, in which that decep
tive animal pretty generally came off the victor. Few things in
life dulls the enthusiasm of friends so quickly as the borrowing
of money and neglecting to pay it. Mulligan's admirers began
PERSECUTION. 325
to make up their minds that he was too expensive a luxury to
be extensively indulged in, consequently withdrew themselves
in a great measure from his society. His popularity was on the
wane. Those whom he owed, to escape lending him more, avoided
him. Keepers of gambling-houses had loaned him money from
a sense of fear, in order to deter him from creating a disturb
ance in their houses ; and when his sources of revenue from the
outside were diminished, he confined his predatory onslaughts
to their customers, whom they had to stand calmly by and see
mulcted in forced loans, without daring to make the slightest
remonstrance. The redoubtable Billy, meeting one of his ac
quaintances before a faro-table with five or six hundred dol
lars' worth of chips, would demand a loan of one or two hundred
dollars' worth of them, which was pretty generally granted by
the player, sooner than expose himself to his enmity, which he
would surely gain, should he refuse ; not to mention, as often
happened, abuse and brutal violence. This man finally became
so obnoxious to faro-players, that his appearance in a gambling-
house was sufficient to cause the players to pass in their checks,
get the money for them, and precipitately leave the place.
The career of Mr. Mulligan was finally brought to an abrupt
close, by one of those redoubtable guardians of gambling-houses,
described in a former chapter, and who was as well a prominent
ward politician. In the establishment 676 Broadway, where this
chief reigned, Mr. Mulligan had exploited in his usual engaging
manner several times, and was finally plainly informed by its
guardian that they did not keep a loan-office, and would no
longer submit to have their patrons driven away in consequence
of his practices upon them. When a bully falters, he is lost.
Mulligan retorted upon the chief with some choice language pe
culiar to his tongue, which, by the way, was as potent in its sphere
as his muscular arms and sledge-hammer fists were in theirs.
That worthy retorted upon Mulligan by stepping to the door,
calling a policeman, and desiring him to take that gentleman
out of the house; but he prevented the officer from executing
the order, by presenting at his head a loaded pistol. He ran to
the door and rapped for assistance, and Mr. Mulligan was in-
gloriously marched to the lock-up. His case was sent before the
criminal court ; but in the meantime he procured bail, and al
though repeatedly advised to forfeit it by his sureties, he obsti-
326 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
nately refused to do so, thinking, no doubt, that none would dare
punish so important a personage as Billy Mulligan. The trial
came off and he was sentenced to four years in Sing Sing at hard
labor. It was at the time, and has ever since been the prevail
ing opinion, that Mulligan's conviction was the result of a con
spiracy ; and what gives color to the supposition is the fact that,
after being incarcerated for eight months, he was released on a
writ of error. His turbulent and domineering spirits had aroused
against him a host of enemies, among whom were many powerful
men, who were only too glad of an opportunity to wreak their
revenge upon him, when he had placed himself within the
meshes of the law, and there is very little doubt that he owed
his conviction to one of those plots so well known to the legal
practitioners of New York, for getting rid of an obnoxious person
by railroading him into State's prison.
But the conviction of Mulligan had a very salutary effect on
the rowdy element of New York, and showed them that they
could not break down the doors of a gambling-house, rob, and
otherwise maltreat the inmates, and walk off scot-free without
danger of punishment from the law. It also taught the proprie
tors that it was their "right to call a policeman to remove from
their premises any person who was disorderly, or otherwise
making himself a nuisance to the other inmates, without the
penalty of being called upon to answer before a police justice,
for the character of their establishments. From the time of
Mulligan's arrest, the roughs of New York ceased their raids on
gambling -houses, and their proprietors can now shut their doors
against rowdies, ruffians, dead-beats, shysters, and check-
charmers, without the least apprehensions on the score of
violence.
Philadelphia has for more than thirty years been under the
control of the rowdy element, and during that time no gambler
dare set up his bank there, unless he first propitiate the favor
and secure the protection of some political rowdy leader. Should
he, as many before him have done, try to do so, he will become
the prey of every black-mailer and extortionist of like feather
in the city, and their name is legion. Men will be staked to play
at his game ; should they win, all right ; but should they lose, they
will sue back for five times the amount dropped against the bank.
Tiny will drop money on his game, or take any other despicable
PERSECUTION. 327
advantage, and should he chance to be a person who will stand
no such nonsense, and offers to make any resistance, no matter
how slight, they will break up his game, and pitch himself and
gambling paraphernalia out of the window. A rough place on
strange faro-dealers is Philadelphia. Should one have the te
merity to apply to a magistrate for redress or protection, ho will
be immediately consigned to the Moyamensing prison for twelve
months, by the outraged majesty of the law, for dealing faro.
The resident gamblers of the place all spring from and be
long to the rowdy element, and are of the most despicable
order, and so cowardly that a faro-bank of a $50 limit is fre
quently banked by a dozen of them. They are constantly
wrangling among themselves, and meanly jealous of each other's
success ; but let a strange gambler arrive in the place and open
a bank, they will unite almost to a man, to rob him, and should
they fail in accomplishing their purpose, will employ roughs to
break up his game, and if he has not secured the favor and pro
tection of one of the rowdy leaders, he is fortunate indeed if he
escapes from the place with a dollar in his pocket, or an un
broken bone in his skin. In order to obtain this protection, he
must give up at least ten per cent, of his game ; many strange
gamblers have, at various times, secured this protection, and
been free, in consequence, from descents from the ruffians and
the extortionists and black-mailers who follow in their train.
Such skinning-houses as exist there, both first and second class,
are under the special protection of the rowdy leaders, and are
mulcted in ten or twenty per cent, of their profits, as the price
of such shelter. Several Judges and District Attorneys have at
various times tried to break up all the gambling-houses in the
city, but have invariably found, in the end, that the rowdy ele
ment was too strong for them.
No class, on an average, has produced braver men, or more of
them in proportion to its number, than the gambling commu
nity ; still, as all its members are by no means so, and where one
is daring, ten are mild and peaceable, and as it often happens
the bravest cannot protect themselves, in such cases they must
rely on the expedients devised by a fertile brain for protection.
The gambler, in days now gone by, was compelled to have a
protector* and it often happened none was more efficient or
more useful than the man who had killed one or more persons in
328 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
a street fight or duel, or had established his reputation in a
forty-foot ring, or the chivalrous individual who had covered
himself with glory by brass-knuckling a score or so of persons at
an election row, or a bar-room fight ; or the western gentleman,
who had won for himself a deathless name by "gouging out" a
dozen or so of eyes during his various frolics, not to mention
biting off of a few ears and noses in the overflow of his spirits.
In fact, killers, bruisers, and boxers were made serviceable as
guardians, in many places, previous to the inaugurating of our
present admirable system of police. In those days many of our
young bloods were everywhere attended by some noted bully
or desperado, as a protection. Theatres, circuses, and public
balls, had their bullies in attendance, to preserve order, and
one of these was in such cases found more serviceable than
half a dozen of the police of that time. The presence of the lat
ter, in fact, was often an object of attack for a party of young
rowdies, but the appearance on the scene, of a noted desperado
or bully, would strike a wholesome terror to the hearts of such
lawless characters.
As the gambler could get no protection from the law, he w
bound to provide himself with the next best thing obtainable,
and was consequently obliged to fall back on the desperado or
rowdy. While dealing his game upon race-courses, or at fairs,
as well as many other places where there were public gather
ings, also in localities where law and police were myths, no
gambler could carry on his game unless protected by some des
perado, who was respected by the thieves and rowdies, and who
inspired in their minds a desire to keep a safe distance between
his "bunch of fives" and their persons. As these latter-named
classes feared a first-class bruiser more than any emissary of
the law, supposing such an one at hand, the gamblers fell
back upon such characters for support and protection. In those
lawless regions, and in those semi-civilized days, it was custom
ary for itinerant gamblers to have traveling always with them
some noted bruiser or pugilist, and the custom was not entirely
abandoned until since the closing of our civil war.
I have mentioned that the law offered no protection whatever
to the gambler ; in fact, in many places the officers of the law
were his most persistent and bitter enemies. They* viewed
every gambler who set up his game in their midst, as a fat sub-
PERSECUTION. 329
ject to be plucked by them, without the slightest compunctions
of conscience, or any fear of condemnation from the community
or censure from the public generally. The very laws which had
beeu framed in many of the States, to prevent gambling, were
used by the rascally officials to black-mail gamblers. For in
stance : In Texas, where the fines for dealing banking-games
range from $25 to $100, the amount to be fixed by the discre
tion of the courts, in proportion to the enormity of the offense,
the District Attorney accumulates against a gambler as many
indictments as he possibly can, and then offers to quash them
for a certain sum of money. This cash, it is unnecessary to say,
he pockets. In precisely the same manner does the District At
torney of Kentucky operate against gamblers who have in
fringed the gambling laws of the State, which provide that, for
dealing any banking-game of chance, the person so doing shall
be fined for each and every offense, $500, no more nor no less.
Half this sum goes into the pocket of the informer, $125 to the
school- fund, and $125 to the prosecuting attorney. But these
gentry have generally looked sharply after their own pockets,
and carried on their own " little game" under the rose. It was
no uncommon thing for a District Attorney to permit a gambler
to open and run a faro-bank, and to suffer none to molest him,
and when he was about to quit the place, pass in to him his
little bill, drawn up in accordance with the sum which the bank
had won since playing in the town. If it had won nothing, his
bill for non-intervention would be $125. Should he be inform
ed that the bank had won $2000, his demand against the banker
would probably reach as high as $500. The latter could, if he
desired, leave the place before a bill had been found against
him by the grand jury, but should he ever venture again within
the limits of the State, the District Attorney would make him
pay his little bill, or leave him in jail at two dollars per day,
until the amount of his fine had been paid. This wretched
clause was, in 1862, expunged from the law, and those portions
of the fines formerly given to the informer, now reverted to the
State. But the Attorney's fine still stands, and the cases are
few indeed, where a gambler is allowed to slip away from a
place until he has " planked down the dust" required by this
gentleman. The present District Attorney of Louisville realizes
yearly from $12,000 to $15,000 from gambling-houses in that
330 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
city. Each house is taxed by him according to the money it
makes, or is by him supposed to make. This is accomplished by
collecting a certain number of indictments against each house,
then sending separately for the proprietors, and presenting
them with his bill. After considerable haggling, the man of
law and the gambler agree upon a price, which gives to the lat
ter another year's respite.
In New York, the District Attorneys had to depend on ter
rorism, in order to extract money from the gamblers. Two
laws were on the statute books, and recognized in the State.
The oldest was a fine of $50 for playing or dealing any banking
game of chance, and subsequently, in 1851, a law was enacted,
making the dealing of any such game a felony, punishable by a
rustication of five years in the State's prison. This law, though
it could not be enforced, juries refusing to convict under it, ad
mirably answered tho purposes of black-mailing lawyers. When
ever a gambler, having strong political influence, was tried for
dealing a game of chance, he was usually convicted under the
old law, which in such cases made and provided that he
sheuld be fined $50. But should the culprit be a stranger, or a
person of little or no influence, and a fat subject for plucking,
they were forced to disgorge under the new law, which threat
ened them with the State's prison. This was generally accom
plished by protracting the period of their trial, keeping it over
from one term to another, and from court to court, until the
victim was satisfied to pay several hundreds, in order to close up
the vexatious business, and be rid at once of his anxiety and sus
pense. About ten years since, a few gamblers of New York
city forced the courts to decide under which of these laws
gamblers must be convicted. This was done by several gam
blers who were indicted in different courts, standing their trials,
and being all convicted under the $50 fine law, thus estab
lishing a precedent. But I need scarcely inform the reader
that those heroic gentlemen, who sacrificed themselves to test
the sovereignty of the two laws, were made aware of the fate
which awaited them, before the coming off of their trials. But
if a few District Attorneys may be found unscrupulous enough
to black-mail gamblers by perverting the laws of the State,
happily, there are many who are much too high-minded to de-s
scend to such unworthy artifices in order to enrich themselves.
PERSECUTION. 331
Most of these gentlemen, especially in our large cities, leave the
gamblers entirely unmolested, and the howls raised against them
on that account, by some of the ultra moral press, are unjust, be
cause a jury could scarcely be empaneled who would convict
under the harsh laws on the statute books of some of the States.
In two of our large cities, Baltimore and New Orleans, gambling
is regulated by the police department, but is never interfered
with, because they levy on each house a certain tax for the sup
port of their political power. In Chicago and St. Louis the
gambling-houses are raided at the caprice of the Chiefs of Police,
and their gambling paraphernalia confiscated. In neither of
those States is there any law to justify such high-handed pro
ceedings, except the law of might. Repeatedly have all the
square gambling-houses of Chicago been closed by the so-called
"authority" of the Chief of Police, while as many as two or three
skinuing-houses carried on their business full blast, having lib
erally "palmed" that worthy for his grace towards them, while
the "square" houses, being unable to act in like manner, were
closed. Between the years 1856 and 1859, four sharpers were
allowed to keep open their gorgeous establishment, to the exclu
sion of all others. George Trussell, one of the partners in this
firm, was a shrewd, cunning Yankee from Vermont, and a mem
ber of the secret police. Every gambler setting up a game in
the city, he had arrested, imprisoned, and mulcted in heavy
fines, besides causing their gambling tools to be confiscated.
This fellow had full sway over the gambling privilege of the
city, which his compeers and himself turned into a stealing
privilege, for which they feed the accommodating police most
munificently. The career of this worthy was finally hrought to
an abrupt close by a pistol in the hands of his mistress. The
woman, of whom he had begun to tire, sent for him to come to
her; he refused to do so, sending back hy the messenger, who
was the trainer of the trotting horse Dexter, of which he was
part owner, an insulting message. The woman, who was par
tially drunk, entered a carriage and was driven to a drinking-
saloon, where she knew Trussell was, and again sent in the mes
senger, whom she had retained with her. He replied by an
oath. The messenger then tried to dissuade her from trying
further, and to induce her to return home. She would not
listen, but got down from the carriage, and, without saying
332 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
another word, fired three shots at him from a revolver, which all
took effect. He died in a few moments. When the woman
found she had killed him, she gave way to the most frantic
grief and ravings. She was arrested, tried, and, on account of
extenuating circumstances, received a very light sentence, one
year in the penitentiary, I believe. At her discharge, she left
Chicago and went to California.
After the death of Trussell, the power of the sharpers waned,
and square faro-banks were once more opened hi the city. But
should one of them neglect the ceremony of roundly palming the
Chief of Police, or should his agents fail in obtaining for him an
interest in some well-to-do game, he is immediately seized,
suddenly, with a virtuous zeal to put down gambling in the good
city of Chicago, by the closing of all gaming establishments,
(nota bene, who do not pay tribute to him). This mode of pro
ceeding was for a long time fashionable in many of our other
larger cities. A Police Captain, if not satisfactorily "palmed,"
would make a descent on a gambling establishment, seize all its
inmates and the gaming appurtenances, and take them to the
lock-up, for no other purpose than to administer to the parties a
healthy scare, and a lesson to all the gamblers in the vicinity of
the raided establishment, and let them know they could not
carry on their games without their connivance and assistance.
But this agreeable style of doing things has been broken up to a
great extent by honest Judges, who would not concede that a
police officer had a right to enter a gambling-house without the
warrant of a magistrate. These kind of Judges had, on several
occasions, to rebuke their officers for their unlawful descents
upon gambling-houses, before they could succeed in putting a
stop to such high-handed proceedings in New York. Such a
thing has never happened in Boston, since the redoubtable
Marshal Tukey, about thirty years ago, made such a descent,
and captured all the inmates, some forty in all, whom he hand
cuffed, and marched in pairs to the lock-up. New England,
with all her sins on the head of ultra Puritanism, has persecuted
gamblers less than any other States in the Union, if we may
except the single one of Arkansas.
Of the many cunning devices put into execution by officers of
the law, in order to extract money from gamblers, the following,
which happened in Louisville, Kentucky, between the years 1856
PEKSECUTION. 333
and 1858, caps the climax. Brewster and Gilmore, two de
tectives of that city, saw in the gambling laws, if properly
manipulated, a small fortune for themselves; but in order to
avail themselves of all the advantages connected therewith, it
was necessary that a magistrate should " stand in" with them, in
their plans. This individual was found, in the person of the
County Judge. This worthy dignitary, on the oaths of the de
tectives mentioned, would issue warrants of arrest for such as
were running games within his jurisdiction. Armed with these,
Brewster and Gilmore would seize their victims and drag them
to prison. The arrested gambler might certainly give security
and stand his trial, but it would not better his condition. Con
viction was certain to follow, with a fine of $500, which must be
paid by the culprit, or worn out in the county jail at $2.00 per
day.
The gambler, on his arrest, was informed by his worthy cap
tors, that, on the payment of $500, he was at liberty to seek fresh
fields and pastures new, and it is needless to add that not one
in five hundred refused the generous offer. Brewster and his
"pal" soon closed every faro-room in Louisville; but, strange to
say, during the whole time they were so virtuously following up,
and driving from their midst, every gambler who dared open a
game in the city, an aristocratic skinning-house flourished with
out let or hindrance.
Strange gamblers, coming to Louisville, and stopping at the
Gait House, were allowed by Mr. Raines, at that time its
proprietor, and a warm friend to gamblers, to set up their games
in their sleeping-rooms. Within these hallowed precincts the
feet of Mr. Brewster, and his " pal," Gilmore, could not penetrate;
much to their disgust and chagrin. But they set their brains to
work, and finally hit upon a plan which answered their purpose
just as well. Citizens of the place, who were known votaries of
play, were invited to these banks, though none except those of
unquestionable integrity, and in whose honor and secrecy the
most implicit trust could be placed. Whenever one of these
transient banks was playing in the house, Mr. Raines never
allowed any of the servants to wait on that room, except his own
favorite boy, in whom he placed the utmost trust and confidence.
For some time Brewster and his "pal" were at fault, but not
long. The patrons of the game, returning home from the Gait
334 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
House, were arrested on the street, dragged before a magistrate,
and 'forced, under oath, to betray the names of those they had
played against. On the strength of this forced evidence, war
rants were issued for the arrest of the gamblers, and they were
forced to hand over to their persecutors the requisite $500. For
something like eighteen months these secret arrests were re
peated at intervals, until the respectable votaries of the game
began to look on each other with distrust and suspicion. Mean
while, about fifty gamblers had been arrested, and forced to
disgorge five hundred apiece. It was evident that there was,
somewhere in their midst, a traitor, who, having recourse to the
rooms during the hours of play, was secretly giving information
to the detectives. But no suspicion fell on the real culprit, and
probably his guilt would never have become known to those who
trusted him so entirely, had it not been that Brewster could not
resist an opportunity of venting his spleen on John Raines, and
showing him how cunningly he had outwitted him. Raines had
forbidden him entrance to the hotel, since he arrested gamblers
there, which so exasperated that worthy, that, in order to
revenge himself, he betrayed the poor slave who had trusted to
his honor. The disclosure was not made, however, until the
County Judge mentioned had retired from office, his term having
expired, and the man who filled his place refused to issue
warrants for arrests of gamblers, unless on the voluntary com
plaint of a citizen; and this decision had destroyed the "little
game" of Gilmore and his companion, and being no longer able
to avail themselves of the perfidy of Raines' boy, they did not
for an instant hesitate to expose him, for the sake of a petty
revenge. The unfortunate slave, whom they had betrayed after
serving them so well, received a hundred lashes from his master,
and was afterwards sold to a cotton planter hi the South.
EEEJUDICES. 335
C H AFTER XXVII.
PREJUDICES.
" Have youlieerd ther noos, Missus Jones?" inquired a neigh
bor of an old lady seated in her door-way enjoying her pipe, her
"darter" being engaged hanging clothes to dry in the back yard.
" No, I haint," she replied, taking her pipe from her mouth,
and earnestly regarding the speaker; "I haint heerd nothing;
what is it, Mister Rush?"
" A pesky lot o' gamblers ev got inter town !" replied Mr. Rush.
"Goodness gracious!" exclaimed the old lady, springing to
her feet, and screaming to her " darter" at the top of her voice,
" Susy, take in them ere clothes; the gamblers is comin'."
The above anecdote illustrates the light in which gamblers
were viewed in this country half a generation since. The people
were taught to consider the name a synonym for a set of cut
throats, whose mildest crimes were to decoy the unwary into
their " hells," and there rob them; that they were the patrons
of boxers, bruisers, and the lowest and vilest? of every class, and
recognized no law except the bullet and the knife, which they
were ready to resort to on every occasion, to avenge real or
fancied slights or wrongs. From pulpit, press, and forum, were
such denunciations hurled on their devoted heads, by persons
who knew as much of their principles, habits, manners, and cus
toms, as of those of the people living in the unexplored regions
of Central Africa. Society voted gaming a vice, consequently
none dared defend it or its votaries, and sectarian hypocrites, po
litical demagogues, and the " unco guid "of every style whose
stock in trade was the denunciation of sin, seized upon gaming
and its votaries as capital whenever they wished to extol their
own virtues, or advance their moral or pecuniary interests in the
religious community. As a constant dripping of water will wear
even a stone, so their tirades of abuse were so frequent and vio
lent throughout the whole country, that people at last settled
down to accept the idea that the bad things they were constantly
hearing of gamblers must be true, and no viler criminals were
tolerated by society. 'Twas not the ignorant and uneducated
alone who took up these notions, 'but they were adopted by men
336 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
of intelligence and refinement, who, never having come in con
tact with gamblers, or heard any defense of them, believed the
vituperations of their enemies to be sober truth.
In the spring of 1841, four gamblers chartered a stage to take
them from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, in the same State.
As the coach was passing a splendid mansion on the outskirts
of the town, a gentlemanly looking person in clerical attire hailed
it, and making a motion to hand up the valise he carried, desired
a passage to Benton, fifteen miles further on. The driver in
formed him that the conveyance was private, and chartered by
the four gentlemen inside. The gentleman, on hearing this, ad
vanced to the coach and introduced himself to its occupants as
the Rev. Dr. Breckinridge, of Danville, Ky., stating that he was
engaged to deliver a lecture in Benton that evening, and begged
a passage to that place. The gamblers with one accord invited
him to take a seat in the stage. As the coach rolled over the road,
the reverend Doctor entertained his auditors with a fund of anec
dote and information from his well-stocked mind, and conversed
with fluency and ease upon the topics of the day, attentively
listened to by his orderly and appreciative audience. One of
the latter, being anxious to know in what light their reverend
guest regarded gamblers, without seeming to do so, led the con
versation into that channel. With a tongue of fire did the Doctor
pitch into gamblers; and the more denunciatory he became of
their crimes and infamies, the more attentive and interested be
came his listeners. " They (gamblers) were a debased, depraved,
besotted class, in both habits and tastes ; treacherous and un
scrupulous, and leaving no means untried of destroying the honor
and happiness of the youth of the country. The reverend gentle
man was now under a full head of steam. "Why, gentlemen," he
continued, "they burned Mobile last winter. I suppose you have
heard of it ?" None of his auditors had ever done so. " Well,
sirs, it is a well-ascertained fact that those frequent fires which
occurred there during the winter, were the diabolical work of
the gamblers living in the city."
"I can't see why they should wish to burn up the city?" men
tioned one of his auditors.
" I'll tell you, gentlemen. Previous to last winter, the planters
were in the habit of sending their sons to Mobile to sell their
crops, and when they had received the money for the cotton, the
PREJUDICES. 337
gamblers of the city caused them to be decoyed into their places,
and robbed them of their money. Finding it no longer safe
to entrust these sales to their sous, this last winter the planters
themselves took their crops to Mobile and sold them, which, de
priving them of their usual plunder, so enraged the gamblers,
that they caused the city to be fired."
" I can't see how such a proceeding was going to benefit them,"
reiterated the first speaker.
"It can't, it is true !" said the reverend speaker, emphatically;
" but it shows to what extent the miscreants will go for the sake
of revenge."
At this stage of the proceedings, an old veteran of the gaming
table stuck his head out of the window and called to the person
driving, " I say. driver, can't you give me a seat outside ? It's a
leetle too damned hot for me in here."
The coach was stopped, and room made for the heated gentle
man beside the driver. Shortly after, the coach reached Ben-
ton, when the Doctor took a cordial leave of his new acquaint
ances, with many professions of thanks.
Dr. Breckinridge knew nothing of gaming or gamblers, save
what he had learned from the lying and malicious reports of the
day. He had never even seen the inside of a gambling-house,
nor been thrown into the society of a gambler, that he was
aware of. His prejudices were built upon the garbled reports
of newspapers, which were in every respect the direct opposite
of the truth. He had read and listened to these tirades of
abuse against gamblers so often, that his faith in their veracity
had become as fixed in his mind as the articles of his creed.
With all his learning and astute perception, he had never once
stopped to ask himself whether there was room for doubt, and
if he were not laboring under a delusion, as it was only right he
should have done, instead of taking everything for granted, as
he had done. He had merely looked at one side of the ques
tion, without giving to the other the slightest thought. The
press throughout the country informed him solemnly that gam
blers were worse than pirates, without having their courage.
When it was desirable to give to some atrocious villain a deeper
tinge of infamy, he was stigmatized as a gambler. If a gang of
counterfeiters flooded the country with their forgeries, it was the
work of gamblers. Should the mail be robbed, it was done, or
333 -VTAXDERIXGS OF A VAGABOND.
at any rate planned, by gamblers. If an imaginary insurrection
was going to take place among the slaves, they were incited
thereto by gamblers. No dark deed of any sort could be per
petrated unless a gambler was at the bottom of it.
A few hours after the terrible tornado of 1840 had swept over
Natchez, a gentleman who was seated at the supper-table in
one of the principal hotels was describing to some of the guests
present, the fearful havoc made by it. Among his auditors was
a stuttering sport, who had frequently felt keenly the unjust ac
cusations hurled against the fraternity of which he was a worthy
member He seized the occasion to give vent to his indignation
by stuttering out, " I-I-I-I sup-p-p-pose they'll s-s-say the g-g-g-
gamblers b-b-brought the t-t-tornado here."
I shall now endeavor to enumerate the causes, or some of
them at least, which brought the gambling community into
such bad odor, and led to the unjust prejudices against them,
which have existed for the last thirty odd years. Somewhere
about the year 1835, a man named Murrill was convicted of
negro-stealing in the State of Tennessee, and sentenced for ten
years to the .Nashville penitentiary. The principal witness
against him was a man named Stewart. This man published a
pamphlet, which had an extensive circulation throughout the
country, and upon the people living hi the Mississippi valley it
exerted a most pernicious influence. Stewart, in his pamphlet,
related how he had for several months dogged the footsteps of
Murrill, following him from the State of Tennessee into those of
Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas, and that his labors were
finally rewarded by the discovery that Murrill was the chief of
a secret organization, a formidable band of villains, who styled
themselves ''The League of Secret Brotherhood." Having
adroitly wormed himself into the confidence of Murrill, he drew
from him the facts that the "League" numbered over 3000 mem
bers, and was composed of highwaymen, negro- thieves, counter
feiters, and the entire gambling community, from the great
lakes to the gulf. Murrill, as its chiet was clothed with su
preme power. He appointed and removed subordinates at
pleasure. All derelictions from duty were immediately communi
cated to him by his secret spies, and all traitors or refractory
officers or men assassinated by his orders. The League, whose
ramifications extended throughout the entire West and South-
PREJUDICES. 339
west, was divided into classes, each class roaming over the
country, and exercising its peculiar vocation wherever it was
found most profitable. That is to say, highwaymen, negro-
thieves, horse-thieves, gamblers, and counterfeiters, each pur
sued their calling in separate bands, but were compelled by the
laws of the "League," to aid, abet, and defend each other, should
occasion arise. Each class was commanded by a chief, who
was subject to the order of Murrill, responsible to him for the
discipline of his band, and whatever plunder it had captured.
Members recognized each other by secret signs and grips. Murrill
soon became so impressed with the idea that Stewart possessed
extraordinary ability, that he not only initiated him into the
"League," but made him his chief lieutenant, and after he had
raised him to this elevated position, communicated to him a
grand scheme which he had concocted and arranged, and was
now all ready to put into execution, which would enrich the en
tire brotherhood. He stated to Stewart that his agents had,
during the last year, been at work among the negroes along the
valley of the Mississippi, preparing them for a simultaneous re
volt against their masters. To facilitate this movement, the
funds of the League had been invested in fire-arms and ammu
nition for the same, from the North, and a large amount of
these were already in the hands of the slaves and their white
sympathizers. He stated that a few months more would see their
preparations complete, and that the following Christmas had been
selected as the day on which the rising should take place. The
"League" would have its forces at Natchez, Vicksburg, and
New Orleans, ready to take instant advantage of the confusion
caused by the insurrection, and seize the treasure in the banks
of those cities, while the slaves were killing their masters. It is
needless to say that the soul of Stewart burned within him to
rid the world of such an atrocious villain; but, in order to find
out all his plans, he dissembled and appeared delighted with the
scheme. Like a sleuth-hound he trailed the footsteps of his
victim, until he was able to prove that the great captain of the
"League" had laid himself amenable to the law, by stealing a
slave, the property of a widow woman in rather humble cir
cumstances. Great criminals sometimes stoop to rather petty
crimes.
. The excitement created by this pamphlet in the valley of the
340 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
Mississippi is not to be described. It was eagerly perused by all
who could read, and those who could not, heard its contents con
tinually ventilated from the stump by political demagogues. To
express a doubt of the truth of anything contained in the pamph
let was to lay one's self open to suspicions of being a member of
the " League ; " consequently the mouths of thinking men were
closed. In such periods, when the people are stirred to the
depths, and a prey to anxiety and fear, the political and religious
demagogue creeps into power. By them the constituted author
ities are displaced and the laws set aside. As they have foisted
themselves into power through the doubts and fears of the peo
ple, so they sustain themselves in their positions, keeping them
constantly in dread, by the terrible idea that atrocious villains
are secretly in their midst, plotting their destruction by deeds of
blood and infamy. Their trumped-up tales of hidden danger
are listened to with avidity by the people, until confidence is
destroyed, and each believing "every man's hand against him,"
resolves that "his hand 'shall be against every man." Their
fears induce the weak-minded and unscrupulous to cast suspi
cions upon others, in order that they themselves may appear hon
est. Terror holds high carnival, and cruelties worthy the vilest
and worst days of the Inquisition ensue ; from which the virtu
ous and unoffending are by no means exempt. Such was the
state of affairs created by Stewart's pamphlet in many of the
scattered settlements along the valley of the Mississippi. Men
were hanged, upon the shallowest pretenses that they were mem
bers of the obnoxious League, or, what was to many quite as bad,
cruelly lashed at the whipping-post; the banishment of men
from their homes, and the confiscation of all they possessed in
the world, was considered a mild punishment by the Lynch courts
which everywhere sprung up. The demagogues were unable in
Vicksburg and Natchez to gain the confidence of the citizens
sufficiently for them to overthrow the laws until the following
event took place :
At the time of which I write Vicksburg was the central point
of speculation in the Southwest, on account of the sales of rich
cotton lands taking place aFthat period, in its vicinity. Adventu
rous spirits of every description gathered there, in hopes of bet
tering their pecuniary condition ; the country was flooded with
"wild-cat" money, then circulated at par; and in the mania for
PEEJTJDICES. 341
i
speculation every one seemed more or less carried away. For
tunes were made and lost in a single day. Gamblers flocked
there from all parts of the Union, and at least fifty banks were
opened in the city, nearly all of which did a thriving business, in
spite of the abuse heaped upon their owners by the press of the
city. Aside from their profession, nothing derogatory to their
character or behavior could be alleged against them ; they were
quiet and orderly in all their habits, and the soul of probity in all
their dealings. But owing to the feeling against them, and the
vituperations showered upon them by the press, they were final- J/
ly compelled to flee from the place, in order to escape the unrea
soning vengeance of an infuriated mob.
The Fourth of July in 1835 was celebrated with more than
usual spendor by the citizens of Vicksburg, and to enhance ita
glories the militia soldiery of Natchez had come up the river to
assist in the glorification. While dinner was going forward, a
ruffian, named Cobbler, inspired thereto by the potent spirit of
old rye, amused himself by walking over the tables, among the
dishes with which they were laid. Some of his friends laid vio
lent hands on him, captured and took him from the room. This
outrageous conduct created a terrible excitement, and the report
was somehow circulated that Cobbler was a professional gamb
ler, which was entirely false. He was a blacksmith of Natchez,
and while living there had gained some celebrity as a pugilist.
Considering it an easier mode of life than that of plying a
sledge-hammer, he threw up the latter and devoted his whole
attention to the cultivation of the manly art. Like most charac
ters of his kind, he hung around gambling-houses and preyed
upon gamblers for support, and was, therefore, as is almost in
variably the case, considered by the sapient public a gambler.
This outrage might have passed off in the ordinary way, and
without creating any unusual amount of disturbance, had not a
few demagogues taken advantage of it to inflame the passions of
the citizens of the place against the gamblers. A public meeting
was called, which, in the excitement of the hour, was largely at
tended, and the crowd was addressed by speakers who intem-
perately advocated the expulsion by violence, from their midst, of
every gambler in the city. Eesolutions to that effect were carried
almost without a dissenting voice. No time for consideration
was taken by the meeting, or to ascertain whether the gamblers
342 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
of the place were in any way responsible for the outrage commit
ted by Cobbler, or whether he "was a gambler; that was not
what the demagogues, who were pulling the wires of their pup
pets, the people, were aiming at. On the spur of the moment a
vigilance committee was organized with avowedly the express
intention of forcibly ridding the city of all gamblers within its
limits. Many of the more respectable citizens of the place ex
pressed their disapprobation of such summary proceedings, but
the public mind, already at fever-heat from the reading of
Stewart's pamphlet and the violent attacks of the press upon
gamblers, was in no condition to listen to the remonstrances of
their peace and order loving townsmen.
Facing the steamboat landing was a low groggery, the resort
of third-rate sharpers and river thieves of all descriptions, and
extensively patronized by the lower orders of boatmen, who were
frequently swindled out of their earnings there, or followed by
some of its inmates or frequenters, and knocked down and rob
bed on the dark levee. A 24 No. roulette wheel was the only
instrument appertaining to a banking game of chance about the
premises, and the only show the patrons of the place had to
win, should they desire to hazard their money outside of games
of cards with their immediate friends. The brawls and frequent
robberies taking place at this disreputable establishment had
brought down upon it the loud disapprobation of the citizens,
and even the river men had, at various times, threatened to tear
it down. Upon this resort, then, did the committee make their
first attack, ordering its proprietor to close up his place and
leave the city a thing he flatly refused to do. A company of
about thirty lynchers were sent to the obnoxious house under
orders to tear it down and seize all its inmates. They approached
the premises in double file to the music of a fife and drum, and
armed with guns and other weapons, when, after they had got
within a very short distance, a volley was fired from the house
into their ranks, killing and wounding several ; among the first,
the leader of the party. This unlooked-for reception, together
with the fall of their leader, caused the attacking party to beat
a hasty retreat. The proprietor of the house, instead of aban
doning it, foolishly determined to defend it with his life, and
being joined by three friends as reckless and foolhardy as him-
feelf, they had armed themselves and prepared for the siege.
PKEJUDICES. 343
The place being but a mere shanty built of pine boards, could
offer no resistance of any account of itself to the lynchers, but
the inmates, on the spur of the moment, had piled furniture and
whatever loose lumber they could lay their hands on, against
the doors, pierced the sides of the shanty with port-holes, from
which to fire on the advancing foe, and thus awaited the return
of the lynchers. The latter, after their repulse, retreated some
distance from the house and sent for reinforcements. On the
arrival of these, a cordon of sentinels surrounded the place at a
respectful distance, in order to prevent any of the inmates from
making their escape. A cannon was procured, a few shots from
which sent the rickety old shell tumbling about the ears of its
defenders, who were all captured. The four men were then,
without a moment's delay, dragged to the top of the hill, and,
without even the form of a trial, hanged on a tree. One of the
victims was the man who run the roulette game, and the center
of the wheel was tied up to his dangling body. On the morning
subsequent to the hanging, the wife of the man who kept the
place came and begged the body of her husband, that she
might give it decent burial ; but instead of granting this pious
request, the leader of the lynchers drove her away with curses
and insults not mentionable to ears polite. I met the brute in
Brownsville, Texas, eleven years later. He was a debased and
drunken sot, so low that he was more an object of pity than re
sentment, though the finger of scorn had never ceased to be
pointed at him as one of the stranglers of Vicksburg.
Shortly after the repulse of the first body of lynchers, and the
death of its leader, guards were stationed around the steamboat
landing, to prevent any of the gamblers from making their es
cape. Bodies of lynchers were also sent to patrol every avenue
of escape from the city. But before they had thought of taking
these precautions, many of the gamblers, warned of the coming
storm, had sought safety on a timely steamer bound to New Or
leans from Vicksburg, and which left before the fatal shots were
fired. Cobbler, the cause of all the disturbance, also made his
escape on the same steamer. A few gamblers, conscious of com
mitting no crime, and therefore expecting no violence, decided
on remaining until the excitement should have blown over.
When the news of the killing of the lynch leader spread through
the city like wild-fire, they began to apprehend danger. Fol-
344 -WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
lowing fast on this startling news, the cry arose of "Death to
gamblers!" If these ominous words, following fast on the heels
of the killing of the leader of those who sent up the shout, failed
to convince the most skeptical or blanch the cheek of the brav
est among them, the summary hanging of the four men con
vinced them that their lives hung trembling in the balance.
Many citizens, among whom were officers of the law, gave to
them asylums in their houses until the storm had passed, when
they -were smuggled on board steamers. A planter living seven
miles from the city sheltered five of them until they were able to
make their escape by a passing steamer bound for New Orleans.
A gambler named James Hoard, being unable to get on board
the steamer which carried off the first party from the city, be
came very uneasy. He scanned the river with longing eyes both
up and down, in hopes another steamer would heave in sight,
but he was doomed to disappointment.
While in this unenviable state of mind, the news of the killing
of the leader, and wounding of two others of the lynchers,
reached him. The tidings sent a cold chill to the heart of Hoard.
He started for his hotel with a rapid step, determined to lock
himself up in his room, and await the issue of events. Scarcely
iiad he gained the doors of this asylum, when the shout, "Death
to gamblers ! " fell like the sentence of doom upon his ears. From
that moment his memory was a blank, until he found himself
seated astride a log in the midst of a swamp five miles below the
city, where he remained all night, listening, as he expressed it,
"to an orchestra composed of shrieking owls and growling
frogs." By dint of swimming and wading, after daylight again
visited him, he managed to reach " terra fir ma;" and soon dis
covered, to his great joy, that he wa3 but a very short distance
from the river. In a few hours a steamer on her way to New
Orleans was hailed by him, and at his request he was taken on
board. Anxious to know what sort of an appearance he
presented after his forced vigil, he walked up to one of the hand
some mirrors with which the cabin was adorned. It was some
time before he could convince himself that the image there re
flected was that of the "bona-fide" Jimmy Hoard. The raven
locks which had yesterday adorned his cranium were turned to
an iron gray.
" grew it white in a single night,
As men's have grown through sudden fear."
PREJUDICES. 345
In those sluggish days, no telegraph wires flashed the news
to the four quarters of the Union, and the next morning
told it to the dwellers in all the larger cities, at breakfast,
through the medium of the daily journals. Post-boys, stages,
and steamers, then informed the people of the United States
that they were indebted to the worthy and virtuous citizens
of Vicksburg, for the stringing up of four abandoned wretches
of the genus gambler, and called upon society in general
to be properly grateful. But society was in this case, as in
many others, grossly imposed upon by false representations.
Neither of the four strangled unfortunates were gamblers, as the
press of that day, and long afterwards, boldly asserted. That
the mob would not have scrupled to hang a myriad of gamblers,
could they have lain hands on them, is a matter no one is likely
to dispute ; the attention is merely called to the lying reports of
the press of those days, which seems, certainly, to be more
pleased to have published a lie, than a plain, unvarnished fact.
The man who turned the roulette wheel was the only one
among them who could, in any sense, be called a gambler ; and
a low one indeed he must have been, to pursue his calling in so
low a den. Gamblers, properly speaking, have never yet toler
ated the society of men whose associates were low thieves, if
they knew it, or, in fact, high ones either. The four hanged
wretches were all reckless desperadoes, capable, no doubt, of
committing the darkest crimes, if one may judge from the com
pany they kept; but the fact still stands good, that, by the laws
of every civilized country on earth, they were justified in protect
ing their home against the attacks of a lawless mob, nor will all
the fine phrases in the English 'language convince right-minded
and reflecting people that the men who so summarily sent them
before their Maker, were more or less than cowardly assassins.
Stewart's pamphlets and the Vicksburg tragedy were the
precursors of every sort of persecution to gamblers. They were
looked upon in the South and Southwest as land pirates.
Shortly after the Vicksburg affair, placards were posted in most
of the lar<re towns and cities of the South and Southwest, warn
ing gamblers to leave, and not to return, under penalty of the
same fate. In the cities of Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, and
St. Louis, mobs arose with the avowed design of hanging every
gambler they could lay hands upon; but hi such times it is
346 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
generally not very easy to catch the gamblers to hang. A mob
was also organized for the same purpose in Cincinnati ; but, un
fortunately, its humane intentions were frustrated by a procla
mation of the Mayor, declaring that gamblers were entitled to
the same protection enjoyed by the other citizens, and, in the
event of any disturbance occurring, or any violence being
attempted, he should deal with the offenders according to law.
In Baltimore, the indignant mob razed to the ground a gambling-
house kept by a man named Johnston.
During these exciting times gamblers usually made "discretion
the better part of valor," and disappeared until the storm had
passed over; or, as it was termed by the press, the "public
indignation " had subsided, when they " came forth from their
vile dens like adders tempted forth by the sunshine." The press
of the country, however, kept the public hate and loathing for
gamblers alive by its constant vituperations and assertions of
unfair and unjust dealing, and neither the demagogue on his
stump nor the preacher in his pulpit failed to add his influence
to theirs. Such was the effect of all this, that the unfortunate
objects found themselves beyond the pale of the laws, the legiti
mate prey of fraud and violence. Should his money be snatched
or otherwise taken from him by force, the press endorsed the
glorious act, and the moral portion of the community was so de
lighted at the cute trick, that it indulged in a general laugh, and
shook hands all round. The police officer who, by fraud or
violence, could capture a party of gamblers while at play, and
rob them of their gambling tools and money, had made his mark
on the shifting sand of the world's good opinion.
While these feelings and opinions respecting the fraternity
were at their height, a fellow by the name of J. H. Greene, better
known as " Greene, the reformed gambler," furnished to a young
Kentuckian the material for writing a book, purporting to be an
exposition of the manners, customs, and habits of the gambling
community, and also pretended to expose their methods of con
ducting their swindling games and other operations. His book
was favorably received, and created considerable sensation. The
times were ripe for it, and the public was ready to swallow any
tale, however preposterous, to the discredit of gamblers, no dif
ference how vile or monstrous. No charlatan had ever a larger
field for his operations, or so many credulous subjects ready and
PREJUDICES. 347
willing nay, more, eager to be humbugged. His book taught,
first, that all gamblers were thieves ; secondly, that they never
played on the square; thirdly, that faro had less percentage
than any other banking game, and that it was twenty per cent,
worse than stealing, anyhow. The moral Mr. Greene, finding
his falsehoods swallowed with such avidity, now took a tour
through the country, lecturing in all the towns of any size, on
gambling, and giving illustrations of the different methods of
cheating at cards, dice, etc. While lecturing he clearly demon
strated to his audience that he could read by their backs the
suits and denomination of every sort of playing-card manufac
tured.
When this immaculate gentleman had finished his disquisition
on the manners, habits, and practices of gamblers, their several
modes of cheating, pulling two cards at faro, palming, stocking,
thimble-rigging, bottom-dealing, dice-cogging, etc., he was accus
tomed to announce to his audience that every playing-card manu
factured was stamped with secret signs, which were readable by
every gambler in the world, but which, to the uninitiated, meant
nothing ; and to demonstrate the truth of his assertion he would
take a coin from his pocket and desire that some one would fetch
from the nearest place, where they were procurable, a pack of
cards. If, as happened in ninety-nine cases out of every hundred,
no one volunteered, each one waiting for his neighbor to do so, a
capper stepped from the audience, took the money, disappeared,
and shortly reappeared with a stamped pack of cards, which he
presented to the sanctimonious Greene. That spotless worthy
now shuffled them in full view of the people, and would then tell
his astonished audience the suit and size of each card as it lay
on the pack, face downward, before exposing it to the gaze of
his bewildered and startled hearers.
Should any adventurous gentleman among the spectators,
having before his eyes the fear of being humbugged, snatch the
coin, and himself rush out in search of a pack, or have &n hand
one of his own private packs, Greene was prepared for such an
emergency. He would take the pack from the hands of his
doubtful auditor, and calling the attention of his audience by
telling them to watch him closely and be sure he did not change
it, commence shuffling. After he had done so he would aston
ish his gaping auditors by reading each size and suit correctly
348 'WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
from the back as easily as he had done the stamped ones. So
cleverly did he accomplish this trick, that some of the most prac
tical gamblers of the day tried to acquaint themselves with the
" modus-operandi," and failed to do so, though perfectly well
satisfied that a fraud existed somewhere. His lectures were at
tended by philosophers, practical scientific men, astute lawyers,
learned legislators, shrewd thieves, and cunning detectives, not
one of whom doubted that Greene was a true disciple of honesty;
but not a few gamblers knew him to be a fraud, but had not the
power, or, to speak more correctly, the courage, to expose him.
His trick, when known, was, as is usual in such cases, exceedingly
simple. A small piece of looking-glass being inserted or laid
upon the desk when he was lecturing, showed him the face of
the card as he removed it from the pack.
According to Greene's account of himself, he was the associate
of the thieves, desperadoes, and counterfeiters who infested the
banks of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers from Cincinnati to New
Orleans, for the space of fifteen years. His gambling seems to
have been a petty career of playing swindling games of short cards
on steamers, by playing on the unwary and verdant, stamped and
marked cards, or giving them large hands at " all-fours," poker,
brag, euchre, etc., and beating them with better ones. When
not engaged in the immaculate manner described, he followed
up fairs and race-courses, and other public gatherings, where he
entertained the verdant with cogged dice and thimble-rigging.
It is believed by many shrewd old gamblers that revenge was
the motive which induced the pious Greene to change his mode of
life. In those days it was customary for master sharpers to hire
the privilege of race-courses. One of these enterprising worth- *
ies, named John Campbell, secured, about 1847, the gambling
privilege of the race-track at Richmond. While operating with
his horde of low sharpers inside in the gambling booth, several
nomadic brethren of the lower orders had opened their games of
chuck, strap, and thimble-game outside the track, and near to
the gate ; among these was Greene, who was running a small
chuck-table. Mr. Campbell, regarding these outsiders in the
light of an infringement on his privileges, sent several of his
hired bullies to disperse them, " vi et armis." In the general
melee which ensued, Greene received a most unmerciful beating.
This outrage upon his person may have given him serious
PREJUDICES. 349
notions of book-making, and made him burn to expose the prac
tices and tricks of gamblers to the whole world ; but to my mind
the gain he expected to get from his exposition was quite as po
tent a reason as the desire for revenge, and the main object of
his reformation. However, be that as it may, I have never yet
found a single gambler willing to admit that he ever knew
Greene to be engaged in or connected with any square game in
his life, of any description whatever, nor in his autobiography
does he once speak of being connected with a first-class square
gambler, and mentions but a single instance of ever being in their
rooms, when he speaks gratefully of the kind treatment he there
received, and also of the gentlemanly and hospitable manners of
its proprietors. It is wonderful how this low and debased fraud
should have deceived some of the brightest intellects in the coun
try. His false representations again aroused, in all its virulence,
the feeling against gamblers, and to such a pitch did it run that
the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Ken-
tukcy, Alabama, Tennessee, and even Congress, for the District of
Columbia, passed severe laws against gaming. In some of these
States the dealing of a banking game of chance was punishable
by two years in the State's prison j while in others the penalty
was five. Officers of justice, even, in many cases, would warn
offenders of the danger they stood in from the law; therefore
these ultra severe measures defeated themselves. Finally the
majority of the States repealed these very stringent laws a few
years after passing them ; but in the States of New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and also in the District of Columbia,
they are still on the statute-books, though virtually a dead
letter.
None stand higher as a class, in the scale of probity, than gamb
lers. The envious and jealous are certainly to be found among
them, as among other classes of men, but few who are meanly
avaricious; and, taken as a body, they are surpassed in generosity
and liberality by none. In the scale of morals they will compare
favorably with any class in this country ; and if the record of
crime be any proof of my assertion, statistics show that in our
States prisons may be found men from every walk of life, ex
cept the gamblers. And not a single one has, by the laws of the
land, expiated his crime upon the gallows throughout the length
and breadth of this great republic. Charles Cora was, indeed,
350 -WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
hanged by the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco, and Mum-
ford by a military tribunal in New Orleans; and the taking-off
of either of these men has never added much to the credit of
their executioners. Richardson, the U. S. Marshal whom Cora
killed, was a Baltimore Plug-Ugly, and a shooter and stabber of
the first water ; and when in a state of intoxication, which was
not seldom, used his weapon with the most sublime disregard of
the safety of friend or foe. While on one of his periodical sprees,
which always lasted him three or four days, he encountered
Cora at the Cosmopolitan Coffee House, on Montgomery Street,
for the first time ; an altercation ensued which resulted in Rich
ardson's drawing a Derringer and trying to fire it at Cora ; but
before he could carry out his design he was disarmed by his
friends and taken away. On the following evening the parties
again met at the same place as before, and, through the media
tion of friends, a reconciliation was effected, and they drank to
gether as a symbol that all hard feelings were drowned between
them. Immediately afterwards Richardson took Cora by the
arm and desired him to take a walk with him, which the latter
foolishly consented to do. It was now about eight o'clock; the
night was dark, and five minutes did not elapse, after they start
ed out, before the report of a pistol ruhg out on the night air,
and every person in the crowd started for the spot from whence
the report seemed to come. On arriving, the body of Richard
son was discovered lying across the iron grating which covered
the pavement before a large mercantile establishment one block
away from the Cosmopolitan. Beside tbe dead body of Richard
son lay a Derringer pistol; the scabbard of his bowie-knife,
fastened to his waistband, was empty, the knife itself having
dropped into the cellar beneath, where it was afterwards found.
Cora was arrested, a few moments after the killing was done,
about a hundred yards from the scene of the tragedy. Upon his
person were found two Derringers, one loaded and one empty,
and showing that it had been discharged but a few moments since.
This was the substance of all the evidence alleged against Cora
on the trial, which took place while public opinion was inflamed
against him to the highest pitch, lashed by a licentious pi'ess in
to fury, for no other reason except that Richardson had borne
the honorable title of U. S. Marshal, while his murderer was
nothing in the estimation of the people but a vile gambler. In
PREJUDICES, 351
those days it was not customary for a murderer to get into the
witness-box and give testimony in his own behalf ; consequently
what took place between Cora and Richardson, after they left
the Cosmopolitan Coffee House, remained, as far as the jury and
the public in general were concerned, a profound mystery. But
being, as I was, acquainted with both men, I see no reason to
doubt the truth of the version given by Cora, while in prison, to
Ms friend, James Horton, or his counsel, Mr. McDougal. It cer
tainly bears to my mind every semblance of truth.
Cora's statement was to the effect that, soon after they reached
the pavement, Richardson brought up the subject of their last
night's dispute, and insisted that he (Cora) should acknowledge
himself wrong in the whole matter, which he emphatically re
fused to do. This altercation continued until they had reached
the end of the block, still walking arm in arm, and turned down
a side street. They continued thus to walk forward until they
had gone several yards, Richardson still arguing, and trying to
induce Cora to acknowledge himself the aggressor on the night
before. Cora still refusing, Richardson suddenly stopped, and
pushing his companion up against the side of a building, and
holding him with his left hand in such a manner that he could
not escape, while with his right hand he made a motion as if to
draw from his belt his bowie-knife, and demanded that he should
confess he had done him a grievous wrong. Cora said he had
kept his own hand on his Derringer ever since his companion
had mooted the disagreeable subject, but that he also tried in
every way to conciliate him, short of the shameful acknowledg
ment he wished to extort from him. The moment Richardson
attempted to draw his knife to enforce his demands, the contents
of the Derringer were discharged into his heart. The jury fail
ing to agree on a verdict, Cora was remanded to prison to await
a new trial. Shortly after these events, James King, of Wan,
editor of the San Francisco Evening Bulletin, was shot down in
the streets by one James P. Casey, a member of the Board of
Supervisors, and the owner of a weekly newspaper published in
that city King had published in his paper a scurrilous article
reflecting on Casey, for which he was shot down by the latter on
the street in cold blood. The indignation caused by this das
tardly act culminated in the organization of a Vigilance Com
mittee. Its first act was to avenge the death of King by hang-
352 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
ing Casey, and, without the remotest shadow of law to justify the
brutal act, hung Cora also with him. The avowed purpose of
the Committee was to rid the city of its political rowdies and
ballot-box stuffers. Cora was never identified vith these classes,
nor did he anywhere bear the reputation of a dangerous man.
The man Mumford, hung by General Butler for tearing down
from the Mint the United States flag, was naturally a half idiot,
and what little brains he ever possessed were crazed by the ex
cessive use of liquor. The world applauded when he was hang
ed for tearing down the flag an act which he never perpetrated.
A Kanaka boy ascended to the roof of the Mint, climbed the pole,
detatched the banner, and threw it into the street. Mumford,
who happened to be there, picked it up, and dragged it after him
through the muddy street, at the same time tearing it in pieces,
and distributing it in a braggadocio manner to those whom he
met. Of course a crowd gathered about him, and an army of
boys followed at his heels, to see the fun. None but fools or
lunatics commit such barefaced follies. Butler might have con
sidered Mumford a fit subject of which to make an example ;
but it would have spoken better for humanity in general, and
added far more to the credit of our nation, had he, instead of
consigning the unfortunate wretch to the rope of the hangman,
placed him in an asylum for lunatics.
There has never been in our country a more law-abiding class
of citizens than the gamblers. I know, in the whole course of my
roving existence, of but a single instance of one being concerned
in a Vigilance Committee or a lynching party of any description.
In our new States and territories, where the mobocracy so often
trampled under foot the constituted authority, among the first
persons called upon by the rightful officers of the law, to assist
in sustaining their authority, were the gamblers. In their bravery
and loyalty the utmost confidence was placed.
In his habits the gambler is, in ninety-nine cases out of every
hundred, excessively clean. Cleanliness in his creed is far
ahead of godliness. Personal purity is with him an indispensa
ble necessity. He lives on the best he can procure, and sur
rounds himself and family, should he possess one, with every
comfort and luxury he can compass. This is true both of his
home and his gambling-house. He there treats his friends with
the greatest liberality and hospitality. In manners he is cour-
PREJUDICES. 353
teous and affable, and seldom, even when young and ignorant,
shows rudeness to strangers or inoffensive persons of any de
scription. Good-behavior is one of the articles of his creed.
He is neat in his dress, too often extravagant, and in youth
generally fond of display; he sometimes also, at this period,
gives way to dissipation, though to no greater extent than other
young men having the same command of money. When gam
blers have had the power to choose their customers, and close
their doors on such as were inclined to ruffianly behavior,
order and decorum have invariably reigned around their games.
Even in the lower class of gambling-rooms, wrangling, blasphe
mous or obscene language is not tolerated, and persons persist
ing in behaving themselves with rudeness, or disagreeably, are
shut out, regardless of wealth or standing, except in some cases
where the gambler dare not refuse to admit some bully or ward
politician, fearful of violence to his game from either themselves
or their satellites. In the best order of gambling-houses may
be met men of cultivation and refinement, numbers of whom
move in the highest walks of life, and as much decorum prevails
among the guests as would be expected in a party of friends
during an entertainment at the house of one of their number.
The proprietor treats his patrons equally with the greatest cour
tesy and consideration. He who merely bets a single white
check is treated with the same respectful politeness as the lord
of thousands whose bets reach the limit of the bank. The gam
ing-table equalizes all who take their seats before it. It is a
peculiar mart of trade, where cringing and flattery are not a
part of the stock, and in no way belong to it. The bankers
treat all with suavity, conceding to each his rights and nothing
more, and no banker having the least respect for himself or his
establishment is ever seen to display the smallest sign of joy or
pain at his gains or losses.
354 WATTDEKINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
WOLF-TRAPS.
The ground was strewn with the irtany-hued leaves of autumn
when the Major and myself concluded to start out once more on
a tramp, this time to the far West. We had been loitering away
a couple of months of the heated term at the White Sulphur
Springs of Virginia ; a place which, without being very enter
taining, we found by no means beneficial to our pockets.
Arriving at Porkopolis, we found the levee crowded with
steamers of all sizes, many of the larger class plying between
that port and New Orleans, having but lately been released from
the moorings where they had been tied up during the summer
months. Their appearance at the wharf, together with the piles
of freight with which it was covered, plainly denoted that navi
gation was thoroughly reopened, without the corroboration given
to that fact by the swelling of the turbid waters of the Ohio.
"Jack, would you like to take a stroll among the 'Wolf-
traps,' sir?" inquired the Major on the morning subsequent to
Our arrival in Cincinnati.
"Wolf-traps," I repeated, "what are they?"
"They are only to be appreciated, sir, by seeing them.*'
"Then let us go, by all means," I rejoined.
A few moments 7 rapid walk from our hotel brought us to the
Steamboat landing. We then turned up one of the side streets
leading from it, and a few doors from the corner paused for a
moment at the foot of a wooden stairway. We ascended and
reached a landing on the first floor, turned and entered a side
door which opened into a long, narrow, and excessively dirty
room, which could be divided at pleasure into two apartments
by sliding-doors. The whole was carpeted with a dilapidated
straw- matting, and decorated with several rough wooden boxes,
which, being filled with sawdust, served as spittoons, when the
patrons desired to indulge in expectoration. The front win
dows, which looked upon the street, were protected by green
Venetian blinds, the walls had at some remote period been pa*
pered, but were now so smoked that the original pattern was un
decipherable. They were adorned at intervals by various penny
WOLF-TRAPS. 355
Pictures tacked to the wall, as well as several in frames, repre
senting celebrated racers, distinguished generals and statesmen,
steamboats, fishing and hunting scenes, etc., etc. The furniture
included a few dozen of cane-seat chairs, a poker-table covered
with a discolored green cloth, and at the furthest end of the
room a large faro ditto, also covered with the usual green
cloth, on which now reposed a lay-out, a set of chips, and a
card-box. Against one side of the front room stood a strong
oaken side-board, which had long since seen its best days, and
on it rested a wooden pail filled with water, in which a gourd
swam invitingly for those who desired to quench their thirst
tho only entertainment of any sort which the establishment
offered to its patrons. But on the ground floor flourished a
coffee-house, which dispensed to all who desired both heating
and cooling beverages, and the "trap" maintained a sable at
tendant to receive the money of its patrons, and procure for
them its equivalent in whatever refreshments they might re
quire.
Casting our eyes over the room, we perceived that but three
persons were present tbere, besides ourselves, the hour being, as
yet, too early for customers. One of these was a little dried-up
fellow, about fifty years of age, of a swarthy visage and small
black eyes, and bushy whiskers of the same raven hue. When
he perceived us, he came forward quickly and shook the Major
warmly by the hand.
"Glad to see you looking so well, Mr. Robbins," said the
polite Major.
" I don't feel so, sir," returned the person addressed, in a lugu
brious tone, and with a doleful shake of the head.
" No ! You surprise me ! What's the matter, sir?" inquired the
Major.
"D n bad here," ejaculated the moody gentleman, thumping
himself on the chest.
" Well, sir ! if health's bad, trade must be good, eh, Robbins f w
'* No ! no ! no it ain't, Major ! It's very bad, sir," replied
that worthy, speaking, if possible, in a more doleful strain than
before. " We hain't made a winning in ten days; every bank's
been broken as fast as 'twas put up, and we've put up more'n a
hundred, I'll bet."
" Can they do it always?" inquired tho Major, with a show of
interest.
356 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
" It seems so," whined Bobbins. " D n me if I don't believe
the house is 'hoo-dood.' But where have you been so long?"
he asked.
" In Virginia," replied the Major.
"After keerds?"
"No, sir! I've done no gambling; have been engaged in busi
ness," answered the Major, drily.
"You're a deep 'uii Major, you are," said the doleful Bobbins,
with a shake of his head, and bringing to his face a sort of sickly
half-way smile. "But don't you know my partner here, Mr.
Simons?" he inquired, pointing to a bald-headed, heavy-set gen
tleman, who was dexterously balancing himself on the extreme
tips of the two back legs of his chair, and pretending to occupy
himself with a newspaper.
" Haven't the pleasure, but you will introduce me, I hope,"
returned the polite Major.
"Mr. Simons, this here is my old friend, Major Jenks, and he's
a trump, you can bet on ? t."
After this glowing eulogy, the Major was shaken energetically
by the hand, and Mr. Simons expressed his pleasure at becoming
acquainted with such an accomplished trump.
" Mr Johnstone, Major," said Mr. Bobbins, in such atone as he
would have used had he been informing him of the death of his
dearest friend, and waving his hand towards a coarse, broad-
shouldered, hard-fisted specimen of the genus homo, who had
not, since our entrance, ceased for one moment to walk the
floor up and down, as if doing it on time, for a wager. No class
of the human family was more disgusting to the Major than the
bruiser tribe, and our late experience in New York had not
greatly tended to soften his prejudices, to say the least. The
personal appearance of Mr. Johustone bore the indelible stamp
of his order. His mien, gait, and every action declared it to the
stranger, even if it were not for his scarified face, on which was
so legibly written the annals of many a rough-and-tumble fight,
that he who saw might read ; but the Major never allowed his
prejudices to overcome his politeness, and of course acknowl
edged the favor of Mr. Johnstone's acquaintance, with his usual
courtesy.
"It's allers better folks should know one another," remarked
Mr. Bobbins, in a lugubrious tone, after the hand-shaking attend
ant on this ceremony had been performed.
WOLF-TEAPS. 357
"Very properly so, sir," answered the Major.
In these ceremonies of presentation I was left entirely out in
the cold. The Major had either altogether forgotten me, or
thought me unworthy to be presented to his friends, or, what I
believe to be quite as likely, did not consider that I would be in
any way benefited by their acquaintance. Be that as it may, my
temper was in no degree ruffled by the slight.
I now amused myself by scanning the patrons of the place,
who were fast filling the room, and a motley gathering they were,
both in dress and personal appearance. Among them were men
of all ages, from those in early youth to those whose hair was
white with the snows of many winters. Some were dressed in
seedy garments, some few plainly and tastefully, some slovenly,
and many foppishly; over the persons of this latter class was
distributed a profusion of jewelry, some of it the " Simon pure "
article, while the flashy pinchbeck chains, rings and breastpins,
which disfigured many of them, marked their status in the com
munity more plainly than words could possibly do. The majority
were men occupying various positions on the steamboats plying
on the river; for instance, cooks, stewards, mates, pilots, and
engineers. There was also to be seen a considerable sprinkling
of residents of the place representing the rowdy element in force,
besides some mechanics, loafers and pot-house political spouters,
and others of like grades and callings. The better-behaved
amongst them sat quietly looking about them, or reading the
newspapers, while the younger and better-dressed portion of
the crowd gathered about the faro-table, where they discussed
their own bad luck, the merits of fast women, fighting men,
race-horses, river steamers, and a hundred kindred subjects. Their
conversation was garnished by many terrible oaths and obscene
expressions. "Who'll open a snap?" was the oft-repeated ques
tion of the crowd, and every time the door was opened, or foot
steps were heard ascending the stairs, all eyes were turned in
that direction, in hopes it was some one who was in the habit of
setting up a bank there. At length their patience was rewarded
by the appearance upon the scene of a slight, dandefied-looking
inividual, who was received with a yell of delight from the de
lectable crowd assembled round the faro-table, while several
screamed at the tops of their voices, " Here's Marks; we'll have
a bank now !" The gentleman whose arrival had raised this ebul-
358 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
lition of feeling, and who was now the centre of attraction to all
parties present, was dressed in a rather genteel manner, and
wore around his neck a heavy gold chain, and a fine brilliant
sparkled in his elaborately-embroidered shirt front. He held in
his hand a small gold-headed cane, and advanced into the room
and up to that end of it occupied by the faro-table and its ap
purtenances, with a perfectly blank face, and took no more no
tice of the yelling, screeching audience, than if he had been the
sole occupant of the room. Without bestowing ou any person
the smallest sign of recognition, he coolly divested himself of his
coat, folded it up carefully, and handed it to Mr. Robbins. He
now for the first time acknowledged the presence of his enthu
siastic audience, and said, contemptuously, " Yes, I'll give you a
bank that '11 make yer sick, yer rascals !" which polite speech was
received with a yell of approbation by the gentlemen assembled
about the poker-table. He then moved with a kind of shuffle
towards the dealing-chair, and having fixed himself there to his
satisfaction, he took with his thumb and finger, from his vest
pocket, a half eagle, which he tossed on the table with the ut
most "sangfroid," at the same time crying out "Here, Robbins,
give us 'fish' for this." According to custom, that worthy count
ed him out from the piles of checks on the table five dollars, is
suing them at five cents apiece. When he had set Mr. Marks'
bank aside, he handed him a dealing-box and a pack of cards.
The latter shuffled these according to the most approved method,
and placed them in the dealing-box, and during this operation
neither spoke, nor hi any way noticed, even so much as by a look,
any one around him. Silence was evidently Mr. Marks' " best
holt." When ready to receive company, he addressed his au
dience in the following polite strain: " Gentlemen, I dou't want no
fightin' at this 'ere game, nor no 'queer' played in on me. Steal
everybody's checks but mine, and now, ye d n rascals, pitch in!"
Anxious to have a good view of what was going forward, I man
aged to make my way next the wall until I got near the dealer ;
but not before an indignant gentleman whom I had crowded,
and who had been in close communion with the whiskey
bottle, desired to be informed "where the h 1 I was working
to." From the position I had gained I could survey the scene
at leisure; and it was one to which only the pencil of a Hogarth
could have done justice. Seated and standing in every imagiu-
WOLF-TRAPS. 359
able attitude around the table, were tiers of men, the hindmost
row standing on tip-toe, and all watching with intense interest
the events of the play. Immediately around the table were at
least forty persons, of various miens, shapes, ages, and complex
ions, and those among them who were but spectators of the
game watched its fluctuations with the same intense interest as
those who were hazarding their money upon it.
The banker started off a winner, which did not seem to im
prove the temper of some of his patrons. While the dealer was
making his turn profound silence reigned, and the suppressed
breathing of the players, and the sound of the cards as they glid
ed from the box, were the only sounds audible ; but the moment
the turn was finished, every tongue broke loose, and a clamor,
before which that of ancient Babel might hide its diminished
head, ensued. The most awfully blasphemous language would
be uttered against fortune, by men who had lost but one or two
five-cent checks. To the cursing, wrangling, and squabbling
about the ownership of checks, the imperturbable Marks paid not
the smallest attention. Occasionally he would remonstrate
when some one detained the game in placing or exchanging his
checks, then he would bring his fist down on the table, with a
"Hands up, d n ye! Do yer want to keep a gentleman here
all day ?"
"There I go, again!" shrieked out a well-dressed youth, who
occupied a front seat at the table, and who was betting one or
two five-cent checks at a time. "By G d! that's the seventh
straight bet Fve lost," he cried, looking around for sympathy.
" Yer too windy, Grummy," said an elderly gentleman seated
near him.
"Am I?" half screamed Grummy. "If you'd lost half the bets
I have within the last two months, you'd be in a lunatic asylum
before now !"
"Where d'ye get yer money? I never seed yer work none!''
demanded a squealing voice from the crowd.
"I get it with my tongue, yer dirty lad !" retorted the elegant
Mr. Grummy. "If you had ter git yourn that way, ye'd starved
to death long ago."
" I thought you pinched pockets for it," retorted the squealing
voice.
"No! he dusen't do nothing o' the kind," sung out a voice from
360 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
the outward circle; "he's got au industrious gal, an' she allers
heels him to a stake in ther morniiiV
This sally was received with roars of laughter from the delight
ed crowd, and brought Mr. Grummy up all standing. Begging
money, or borrowing money under false pretenses, was a rare ac
complishment among the men of Mr. Grummy's " set," but to be
publicly accused of being a thief and of being a dependent upon
the bounty of his lady-love, was more than flesh and blood could
stand. "Come down stairs, ye dirty loafers, and I'll show ye
where I gets my money," roared the exasperated gentleman,
wildly flourishing his clenched fists above his head, and invit
ing his assailants to come and get their heads smashed. As
one gentleman was about to accept this polite invitation, and
several others started to follow, to see fair play, Mr. Johnstone
made his appearance on the scene.. He took hold of the belli
gerent Mr. Grummy by the shoulders, and forced him into his
seat, and then informed him, in the mildest and most dulcet of
voices, that if he heard another word from him he'd pitch him
head-foremost down stairs.
The bank struggled hard for an existence, but was finally
obliged to succumb to capital. Without allowing his ill success to
ruffle his temper, Mr. Marks quietly took out what money was
in the card-box, in order to redeem his checks; meanwhile
several piles were shoved under his nose for redemption.
When he had surveyed them for a moment, he turned to their
owners and said, " You've been dealing with thieves so long, you
don't know a gentleman when you see one. Take them checks
back, and keep 'em till your turn comes, or you don't get a cent,
you scoundrels! Do you hear?" They did hear, and obeyed,
without showing any signs of rebellion. Whoever Marks was, it
seemed the rough element obeyed and respected him. When he
had redeemed his checks, Bobbins handed him his coat, which
he put on, seized his gold-headed cane in his left hand, and, with
a flourish of his right, thus addressed his patrons : " Gentlemen,
as my term of office has now expired, allow me to thank you for
your generous patronage, and also to carry away with me the
remembrance of the happy moments I have passed in your
society. This speech was received with boisterous cheering,
during which Mr. Marks shuffled himself out of the room.
Another dealer now put up a ten dollar bank, which was bro-
WOLF-TRAPS. 361
ken oil the first deal. The next bank was a twenty-five dollar
one, which was also soon broken. By this time it appeared a
heavier class of players had entered the place, and to make room
for them at the table, the "crabbers " were forced to vacate, by
order of Mr. Ilobbius. One dissatisfied gentleman ventured to
remonstrate against the making invidious distinctions, by saying
that a gentleman was entitled to his seat, so long as he had a
check, but in defiance of this opinion he was seized by the re
doubtable Johustone, and dragged from his chair ; after which
he spun the unfortunate "champion o' the rights of the weaker"
around the room like a top; a warning beacon to all who had not
learned that right is always with the strongest party.
Several banks were successively broken, and as each banker
retired discomfited, the cry would arise, "Room for another."
"Who next?" The chair was finally occupied by a man clad in
an unexceptionable coat of brown cloth, pants of the same ma
terial, and a white linen vest. He rejoiced in an elaborately
ruffled shirt, and his head was topped by an expensive Panama
hat. He was burdened with a superfluous amount of jewelry,
comprising a long gold neck-chain, fob-chain, diamond pin, and
several diamond rings on his fingers. This gentleman, from ap
pearance, was about forty years of .age. His frame was slender,
and though not above the middle height, stooped considerably
from the shoulders, and ungainly in appearance. His complex
ion was nearly as dark as that of an Indian, and since I have seen
the many Cherokee half-breeds, I am certain he was one of the
gamblers of that caste, who made their homes in the Indian
Territory. His eyes were dark and piercing, his eyebrows arched
and bushy, while his head was covered by a thick shock of
coarse black hair. Nobody seemed to recognize him, nor did
he speak to any one, so that evidently he was a total stranger in
the place. When he had taken from an inside pocket a large
roll of bank-bills, he counted out $300, and handed to Mr.
Bobbins as his bank money, telling him that he desired the
denomination of his checks to be 25 cents. This was considered
a very large bank at the "trap," and some of the smaller
players began to remonstrate about the price of the checks,
which caused some spicy conversation between them and those
who desired to be considered " heavy rollers," to ensue. Noth
ing is more annoying to young bank players, or will gall them
362 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
worse or more quickly, than to be called "pikers," or "crab
bers," or "check-sweaters" words almost syuouyinous, and
meaning a person who bets one or two white checks at a time;
these are termed "pikers "and "crabbers," while the "check-
sweater" or "check- charmer" holds in his hand a few white
checks, as an excuse to keep his seat at the table, which he
does more in expectation of pouncing upon the sleepers belong
ing to the other players, than of winning anything from the
bank himself.
Compared with the banks previously set up, the new one had
quite a lively game, none of the previous ones being over $25.
Several $10 and $15 bets were made, and a few as high as $20.
The sight of the stranger's money had nerved some of the more
adventurous spirits to go for it. Hidden jnoney was brought
out of secret pockets, where it had lain "perdu." A new class
of players appeared on the scene, more venturesome and better-
behaved. Several of the more noisy "-crabbers" were driven
from their seats to make room for these, and the game now be
came very exciting.
Among the new arrivals was a tall, powerful man, well, but
plainly dressed, and aged about thirty years. His swarthy vis
age, and dark, sinister expression, was in no way improved by an
ugly scar on his forehead and another reaching from his ear to
the corner of his mouth. He was accompanied by two stalwart
companions, who addressed him as Ned, and who were assisting
him, and directing him how to bet his money. It was "Ned,
bet on the five itliasn't lost yet;" or "Ned, cramp the queen
with a few dollars she's a hummer;" or "Ned, put me a couple
of dollars on the Jack;" or remarks of like significance. Ned
stood before the table with a large roll of bills in his hands, of
the denominations principally of ones and twos. When his com
panions told him to lay a bet, he did so ; and when they asked
for money, he gave it to them, and did not once open his mouth
to ask a question or make a reply. But neither himself nor his
friends could pick out winning cards, nor could any other per
son, scarcely ; for the long, bony fingers of the Indian were rak
ing in everything before him in the shape of or of the name of
money. The roll of bills in the fingers of "Ned" was rapidly
dwindling away, but he still controlled the fiery passion which
burned within him, increasing in fury as his losses increased,
WOLF-TRAPS. 363
and he saw his hets one after another picked up from the lay
out by the supple fingers of the dealer without a word or sign,
until finally he held in his hand the last remaining note of his
roll. It was a one dollar bill. As he stood before the lay-out,
he twisted this absently into a cord, savagely staring at the
automaton dealer the while, whose eyes were on the lay-out,
and were covered from the sight of the spectators by the Pan
ama hat, which was slouched over his brows. In this position
he patiently awaited the disposal of his last bet by "Ned."
"You want this too, do you?" he hissed between his teeth,
shaking the twisted bill in his face. "You want this too, do
you?" The dealer neither made him any reply, nor moved a
muscle ; the former continued in the same intemperate manner,
still shaking before his face the twisted-up bill. "You've won
forty dollars from me without paying me a single bet. See if you
can win that, you d u thief!" At the same moment he placed
the bill, twisted as it was, behind the nine. Amidst a death-like
silence the dealer made his turn. The cards could be heard
distinctly as they fell from the box. Every one seemed to hold
his breath.
The bill lost. Ned snatched it up, tore it into small bits,flung
one to the imperturbable dealer and one to himself alternately,
at the same time hissing between his clenched teeth, "You take
that, and I'll take this," at every fragment.
"Your conduct," said the Indian, calmly, for the first time
looking up, "is, to say the least of it, very ungentlemanly."
Quick as thought, the ruffian seized the dealing-box, and with
it struck him a fearful blow on the mouth, which felled him
senseless to the floor; while from the cut on his upper lip, caused
by the sharp edge of the box, the blood spurted out profusely.
Simons picked up the prostrate man, and reseated him in his
chair. The blood was flowing in a stream from his lip, and his
first act, on regaining consciousness, was to make a motion to
put his hand behind him. Those who observed this movement
conceived the idea that he was trying to get hold of a pistol^
and the friends of "Ned" called out, "Look out, Ned, he's going
to shoot!" That worthy immediately plunged his hand into the
bosom of his vest, and as he partially withdrew it, the white
handle of a bowie-knife was seen to project, which he imme
diately replaced on making the discovery that the weapon which
364 WANDEIUNGS OF A VAGABOND.
the Indian was trying to draw was nothing more formidable
than a white pocket-handkerchief.
At this stage of the affair, several of those belonging to Ned's
party rushed in out of the front room with the cry that "the
police are coming!" " Let's leave, Ned!" etc. Mr. Johnstone
now interfered for the first time, and entreated " Ned" to leave
before he was "nabbed" by the police. The rooms were nearly
deserted by the people who a few moments before had crowded
them to suffocation, and when "Ned" and his companions had
left the place, it contained no other occupants but Simons, Rob-
bins, Johnstone, the injured man, the Major, and myself. This
speedy riddance of the crowd was due to a custom of the police,
who were in the habit of arresting every person whom they
found in a "trap," if called in to suppress a row. The Major,
being fully aware of this, tried to drag me from the place as
soon as the dealer was struck, but I was determined to see the
end of the adventure, and the generous old fellow, sooner than
leave me alone, remained with me.
The injured man, unable to make any response to the kind in
quiries of Robbins and Simons after his hurts, could only sit
witbhis handkerchief pressed over the wound. Robbins settled
up the game, which had won about $180, and after deducting
the ten per cent, due the house, handed over the balance to its
owner, who put it in the pocket of his pants, and immediately
left the house, holding his handkerchief up to his mouth.
"There, Major! Don't you think we're treated very badly?"
inquired the irrepressible Robbins, the instant the door had
closed on his retreating form, with his habitual whining tone.
"Yes, sir!" answered the Major, "but I think that unfortun
ate gentleman who has just left us has been treated an infernal
sight worse.
"Treated h 1!" rejoined Mr. Robbins, contemptuously.
"What's a fight to breaking up a man's business? An' to be
treated so by yer friends too, it's devilish shabby, certain," said
the virtuous Mr. Robbins, in a very injured and desponding
manner.
"Ned La Grange is as good a feller es ever walked the airth,
but yer see, Robbins, he's lost a power o' money here lately, and
it makes 'im cross as a b'ar," apologized Mr. Johnstone.
The Major and myself now took our leave, and reached the
WOLF-TRAPS. '365
street without encountering any officers. "And that's what you
call the wolf- trap, is it?"
"That's one of them, sir."
"And how many such are here, for God's sake?" I inquired,
aghast.
" Ten or fifteen, perhaps," answered the imperturbable Major.
"And are they all as bad as the one we have just left?"
" That's the best of them, sir."
"For fighting, you mean?" I rejoined.
"No, sir! It's kept in better order than many of them; be
sides, Bobbins won't let any "check games" be played in his
house, nor any other kind of swindling to go on there."
"And that man Johnstone is he concerned in the establish
ment?"
"No farther than that he is hired to keep order there."
"How was it he didn't tackle that fellow, 'Ned'? He talked
very warlike to that man they called Grammy, and others."
"Because he knew he couldn't win, and the attempt might
have cost him his life. That ruffian, who violated the person of
that inoffensive dealer, is one of the worst desperadoes in this
city, sir, and his companions are equally as bad."
"I wonder* if the person whom he so brutally injured will
have him arrested?"
"What would it amount to? Perhaps a fine of five or ten
dollars at the 'utmost, and the ruffian might retaliate upon him,
and cause him to be indicted for dealing faro. He wields some
influence with the authorities, because he is politically powerful
among the rougher characters of the city, known as the Fly
Market Rangers, or the Flat-iron Rangers.
The second morning after that on which the above conversa
tion transpired, while the Major and myself were seated at
breakfast in our hotel, in looking over the morning paper my
attention was attracted to a paragraph which stated that "a
well-known citizen named Edward La Grange was found dead a
short distance from his lodgings, from the effects of a load of
buckshot, which lodged near his heart. On the body, when dis
covered, was found his watch and other ornaments, and in one
of his pockets a small leather pocket-book, containing $20 in
bank-notes. It is believed that revenge prompted the assassi
nation."
866 WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
"Let's go to the coroner's inquest," said the Major.
We discovered, from an examination of the paper, where the
inquest was to be held, and ten minutes' walk brought us to the
place. A large crowd of persons were congregated there, but a
much larger one before a brick house a short Distance off, where,
on the pavement hi front of it, lay the remains of the murdered
man. We managed to work our way into the crowd, and in the
ghastly features of the corpse turned up to the noonday sun we
recognized those of the "Ned," who, in so dastardly a manner,
had outraged the person of the Indian dealer by striking him in
the face with the dealing-box. His assassin was never discovered !
CHAPTER XXIX.
WOLF-TRAPS CONTINUED.
From 1836 up to 1846 the gambling done in Cincinnati, in the
banking line, was almost entirely confined to faro, and the
games were conducted, in what were called ten per cent, houses,
or, as classically rendered by the masses who patronized them,
" wolf-traps," or " dead-falls." After the date mentioned, gamb
lers began fitting up better rooms for the entertainment of the
more respectable class of customers, and shut out from them the
rougher characters who were in the habit of making the " wolf-
traps" a place of resort. Dens of the "wolf-trap" description
were by no means confined to Cincinnati, but were to be found
in St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia,
and several of the minor cities. But in no city in the Union did
they flourish so extensively and in such numbers as that first
named, or were the resort of so many ruffianly and lawless
characters.
Dens of the description of the "Tapis Franc," and the "dead
falls " of San Francisco and Sacramento, are now matters of his
tory only, and it seems beyond the bounds of probability that
similar haunts of vice, and the brutal and lawless scenes there
enacted, will ever again be permitted to disgrace our country,
and the name of civilization.
In Cincinnati, the number of traps would increase or decrease
WOLF-TRAPS. 367
in proportion to the numbers of their patrons ; at times as many
as fifteen would be flourishing full tilt, while again their number
would dwindle down to four or five. During the summer months
they were by far the most numerous, owing to the many boatmen
in the city thrown out of employment by the closing ot naviga
tion on the river.
These delectable institutions were located in close proximity
to the steamboat landing ; either facing it, or in some by-street
convenient. They were to be found in basements, first floors,
and third floors, but most generally disconnected from rum-mills.
To fit up a " wolf-trap," it would be necessary to procure a room,
furnish it with a dozen or so common cane-seat chairs, a faro-
table, and a few other trifling articles, and it was ready to re
ceive all comers, always excepting the proscribed sons of Africa.
The " nigs," not to be behind their white brethren, had also their
"traps," which, to their credit be it said, were conducted on a
much more orderly and honorable basis than many of those from,
which they were excluded. Nor did they retaliate by showing
the same spirit of exclusiveness in their dens, for the African and
the Caucasian could frequently be seen there, seated side by side,
struggling for the possession of the "filthy lucre." Neither did
the sable proprietor permit any " check " games to be played, or
any other kindred rascalities frequently practiced in the "traps"
of their white brethren. The proprietor of the " traps " furnish
ed all the requisite gambling paraphernalia; his money was
invested in rent, furniture, and faro-tools only; he rarely or
never put up a " snap," nor even played against one. He left
that part of the business to his patrons. Whenever one of these
put up a bank he looked out for him, or dealt it for him ; if the
bank won he deducted ten per cent. ; if it lost, he charged noth
ing for his services or the use of his house and tools. When a
tank had been broken, the dealing-chair was declared vacant,
and waiting for a new aspirant to tempt fortune. The largest
bank offered to be set up was given the preference, and they
ranged through all amounts from $1 to $500, but seldom higher
than $50. Sometimes several persons would unite to stock a
bank, and all except the dealer play against it. It frequently
happened that, early in the morning, some enterprising individ
ual, wishing to start business for himself, would throw down
his dollar and declare that his bank. The proprietor of the
368 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
rooms would then give him checks for the amount, issuing them
at ten, five, or perhaps one cent apiece. Presently thirty or
forty dollars' worth of checks would be bought and ready to be
played against the dollar bank. Possibly it might live all day
and win a few hundred dollars, but the odds were several hun
dred to one that it would speedly give up the ghost. The bank
being declared broken, another one was speedily put up in its
place, and in this manner was business conducted in these es
tablishments, and the ten per cent, derived from the winning
banks amounted in the course of the year to a very respectable
revenue for the keepers.of these "traps."
These places were patronized by all classes of the community,
from the laborer to the sons of the wealthy aristocracy. Trades
men, mechanics, low politicians, river men, and river sharpers,
rowdies and thieves of every description and grade. The ver
dant who visited these places were objects of prey to many of
the rough sharpers, who put every scheme they could devise to
work, in order to rob them. Should they put up banks, they
could not there, as at No. 98 Barclay Street, New York, "bon
net" and play upon them such jokes as the patrons were accus
tomed at those places to treat their bankers to. In that locality
such high-handed acts of violence were not tolerated, the laws
of Cincinnati being so eccentric as to punish such little practical
jokes severely. Neither were they here relieved of their money
by a two-card box. The pasturage of the u traps " was too thin
for that stock. But the rough sharpers of these institutions,
when they had a verdant to deal with, managed to get his mon
ey by making half turns on him, paying his bets short, and steal
ing his checks. If too well posted up to stand such nonsense,
the game would be dealt with all seeming fairness, taking the
chance of winning his money on the square ; should this prove
unsuccessful, when he passed in his checks, in order to have them
cashed, he would be greeted with a laugh by both the dealer
and his cappers, and assured that the game was only a lark, and
that had he lost his money it would have been refunded to him,
or perhaps they might have taken out the price of the drinks and
refunded the remainder. But only well-known citizens would get
their money refunded in this manner. Should the " sucker " be
a stranger, and win, the money he had played in would be taken
out by a capper, who would immediately leave the house, carry-
WOLF-TRAPS. 369
ing it with him. If the " sucker" continued to win, and showed
signs of quitting the game, the dealer would address one of his
cronies with a request that he would take his place for a few
moments, as he had some very pressing business to attend to.
He would then leave the house. Perhaps before doing so he had
"pinched" from the card-box whatever money the "sucker"
had handed in for checks. He certainly would not make his
appearance in the rooms again until the dupe had vacated those
premises, unless informed by a runner that he had lost back to
the bank his checks. In that case he would leisurely return and
resume his place in the dealing-chair. Should the successful
"sucker" pass in his checks, he was politely requested to wait
until the dealer returned, by the man in the chair. Of course no
dealer returned ; the cappers would then raise a cry of robbery,
and demand the name of the dealer from his representative.
That individual of course did not know, nor any one else in the
room. All would now be uproar and confusion, in the midst of
which some kind-hearted gentleman would whisper in his ear,
" Come along o' me; I know where to find 'im, and we'll make
'im pay up." If the poor dupe allowed himself to be lured from
the house with his new friend, he would be dragged from one
place to another until heart and flesh both were exhausted; and
if a stranger, he had long since lost all traces of the house where
the game took place. Should he happen to be one of those ob
stinate " cusses " who could not be induced to leave the premi
ses unless he had at least his own money back, the proprietor
would make his appearance, and, after listening to the gentle
man's complaint, would refund it to him. Not because he had
any right to do so ; by no means. " He wasn't responsible for
those who came to his house ; an' if gentlemen bucked agin the
bank, 'twas their business to see that the bank money was all
right first. 'Twas as much as he could do to look arter his ten
per cent., if it won. But then he didn't want anybody treated
mean in his house ; he'd sell his furniture before he'd allow that,"
etc. This apparent sincerity on the part of the proprietor gen
erally smoothed the ruffled feathers of his victim, if he was not too
glad to get his money back to know or care what he was saying.
But at times these gentry would find some rather troublesome
customers to deal with ; and here, by way of a sample, I shall
instance a few cases out of many. A deck-hand on a steamer
370 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
one night dropped into a trap. A visionary bank was imme
diately opened for his especial accommodation. After a short
play he won forty dollars in checks and passed them in to be
cashed. He was informed in the usual way that the dealer hav
ing charge of the bank money was out at that moment, and re
quested to wait for a short time until his return. He waited
until the cappers had either lost or passed in their checks, say
ing, "That's what I owe Mr. Smith, or Jones, or any other hypo
thetical gentleman," and left the apartment. The deck-hand,
having waited about an hour, became convinced that there
was no money for him in that crib, and quietly left. On the fol
lowing night, at about the same hour, he paid another visit to
the place, accompanied by about a dozen of his fellow-boatmen.
A snap was in progress, but none of the parties engaged were
those he had seen on the evening previous; but, without a single
moment's hesitation, he seized the card-box, checks, and deal
ing-box, and was in the act of making off with them, when he
was politely stopped by the proprietor, and the requisite .forty
dollars produced.
The next scene which I recall to mind was one in which an
old Kentucky farmer figured as principal actor ; having been
picked up by some scamp and roped to the den. This old fel
low, who was much above the ordinary size of mortals, and pos
sessed the strength of three or four ordinary men, was prone to
indulge his leisure hours in tackling the tiger, whenever he
found one of those animals lying around loose.
As he entered the "trap" a full game was already under way,
having been gotten up for his especial benefit. Feeling kindly
disposed to "jine," he handed over to the dealer a Kentucky
fiver, and received checks for it, which he soon ran up to
eighty dollars, in spite of short-paying, half-turns, and stealing
his sleepers. He demanded money for his checks, and was in
formed by the dealer, after he had counted the checks carefully
and put them in the bank, that his "pardner," who carried the
bank money, was out, but would be back presently. The old
farmer then and there expressed his disapprobation of such a
mode of conducting a business, especially a faro-bank ; but in
order not to render himself disagreeable, resumed his seat to
await the coming of the visionary "pardner" with the bank
money. Dealer and cappers continued their game, in hopes the
WOLF-TRAPS. 371
old man would join, but he sat in dogged silence, never taking
his eyes once off the door. The dealer now began to think that
his absence from the room might be conducive to his personal
safety, and addressing a gentleman lounging about, who ap
peared a mere "looker-on in Vienna," desired him to make a
deal for him while he went to see "what the devil had become
of his pardner." This obliging person consented, and took the
dealing-chair, and its last incumbent made a pass for the door ;
but, to his astonishment and chagrin, his egress was barred by
the stalwart form of the Kentuckian. "Look here, stranger!"
he ejaculated, "you can't pass here till I gits my money back,
nohow!" at the same time shaking in his face a sledge-hammer
fist.
" Yer a d n fool ! ain't I goin' ter get yer money fur ye ? " de
manded the preteudedly indignant dealer, in reality shaking in
his shoes with fright.
"I tell yer ye can't leave this here room till I gits my
money," doggedly reiterated the old farmer. Here several of
those present interposed, and assured him 'twas all right, that
he'd get his money, etc., etc. ; but the obstinate old fellow was
incapable of listening to such undoubted logic, and persisted in
closing the door upon all persons and allowing none to depart
uutil his money was produced. The case was desperate ! The
dealer saw no solution of the difficulty but to fight it out; conse
quently he drew off and hit the old man with all the force he
was master of, on the side of his head, with his clenched fist.
This had no more effect than if it had been a friendly pat on
the iron frame of the old Kentuckian, who caught his assailant
by the top of his head with one brawny hand, while he "mashed
in" his face with the doubled fist of the other, and laid him a
senseless heap on the floor. The roughs now joined their forces
and pitched into the old fellow in a body, but he made short
work of them; a blow from his fist or a kick from his cowhide
boot sending them to "grass" in all directions, from whence
they soon picked themselves up and sneaked off, until the old
farmer was at last left alone in the place, "the monarch of all he
surveyed." Ho then stepped down to the street, hailed a pass
ing dray, and commenced loading upon it the furniture of the
room, the gambling paraphernalia, and whatever else he could
lay hands on. The row, and the subsequent proceedings of the
3712 -WANDERINGS OF A YAGABCXSD.
old fellow, had gathered around him the usual crowd of curiosity
seekers, who were enthusiastically cheering him on in his good
work, when, just as the articles were about being hauled away
to an auction-room, which was evidently the destination for
which the old man intended them, a strange gentleman appeared
on the scene and represented that he was the owner of the pro
perty, and also affirmed that the dealer had spoken the truth
when he said his partner was absent, and that he was himself
that person. That he had been detained much longer than he
had expected to be, but was now ready to settle all claims against
the bank. "Then shell out now!" roared the old farmer. He
was finally coaxed to leave the door and come up stairs, to the
great indignation of the assembled crowd, where he paid him
his money and finally induced him to leave without creating any
further disturbance.
John Swann was far up in the fifties, a shoemaker by profes
sion, and had neither wife, children, nor relatives, at least none
that his most intimate acquaintance knew of. He was a votary
of the green tables, and since those honorable institutions, the
"wolf-traps," were first introduced into Cincinnati, had been
their constant patron. The greater part of his hard-earned
money went to gratify his passion for playing at faro. He was
an inoffensive old genius, rather eccentric, and the world
thought his intellect considerably impaired. The roughest of the
frequenters of the traps respected him, and should any one try
to steal his checks from the lay-out, friendly voices were not
wanting to warn him, nor friendly hands to see that the old man
had his rights. When he got broke, he never hung about the
tables, or tried to borrow stakes from any one. He bad no as
sociates, was always when on the street entirely alone, and
when at play seldom or never spoke to those about him, but
talked constantly to himself, and his singular behavior and
quaint remarks afforded a never-failing fund of merriment to
those around him. Whenever he lost two or three bets succes
sively, he would exclaim, not addressing any one, but merely to
himself, " There I go ! 'twas a brick to a brick house that card
would lose when I staggered up against it." "Stop your wagon,
dealer," he would cry out whenever he wanted to make a bet;
"more fish in the market." When he had placed his bet to his
satisfaction, he would look up into the dealer's face and say, "It's
WOLF-TRAPS. 373
an apple to an orchard I'll lose that. I feel it, sir ! it's fate !"
Should the bet win after these exclamations, he would give a low
whistle, peculiar to himself, and then cry out, " There, damn me
if Susy wasn't asleep, the strumpet, or she'd never have let me
win that bet." " Susy'' was the old man's imaginary evil genius,
whom he believed the source of all his ill luck, and the torment
of his life. Often while the old man would be wending his
way homewards, having left his last cent in some of the " traps,"
he would unceasingly discourse to himself on the topic of his bad
luck, and what he intended doing with faro-dealers when his
time should come a millennium of which he never entertained
the shadow of a doubt. "My day '11 come !" he would ejaculate,
emphatically shaking his head, "my day '11 come, bound to come;
I'll win every cent in town, every cent. I'll make them fellows
wear summer suits when there's snow on the ground. Damn me
if I don't do it, sure!"
The old man's predictions came true at last. One summer for
a space of two months he gobbled up two or three snaps a day
on an average, and in the transports of his joy he would flourish
his spoils in the faces of whatever acquaintances he met in the
streets on his way home.
While in the zenith of this streak of luck be happened one
night into a trap where the roughs had a "sucker" on the tow-
path. Believing everything to be all straight, he bought some
checks and pitched in. He soon won out what checks the dealer
had, amounting to $120. Meanwhile the " gull " had lost all his
money and left the place. The old man passed over his checks
and demanded money for them. The dealer took from the card-
box the $15 he had won from the "sucker," and also the $5
Swann had paid for checks, and remarking, "I'll be back in a
minute, and give you your money," left the place. The roughs
sneaked after him one by one, until at last the half-crazed old
man was the sole occupant of the place. When he had waited a
full hour, and no dealer made his appearance, he began to " smell
a rat." "Sold, sartain!" he ejaculated. He picked up the lay
out from the table, and pinned it to his shoulder, allowing it to
hang down his back below his knees, in such a manner that all
the cards were in full view, from the ace to the king. He then
pitched the checks into the card-box, and placed it under his arm,
in such a manner that the brass eagle and thirteen stars might
374 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
be seen by every person who passed him. In his other hand he
took the dealing- box, and thus accoutred made his appearance
on the street. The old fellow was immediately surrounded by
a crowd of boys, nearly all of whom were well acquainted with
his eccentricities, and followed with unearthly hootiugs and shout
ings of approval, and who, on catching sight of any of their com
rades, would cry out, "Come here, boys; old Swann's tuck in a
farrer-bauk at last !"
It was the last he ever captured. He never gave any reason
whatever for the change in his conduct, but was never known
to play at faro afterwards, neither did he ever enter a gambling-
house.
He persistently refused to give up the tools, though the money
due him, $120, was considerably more than they were worth, and
was repeatedly offered him in exchange; but he refused every
overture, and swore that untold wealth could not induce him to
part with them.
The roughs seldom extracted more than $100 from any one
person, when amusing them with check games or other recrea
tions of that stamp, In fact, such a sum as that would be consid
ered by them a big haul. Of this kind of plunder, twenty-five
per cent, went to the house, and the balance being divided up
between the dealer and the roper who brought the "gull."
They gave to the cappers whatever they pleased. A few of the
proprietors of these "traps," like Robbins, would not permit any
"check games" to go on in their places, and when a dealer
wished to put up a bank, they required him to put up his money
in advance, and themselves gave checks for the amount, and,
moreover, watched him closely that he did not over-play himself.
But if a " sucker" got into the dealing-chair, every art known
to the roughs was put in practice to rob him of his money, and
not only "suckers," but the shrewdest of dealers fell victims
to their machinations. Their checks would be corked, the
horse-hair played on them, or perhaps bets dropped on them, and
frequently all three of these artful schemes were put in opera
tion at one and the same time. As many of my readers may not
be posted up on the modus -operandi of these arts, I will en
deavor to describe them, as far as in me lies, for their benefit.
It is said that "corking" first originated at the " Tapis Franc,"
Ann street, New York. I am not in a position to either contra-
WOLF- TRAPS. 375
diet or substantiate that fact, therefore I shall pass it over.
It was, at all events, a very clever device in a rough way to rob
faro-dealers. The chocks of a faro-bank are generally set up
in stacks of twenty each, the different colors being placed sepa
rate, and the piles ranged against the side of the card- box, three
or four deep. At the present day card-boxes are not in use, and
the checks are stacked in piles of twenty each, and placed in little
wooden trays, made for that purpose. It has generally been the
custom in gambling-houses to leave the checks on the table all
night ; however, a manipulator may cork a set of checks at any
time while a game is not going on, if he desires. It is accom
plished by taking ten or fifteen checks from one of the back
piles. To hide this theft, a potato or a carrot of the same size
as the check in circumference, and precisely the height of the
fifteen exti'acted checks, is put in their place, and the five left
in that pile is placed on top of this vegetable or wood, and the
deception is perfect. In this manner the checks from four or
five of the back piles are abstracted ; more often but two or
three are stolen, for fear that the taking of too many might lead
to detection. The dealer, on opening his game, seeing before
him the usual number of stacks of checks, is satisfied, arid when
the game has gotten well under way, the stolen checks would
be played in upon him. Sometimes the thieves around the traps
would not give the dealers a chance to win the stolen plunder,
but " palm it" to some of their pals and let them get the money
for it. On the occasions when this state of things happened,
a grand row was the general result if the bank was broken,
about the bank over-playing itself, some of the betters having
checks and no money in the bank to redeem. If the checks
were stacked up the fraud was at once discoverable, from the
finding more checks than the piles designated. In " traps " where
everything was conducted "on the square," the piles of checks
were examined every morning, to make sure that they had not
been tampered with in this way; but with those who run their
dens on the "grab-all" principle, corking was one of their reg
ular devices for ridding a verdant dealer of his money.
Dropping on a banker is probably coeval with the earliest
playing of all games of chance. It is generally done at faro,
while the dealer is making his turn. For instance, the opera
tor seats himself in front of the table, and, while the dealer is
376 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
making his turn, all eyes being concentrated on the dealing-box
to see tne result, in the meantime he can drop, unperceived, a
pile of checks, com, or bank-notes behind the three cards near
est him, should he soe that neither of these cards is the losing
one; thus, by a trick, having a chance to win, and none to lose.
Dropping money on games has been practiced successfully upon
the shrewdest faro-dealers in this country; but only when
they have placed too n.uch confidence in the honesty of those
who were guilty of so dastardly a deed. Even the loosest charac
ter bearing the name ol gambler would hesitate before he perpe
trated such an act, knowing it would close against him the doors
of every respectable gambling-house where the monstrous
meanness became known. Such acts, however, have been and
will be repeatedly done by a certain class of outsiders men, too,
moving in good society, who imagine the "besting" of a gamb
ler, no difference by what means, is an able piece of finesse, and
will add a feather to their caps, instead of being a dishonorable
action, reprobated by all right-minded people.
One Doctor Boyden opened in Philadelphia, in the summer of
1856, a faro-bank with a declared limit of one hundred dollars
open. A man named Kelly, a prominent political leader, was
playing against the game one night, who was also a man of some
wealth. He laid a folded bank-note behind the queen. A young
man named Cheatham was dealing at the time; he took up the
note, examined it, and found its denomination to be $50. He
then placed it back where it had lain at first; it was won by the
bank. Several bets of the same amount were won and lost, until
finally the dealer turned for them without examination. On
one of these bills losing, Kelly snatched it up, and made a move
ment in a passionate manner, as if he were going to tear the bill
in two pieces between his fingers, but as quickly recovering him
self, and acting as if ashamed of his ungeutlemanly behavior,
threw the bill over to the dealer, who, on unfolding it, discovered
it to be a fifty-dollar bill. Twice in succession did Mr. Kelly
perform this pantomimic feat. He was a political rowdy leader,
and consequently a man of might in the community, and the
dealer was obliged to submit to his little eccentricities. On
the third time the note won, and on examination, Mr. Cheatham
discovered it to be a $1,000 bill. Cheatham, without saying a
word, payed the bet with a stack of red checks valued at $100.
WOLF-TRAPS, 377
Kelly insisted on the note being paid in full : the dealer refused.
"Pay it d n quick," roared Kelly, "or I'll get into that drawer
and take it." But the bluff failed to have the desired effect; it
was not exactly the way to get money from the fiery Cheatham,
who eould bluff as loud and as long as the best of them, and
would have been a dangerous customer from whom to endeavor
to force money, in ordinary cases, by intimidation. But in the
present instance he had no show; Kelly was above the law in
anything he wished to do to a gambler j he started to put his
threat into execution by violence, and was only prevented from
doing so by the remonstrances of some of his more temperate
friends, who pacified him by urging him to await the decision of
Doctor Boyden, at that time sick in his room at the Interna
tional Hotel. Billy Cheatham positively declined to pay any more
than $100, the avowed limit of the bank. (< What, pay you
$1,000, you big thief! Why, you've already lost that bill twice,
and then snatched it up and put $50 in its place. Playing a
drop game, are ye? Who ever heard of you betting $1,000 on
any thing? It 'd shake the liver out of ye ! At any rate if ye did
'twould be with the expectation of stealing a thousand !"
Billy's tirade here received a check from one of Kelly's fol
lowers, who sung out, " Is it Kelly wouldn't bet a thousand dol
lars? Faith he would that, an' Philadelphia on top av it if the
humor seized him, at the toss av a copper."
"Oh! pay the money, Cheatham, d n it, and don't try to crawl
out of it that way," chimed in another friend of Kelly's.
"If he dont, I'll fling the weasen-faced puppy out o' the
winder !" roared another gentleman, who evidently contained a
considerable quantity of whiskey.
"A nice rooster to cum here and swindle one o' the boys!"
bawled another worthy.
"Oh, the devil, Cheatham! pay the money, can't you, and let's
go on with the game," chimed in an impatient individual at the
table.
" That's right, Billy, what yer turn fur ye've got to pay," was
the verdict of another. Not a single voice was raised in favor of
the bank, and though several persons were present who would
not countenance such a fraud, they prudently held their peace,
not daring to express an opinion contrary to that of Kelly and
his party.
378 -WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
Cheatham now sent a messenger to Boyden for instructions,
who, having heard the particulars of the affair, directed the
money to be paid in full and the game to be continued. The
result proved the wisdom of his course. Kelly lost back to the
bank the thousand dollars of which he had defrauded it, ' and
about two thousand more, and during a three weeks' play the
game won about $10,000.
Having so far digressed, I shall mention another instance of
the "drop-game," which occurred in Toledo, Ohio, in 1868. The
swindler in this case was one of the best practicing lawyers in
the place, moving in the highest circles, and wealthy. In the
city was a faro-bank, dealt by a resident gambler, at which he
was a constant player, and having been at about that period
a loser to a considerable amount, he conceived the idea of get
ting some of it back, by robbing the proprietor through the
" drop-game." The limit of this game was $50, and he well
knew that, even if he succeeded in dropping a thousand dollar
bill against it, he could not bully this banker into paying it, in
the despicable manner in which Kelly had Boyden. Consequently
a few days before putting his game into execution, he borrowed
of the banker $1,000, who, having every confidence in his in
tegrity, loaned it to him without the slightest hesitation, asking
for no acknowledgment whatever in return. Shortly after this,
while playing at the game, he bet a folded note, which won, and
being unfolded proved to be a $1,000 bill. The dealer offered
to pay it with $50, the avowed limit of his game. The law
yer insisted on payment being made to the full amount of the
bill, which the banker emphatically refused. "Then I'll pay
myself," retorted the lawyer; "I owed you a thousand dol
lars, and now I owe you nothing." He excused this outrage
ous conduct by saying that when he bet the note he did so
under the impression that its value was but ten dollars; but
that at gambling mistakes went for nothing, and as the bill was
turned for without anything being said about its value, the bank
was bound to pay the full amount.
Had the dealer, as was undoubtedly his duty, examined the
bill before he turned for it, and not have placed so much confi
dence in men just because they were wealthy and bore the
stamp of respectability, he would not have lost his $1000, and
one of his best customers with it.
WOLF-TRAPS. 379
But, as fashionable novel-writers are fond of saying, " revenons
a nos moutons," or, to speak more correctly, in this instance, to
our "wolf-traps." It was in these that the "horse -hair game"
was first put in practice, and successfully played upon the very
sharpest dealers who set up banks there, for more than two
months before being detected. When ''dropping down" on the
dealer would not be tolerated, the "horse-hair game" was
worked. Neither case-keepers nor cue-papers were ever used
in those days, and persons desirous of playing upon case-cards
were obliged to tax their memories in order to do so. To play
the "horse-hair game" scientifically, required two persons, a
full board of players, and many bets on the lay-out. The ma
nipulator took a position in front of the table and played small,
until one of the cards near him became " dead." This card he
made his base^for operating. His "pal," immediately upon its
becoming "dead," placed upon it a couple of stacks of white
checks, of about twenty each. The operator places behind these,
ten or fifteen red ones, to the bottom one of which is attach
ed the end of a horse-hair, the other end being fastened to one
Of his vest-buttons. For example, we will say that the "dead,"
or base-card, is the Jack, next it on the lay-out are the ten and
queen, and four or five of these cards are still in the dealing-box.
Should he see one of these cards come winning, while the
dealer is making his turn, and all eyes are concentrated on the
cards as they fall from the box, he leans gently back in his chair,
and as he does so the movement drags the stack of red checks
from off the Jack, taking in the winning card behind it. This
trick could be played two or three times during a deal, and on a
verdant dealer twice as often. It was finally first detected one
day, by a "sucker," who was playing in one of the "traps." He
was petrified by the extraordinary spectacle of a stack of red
checks creeping slowly from off a card, without any visible
means of locomotion. After watching them for a moment in
dazed silence, he gave vent to his amazement by bawling out,
"Look ! look !" pointing at the same time to the traveling checks,
"darned if them there checks ain't alive!" It is needless to
add that this led to the discovery of the trick.
380 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
CHAPTER XXX. \
SHARP PRACTICE.
The story I am abo'.t to relate was considered, some twenty-
five or thirty years ag:, a good joke. When such frauds were
successfully carried oir, their perpetrators enjoyed their dishonest
gains without the smanest conscientious scruples, and when the
secret was discovered, and their nefarious acts exposed to the
light of day, the verdict was, "a good joke." The victim of
such sharp practice received about as much sympathy from his
own brethren in the profession, as from the outside world; the
opinion being pretty generally, " served him right, if he couldn't
protect himself." But to lessen the offense, or rather to rid
such "jokes" from the odium of theft, which somehow would
attach itself to them ; i the minds of foolishly straight-laced
people, it was altered to " served him right if he couldn't take a
joke !" Alas, for how many a bare-faced robbery has this miser
able proverb been tho apology! Happily, among the gambling
fraternity such sophisms are no longer excuses for committing a
fraud, nor can they si^e the perpetrator from the general con
demnation he so richly merits, or the scorn and loathing of his
brethren.
In the city of St. Louis, during the summer of 1844, one of
these "good jokes" was perpetrated upon a blear-eyed, lame
gambler, who ran a faro-bank in the place. James Ashby was
this gentleman's name, and he was the dressiest "cove" in the
whole city, and adorr.c i his rather magnificent person with more
diamonds than any gontleman or lady either, for the matter of
that in St. Louis. In addition to the gold and diamonds which
decorated his person while limping along the streets, he invaria
bly held in his moutn a massive gold pencil, and as the end
protruded beyond tbe side of his face, a large brilliant flashed
back the rays of the sun or the light from the gas-lamps upon
all he met, and a ha:i Jsome gold-headed cane was his constant
companion. When the remains of Mr. Ashby were planted
beneath the sod, and he was no more seen in the places which
lately knew him, cyLical and envious persons belonging to his
profession were not wanting, who insisted that his demise was
SHARP PRACTICE. 381
greatly hastened by the enormous weight of jewelry with which
he \vas accustomed to burden himself cUrlng his life. Ashhy
was very generally disliked by the sporting fraternity, as much
because of his vanity and foppishness as for his reticent and
unsociable disposition. His faro-bank, wh.ch had played for the
space of two years with more than average luck, had lightened
the pockets of many of them, which did not tend to do away
with or soften their animosity.
Among those who had played frequently at Ashby's bank,
with luck pretty generally on the wrong jide, was a humorous
genius from Georgia, named Morton, muca better known by the
sobriquet of " Georgia John." He was considered a good gamb
ler, but his improvident habits, and his inordinate fondness for
"fighting the tiger," kept him impoverished. His genial and
generous disposition and his many comprrionable qualities made
him a universal favorite with all with whrvn he came in contact,
and from many of them he wheedled checks to gratify his passion
for playing against the bank. Although Le was generally in the
habit of losing his money with the be?*; grace, the frequent
scourings which had overtaken him at Ashby's had made him
rather peevish, and disposed at times to Lt fly some of his pun
gent sarcasms at the devoted head of A:'iby, in revenge for his
heavy losses. The waspish nature of thio latter gentleman was
not destitute of the exponent of a sharp tongue with which to
parry and thrust, and the consequence was that some by no
means gentle bantering took place betweci himself and ''Geor
gia."
The latter, after one day losing his ast dollar against his
bank, remarked to Ashby, "If ever I Lave one-tenth part as
much good luck against this cursed ban,! as I've had bad, I'll
send that jewelry of yours kitin' to the pawn-shop, and have
you walking the streets like a picked gooe."
"Too much o' the white-washed nigge in you for that, Geor
gia. You'll never be any account till I . vn you; I'm certain I
shall, some day. All I'm keeping my game open for 's to win
you ! "
"I s'pose you'll take good care o' me then, won't you?" in
quired " Georgia."
"The best in the world/' returned h: tormentor. "I'll only
flog you three times a week, and give you an extra dozen or so
Sundays."
382 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
From that moment "Georgia's" mind was made up to give Ash-
by a chance to win him. He made his plan known to a friend
who had frequently staked him to play faro, and who was "him
self a high roller against that highly fascinating institution. This
immaculate gentleman was a horse-drover, and also owner of a
large farm on the Missouri river, near Lexington in that State.
Like the majority of those who trade in that deceptive article,
horse-flesh, he was not over-scrupulous as to how he made his
money, provided his liberty was not endangered by His transac
tions. He made frequent visits to St. Louis, and while there,
besides attending to his regular business, contrived to spend
considerable time fighting the tiger, notably the animal main
tained by Mr. Ashby ; and the tiger had decidedly the best of
the bargain. This gentleman then having a small axe of his own
to grind, in the way of getting even with Ashby, consented with
alacrity to assist Morton in his plans. He called on Ashby,
and informed him he had a likely negro, whom he had raised,
and jf he wanted to win him at faro at $500, he could do so.
"Niggers are money," replied that worthy. "Bring him
along and let me see him; if he's worth $500 I'll play for him."
No better delineator of negro character than " Georgia" ever
attained celebrity in the annals of burnt cork. He would have
made an invaluable "end man." He could imitate every phase
of negro character, from the dandefied "colored gentleman,"
down to the lowest field-hand of the southern plantation; he
could assume their gait, speech, and peculiarities, until it was
impossible for even the negroes themselves to detect the cheat.
Having made the acquaintance of some negro minstrels then
performing in the city, they fitted him up a "ISAfricaine,"
and when he presented himself before his "massa" for approval,
he appeared a regular cotton-field nigger. Eph. Horn himself
could not have surpassed him.
" Here's that boy I spoke of, Mr. Ashby ; see how you like
him?" said the drover, presenting " Georgia" to that gentleman
in his faro-room.
Several persons were present at the time, and "Georgia "at
once became the centre of attraction, but his disguise was im
penetrable. His own mother could not have detected him, so
well did he assume the character he represented.
"He's rather short, isn't he?" asked Ashby of the drover,
after taking a close survey of the pretended "chattel."
SHAKP PKACTICE. 383
" He's a powerful made boy, an' can do a deal o' work," re
plied the drover.
"How old is he?" inquired Ashby.
" Twenty-eight years. He was raised on my place, an' I'll
ensure him to be sound in every respect," replied the pretended
master.
Ashby was seated in the look-out chair during this colloquy,
while his dealer was conducting the game for the few persons
who were playing. He now turned to "Georgia," and addressed
him in somewhat the following style. "What's your name?"
"Jacub, sah! but they calls me Jake fur short."
"Where were you raised, Jacob?"
"On de place, sah! an I cum down de ribber on de stemebote,
sah."
"What can you do on a farm, Jacob?"
"I'se knows all 'bout dat, sah."
"But what can you do?"
"Fse chops de wood, an' dribes de cattle, an' makes defence,
plows, dus mos ebrytiug dey tells me, I dus!"
"Can you wait on a gentleman?"
"No, sah! I duseut knows de gemrnens ! " replied "Georgia,"
stupidly scratching his wig.
"Well, I think I'll take a crack for Jacob, anyhow," said
Ashby, at the same time requesting his dealer to rise from the
chair, that he might take his place. When he had done so, he
handed $500 worth of checks to the horse-dealer, which he bet in
a lively tune, at least just as much so as the bank would allow,
the limit being $25 and $100. The game progressed without a
word being spoken by either.
The novelty of seeing a slave played for at a faro-bank was
something new and exciting to the bystanders, who watched the
game with absorbing interest. The sympathies of the crowd
were decidedly with the drover, a fact which could not overbal
ance Ashby's luck. "The boy's yourn, Mr. Ashby," said the
drover, rising from his seat after losing his last check.
Ashby, delighted at his good fortune, leaned back in his seat,
looked toward his captured treasure and asked him jocosely how
he'd like him "for a master."
" Georgia," who had watched the game throughout with as much
interest as if his liberty were really at stake, straightened him-
384 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
self up and said, "I'se likes yer berry much, massa. Won't yer
give Jake ten bucks ter buy hisself some close, so he look nice
'uioug de gemuieus? I'se knows where dere's a bully suit fur ten
dollars, ruassa!"
Ashby stared at his lately won chattel with blank astonish
ment, while a titter ran round the room.
''Give you ten bucks'?'' exclaimed Ashby, who had not failed
to see the smiles on the faces of several of his players at Jake's
sally, and his temper not being at all improved by it. "That's
rich!" he continued, "you impudent black scoundrel! I'll give
you ten lashes with a raw -hide."
"You'll have a damn nice time doing it, old sport," retorted
"Georgia" in his natural voice, at the same time tearing off his
wig and wiping the burnt cork from his face. "Ashby, you
said you'd win me, and you've done it now! After me a long
time, old boy, but you've got me at last," cried " Georgia,"
laughing.
The bewildered eyes of Ashby stared at the face of " Georgia"
as if it had been the head of the Gorgon. As soon as he had
gathered his scattered senses sufficiently to realize the fact that
he had been most thoroughly sold, he seized his cane and limped
from the room without speaking a single word, while deafen
ing shouts of laughter greeted his ears and pursued him far
down the street, nor did he even show himself in public again
for a week.
But scarcely three months had passed before Ashby revenged
himself upon " Georgia" for the mortifying trick he had played so
publicly upon him.
The white "gemmen" had got to behave so rudely at the
negro balls, that the "culled aristocracy" decided not to admit
them any more, either for love or money. During this ostracism
"Georgia" made a bet that he would attend one of them, and,
moreover, pass an evening there without being expelled, or in
any way interfered with. This wager having reached the ears
of Ashby, he concluded that "Georgia," in order to win it, would
try some masquerading scheme upon the "nigs," such as the
one by which he had been so cleverly imposed upon. He there
fore set a spy to watch him, and also called to his aid a free
negro, known as "Buffalo Frank." This ruffian was a fireman
on a steamer plying between St. Louis and New Orleans. He
SHAKP PRACTICE. 385
was a willing tool in the bauds of Ash by, or, in fact, in the hands
of any one who would pay him liberally. He would stick at
nothing, was capable of committing every crime iu the calendar,
if he thought he could in any way escape punishment, and
could whip everything in the shape of a man in the Mississippi
valley.
"Georgia," in the character of a nigger swell, succeeded ad
mirably at the "culled pusson's" ball. He spent his money like
a prince, danced gracefully, and made himself generally agreea
ble to the colored beauties. The nattering reception he received
from them, and their evident admiration of the stranger, roused
the jealousy of the " bucks," but their extreme politeness in such
cases, and the sanctity of the place, would not allow them to
show any rudeness to the well-dressed stranger openly, but
"Who dat nigger?" "Who es 'im ?"" Who knows 'im?" was
buzzed about among the colored beaux, but these questions no
one could answer. "Georgia" was an unknown. The chances
wei'e certainly that he would win his bet, besides having the
unbounded happiness of passing an evening in the society of the
colored belles; but
" Pleasures arc like poppies spread,
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed."
Buffalo Frank had his eye on "Georgia." He had not lost
sight of him for a single moment since his arrival, but he was
waiting for him to leave the presence of the "ladies." The mo
ment he withdrew from the ball-room to the refreshment room,
Frank seized the opportunity, stepped up to him and inquired,
superciliously, "Whar you frum, uiggah?"
"Fruin de ladies, sah! " returned " Georgia,"with his politest
bow.
"Yer looks a berry shiney nigger," retorted Frank, contempt
uously; " dus yer rnassa buys dese close, or dus yer steel em?" at
the same time rubbing his hand over Georgia's coat-sleeve.
"Look heah, sah!" said "Georgia," indignantly straightening
himself up till he reached the height of about five feet six inch
es, and slapping his breast with his open palm, "Dis chile's
his own massa, and buys his own close, and what's more, he's got
de sope to do it wid."
"Whar dus ye git de sope? " demanded Frank.
386 WANDEKINGS OP A VAGABOND.
"I'se tears de ribber wide open fur it on de bully Scott," re
plied "Georgia."
"De bully Scott, hey? Dat's de bote yer on, is it? I'se been
lookin' fur some o' dat bote's niggers some time," said Frank, at
the same time giving him a stunner under the eye that sent
him sprawling on the floor, where he gave him a most unmerci
ful kicking and thumping. Through the interference of some of
the "bucks," he managed to make his escape, almost in rags,
with the loss of his hat and wig.
CHAPTER XXXI.
LEXINGTON RACES.
About a week after our arrival in Cincinnati, the Major one
morning introduced me to a gentleman by the name of Mr.
George Roberts, a resident of Lexington, Ky. Mr. Roberts
was a mixed gambler, a man of means holding property in Lex
ington, and a person of some importance there. He was about
forty-five years of age, married, and was the father of several
grown-up children. He speculated in slaves, horses, and mules,
droves of which he took each winter to the New Orleans market.
He called himself a lawyer, though he never practiced at the
bar, and took an active part in the local politics of his place,
and an interest in any faro-bank which happened to strike his
fancy and where he thought there was some money to be made.
He was fond of racing, and had at various times owned some
good race-horses, did not object to taking a hand at poker or .
brag if he found an easy game, and had a pugnacious disposition
for fighting the tiger. Otherwise he was a peaceably inclined,
mild-mannered individual enough. He was, in fact, in for any
thing to make money, an article for which he entertained the
most unbounded reverence ; but had still so great a regard for
his reputation, that he would not for the world that there should
become attached to it the odious name of gambler, and when
ever he took stock with members of that profession in their bus
iness, it was with the express understanding that his connection
with them should be strictly under the rose. The Major and
LEXINGTON RACES. 387
himself were acquaintances of long standing, and he had more
than once been secretly concerned with the former in a faro-
bank at the city of Richmond, which he visited occasionally
during the summer months to purchase slaves for the southern
market.
Mr. Roberts was anxious that the Major and myself should try
our fortune in the city of Lexington, where, he informed us, no
faro-bank existed at that time, but material in plenty for suc
cessfully building a good game. Added to these encouraging
facts, the races would commence there in a few weeks, and would
of course draw many strangers from all parts of the surrounding
country. " I will take a third interest in your bank, play against
it myself, and also introduce to the game many valuable players;
but under no circumstances must it become known that I am in
any way concerned in the business." Upon being reminded by
the Major that faro-dealers had on divers occasions received
pretty rough treatment at the hands of the Lexington authori
ties, he answered, decisively, " Have no fear about that ; you at
tend to your faro-game, and I'll stand between you and all harm."
On the strength of this assurance, and the flattering prospects
he opened before us, we concluded to start for Lexington on the
following morning, whither Mr. Roberts promised to follow us
within two or three days, at the farthest. He furnished the Ma
jor with an introductory letter to a Mr. Baxter, of Lexington,
who he assured us would render us every assistance in his power
in procuring a suitable room, furnishing it, and getting things
in train generally.
Arriving in Lexington, we found Mr. Baxter everything he
had been represented. He procured for us a room in the most
desirable location in the city, caused it to be properly cleaned
and fixed up, and then bought for us such furniture as we re
quired, all of it second-hand, but good and substantial; and af
ter our establishment, which contained but a single room, was
fitted up and arranged for the reception of our friends, our en
tire outlay did not exceed two hundred dollars. By the time we
were ready to open our game, Roberts had returned, and handed
us one thousand dollars as his portion of the bank money. He
promised he would introduce to us what gentlemen faro-players
he was acquainted with, and would also himself play against the
game, and that his play should be a legitimate one. He also ad-
388 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
vised us to pay no attention to whatever stories we might hear
concerning interference by the authorities, but to place implicit
confidence in him, as he should take measures for ensuring our
protection.
Lexington, though but a small town, contained many faro-
players, some of whom were members of the most respectable
families in the place, and who, as soon as they ascertained a
bank had been set up, called and paid their respects to us, so
that we did not want for customers. Mr. Roberts, as he had
promised, introduced several valuable ones, and himself played
at the bank, in order to encourage his friends to do so, but small,
and in the course of a week's time lost three hundred dollars.
We opened our game generally at about two o'clock, P. M.,
closed it for supper, and afterwards run the bank until one or
two o'clock in the morning. If none of our patrons brought to
our bank large sums, they came often and frequently if the bank
was able to beat them, and they showed no ill temper because of
their losses, nor hung growling round the tables after they got
broke; nor were we ever bothered by any such characters as the
frequenters of the "wolf-traps" in Cincinnati.
As the time for the races drew near, our business rapidly in
creased, and, as the Major was obliged to divide his attention
between our business and the different stables of racers, which
were now constantly arriving, and cultivating the acquaintance
of noted turfmen, I was compelled to secure the services of
a young gentleman resident of the city to assist me in conduct
ing the game. Even Roberts was no longer seen in our place,
but this did not strike me as anything strange, his services be
ing no longer required. While building up the game, and so
long as his aid was needed, he had done everything in his pow
er to help us, but now that our business had gotten fairly estab
lished, his visits grew less frequent.
Among the many introduced to us by Mr. Roberts, was one
Col. Bowles, of Baltimore, who had on the race-track a stable
of horses. He was a turfman, attended all the race-meetings
throughout the South and Southwest with his horses. Wher
ever he could, he made it a point to secure the gambling privi
lege on the race-track, and had engaged it for the present meet
ing on the Lexington course. In this gentleman's train, besides
his trainers, rubbers, riders, and racers, there followed a gang
LEXINGTON KACES. 389
of the lowest sharpers, who were in those days in the habit of
infesting race-courses, fairs, etc. This small army, numbering
more than twenty persons, was composed of strap-players, dice-
coggers, thimble-riggers, marked-card " vingt-et-un" dealers,
snap roulette players, and their cappers. The Colonel, as I
have before mentioned, was accustomed for a certain sum of
money to secure the exclusive privilege of a course, where he
placed his worthy retainers, each to ply his special vocation. He
furnished to each a table and a certain sum of bank-money,
with which to make a show, nothing more, for at one of these
tables the only earthly chance a greenhorn would have to make
a winning, was to snatch what money was in sight, and thrash
the operators and their cappers and make off with it, and none
but greenhorns ever played at these games. The busiest mo
ments of Col. Bowies' existence were during a race-meeting.
Besides the care of his trainers, rubbers, riders, and race-horses,
he was obliged to watch his sharpers to see that they did not
"sink" on him. "Knocking down" on their "pals" was a
regular part of the vocation of these gentlemen, and well was the
Colonel aware of it. He had secret spies sot upon them during
their labors, who reported to him their every suspicious move
ment, and should he find any of them not willing to "rake
square," he would fall upon the unlucky wight with a heavy
hickory cane, which was his constant companion; but having a
hard set to deal with, in his frequent encounters he sometimes
got hold of a customer a little too tough for him, and came out
of the melee decidedly second best. At the time of which I
write Col. Bowles was an entire stranger to me except by name,
and I was perfectly ignorant both of his character and his method
of doing business, as was also the Major. He was a short, heavy-
set man, rather inclined to corpulency, and though far up in the
fifties, looked younger. His stumpy bandy-legs supported a
powerful frame, while poised upon a short, thick, red-looking
neck, which barely protruded above a pair of broad, round shoul
ders, was a large bullet-shaped head. His big round face con
tained a pair of small restless black eyes, which seemed to be
watching everything and everybody at the same time. His
face was deeply pock-marked, besides being otherwise cicatrized
by several ugly scars, the relics, doubtless, of some of those en
counters into which his ungovernable passions were constantly
390 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
leading him. The garments of the Colonel were of the richest
material, but "horsey" in the extreme ;i .style much affected at
that period by the more iguoraut class of turfmen. In the or
namental line a fine brilliant sparkled in his ruffled shirt-bosom,
and another adorned the stumpy little finger of one of his coarse
hands, and a heavily embossed gold fob-chain, with a ponderous
seal attached, dangled against his thigh. In his hand he con
stantly carried the highly polished hickory cane before mentioned,
adorned with a golden head. When seated, this weapon or or
nament, for I am ignorant in which light it was viewed by its
possessor, rested between the legs of the Colonel, and when he
slept was close to his pillow. Few men have a more exalted
opinion of their own standing and worth than had Col. Bowles.
He knew everybody and everything, whether worth knowing or
not, and had the most contemptible opinion of everybody poorer
than himself. His manners were coarse and repulsive, and
towards those whom he considered his inferiors, pompous and
overbearing in the extreme, while to the wealthy or influential
he was cringing and obsequious. His language, which, to say
the very least, did not smack of the drawing-room, was garnish
ed by a profusion of oaths and not a few obscene expressions.
He was completely versed in the various qualities of negroes,
horses, dogs, and knew the several rules appertaining to cock-
fighting, horse-racing, and card-playing, by heart, and whenever
a discussion on any of the subjects arose where he was present,
the Colonel was in his glory and monopolized the conversation,
till, to use an old-fashioned expression, " no one could get a word
in edgewise."
Although so entirely dissimilar in natures, manners, and habits,
an intimacy to me unaccountable sprung up between Col. Bowles
and Major Jenks, perhaps because I had taken a dislike to him
upon his first introduction to our place, and had seen nothing
upon closer acquaintance calculated to soften or eradicate my
boyish prejudices. He monopolized the most of the Major's
I was about to say, leisure hours but I shall speak more cor-
roctly when I say the most of the Major's time, for it seemed as
if that chivalrous gentleman had not a moment reserved to him
self except when he slept. As to the bank and myself, we no
longer seemed to occupy any place in his thoughts, and the only
time I enjoyed his society was while seated at our meals, at the
LEXINGTON RACES. 391
hotel table. Col. Bowles had no appetite unless he occupied
the chair by the side of the Major, and hi these happy moments
he entertained his friend with the pedigrees of celebrated race
horses ; the qualities of fine breeds of dogs ; his wonderful ex
ploits on the turf, in the cock-pit, and at the gaming-table.
The Colonel always figured as winner in these tales; at least he
never figured in any other role in any of them, except that of a
victorious hero. His field of operation had been confined en
tirely to the Southern States, of whose productions and people,
their manners, habits, and wealth, he had the most unbounded
and minute knowledge. But from this generous and chivalric
race he had sought as associates but a few of the wealthiest,
most renowned and powerful, who were either lordly planters,
the owners of untold acres and thousands of slaves, or men hold
ing high political positions, whose confidence he had won by his
fascinating qualities as companion, his incorruptible honesty,
and his wonderful brains. "Why, damn me, Major," he would
exclaim, getting enthusiastic on his subject, "if there ain't Judge
Kleper, o' Charleston, that 'ud put. up his last nigger every time
on my mar' Molly Spiker, if I told Mm to go it !" The Colonel's
words may be written down, but his tone and manner defy de
scription. Again and again at the dinner-table were the ears of
the Major, and everybody present besides, regaled with the his
tory of the celebrated main of cocks fought by himself and
General Simpkius, of Georgia. The match was for $25,000, and
a $1,000 bet on each fight, fought between Georgia and South
Carolina. " One o' ther greatest victories ever heard on, Major!
Damn me if I don't think a million dollars changed hands on 't !"
It is quite probable that the Colonel had told this story so
often that he really believed it himself, like the convict in the
Missouri State's prison, who, during his five years' incarceration
in that delectable institution, had been in the habit of telling his
fellow prisoners that he had deposited in the State Bank" of Mis
souri, $10,000. Having regained his liberty, he immediately
made for St. Louis, drew a check for the amount, and proceeded
to the bank mentioned, and presented it to the paying-teller,
without a doubt that it would be honored; he had become so
sure, from the constant repetition of the story, that it was true.
"Jack, Col. Bowles desires to take an interest in our room.
He will place Mr. Smiley in it to assist, and between them both
392 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
they will take one-half the game. The races commence on
Monday, and we shall have a heavy play during the week, and
may very probably be compelled to open another bank; there
fore you see it will require more labor, and also more capital to
carry on the game, than we have got. Mr. Smiley is an agree
able gentleman, and capable of getting along smoothly with the
crowd of players we shall probably have to entertain."
These remarks were addressed to me by the Major one day,
before the hour at which we generally opened our game, and
when no one was present but ourselves. The Mr. Smiley alluded
to was a tall, sickly, modest-booking individual, extremely reti
cent and unsocial in his manners, and seemed to care for no
one on earth but himself. Though an attache of Col. Bowles, he
seldom paid him, or in fact any one else, the customary recogni
tion required by courtesy from one acquaintance to another.
The bond which bound this worthy couple together was at that
time a subject of some speculation to me, but I finally gave it up
as a mystery beyond my solution.
Though prepared for receiving from the Major at all tin: 35 the
most whimsical and ridiculous suggestions, the present proposi
tion somewhat startled me ; but without showing any feeling
upon the subject, I quietly asked him if he had said anything
about it to Mr. Roberts.
"No, sir,'LJje answered, with some slight asperity; '-I've not
seen Mr. RoDerts for more than a week."
" Have you forgotten, sir," I continued in the same quiet tone,
"that he owns one-third of this game, and that it is under his
protection?"
"I have learned, sir, that his protection is powerless, and our
game would have been broken up --long ago had it not been for
the influence of Col. Bowles with Mr. Dawsou, the City Marshal.
He has more weight with that gentleman than fifty Roberts. No,
sir, we want no dead-heacrin our game any longer. He's no
benefit to us, none at all; so let's settle up the game and give
him his money. The Colonel will protect our game, if it needs
ition, which is unlikely, and put up his money, and don't
any one to do his work for him. He's the man we want,
not Mr. Roberts."
"I can now see," I said, "what I was somewhrat at a loss to
determine before, why the Colonel has been so very attentive to
you, Major."
LEXINGTON EACES. 393
"I suppose, sir," said the Major, reddening up considerably,
"you know what you're talking about ?"
"Perfectly well, Major; and I will also let you know, if you
will listen to me, in a very few words."
"Very well; go on, sir," exclaimed the Major, in his most
dignified manner.
" The Colonel saw that we had built up a valuable game, and
is now anxious to get a share in it. He was here before we came,
had money and a faro-dealer at hand. Now, why didn't he open
a game for himself ? Either he was afraid of the interference of
the authorities, or that he could not get players. Now, I don't
think, after coming here under the auspices of Mr. Koberts, and
entering into partnership with him, it would be fair to declare
him out of the game just at this moment, when it's well built up
and likely to make more money than it has ever before ; and it's
more than likely he won't stand any such treatment. I have no
more interest in this room than I want, and I'm not going to give
one cent of it away to Colonel Bowles, or anybody else."
The Major was not prepared for such opposition to his pet
scheme. Though his face reddened with anger, and he moved
uneasily in his chair, he restrained himself by an effort, and pro
ceeded to try what effect a little persuasion would have on me.
"Why, my dear Jack, Colonel Bowles is a man of wealth and
honor ! He is known far and near as a noted turfman and sports
man. His friendship alone is worth a fortune to any gambler. He
has the influence requisite to place you in moneyed circles, where
you can make a fortune in a year; such opportunities, sir, a man
seldom meets with twice in a lifetime. Now, sir, Mr. Roberts,
whom I know well, cares for nobody but just himself; he knew
there was a faro -game here and no one to deal it ; we answered
his purpose as well as any, so he brought us here, as he would
have done any others whom he fo^d as capable of assisting him
to work up a good game as we^Mfc has not been near us for
more than a week, and he is of no benefit to us whatever, that I
can see, and I don't feel disposed to work for such a man ; be
sides, sir, he has deceived us by telling us he was able to pro
tect us, when such was not the case. Our game would haveH^Ri
broken up some days ago, had it not been for Colonel Bowles,
sir!"
" I hope, Major," I replied, " that you have not so far forgotten
394 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
yourself as to tell Colonel Bo\vles that Mr. Roberts is interested
with us, or that he is protecting our game, after his particularly
requesting us not to do so ! "
; "I have never so far forgotten myself, sir, as to commit an
ungentlemanly action," replied the Major, in his stiffest manner.
. " I never betray confidence, sir ! Mr. Roberts' secret is his own,
not mine to give away."
"Pardon me, Major, but when you spoke of Colonel Bowles
having kept the Marshal from breaking up our game, and said
that Mr. Roberts was unable to protect it, I feared that you had
unguardedly mentioned to the Colonel the relations existing be
tween ourselves and Mr. Roberts."
"I have not, sir," rejoined the dignified Major. " Have never
mentioned the name of Mr. Roberts in the presence of Colonel
Bowles. The latter gentleman casually mentioned to me, some
days ago, that Dawson, the Marshal, had spoken to him about
our rooms, and said it was his duty to close up our game, and
was only prevented from doing so by the representations of the
Colonel, who exerted all his influence, and finally wrung fromhim
his consent to allow us to go on until the termination of the
races, providing no complaints were made against us by any of
the citizens. Now, Jack, my boy," he continued, "you see just
how matters stand. Because you dislike Colonel Bowles, you
shouldn't stand in your own light ; he's a kind-hearted man, and
has on several occasions spoken very kindly of you ; he says you
certainly have talents, and all you want is good pilotage. Don't
treat his advances cavalierly ! he is powerful, can make and un
make, and the friendship of such men is not so easily gained,
that one may cast it aside at will for a mere boyish prejudice.
Another opportunity like the present may never again occur,
sir, and I beg of you, Jack, flpn't throw it away if you have the
slightest respect for the omflk or good wishes of Major George
fenks."
"Major, I don't like Colonel Bowles, that's true; but I have
seen such men as he is before, and, with all due deference, allow
*to say that I believe you are his dupe, just as you were that
Impson and McGovern. Men don't show such violent friend
ship for one another on short acquaintance, unless they have got
some purpose of their own to serve in doing so. I certainly think
Colonel Bowles has got a large bundle of private and particular
LEXINGTON KACES. 395
axes to grind for himself in all the suggestions he is making for
your and my government, and that of our game. How do you
know whether he is telling you the truth, when he says Dawson
wanted to break up our bank ? You have nothing but his word
for it. I don't believe Mr. Roberts would leave his money in this
bank if there existed the remotest danger of it's being raided ;
he's too sensible a man for that. Didn't he warn us to believe
no stories we might hear, but to rely on his protection ? As far
as Colonel Bowies' wealth and influence are concerned, I don't
believe it will ever benefit us in the smallest degree, and on one
thing I am determined, and that is that he is not going to inter
fere with me or my business. I am ribw going to Mr. Roberts'
house, and to see if I can find him, and if, when he understands
the nature of your proposition, he is willing to accept it, I shall
draw out of the game, and you and I, Major, must part com
pany."
With flushed cheeks and angry brow the Major rose from his
chair, and said, in a cold, calm voice, accompanied by one of his
most polished bows, "Let the matter rest where it is, sir! I shall
explain your objections to Col. Bowles, and that will be quite
sufficient, sir ! He imagined, when he offered to take an interest
in onr business, that he was doing us a favor by lending us his
countenance and protection, and I can assure you, sir, I thought
the same myself; but, sir, as your wisdom chooses to see the
matter in quite a different light, I beg that you will forget that
we ever had the subject under discussion." Having closed his
speech with the greatest politeness and dignity, he threw his
cane under his arm, as was his custom when irritated, and, with
the stride of a Roman senator, left the room.
Immediately he left the place I started for the residence of
Mr. Roberts, with the purpose of^raruing from him exactly how
far we might rely on his protectil^Mid to inform him of the re
ported threats made by the City Wrshal, but under no circum
stances did I mean to let him know of the proposition for so un
ceremoniously turning him out of the business a regard for my
old friend, as well as policy, forbidding me from broaching the
subject. On reaching the house I was informed by the servant
who answered my ring that Mr. Roberts was in Cincinnati ; had
been gone already five days, and was not expected back before
the next Saturday night. It was now Thursday, and the races
396 -WAlO>EKrNGS OF A VAGAB02?D.
would commence on the following Monday. The absence of Mr.
Roberts, the strange indifference he had shown of late regarding
our business, the fact of his leaving the city without even coining
to apprize us of his intention, together with the present aspect
of affairs, all conspired to arouse within my bosom for the first
time angry feelings towards the absent gentleman. Had it not
been for the little misunderstanding between the Major and my
self, and the information which he had obtained from Col.
Bowles about Mr. Dawson, the City Marshal's wish to wipe out
our bank from the soil of old "Kentuck," I dare say I should
never have thought of anything of the kind ; but as it was, my
mind became the prey of -anxious thoughts, and I felt a strong
presentiment of coming evil, which, however it might then lack
reason, proved not to be groundless in the future, as events will
show.
On the morning following our conversation just related, while
the Major and myself were at breakfast in our hotel, Col. Bowles
approached the former with an air of the greatest mystery, and
whispered in his ear, " Sorry to disturb you, Major, but the fact
is, I've heern sunthin' I thought you oughter know." In order
to give his words their full effect, he seated himself on a chair
next to the Major, and having comfortably arranged himself, he
put up his hand to the side of his mouth and said, in a low, mys
terious voice behind it, "There's sunthin dark out, sure!
sunthin rotten ! " and as he spoke, he divided his attention be
tween myself and the Major, looking first towards one, and then
towards the other. It was the very first time he had ever
deigned to notice me, although I had been thrown frequently
into his company, both in our hotel and in the gambling-room,
but he had always studiously ignored my presence. I believed
him to be a vain, arrogant, jmd selfish man, and, withal, a lying
blatherskite, and these cai^Vhad induced a strong dislike in
my mind towards the maUFhich was not, to say the least, in
any respect lessened by the indifference with which he always
treated me, for it is the nature of youth to sooner forgive a se
rious injury than a slight.
"Why, what do you mean, sir?" demanded the astonished
Major, turning round in his chair and gazing inquiringly into the
pock-marked face of the Colonel.
"I tell you, Major, there sunthin rotten, as sure as my name's
Jack Bowles."
LEXINGTON RACES. 397
"Good gracious ! What do you mean, sir ?"
"When we parted last night, you know" the Major nodded
to intimate that he did know "wall," continued Bowles, -"I
jist steps inter Gilp's coflee-house, an' thar I come across ole
Myers, the District Attorney. He's a dirty ole rogue, mind I
tell you now, Major, and when Jake Bowles tells you he knows a
man, go your money on it ! "
" Yes, Colonel, I understand. But what took place ?" inquired
the Major, becoming alarmed.
" Wall, yer see me an' ole Myers we got ter talking about ole
times, an' occasionally hoisting in some groceries, which kinder
warmed up the ole cuss a little, an' its then yer kin git a little
truth outer them sly old ones. Wall, at last he asked me about
you, and who yer was, an' what yer wus a dewin on down thar
in yer rooms every night. He went ter work in a devilish quiet
way at fust, just as if he didn't care a d n fur what he wus a
talkin' about, but I saw mighty quick that thar was suuthin
behind. I tole him you was a respectable gentleman from Rich
mond, thet you was here to 'tend the races, and how the boys
played poker of a night in yer room. He sorter cut me short off
here at this p'int, and said that faro was played there a d n
sight oftener than poker, an' then he cums right out an' shows
his hand. Says he, 'Look a here, Bowles,' says he, 'I'm a friend
o' yourn, an' wish yer well, an' if yer've got anything to do with
that there crib, git outer it, cos several religious persons has
made complaints about it ; they say young men go thar an' lose
thar money ; an' dooty is dooty, yer see, Bowles, an' I can't shirk
it, nohow!'"
"Great God!" cried the Major, excitedly springing to his feet.
"Let's pack up and get away from here, Jack! I wouldn't be
arrested here for the damned infernal State !"
" Pretty good State, too," remarked the Colonel, seeming to
enjoy the Major's uneasiness hugely i
"Yes !" retorted the irate Major, "so damned good, sir, that
they ought to put a stone fence around it, to prevent anybody
from getting into it. Come on, Jack, let's pack up and leave !
We can't be too quick about it !"
" Now hold on, Major! don't fly off at the handle. When Jake
Bowles is a friend to a man, yer kin go yer life on him ! Let me
work this here business. I don't believe it's es bad as yer think,
398 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
by a d n sight," said the worthy Colonel, with a knowing wink.
"Ole Myers, he's working fur a palm, he's h 1 on money, and
I believe that's his game. I understand these matters, Major,
better 7 n you do, and you jest let me manage 'em. He can't pull
yer himself, the ole cuss ; Dawson doesrhat there, and he's miue,
the best friend I've got in the world; and if he has to pull yer,
he'll let me know time enough to git yer out of the way safe and
sound, bet yer life on 't. You trust ter Jake Bowles, Major,
not bad stock, I tell yer ! So you jist keep cool 'till I see yer
again." With which admonition the Colonel deprived us of his
fascinating society. The Major was in no frame of mind to heed
advice to keep cool. On the contrary, he worked himself up to
the boiling point, and fumed, and raged, and cursed the whole
State of Kentucky, and everything which grew upon its soil.
Roberts came in for a double share in his denunciations. " The
infernal scoundrel, sir, to decoy a gentleman among thieves and
then abandon him ! I'll give the sleek-tougued knave a piece of
my mujtf when we meet him ! Let me get back to Virginia once
more, jfcd if ever I leave there again, may I never get back
alive." I was too wise to put myself within the circle of the
whirlpool of his wrath by making any suggestion, even had I
been capable of offering any, which I was not. The whole
matter was, from beginning to end, a muddle to me, and the only
likelihood of a solution which I could perceive was the presence
of Mr. Roberts. Much as I distrusted Col. Bowles, and unscru
pulous as I believed him to be, it never once flashed across my
mind that he was playing us a very dirty trick, and the interest
he was showing in our affairs I looked upon as a sort of free
masonry existing among gamblers, which made it arbitrary upon
them to protect each other against all outside danger, regardless
of their petty slights or professional jealousies. I tried to appear
as calm and unconcerned as I could before the Major, but the
flend Uneasiness was tighteftng his hold upon me. I recalled the
frequent jokes of some of our players, who, while I was dealing
faro for them, would say, " Old Dawson would make a dive in
upon us when we least expected it some time." I also recollect
ed the stories I had heard them relate, of gamblers having their
tools burned before the court-house door, and the owners beino-
' O
locked up until their last dollar was leeched from them by ras
cally officials. The iron-barred doors and windows of the Lex-
LEXINGTON RACES. 399
ington jail, which I have so often viewed from the street with
such supreme indifference, now loomed darkly before my im
agination, like some fabulous monster ready and waiting to de
vour me.
Before the sounding of the bell for dinner, the Colonel again
met the Major, with an exultant look upon his pock-marked
countenance. "I've fixed it all right, Major; kick right along!
As long as Jake Bowles is around yer all right, bet yer life on 't !"
" But what security have we ? Tell me that,' 1 demanded the
excited Major.
"Neow, Major, when a feller talks on ticklish subjects with
yer big guns, he's got ter keep his jaw closed about it. I've
whipped my horse to his full speed, ole boy, an' 'twouldn't do to
tell tales about it outer school. But I'll tell yer this much, yer
shan't fall inter nobody's clutches; I've throwed the flag down on
that, bet yer life on 't. If ole Myers should make a dive for ye
an' he's mean enough to do anything I'll know it in time
ter get yer outer the way. Trust Jake Bowles fur that," said
that gentleman, tipping the Major one of his most knowing winks.
The latter thanked the Colonel for the deep and active TOterest
he had taken in his affairs, but positively refused to approach
near the faro-room while his liberty was menaced, as he styled
it. I told him that if we ever expected to open our game again,
it should be done now, for if we closed, our patrons would be
taken with a scare, and we should lose them. I told him I should
go right away and attend to business as if nothing had happened.
He answered me, "Do as you please, sir, but I shall not go near
the room." Up to this period our bank had been about $3,000
winner. I went over to our room, where I found a crowd of play
ers awaiting my coming and the opening of the game, and when
I had done so a very lively play ensued. During the afternoon
several strange faces were seen at the table, and more money
shown than at any time during our stay in the place before. I
closed my bank about supper time, some $2,200 winner. We
were in luck.
Not finding the Major outside the hotel, nor yet in the office,
when I went over, I went up to his sleeping-room, where I fpund
him with his trunk all packed. " I have paid our bill, sir," was
the first greeting I received, " and you had better attend to your
luggage, and let us be prepared in case of the worst."
400 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
"Has it come to that, Major V I asked. " Must we leave?"
" I don't know as yet, but it is well to be prepared for every
emergency, sir."
"If we should be obliged to leave, how are we to arrange
about our gambling-room, sir ?" I inquired.
"I have settled that matter," he replied in his most dignified
tone, for ever since our little misunderstanding he had shown
a decided coolness towards me.
" How?" I asked with some interest.
" I have sold the room and furniture to Col. Bowles for $200,
and have given him a receipt for that amount. Should we be
obliged to leave, he will sell what furniture, etc., is there, and
remit the money to me."
" But what in such case do you intend doing with Mr. Rob
erts' share of the bank money? To-day our game has won
$2,200."
Without evincing the smallest surprise or pleasure at my news,
the Mator replied, " Had Mr. Roberts done his duty by us, sir,
we shfla not now be in this trouble, probably. Should we
have to fly, we can, on reaching a place of safety, write to him,
sir, and you need bavt no uneasiness, sir, about his putting in an
appearance when we have so much of his money in our hands."
Fear had taken full possession of the Major, and from him I
caught the infection. I repaired to my room and packed my
trunk, and soon after joined him at the supper-table. During
the meal I made several efforts to draw him into conversation,
but my attempts were met by a dogged silence which I sought
in vain to dissipate, and only succeeded in making him more
gloomily indifferent than ever to all my advances.
The night, which was one of the last in October, had barely
cast its sable mantle over the city of Lexington, when we rose
from our seats at the table and entered the office of the hotel.
We were instantly confronted by Col. Bowles, who was evidently
waiting our advent with some impatience, and who immediately
rushed up to us, and in a low voice exclaimed, " Git up an' git."
"Good God! explain yourself, sir!" ejaculated the Major.
"Hush! we can't afford ter let ennbody hear us; thar's no
time for cheek ; let's git outer this here fust. Is yer baggage
ready ?"
"Yes," stammered the terrified Major.
" Order it down; I'll be here with the wagon in a minute.''
THE FLIGHT. 401
It took me only a few minutes to run across to the gambling-
room and put the gambling-tools in my valise. When I had
again reached the hotel, I found my trunk standing beside that
of the Major's, on the sidewalk in front of the door. A power
ful pair of gray horses harnessed to a light spring road wagon
were standing there, and our luggage was placed in this convey
ance by order of the Colonel. Having bestowed on the negroes who
had performed this ceremony a few small coins, he whispered to
the driver, " Drive to Fall's Corner and wait for us thar." The
wagon having driven off, he turned to the Major and myself and
said, "Let's get along; we've no time to lose."
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE FLIGHT.
We had walked rapidly for about eight blocks, when we came
in sight of the wagon which contained our baggage, waiting for
us on a street corner opposite a large lumber-yard. The place
seemed deserted and almost in the suburbs of the city.
"Now," said the Colonel, halting before the wagon, "I'll tell
you what's ther matter, an' I've got but little time to do it in,
either, cos I want yer to git a good start o' ther cusses, do yer
mind ? " The Major did mind, and so in fact did I, for we were
both devoured by a voracious curiosity to know what had caused
this hasty exodus after the very cheering view of the case
which the worthy Colonel had given us but a few hours previous
ly. "A little before dark," continued that gentleman, " I got a
message from Dawson ter come an' see 'im. I done so, an' he
told me that Myers had gin a warrant ter ther Sheriff ter pull
you. Now yer see, the Sheriffs allers been down on gamblers,
an' ole Dawson, he ain't; he's allers let up on 'em when he's had
a chance, and that's jist the reason Myers didn't give him the
warrant as he oughter done. The Sheriff, he wanted ter pull
yer this afternoon ; but Dawson, when he calls on him to assist,
staves him off with the excuse that if they wait 'till night ther
house 'ud be- full, an' they could make a big haul. Pretty cute
fur ole Dawson, warn't it ? But he's my friend, an' you know I
402 WANDERINGS OB 1 A VAGABOND.
tole yer if enny danger was about he'd let me know. Well, him
and the Sheriff's agreed ter pull yer all ter night when yer game's
under full headway, an' they kin nab everybody in the room an'
so have no difficulty in gittin' witnesses agin yer. Es quick es
Dawson gin me the word, I jist sent fur Jim here, that's goin' ter
drive yer down, an' tole him ter hitch up my road team an' drive
yer ter Louisville. So yer parceive when ther Sheriff goes ter
make his dive fur yer, I'll have yer close on ter Frankfort. I've
tole Smiley ter see that yer gamblin'-room's all lighted up, ter
make 'em b'lieve yer there yit. D'ye see, Major I " chuckled the
Colonel.
" What a wonderful escape we've had from the clutches of
those villains ! And how can we ever be sufficiently thankful to
you, sir, for the deep interest you have taken in our affairs?"
ejaculated the Major, seizing the hand of his benefactor, and in
the heat of his gratitude trying to wring it off.
" Now don't talk that way, Major, ole boy; I can't stan nun o'
that ; what I've done I did fur a gentleman, an' that's enough ;
an' ef I didn r t think you'd do jist the same fur me ef I was in a
tight place, I wouldn't a done it ; so git inter the wagon, ole
boss, cos I don't feel right nohow es long's yer here. I tell
yer what, the Sheriff's h 1 when he gits started ; an' when he
finds out ye've fooled 'im, he'll wade through fire an' brimstone
but he'll capture ye. Ef yer beat 'im yer'll hev to outspeed
'im, mind I tell yer. He'll write to Turner, the Marshal, ter nab
yer ef he finds out yer've started fur Louisville, and ef Turner
ever gits them gray eyes o' hissan on yer, yer in fur bad luck,
sure. I don't want ter scare yer, ole boy, only ter caution yer.
Now don't stop on the road one minute more 'n yer kin help. I've
gin Jim a letter ter my friend Bugsby when yer git ter Frank
fort. He'll give yer as good a pair o' roans es ever yer cracked
a whip behind. Push on with 'em till yer can hire a fresh team,
an' keep on doin' so till yer get ter Louisville. Try and reach
there by to-morrow night, an' when yer do, drive straight down
to the Jefferson ferry an' put the Ohio river between yerselves
an' the State o' Kentucky 's soon as possible."
We listened with the most profound attention to these admoni
tions and instructions, and promised to follow his advice to the
letter.
When we were seated in the wagon, the Colonel, turning to
THE PLIGHT. 403
our Jehu, a big powerful negro as black as Erebus, who belong
ed to him, addressed him iu something like the following strain :
"Jim?"
"Yiss, sah."
"Bugsby's team '11 be pretty well used up by the time you get
to Rogers' ; try an' get a fresh one from him, an' when ye get to
Snyder's give 'im my respects and tell 'im to give yer another
fresh team ; do the same to Hanlan's, and that one '11 take yer to
Louisville. When ye get there, drive straight down to the Jef
ferson ferry an' put these gentlemen and their luggage on the
boat. D'yr hear ? "
" Yiss, massa, Ise heah ! "
"Well, do it, an' if I hear of yer taking a cent from either of
'em, I'll skin yer alive ! "
"Yiss, massa," responded Jim, showing his ivories from earto
ear.
" Very well then, see yer dusent. Put up at Runelson's stable,
an' next day at twelve start back, an' try an' git back here by
Monday night, or I'll try an' git inter yer meat-house! "
"Ise '11 do it, massa Jake."
"Very good; an' don't cross the river an' furget ter cum back,
yer black scoundrel ! "
" De lor ! " chuckled Jim. " What's Ise gwine ter do widthem
aberlishus niggers ? Dey dusen't suit Jim, nohow."
"Drive on. God bless yer, Major !" was the last greeting we
received from our disinterested friend. In a few seconds he was
lost to our sight in the darkness of the night.
It was close upon eleven o'clock when we reached Frankfort,
and scarcely a light was to be seen glimmering in the stony
place, and we slipped into it so quietly that even the barking
curs, which abound in Kentucky's darling seat of legislation, fail
ed to announce our arrival. We drove up in front of a broad,
low stone building, where Jim pulled up his panting team and
informed us that this was massa Bugsby's livery stable. Jim
having done some tall pounding with a rock on the stable door,
it was opened from the inside by a venerable individual of the
African persuasion, who held in his hand a lantern, and whose
temper appeared to be slightly ruffled, possibly by being so un
ceremoniously roused from his slumbers.
"Whar's yer massa, nigger?" inquired Jim.
404 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND. J
"What massa is yer talk about?"
" Massa Bugs by, nigger; ye knows dat."
" In he bed ; whar yer s'pose he am at dis time o' night ? " re
sponded the indignant individual addressed.
"Den you go fotch 'im dis yer letter, kase he's wanted here
right away," said Jim, holding out the Colonel's letter to the old
man.
He took the missive in his hand, held it up to the light of the
lantern, and gazed at the direction for some moments, to the im
mense disgust of Jim, who roared out at him, "Come, don't stan'
dar peerin' at dat letter dat ar way, tryin' to make folks b'leive
ye kin read ; go right off wid it to massa Bugsby, case how we's
in a hurry."
"De Lor, nigger! how de words dus cum outer you! Pears
like dey was peas rattlin' onto a dry hide."
"Well, dat '11 do now, nigger; take yerself off an' gib dat let
ter ter massa Bugsby."
" Phew ! " whistled the frosty-headed old African, contempt
uously, raising up his lantern and looking scornfully from behind
it at Jim. "De more I libs, de more fools I sees ebery day!"
with which parting shot the old fellow moved off, chuckling, sat
isfied at his own wit.
Nearly half an hour had elapsed when the gentleman bearing
the name of Bugsby came to the front with a lantern in his
hand, while the old negro brought up the rear, also bearing a
lantern.
" Good evening, gentlemen," was the salutation of Mr. Bugsby.
"It's nearer morning, now, is it not, sir?" responded the
Major.
Mr. Bugsby hauled out a big silver watch, which he consulted
by the light of his lantern, remarking, "It's going on twelve;
hadn't you better tie up for the night ? It's precious dark, an'
you'll find it very stony on t'other side o' the river."
"Mustn't do dat, nohow, massa Bugsby, kase de Kurnel he
sais we must git de roan team and push rite along."
"Well then, I've nothing more to say; if that's the Colonel's
orders he must be obeyed; so, Jim. go and help Robert throw the
harness over the roans."
While the negroes were harnessing, the Major and myself
were stretching our legs on the ground near the wagon. Mr.
THE FLIGHT. 405
Bugsby approached as near as politeness permitted, and, by
way of apology for doing so, inquired, " What's going on in Lex
ington, gentlemen ? " At the same moment he held up his lan
tern in such a position as to throw a strong light on the face of
the Major, who stood nearest him ; but that gentleman, probab
ly not feeling disposed to gratify his curiosity, quickly turned
his back to the light. Nothing daunted by this rebuff, he
turned his attention to me, and flashed into my face the strong
light from the opened side of his lantern ; at the same time he
inquired, "Many people gathering in to see the races there
above ? "
"A great many, I believe," I rejoined, without in the least
changing my position, or moving a muscle in any respect.
When he lowered his lantern, after a lengthened inspection of
my physiognomy, I coolly asked him "ho\f he liked it?"
"Like what?" demanded Mr. Bugsby.
"My face."
"Well, youngster, I've seen a d n sight meaner ones."
"As you have taken such pains to examine it, I am glad it
pleases you," I replied.
"I wanted to see, youngster, who the devil Jake Bowles was
killing all the horses in the country for. He's not in the habit
of wasting his powder on poor game."
After a short delay in crossing the river, we were again push
ing forward as rapidly as the -stony road and the darkness of
the night would permit. Bugsby's remarks to me had aroused
the Major's fears, or his curiosity, I am unable to say which,
for he abstained from all communication with me, but finally
asked Jim if his master and Mr. Bugsby were very intimate.
"I spects dey am, sah!" returned Jim; "dey buys bosses,
swaps bosses, and trades in niggers, when de Kurnel es about
heah, sah."
"Mr. Bugsby was grossly impertinent when haheld his lan
tern up in a gentleman's face," remarked the Major.
"Haw! haw! haw!" laughed Jim, "I spects how massa
Bugsby tinks yuse killed somebody, an' es streakin' it."
"And if he were certain such was the case, he would have
given us up to the authorities, in order to get the reward eh,
Jim ? " asked the Major.
"Good lor! Massa Bugsby no do dat, sah ! Dat won't do
406 "WANDERINGS OP A VAGABOND.
'tall, kase all de white gemmeu goes to massa Bugsby when dey
gits in ^rouble. He make heap o' money dat way. '
"I suppose you mean, Jim, that when the white gentlemen
get in difficulty with the law, that Mr. Bugsby furnishes them
with horses to get away."
"Dat's massa Bugsby, clean out, sah."
At about daylight we reached Rogers' tavern, where we got
some breakfast and a fresh team, and then we again pursued
our flight, and after making two more changes and resting a
couple of hours on the road, we reached Louisville in safety.
We drove directly to the Jefferson ferry, where Jim deposited
on the boat our trunks and valises, contrary to the wishes of
the Major, who desired him to drive us to a hotel in Jefferson-
ville; but to all his entreaties, Jim answered in the same words,
" It's agin de Kurnel's orders, massa Major, an' if I goes agin
dem ar, he won't trust me no more." But contrary to those
other orders which he had received, the black rascal was noth
ing loth to take the golden eagle offered him by the Major. We
caused our luggage to be taken to the best hotel in the place,
where we found comfortable quarters. When we had finished
supper, I wrote and posted to Mr. Roberts a letter, informing him
of our hurried flight, our present place of residence, and our anx
iety that he should join us immediately, in order that we might
settle up our business and depart.
A single day in the quiet town of Jeffersonville was sufficient
to give one the blues, even had not a large commercial city like
Louisville been standing on the opposite bank of the river, to
lure me to the enjoyment of its fascinations and luxuries. Be
sides this, the sullen and disagreeable temper in which the
Major had been since the day before our flight, rendered his
exclusive society anything but enjoyable. My refusal to admit
his friend Col. Bowles to a share in our game, still rankled in
his breast. He openly accused me of being the sole cause of
our late discomfiture. If I tried to defend myself, he persisted
with peevishness and obstinacy in his opinion, declared he had
never known trouble till he met me, and wound up by inform
ing me, with much dignity, that, as soon as our affairs could be
adjusted, a dissolution of partnership must take place. I left
him to his own gloomy thoughts, and crossed over to Louisville
without saying anything to him about my intention. My Lez-
THE PLIGHT. 407
ington scare had worn off, and I soon found myself traversing
the streets of the city, with no fear of Marshal Turner before
my eyes, nor in fact of any one else. %This being my first visit
to the place, I inquired rny way to the Gait House, in hopes of
meeting some person with whom I had been previously ac
quainted, but was doomed to disappointment. I staid there,
nevertheless, till dinner-time, and entering the dining-room,
took a seat at the table. Shortly after I had done so, a young
man came and took the vacant place at my side, and addressed
me with "You here, Morris? When did you leave Lexington?"
I recognized him at once as being a young man who was stop
ping at the same hotel with the Major and myself in Lexington,
and who had frequently been in our gambling-room, where he
had sometimes played against the bank. He had, while there,
introduced himself to me as James Howard, from Georgia ; said
he had been following the sporting business for more than four
years, and soon convinced me that he was well posted up in al
most every subject in any degree appertaining to sporting.
"I arrived here last night, Mr. Howard," I replied; "have
you been here long ? "
"I got here last Tuesday," he rejoined, "but I'm going up to
Lexington in the morning."
When I informed him that it was my intention not to return
to Lexington, and that the Major had accompanied me to Jef-
fersouville, he showed an unusual degree of surprise, and had
very little trouble in extracting from me the particulars of my
flight from Lexington, and its cause.
"And so Jake Bowles has caught another brace of fools!" he
exclaimed, as soon as I had informed him of that gentleman's
connection with our flight.
"What do you mean, Mr. Howard, by a brace of fools?" I
asked, feeling by no means complimented by either his words or
manner.
"That he's worked a job on you, and run you off, that's all,"
replied Mr. Howard.
It was the very first time my stupid brain had ever been
made acquainted with such an idea. I felt so confused by the
rush of thoughts which thronged through my mind at this sug
gestion, that I could only inquire stupidly, "Why, what good
could that do him ? "
408 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
"Why, Morris, you must be green, not to see his object. He
wanted to get the game himsell'. He'll ring in Smiley upou that
party, and he'll make $1<5,UOU by the operation. He'll skiu them
fellers like eels."
" Can he cheat at faro?" I asked.
"Cheat! Cheat is no name for it! Why, he's double chain-
lightning at it ; he's cleaned out all the gamblers in Georgia
and South Carolina, and you could uo sooner get one of them
into a room where he was dealing faro, than you could get them
into a pest-house."
" I wonder Col. Bowles tolerates such a person, much less em
ploys him," I returned, by way of extracting some more explicit
information.
" Jake Bowles don't want nor won't have any other kind; he's
the biggest beat in the South, and never was known to risk his
money on the square. He thinks of nothing else but putting up
jobs to rob somebody, either at cards or horses."
" Then do I understand you to infer that the authorities would
not have interfered with us I"
"They have never yet done so with any one during race
times."
" And you think Col. Bowles fooled us, when he induced us to
leave the place f "
" Why, it's dollars to bits he's done it."
I now firmly believed for the first time that we were his dupes.
A thousand small circumstances, at the time unnoticed, now pre
sented themselves to my mind, and forged such a complete chain
of evidence, that I knew perfectly well that it was quite true. I,
however, said nothing more at that time to Mr. Howard, in
whose company I visited two or three gambling-houses, and
Would have remained all night in Louisville, had I not feared my
absence would cause the Major some uneasiness. At about nine
o'clock I reached our hotel, and found him irascibly pacing up
and down the piazza in no amiable frame of mind. When I made
my appearance before him, he stopped in his promenade, and
scanning me from head to foot with a flashing eye, inquired
severely, "Where have you been, sir?"
" I've been over in Louisville, Major."
" Then it's a d n pity they didn't put you in prison, and keep
you there, sir !" thundered the Major. " Haven't we had trouble
enough, sir, without your seeking to bring more upon us ?"
THE FLIGHT. 409
I had decided not to tell him anything of what I had learned
from Howard concerning Bowles, but to await the coming of Mr.
Roberts, whose arrival I expected on the following evening. I
felt assured that if the Colonel had been playing his disgraceful
pranks upon us, he was the man who would be sure to find it out,
and I knew that from his lips alone would the Major credit the
assertion that we had fallen victims to his dishonest artifices.
Therefore, without bandying further words with him, I retired to
my bed, leaving him to continue his walk up and down the pi^
azza, and, like "Tain O'Shauter's wife," "nursing his wrath to
keep it warm."
The next morning he made a point of insisting that I should
on no pretense whatever absent myself from him until after the
arrival of Mr. Roberts. He added that my absence the day before
had caused him great uneasiness, and that he was satisfied
that the officers of Louisville, before this, had accurate informa
tion of our whereabouts, and description of our persons, and
were only waiting for a suitable opportunity to arrest us. To
allay his fears and satisfy him, I promised faithfully to remain
with him throughout the day, and, moreover, kept the promise.
As we,, expected, Mr. Roberts arrived in the evening, having
received my letter on Sunday evening and left Lexington on the
following morning. He said he had been detained in Cincinnati,
on account of some business difficulties, considerably longer than
he at first expected; but having left us in a flourishing condition,
and having no fear of our being in any way molested by the au
thorities, he had no cause to feel any uneasiness on our account;
" I reached Lexington," he said, " about four o'clock on Saturday
evening, and heard that Jack had been at my house, inquiring
for me. I walked directly down to your gambling-room, where I
found a game going forward, dealt by Mr. Smiley, a friend of
Col. Bowles. To all my inquiries respecting you, he could give
but one answer, which was that you had 'pulled up stakes and
gone,' as he expressed it. I then went to the hotel, where I was
informed that you had left the house suddenly the evening be
fore, in company with Col. Bowles, to whom I was referred for
further information. In the course of the evening I found that
gentleman, and he answered my questions relative to your sud
den change of base in thiswise: 'My friend Major Jenks got the
"studs " on and left town kitin'; the damned old fool got tired
410 WANDERINGS OF A. VAGABOND.
cos he'd won too much money ! I tried hard ter get 'im to stay
through the races, but he wouldn't, so I bought his gambling-
room, jist ter oblige 'im more 'n anything else. I had ter put
Smiley somewhar, so I thought I'd stick 'im in thar, an' see if he
couldn't do somethin' for hisself.' I asked him where you had
gone, and he said he believed you went to Cincinnati, but
couldn't say for certain. I tried to find out from him what sort
of conveyance you left town by, but he could not tell me that
either. Your unaccountable flight gave me considerable uneasi
ness, not because you had money belonging to me on that score
I was perfectly satisfied everything was right but your myste
rious and hurried departure was to me inexplicable, and I could
only account for it to myself on the ground of some extraordi
nary fear having been brought to bear on you."
"On the following evening I received your letter informing
me that you had ascertained that the authorities were going
to arrest you, and that you were enabled to escape through the
kind assistance of Col. Bowles. In a moment, knowing him
as I did for a scheming trickster, I saw the whole, and knew you
had been made the victims of his deception. But in order
to satisfy myself entirely, and leave no room for doubt, I called
upon the prosecuting Attorney, the Sheriff, and Mr. Da\vson,
the City Marshal, who each separately told me that they had
never heard of any complaint having been made against you,
and that no warrant had ever been issued for your arrest, nor
had any such thing ever been in contemplation. I have every
confidence in the assertion of these gentlemen. They are among
my warmest friends, and I know they would not deceive me.
I took the stage next morning, and here I am, and I want you
both to return with me to Lexington, to-morrow morning. I'll
show you whether I can protect your game there or not, and I'll
make the town a d n sight too hot to hold Jake Bowles out
side the stone-jug."
Howard having already prepared me for something of this
kind, I was not so completely taken by surprise as was the
Major, who was really to be pitied, though he had probably fall
en into this self-same trap for perhaps the sixtieth time in his
life. On short acquaintance he had never been so completely
wrapped up in any one as he had been in Col. Jacob Bowles;
and now, to find that all his bombastic tales, to which he had Us-
THE FLIGHT. 411
tened so delightedly, and all his flattering professions of friend
ship, were but the artifices of a cunning trickster to rob him !
'twas too humiliating. The revelations of the duplicity and
treachery of the man not only amazed him, but seemed for a
time actually to stupefy him and cause him to lose his faculty of
speech. But when he recovered his powers of articulation, like
an impeded fountain, which, in overcoming some obstacle, has
gathered new force, the curses flowed from his lips in an un
broken, resistless stream. " Infernal thieving horse-jockies and
sharps! Why have I ever been their dupes? Must I always be
their prey ? Horsemen are all thieves, from the highest to the
lowest; the infernal tribe of villains!"
"Come! come! come, Major! Moderate your language ; recol
lect that I made my debut on the turf many years ago. Then
there's your esteemed friend, Col. Johnson, and many others.
Ease up, Major, ease up."
" It's one of nature's freaks, sir, to sprinkle a few gentlemen
among a thousand thieves. But give me your hand, Jack," he
cried, turning to me; "I owe you an apology, and I've done
you a great pecuniary wrong by my folly. Had I taken your
advice, sir, that infernal thief could never have injured us; but
you'll punish him, won't you, Roberts? You can and. must do
it; I'll pay the expenses, whatever they may- be."
"No, sir! You'll do nothing of the sort," returned the gen
tleman addressed ; " and rest assured I'll make Lexington a
pretty warm place for Mr. Bowles when I get back ! But you're
both coming back with me, aren't you?" he inquired.
"No, sir!" responded the irascible Major. "I'm going back
to Virginia, and I'll stay there, too; and if I'm ever caught out
side of it again I hope they'll stick me in some jail, and keep
me there for the balance of my natural life!"
"And you, Jack?" he asked, turning towards me.
"I'm going to New Orleans."
Early on the following morning I crossed the river with Mr.
Roberts, and saw him off on the stage coach for Lexington, after
he had promised to write me at length, in the course of a few
days. At eleven o'clock of the same day I saw the Major start
off on the mail boat for Cincinnati, and took a kind farewell of
my dear old friend, whom I then saw for the last time on earth,
although I did not fail to correspond regularly with him, up to
412 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
within a few years of his death, which event took place at Rich
mond, in 1856. He had accumulated a sufficient competency,
the proceeds of his interest in various faro-banks in Richmond
and Washington, to keep him in comfort and respectability
during his last days.
Our pleasant correspondence was broken in upon in conse
quence of my restless disposition, and the wild, wandering life
I led during many years, being often months at a time where
letters and post-offices were, to say the least, yet in their ex
treme infancy. Returning to San Francisco after vagabond
izing a few years in Tahiti, Australia, and along the shores oi
Japan and China, I learned, to my unfeigned sorrow, that the
soul of Major George Jenks had returned to its Maker, and
that his mortal remains reposed beneath the soil of his beloved
native State. That soil may have been the last resting-place ol
many wiser and more learned men, but never that of one who
dealt more honestly and chivalrously by his fellows, or possessed
a warmer heart. Peace to his ashes.
A few days after the departure of my friends, I received a
letter of which the following is an exact copy.
Lexington, Oct. 26, 183-.
FRIEND JACK:
Dawson made a descent on your old room last night, and
seized the furniture and gambling-tools. Colonel Bowles and
his friend Mr. Smiley were the only persons arrested. This
morning, after passing the night in the station-house, they were
hauled up before the court, where they gave bail for their
appearance before the District Court in sums of $1,000 each,
upon which bonds they were released.
Rest assured that I shall follow this matter up, and Colonel
Bowles shall learn to his sorrow, before I'm done with him, that
his little joke will not turn out in the end to be either pleasant
or profitable.
Respectfully yours,
ROBERTS.
THE MISSISSIPPI. 413
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE MISSISSIPPI.
A few days after the events recorded in the last chapter, I
found myself a passenger on board the "Mediator," gliding
along the picturesque banks of the lower Ohio, onward bound
for New Orleans. The boat was crowded with passengers men,
women, and children the greater part of whom were residents
of the Crescent City, and who had been wandering in the North
during the hot summer months, or perhaps the East or West,
wherever business or pleasure led, in order to avoid the myriads
of mosquitoes which a kind Providence bestows so bountifully on
the denizens of the sunny South during the heated term, and
that thrice -dreaded scourge, the yellow fever, about which
learned medical men have wrangled and jangled for more than
two centuries, without being one whit wiser to-day on the ques
tion of where the poison of this terrible disease lies, or from
whence it is extracted, than was Pere Dutertre when he first
saw the fearful malady in the Antilles, in the summer of 1635.
A few minutes' detention at that classic mud-hole denomina
ted Cairo, and I was at length launched on the broad bosom of
the great Father of Waters, as American vanity is fond of styling
it. The yearning of years was finally gratified ; but what a dis
appointment! The majestic river! The mighty river! The
grand river! The father of waters! The very first sight instant
ly destroyed every vestige of romance engendered by these
sounding titles, and many more of the same sort, which, from my
earliest youth up, I had heard applied to these turbid and
treacherous waters. While steaming down its swift and dingy
current, not a single beautiful object in all the landscape met
my eye. All was dreary monotony. The alluvial shore on one
side lined with blue, mud, while on the opposite bank the scene
was varied by immense stretches of white sand, which the winds,
in their sportive fancy, raised in clouds, and whirled hither and
thither in circling eddies. Then the shore would be for miles
covered with almost impenetrable forests of ash and cottonwood,
414 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
underlined with a heavy growth of -thick fields of matted cane,
which confined the vision, like the river, within the banks, and
made the eye turn for relief to the hlne vault of heaven. Even
the melancholy sight of snagged steamers, which every now and
then met our view, were welcome breaks to the dreary same
ness of the voyage, while the appearance of an occasional wood
pile along the shore gave us the assurance that we had not en
tirely passed beyond the confines of civilization, and the hail
of a passing steamer gave more than usual confidence and plea
sure.
What indomitable courage, what patience, what perseverance
must those pioneers of civilization have possessed, who first
sailed down this unknown stream! How comparatively few
among the millions who glided over the bosom of this gigantic
ocean tributary, ever even heard the names of Marquette, La
Salle, or Jollietf Launched upon this unknown stream, in their
frail bark canoes, with nothing but vast swamps, fields of desert
sand, matted cane-brakes, and impenetrable forests to greet
their vision; ready to fall a prey at any moment to savage beasts,
or, worse still, to barbarous and blood-thirsty men, they yet did
not despair. Each moment the current was carrying them
farther from friends, home, and all they held most dear ; per
haps to ignominious captivity or a painful death. But, animated
by a noble resolve, they feared none of these things, but pressed
on through discouragements and dangers sufficient to appall the
stoutest heart till their end was gained.
The whole civilized world has for generations showered prais
es on Columbus for the courage, patience, and perseverance
with which he pursued his westerly course over unknown seas,
in search of a new world; nor would I take a single leaf from the
wreath of fame by which he is immortally crowned. He was cer
tainly well qualified, both by nature and education, for his ardu
ous undertaking, and had he failed, the compass which steered him
onward would enable him to retrace his steps. The sight of
birds, floating driftwood, and the finding of bottom with the lead,
enabled him to keep up the rapidly sinking, spirits of his crew
and reanimate them with new hopes. Behind him were power
ful patrons who believed in his success, and who had furnished
him with ships, men, and means, and sent him on his dubious
and uncertain voyage. Should he be successful, as he firmly be-
THE MISSISSIPPI. 415
lieved he was certain, in reaching the East Indies by a shorter
route than by way of the Cape of Good Hope, on his return wealth
and honors were waiting to be showered upon him with lavish
hands.
Marquette and Jolliet had no powerful government or pa
trons to encourage or assist them in their perilous journey. Their
five Indian companions and two birch canoes were their sole ret
inue and means of transportation. The Potawattamie braves
heard of their project with wonder and incredulity. "Those
distant nations," said they, ''never spare the stranger; their
mutual wars fill the borders with bands of marauding warriors
who never spare the captives who fall into their hands ; the great
river abounds in monsters who devour both men and canoes, and
the excessive heat occasions death." But to all these things these
indomitable explorers turned a deaf ear, and, animated by a high
courage and noble resolve, started upon their dangerous way.
When the shores of* Spain receded from the view of Columbus,
as he started on his voyage of discovery, his future was not the
shadow of a shade darker, if as dark as that of Marquette when
he launched his frail squadron on the bosom of the Mississippi.
Columbus was surrounded by all the comforts enjoyed by sailors
at that time, aud had no more danger to apprehend than that
which falls to the lot of ordinary mariners ; his ' ships were sea
worthy, and manned by picked sailors and warriors ready to en
force his commands if necessary. Marquette and his compan
ions knew as little where they were going, as did Columbus and
his comrades. The former knew by observation that large
streams of water made their way to the sea ; but knew not, sup
posing himself to have overcome all obstacles, and to have reach
ed the mouth, whether those waters were received by the At
lantic or Pacific Ocean, or the Gulf of Mexico. Christianity, civ
ilization, and the glory of France, induced him to tempt unknown
dangers, tropical heats, and intolerable insects, savage beasts
and more savage men, in order to solve this question. The sa
cred calumet of peace, hung around his neck by the Illinois
chieftain, was to him and his comrades a better protection than
the armed adventurers who followed Columbus. Marquette,
Jolliet, and afterwards La Salle, discovered the mighty river
from its source to its mouth ; but posterity has very nearly rob
bed them of their hard-earned and richly deserved laurels. Ex-
416 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
cept in the pages of history, or an occasional steamer or insig
nificant village or county which has borne the names of these
heroic men, their memories are almost entirely obliterated.
Neither the chisel of the sculptor nor the brush of the painter has
transmitted to posterity the lineaments of either. Even France,
who delights to honor the memory of her brave sons, has allow
ed their names to sink almost into oblivion, though she never
produced more daring explorers, or men who have given to her
more territory or more widely extended her fame. But it is a
general weakness with mankind to honor and laud the bloody
deeds of cut- throat warriors, more than to properly acknowledge
the services of men who, by their brains, perseverance, and
courage, have opened up to future civilization regions hitherto
unknown and unexplored.
The world only knows De Soto as the discoverer of the Missis
sippi, and as such has sounded peaus of praises for his deeds and
delighted to honor his memory. Ships, steamers, counties, vil
lages, and even rum-mills, have been called after him, and still
keep his memory green in the hearts of the people, not to men
tion that noble effort of one of our ablest artists, which adorns
the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington, representing his ar
rival on the banks of the great river ; a master-piece which
none who have once beheld can ever forget.
But the honor falls not where it is justly due. As a blind hog
stumbles on an acorn, so did De Soto discover the Mississippi
River After assisting in the robbing of the Peruvians, he re
turned to Spam with his blood-stained gold ; but not satisfied
with the deeds of murder and rapine he had committed, nor with
the amount of his ill-gotten treasures, he started from Florida
westward in search of adventure with more than a thousand un
principled cut-throats in his train, ready for any deeds of vio
lence and blood. The exploration of unknown regions for the
benefit of his race was by no means the object of the expedition;
but gold. " The Spaniard has a disease of the heart, and noth
ing but gold can cure it," said Pizarro ; and none knew his coun
trymen better than that cruel tyrant.
But little is known of the particulars of the expedition of
De Soto. He was not accompanied by a lying Gomara to cover
up his disgraceful and bloody deeds with the flowers of rhetoric,
as was Cortez, but it seems that, after rambling about for some
THE MISSISSIPPI. 417
time in that portion of the country which now comprises the
States of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, brutally massa-
creing the unoffending natives, burning their huts, and commit
ting every possible deed of violence and murder, he reached
the great stream near the mouth of White River. From thence
he rambled on to the southern borders of the Missouri, and
from thence southward to the Red River. The outrages which
characterized the first part of his expedition were in no wise
abated. He wantonly murdered and enslaved the natives who
crossed his path, and every step of his journey was marked
with blood. Disease, together with his frequent battles with
the natives, had now reduced his ranks to about four hundred
men. They sought gold, but found graves. Finally the death
of De Soto, and his romantic burial by night, beneath the waters
of the Mississippi, .has left behind him a strong tincture of ro
mance, to cover the deeds of the bloody marauder, and has
impressed posterity with the belief that he fell a martyr to the
cause of civilization and the good of unborn generations of his
fellow-men. But a very different motive governed his actions:
sordid avarice spurred him and his followers on; the hope of
fiindug another Peru or Mexico, abounding with gold, which they
might obtain by murdering the untutored natives a thing they
would have done with as little compunction as they would have
crushed a noxious insect in their path, and thereby adding to
the already bloody laurels of Spain. If it be true that the fol
lowers of De Soto escaped the richly deserved vengeance of the
natives, and reached the mouth of the Mississippi, and from
thence across the Gulf of Mexico to the Panuco River, it is one
of the very strangest events in history, that a river of such
magnitude, whose mouth must have consequently become known
to the Spaniards, should have remained undiscovered and un
known for more than a century afterwards. The whole tale
seems as fabulous as the fountain of youth, or the undiscovered
Eldorado.
In the year 1823, Captain Shreve commanded the good steamer
" General Washington," then the fastest boat that ever plowed
the western waters. In the designated year he made the
quickest time ever known, between New Orleans and Louisville,
and on his arrival at the latter port he anchored his steamer in
the middle of the river and fired twenty-five guns, being one for
418 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
each day consumed in making his trip, then considered the most
wonderful voyage ever accomplished. The entire population of
Louisville were gathered on the bank to behold that wonder of
speed, the glorious "General Washington." Captain Shreve
was feted, and borne in triumph by the huzzaing multitude
through the streets of Louisville, and in deep-felt gratitude for
the honors showered on him, thanked his enthusiastic admirers
in an eloquent speech, while toasts were drank, and "red-eye"
flowed freely, and all declared the -time made by the " George
Washington " could never be equaled. But in defiance of
this assertion the time was beaten before the end of the season,
and in 1828 the "Tecumseh " made the same trip in eight days
and seventeen hours, and in the year 1843 the "Sultana" made
the trip in four days and twenty-two hours. From the time of the
memorable trip of the " George Washington," down to the speedy
voyage of the " Sultana," steamers have vied with each other,
both in racing and in making fast trips. As a consequence of
this delectable pastime, the souls of hundreds of persons were
hurried before the throne of their Maker, unprepared and un
called, by the burning of steamers, bursting of boilers, and run
ning upon snags. In this golden era it was considered highly
dishonorable for a steamboat captain to allow his steamer,
while under way, to be passed by another boat without giving
her a race ; and these trials of speed but too often resulted in
the scattering of their passengers in every imaginable direction,
by the blowing up of their boilers. Whenever a steamer was
destroyed, with the majority of its passengers and crew, by a
snag, a fire, collision, or compressed steam, a body of citizens
under the title of a " committee " or a "jury of inquiry " would be
appointed to make a searching inquiry into the "appalling ac
cident," as the public press would most probably denominate it.
It being for the interest of steamboat owners to exonerate
themselves in the eyes of the public from the charge of running
unsafe steamers or employing incapable officers, they would
spare neither money nor trouble to have upon the examination
committee their own creatures, and the verdict rendered was in
nineteen cases out of twenty, the same old tune, "nobody to
blame." In the meantime, one or two of the most important
newspapers, near the scene of the disaster, would be squared to
inform the public that it was impossible to guard against such
THE MISSISSIPPI, 419
accidents, and that the officers were all perfectly efficient, and
had nobly performed their duty in the hour of peril. Trade and
property were so powerful, that authority dare not question the
incapability or recklessness of river men, and the scale in which
reposed the safety of human life kicked the beam when bal
anced against that which contained money.
In those palmy days, steamboat officers did what seemed
good in their own sight, with none to molest or make them
afraid. They neither dreaded courts of justice nor were they
one whit restrained by fear of public opinion, from committing
the most brutal outrages on inoffensive persons placed in their
charge. The mate or engineer who could wield a billet of
wood or a bar of iron the most scientifically on the heads of
deck-hands, firemen, and deck-passengers, was considered " a
regular screamer," and received the highest wages. When
laborers were plenty on the levee at New Orleans, it was common
for steamers to hire twenty-five or thirty more than the comple
ment required for her crew, in order to facilitate the taking in
of sufficient pine wood to run the seven or eight hundred miles
up the river, and to discharge whatever way-cargo she might
have between New Orleans and Vicksburg. These men would
be discharged at the different landings on the river as fast as
their services were no longer required, having shipped with the
idea that they would be wanted for the round trip. They did
not, of course, expect that, after a few days' hard labor, they
would be discharged in a place where it was impossible for
them to get anything to do, and where it would cost them more
money than they had earned to take them back to New Orleans.
These hands were sometimes as a punishment for incurring the
displeasure of some of the petty officers set ashore in impene
trable cane-brakes, or on lonely islands, and any murmurings or
remonstrances on their part were instantly silenced by a blow on
the head with a billet of wood, and not unfrequently the knife
and the bullet were brought into requisition. Nor were passen
gers exempt from these brutalities. To those of wealth and in
fluence the most slavish attention was shown, while modest and
unassuming strangers were neglected and treated with rudeness
and contempt if they dared demand their rights. The smallest <
infringement of the rules of the boat has planted many a one in /
a solitary state on the edge of a cane-brake, with his luggage
420 "WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
beside him. Deck passengers were stowed like hogs on the
lower deck of the steamer, where they were made to feel all the
degradation of poverty in the brutal and disgraceful treatment
they received from the petty officers belonging to the boat.
Maltreated crews of vessels and steamers, and also their pas
sengers, had from time to time brought their wrongs before the
tribunals of their country and clamored for redress. But it was
impossible to obtain anything like justice, where capital was the
defendant ; and in no cities were these tribunals more blunted
or deaf to the cries of justice, than in St. Louis, Louisville, and
New Orleans. In these cities the majority of the river steamers
were owned by the wealthy merchants, and the officers of these
steamers were their servants, whom they protected at all haz
ards. However flagrant their crimes, money and talent were
ready to stand forth in their defense and save them from the
lash of justice, and that justice was dispensed by a cultured class
who were but too ready to pander to the power of the almighty
dollar. What could ignorant crews or obscure passengers ex
pect, whose only recommendation to justice was that they had
been wronged, while opposed to them was money and talent in
abundance where obsequious .Judges and prosecuting attor
neys were eager to bow the knee before the shrine of wealth
and influence. But let the accused be some ignorant boat-hand
or some obscure passenger on trial for killing or maiming some
brutal officer, who had perhaps tantalized him into committing
the deed by his taunts and jeers, justice did not sleep then ; but
listened to the accusation, and condemned the guilty wretch as
implacably as the presiding dignitary over the "Court of Death,"
delineated by the masterly pencil of Rembrandt Peel, meted out
his award to every culprit brought before him.
It is quite natural to suppose that men respecting no law
save that of brute force would at times fall victims to their own
dastardly deeds of violence. Such was in many instances the
case among the steamboat officers. Numbers were openly
killed or secretly assassinated by those whom they had maltreat
ed. In the large cities these murderers were punished by law,
when arrested ; but if, after the commission of their deeds of
blood, the perpetrators could gain the banks either of the Mis
sissippi or Ohio River, at any point between the ports of St.
Louis, Louisville, and New Orleans, they were safe from all pun-
THE MISSISSIPPI. 421
ishment by the law. The people who lived in the scattered
settlements along the banks of these rivers had conceived a
deep and abiding hatred towards the generality of steamboat
officials, on account of their brutal and overbearing conduct.
The first season that I struck the Mississippi River, twenty-two
steamboat officers fell by the bullet and the knife, in consequence
of having violated the persons of their murderers. During the
same summer and the following winter eleven boats were
snagged between St. Louis and New Orleans, and six were
blown up by the bursting of their boilers, and over five hundred
souls were hurried into the presence of their Maker. High old
times were these on the Mississippi River.
The long suppressed murmurings of public opinion against the
shameful atrocities perpetrated by river men, on the western
waters, became now too formidable to be longer disregarded.
Congress passed laws regulating the navigation of all inland
steamers ; the duties of steamboat officials were clearly defined ;
committees were appointed to examine into the capabilities of
pilots and engineers, and also to ascertain the sea- worth in ess of
vessels carrying freight and passengers ; inspectors were appoint
ed to look to boilers and machinery. About the same time the
people of Louisiana demanded of their legislators that severe laws
defining the relations between steamboat officers and their crews
should be passed, and the public voice compelled the courts to
enforce these laws. The former brutal treatment of steamboat
hands was no longer tolerated; such amusements became too
costly to be indulged in by their officers. The wages of crews
had to be settled before any other claims ; and until that was
done the boat could be held by the Sheriff. Public opinion
frowned down steamboat racing, and fewer boilers were burst
in consequence. The "knock-down and drag-out" officers of
the "screamer" tribe were obliged to stand back and give place
to such as could direct their men in the performance of thei?
duty, without resorting to oaths and violence. Steamboat offi
cers were no longer permitted to gamble with passengers, or to
enter the cabin with loud oaths, or seat themselves at the din
ner-table in filthy garments or their shirt-sleeves. The mess-
room and sleeping-rooms of the employes were separated from
those of the passengers ; and only the captain and his clerk and
first officer, with the servants required there, were allowed en-
422 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
trance into the cabin. Humanity and courtesy has made mighty
strides in this section of the country over cruelty and oppression.
The recklessness and brutality which once characterized steam
boat officials has totally disappeared from our western waters ;
and to-day the traveler can nowhere meet with kinder or more
polite treatment than on board a river steamer, or with more
civil and gentlemanly men than their officials.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
RIYER SHARPERS.
Day and night during our voyage on the "Mediator," from
Louisville to New Orleans, were the card- tables surrounded by
the votaries of chance, and often as many as five or six of these
tables could be seen scattered from the ladies' cabin to the social
hall of the boat, with games going forward at each.
The games which were mostly played in those days on river
steamers were poker, brag, whist, Botson, and old sledge ; and
if banking games were set up in the social hall, they were usually
vingt-et-un, chuck, and sometimes faro. According to the rules
of these steamers, all gambling was prohibited after ten o'clock
in the evening ; but in many instances these rules were a dead
letter, and the morning sun frequently found one or more parties
at the card-table engaged at their favorite games. In these jolly
times the steamboat officers mingled with the passengers in the
cabin as equals, and it was no uncommon thing to see uncouth
pilots, mates, and greasy engineers engaged at the card-tables
with well-dressed travelers. Passengers were privileged to
amuse themselves just as they pleased, so long as they did not
infringe upon the rights of others, or interfere in any respect
with the duties of the officers or crew. This latitude sometimes
led to some rather strong contrasts ; for instance, there might
frequently be seen in the ladies' cabin a group of the godlypray-
ing and singing psalms, while in the dining-suloon, from which
the tables had been removed, another party were dancing merri
ly to the music of a fiddle, while farther along, in the social hall,
might be heard the loud laughter of jolly carousers around the
RIVER SHARPERS. 423
driukiug bar, and occasionally chiming in with the sound of the
revelry, the rattling of money aud checks, and the sound of
voices at the card- tables.
Previous to the appearance of the card-sharper and his newly
invented schemes for cheating, on the river the card-tables of a
steamer were free to all persons of gentlemanly habits and man
ners. The gambler was not excluded from a seat there on
account of his superior skill at play ; or, at least, it was an ex
ceedingly rare thing for one person to object to another on these
grounds. Pride would not permit the humiliating confession.
Neither would men holding real or equivocal positions in society,
and who, by the arbitrary laws of that society, felt themselves
compelled to shun a professional gambler on the street, think
their reputation compromised by meeting him as an equal on
board a steamer at the card-tables.
The votaries of chance were not yet aroused to the fact that
(hey could be insidiously robbed at the card-table when every
thing seemed perfectly fair and above-board,- but when that
enlightening took place, the gambler was immediately classed
with the sharper, because the verdant were unable to under
stand where the gambler left off and the thief began. Thimble-
riggers, dice-coggers, trigger-wheel players, strop-players, and
card-sharpers of every description, were classed as gamblers.
These river sharpers, for their mutual advantage, traveled in
small companies, but while on board a steamer, feigned to be
total strangers to each other. Their number was always
sufficient to make up a card party whenever they could induce
one or two "gulls" to "join them in a small game, merely for
amusement." Whenever one of their number could manage to
obtain a seat among a poker or brag party that would not
stand any rough nonsense in the way of " stocking," or "hold
ing out," his confederates would seat themselves in such a
position that they could see the cards held by his adversaries,
and " item" the strength of their hands to him by signs. This
was done variously, sometimes with the fingers, one held out
denoting a pair, two, two pairs, three, threes, four fingers, fours,
and five, a flush or full hand. Hands were sometimes tele
graphed by twirling the head of a cane in various directions ;
and men had systems of signs which were perfectly intelligible,
consisting in peculiar ways of puffing out cigar smoke.
424 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
The early sharpers depended oil fleecing their adversaries at
poker, brag, euchre, and all-fours, aud similar games, while
engaged with them at play, by " holding out" one or more cards
on them. These would be hidden in their laps or behind the
neck, and sometimes in the joint of the knees, and "rung in"
whenever a favorable opportunity occurred for doing so. These
methods of cheating, as well as " iteming" hands, are time-
honored institutions among the sharper tribe, and were probably
practiced by their European brethren a century before the pad
dle of a steamboat made its first revolution in the turbid waters
of the Mississippi.
Playing marked cards was a specialty with a few sharpers.
They marked their own cards on the backs, nearly every sharper
having his own secret cipher for doing so. While playing with
a single adversary, marked cards could be used most advan
tageously; the more persons engaged with them in a game of
brag or poker, the more difficult was their labor and the more
they had to contend with. In a card party consisting of four or
five players, the marked-card player can only manage to read
the cards of one of his adversaries hands. I have heard that
some of them could keep the run of two hands at once with per
fect ease, but having never known of such an instance, I beg
leave to doubt the assertion.
There are plenty of starnped-card players who can keep the
run of two hands correctly in a game of poker where four or
more persons are engaged, but it seems to me beyond the range
of probability for any one to accomplish the same feat with what
is known in sharper's parlance as " scratched paper." The
marked-card player could accomplish nothing on a steamer, ex
cept by the connivance of the bar-tender, to whom he was
obliged to give a certain share in his profits as the price of his
assistance and silence, and for ringing in his cards upon whatever
party upon whom they thought they could be made profitable.
These worthies seldom wasted their talents and their " scratched
paper" on any except those who were likely to reward them
handsomely for their time aud trouble.
The "tricky tribe," while playing all-fours, ecarte, euchre, etc.,
with verdant adversaries too far advanced to stand a "half-
stock," or the "palm," would resort to marking the most ad
vantageous cards with the thumb-nail by scratching them on
RIVER SHARPERS. 425
their edges, generally on their sides near the corners. Some
times they would "blaze" with their finger-nails, or otherwise
mark the aces and kings on their backs, in order to know them
at poker, or the braggers and aces at brag ; at the latter game
the advantage was very considerable, while with the former it
amounted to little. The marking of certain cards in a pack,
while engaged at a game, is not only a tedious operation, but
decidedly a dangerous undertaking if not skillfully done. Per
sons with whom such tricks are generally tried on are those
whose suspicions have been aroused; and parties of this kind are
hard to cheat, or rather are on the alert to prevent any frauds
from being practiced upon them. None of the tribe that I ever
heard of ever succeeded in gaining any prominence among the
members of their own profession for successfully marking cards
while playing, and making them tell advantageously at a game.
Les chevaliers d'industrie of Europe are far ahead of our own
in this art. Many of them, ,while playing at whist, ecarte,
cribbage, and similar games, mark with their thumb-nails in an
incredibly short space of time all the important cards in the
pack, and play them equally as well as the best stamped-card
player. In the year 1860 I met one of these gentlemen in Paris,
a Frenchman by birth, of the most suave and agreeable manners
and gentlemanly deportment. I had the honor of making his
acquaintance, and one evening, while seated in my room discuss
ing with me the various fine arts as practiced at cards, he offer
ed to bet me a napoleon that while we were playing four games
of ecarte, he would mark twelve cards in the pack. At any
time during the playing of the four games, if I could detect him
marking a single card by showing the spot on which it was
marked, I won the wager; or if, when the four games were finish
ed, and I had shuffled the pack to my satisfaction, he could
not then take up the pack, and running the cards off its back
one at a time and turning them over on the table, face up, as he
came to it, any card which he had marked, naming its suit and
size before doing so, or if he made a single mistake, he lost. I
accepted his wager, and we played the four games of ecarte
without my being able to detect him marking a single card.
When we had finished the games I shuffled the pack and hand
ed it to him ; he turned over fourteen cards as he came to them,
naming then? suit and size as he did so without a single halt.
426 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
While we were playing our games, he had handled his cards
rather awkwardly for an adept, but there was nothing in his ac
tions that would in the least arouse suspicion, and it was only
when I held the cards which he had marked, up to the light, and
let its glare fall directly upon the marks, which were done near
the corner by a fine blaze that was made by the thumb-nail, and
in various ciphers, that I was able to detect the fraud.
Who was the inventor of stamped cards I am unable to say,
but that they originated in this country is nearly unquestionable.
No mention is made of them in any of the gambling works pub
lished in Europe; nor among the multitude of tricks which have
been exposed, both by writers on the subject and those that have
been at various times ventilated before tribunals of justice, have
I ever seen or heard of any mention being made of stamped
cards. Even at the present day, European sharpers know but
little about them, when they might be so serviceably used at
the various short-card games played in those countries.
Unlike our own free and enlightened country, the despotic
laws of Europe will not permit card manufacturers to fabricate
unfair cards and flood the continent with their printed circulars
informing whom it may concern tbat they are ready to supply
all varieties of stamped cards of different ciphers, diagrams, and
patterns. The European manufacturer who ventured to commit
so flagrant and public a breach of honesty would not only find
his business broken up, but himself incarcerated in a prison. In
this country we have plenty of manufacturers of stamped cards,
who send out their circulars to all parts of the country, accom
panied by diagrams of the different patterns of cards, and the
various ciphers used upon them. A Mr. Bartlett, of the city of
New York, has been engaged in this business about forty years,
and no law in the smallest degree molests or restrains him.
How would the commercial public take it, should some engraver
advertise that he was ready to supply counterfeiters with plates
on the different banks throughout the country.
Stamped cards were unknown in Mexcio previous to our in
vasion of that country, nor were they known to the people of
South America, so far as I have been able to ascertain, and I
took great pains to do so, and had many favorable opportunities
during more than a year spent in rambling through Peru, Ecua
dor, and Chili, besides having made in California, in the early
RIVER SHARPERS. 427
days of gold, the acquaintance of gamblers from nearly every
country of South America. Not one of these have I ever yet
met who had any idea of stamped cards, beyond what they had
learned in California. This non-manufacture among the Spanish
racers of this hemisphere convinces me that they were unknown
to the Spaniards, otherwise they would have introduced them
into their colonies; for in no games could they have been made
so heavily advantageous and profitable to the sharper, as in the
two favorite ones of the Spaniards, viz., the bluff game of " pacao"
and the banking game of monte.
Before the Americans invaded their country, the Mexicans
knew nothing about stamped cards. When the City of Mexico
was captured by General Scott, sharpers from the States flocked
there in droves. They were not slow, by any means, in perceiv
ing the immense advantage to be gained from stamped cards
when rung in on monte dealers ; but where were they to get the
monte cards manufactured for this purpose ? Some of the bril
liant lights of the fraternity started for New York, laid their
dilemma before Harriett, and in a few months the line of travel
from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico was flooded with American
manufactured monte cards, all stamped. This attempt, however,
proved a failure, for neither American nor Mexican gamblers
would use the cards; as, though much finer than any before man
ufactured here, they were very coarse, compared with those made
in the City of Mexico. The Mexican government had sold the
monopoly of card manufacturing to certain individuals in each
State in the Republic, and a single company in the City of Mexico
possessed the whole right of doing so in that State, and their
cards were in use by all the gamblers on Taylor's and Scott's line
of occupation. But one resource was now left to the sharpers,
which was to bribe the owners of this establishment. They suc
ceeded hi doing so, by paying the manufacturers five thousand
dollars for one hundred gross of cards, of patterns similar to the
square cards in use, stipulating for an equal amount of each
pattern. The sharpers were to furnish the necessary plates,
which they were obliged to have made in New York, and
brought from thence to the manufacturers in the City of Mexico.
This statement I give in substance just as I received it from
the lips of a worthy member of the fraternity, now dead, by
name Mr. William Clemmens, who was one of the committee of
428 WANDEBINGS OP A VAGABOND.
sharpers who negotiated for the manufacture of the stamped
cards. But unfortunately for the enterprising movers of this
scheme, so much time was consumed in getting the cards ready,
that about the period that their speculation was ripe, peace
was suddenly declared, and the American, troops evacuated the
country.
But following close on the heels of the war came the discovery
of the golden fields of California, and in the early days of that
excitement monte was the only banking game patronized by the
shoals who flocked from all parts of the world to the golden
State. These cards now came into good play, and during the
summer of 1849 were extensively used, many of the sharpers
having made fortunes by them.
In the following winter they returned to the City of Mexico,
and caused two hundred gross more to be made, and brought
them back with them to California. But in some manner sus
picion was raised against these cards, which finally led to their
detection. And no sooner did it become a fixed fact that one
pattern of these cards was stamped, and therefore dishonest,
than all the cards manufactured in the Republic of Mexico were
entirely discarded and repudiated, and those manufactured in
Barcelona, Spain, were used instead. These cards have never
been tampered with, and retain their popularity to the present
day.
Stamped cards first appeared in this country between the
years 1834 and 1835. When first discovered the secret was so
precious as to be carefully guarded and monopolized by a few
sharpers. As is usual with all new inventions of the kind, gam
blers first fell victims to them, and continued to be so for many
years. At first they were manufactured, like counterfeit money,
with great secrecy, in unlikely places ; but when, they became
more fully known, Bartlett, of New York, and many others, found
in their manufacture a profitable business.
In 1837 a man known by the name of Doctor Cross commenc
ed the manufacturing of stamped cards in the city of New Or
leans, and continued it up to as late as 1854, and it is more than
probable that he was the first who carried on the business in
this country. He procured his cards in an unfinished state from
the New York manufncturers, and stamped them with plates of
his own invention, or said to be such, at least. It was after his
RIVER SHARPERS. 429
manufactory became perfectly well known that his cards were
introduced on steamers, and rung in on the passengers by the
bar-keepers, who " stood in " for a share of the plunder thus ob
tained by the sharpers for whom they operated.
At the present time none but the most verdant will stand
" bottom-dealing;" but, like all new frauds, it had its day, with
many kindred devices for robbing the unsuspecting. From 1834
to 1840 many gamblers who considered themselves "par excel'
lence" in their profession, have stood it nobly while imagining
themselves, no doubt, the victims of very bad luck. Almost any
person, with a little practice, can deal from the bottom ; but to
perform the feat while several pairs of keen eyes are concentra
ting their gaze on your fingers and the pack held by them, with
out being detected, requires an amount of coolness and nerve, not
to mention practice, which is possessed perhaps by not one man
in a million. Thirty years ago a No. 1 bottom-dealer was a king
among sharpers. He was dependent on no outside assistance
for fleecing his victims, and if he had a partner, it was only for
the purpose of skinning his dupe more expeditiously, by dealing
him a large hand from the bottom, while his partner would raise
from his lap or from the joints of his knee one yet larger, with
which to beat it.
It is said that bottom-dealing was first brought to perfection
by a man named Wilson. This desirable consummation was
reached in 1834, and about this time first made its appearance
on the western rivers, where it was rendered, in the course of a
few years, entirely useless, through the blunders of bungling op
erators, and the verdant learned to protect themselves against
the fraud.
Means swifter and more sure were gradually brought into re
quisition, for robbing the votaries of chance of their money. It
is a strong advantage undoubtedly to know the strength of your
adversary's hand at poker; but the work was too tedious for
your fast sharper. Luck would sometimes protect a "sucker"
against " iteming," stamped cards, and bottom-dealing. In the
good old times, before draw-poker became fashionable, straight
poker was the favorite brag game. At this game the cards
were dealt by the winner of the pool, who could, of course, keep
on dealing as often as he could win. This rule enabled the
bottom-dealer to help himself to good cards as often as he dealt;
430 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
but he might win twenty pools in succession without securing
scarcely any money, should his adversaries hold poor hands, and
in the meantime one of them might get, by good luck, better
cards than those he held, and thus win from him a large stake.
True, if he had a partner who was posted in the game he could
give the "sucker" a big hand from the bottom, while his partner
raised from his lap a bigger one to beat it with, but it was rather
dangerous to attempt such a thing too often, and the least bung
ling was sure to lead to detection.
Young men perfected themselves in the science of false cutting
and shuffling "running-up" hands, <; palming out " cards, and
"ringing them in," ringing in cold packs, double discarding, etc.,
etc. These ambitious tyros were taken under the fostering
care of some patriarch of the sharper tribe, who assisted them in
getting up their games and furnished them with money when
that article was needed, which, with this kind of sharpers, was
generally the case, when a trip on the river was in prospect.
The popular game of draw-poker, which has entirely super
seded straight poker and brag, was the invention of river sharp
ers, and was first put in practice on the Mississippi steamboats.
This game offers to the manipulator a hundred-fold better facili
ties for fleecing the unwary than either of the old games. The
skillful operator can give his victim, with perfect ease, as many
big hands as he chooses, and at the same time arm himself or his
partner with better ones to beat them. But a shrewd swindler
seldom gives a sucker more than an ace-full. He first tempts
his appetite with two large pairs ; then threes of various kinds ;
after these are expended, he hoists him up a flush or a full hand
of a small denomination, and gradually increases them in size
till he beats an ace-full for him ; beyond this he is not likely to
go. Whenever they find customers who will not stand running
up hands, false shuffling and cutting, double discarding is
practiced upon them ; an advantage peculiar to draw-poker, and
not applicable to any other game. Scores of those who have
grown gray in the service of the fickle goddess, and who were
the most wary among her votaries, have come to grief through
the following artful piece of chicanery: Two partners being
seated next each other, one attends to the betting department,
while the latter manipulates the cards. He goes out with three
aces, we will say for example, which he conceals in the joint of
RIVER SHARPERS. 431
his kiiee until it conies bis turu to deal. The cards having been
dealt, he is ready to help the discarded hands, and he now con
veys from their hiding place the stolen cards, in the palm of his
hand, and places them upon the top of the pack while in the act
of lifting it from the table. These cards are now drawn by his
partner, who is informed, by a secret " item,'' of their denomina
tion, and discards his hand accordingly for their reception. As
he has the first " say " or " age," and the other players may per
haps not chip in for the pool, it is not necessary to bring out the
hidden cards; that is, if any of the players chip in, then he tries,
by making a large brag, to run them out ; but should any of them
prove obstinate and stand the raise, then the three aces are
brought into action. The persons who can perform this trick
well are by no means numerous.
The rough handling frequently received by sharpers, at the
hands of their victims, during their various pilgrimages up and
down the river, finally caused them to be a little more wary, and
it was only when the steamer was about to make a wood-pile or
some port that they would venture to put the finishing-stroke to
their nefarious work, by dealing a big hand to their victim and
then beating it for him.
When they had accomplished this they would leave the boat
as quickly as convenient, and get upon the next steamer which
stopped at their place of sojourn, whether going up or down
mattered very little to them ; and having leeched what "suck
ers " they found on her, abandoned her, in turn, for another
which offered them subjects for plunder.
The gambling talents of short-card sharpers rest exclusively
in their fingers ; scarcely one of them being capable of playing
any square game with even ordinary ability ; and the non-pro
fessionals in the country, who are greatly their superiors in all
short-card games played on the square, may be numbered by
thousands. It is in fact a rare thing to find a short-card sharp
who has sufficient confidence to risk his money on the square at
anything except bucking the tiger, which ravenous animal swal
lows up most of their ill-gotten plunder. When square faro, a
two-card box, women, or kindred articles of commerce have de
pleted their pockets of their stolen funds, they are ready for
another trip on the river, and probably are obliged to fall back
on the paternal sharper, who fattens on their skill and industry
in their nefarious business, for the " sinews of war."
432 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
These thieves became so formidable in their numbers, and so
bold ill their depredations, as to drive almost everything in the
shape of square gambling from the river ; and it was only when
a party of acquaintances sat down to the card-table, to play
among themselves, that anything like a square game could be
seen on a steamer. As they were all called professional gamb
lers, the honest and straightforward of that community had to
father their crimes and share their odium. Their rascalities
even, bad as they were, were made the themes of marvelous ro
mantic stories by the penny-a-liners and story-tellers of every
description. Then the wonderful yarns that have been circulat
ed from time to time by the lovers of the marvelous, relating to
the outwitting of gamblers at their own games by determined
heroes, who have forced them to disgorge their ill-gotten plun
der and make restitution to every one whom they had duped, and
many more tales, all equally improbable and without foundation,
is all clap-trap. Sharpers are birds of prey, and cannot be out
witted in their line of business. They practice their arts on none
but those whom they know will stand them, and can discern at
a single glance whether the person seated before them can be
cheated at play or otherwise. Should they chance on a tough cus
tomer, they drop him immediately, and seek others more suita
ble to their purpose.
About thirty years ago the following story circulated freely
through the public press of this country. I have chosen it out
of many of the same kind of delicious morsels which the news
papers have, for forty years, delighted to dish up to their readers,
and with which marvelous story-tellers have amused their
hearers. The tale, on its own merits, will compare most
favorably with those of that wonderful hero, Baron Muuchausen.
"The news having reached the ears of a party of gamblers
that a New Orleans bank was about to send to Vicksburg an ageat
having in his possession $95,000 to discharge a claim in that
city, they followed him on board the New Orleans and Vicks
burg packet with the intention of robbing him. During the
trip he was induced by them to take part in a game of poker,
and furnished with a large betting hand ; but they did not omit,
at the same time, to generously give a member of their own
gang one with which to beat it. Several small brags were
made by the contestants for the pool, when the agent went $250
RIVER SHARPERS. 433
better than his opponent, which was all the money belonging to
himself which he had about him. This was seen, and a brag of
$5,000 more was made by his adversary. The agent claimed a
sight for his $250, stating that it was all the money he had ; but
it was refused. The object of the scoundrels being to induce him
to break into the package belonging to the bank, which they
knew to be in his possession, shrewdly thinking if he once did HO
they would not only obtain the $5,000 on the brag, but all the
rest of its contents. On the refusal of his adversary to allow him
a sight, he had appealed to the other members of the party, who
decided that he must call the $5,000 or forfeit all claims to the
pool. He again appealed to his opponent for a sight, but was
informed by that inexorable gentleman that if he did not call
the $5,000 brag within five minutes he should take down the
pool. The five minutes were fast ebbing away, amid the breath
less stillness of both the actors in the game and the spectators,
when the agent, as a ' dernier resort,' determined to save his
money from the clutches of the swindlers, took from his bosom
the package belonging to the bank and threw it on the table,
saying, ' I'll see your five thousand and go you ninety thousand
better, and if you don't call the bet in five minutes I shall take
down the pool.' The ruse was so unexpected that it completely
upset their calculations, and not having sufficient money to call
the brag they were compelled to forfeit all claims to- the pool,
according to their own ruling, and the agent swept it into his
pockets, amidst the cheers of the bystanders."
This foolish tale was swallowed with avidity by the credulous,
and every word as implicitly believed as if it were holy writ, and
the imaginary bank-agent became a public hero. No law ex
cept that of might denies to a player at a poker-table a sight
for what money he has before him, and it is rather improbable
that a set of sharpers would dream of perpetrating such a
robbery in so public a place, when they knew it would be im
possible for them to escape with their plunder. Sharpers are
much too shrewd for such bungling work. They take no
chances to lose six or seven thousand dollars, nor two or three
hundred dollars, nor even twenty dollars, at a hand of cards.
As for the tales regarding the fabulous sums bet at poker-tables
on our western rivers, they are all pure humbug. I have grave
doubts whether a brag of two thousand dollars has ever been
434 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
lost and won at a card-table on the Mississippi River, since the
steamer Pennsylvania descended that stream in 1813.
Though railways have diverted a large portion of the travel
from our western waters, and consequently thinned out some
what the horde of sharpers who formerly infested the river
steamers, they are still numerous, and still find fools to prey
upon; for the crop, unlike more useful harvests, never fails.
But the exploits of the noble army of "chevaliers d'industrie"
are by no means confined to water navigation. Not at all !
They are to be found in every city, town, and village, where
short-card playing for gain makes up a portion of the pastime
of the few or the many, and sufficient money is hazarded to at
tract their cupidity. Some are satisfied with quick gaius and
small profits, while others of the class are willing to wait mouths,
in anticipation of taking in a big pile. They can be found of
all degrees, from the lowest and most vicious, up to the most
enlightened circles of card-players, plying their calling, and
among every class find plenty of fools to batten on. Among
these short-card sharpers are shrewd and discerning men of per
suasive powers and agreeable manners, who, having finished their
education on the river, and becoming older and more settled in
character, they seek more respectable and profitable fields for
their labor,- among the upper classes whose card circles are held
in private club-rooms or apartments in first-class hotels. Into
those hallowed precincts, where none bearing the name of gam
bler are allowed to enter, designing men who are identified with
mercantile pursuits, or some of the professions, easily obtain ad
mittance. Many of these worthy and immaculate gentlemen
have been carefully brought up in the paths of morality ; some
are highly cultured and refined; but in life's breathless struggle
for possessions, their perceptions of right and wrong have be
come so distorted that they look upon the fleecing of a verdant
at a card-table as an admirable piece of finesse. When their
own skill has become worn out upon their unsuspecting adver
saries of the green table, they manage to foist upon them some
one of the more skillful experts of their acquaintance; perhaps
under some military title, or perhaps will tack to their names
the handle of Professor, Doctor, or Honorable. These latter,
having once obtained a foothold in the ranks of respectability,
endeavor to sustain it by every means in their power, and are
THREE-CARD MONTE THROWERS. 435
most careful to commit no act which might draw upon them the
slightest suspicion. Being unable, from their very composition,
to support the pangs of a losing, one of them is seldom seen
within the doors of a gambling-house, nor under any circum
stances would they countenance a professional gambler, or
speak to him on the street, and never fail to warn their
verdant gulls against the association of such disreputable char
acters.
The question will naturally arise, Is there any cure for this
crying evil? My answer is emphatically, Yes / Make cheating
at the card -table a felony, punishable by the laws of the laud,
and card-sharpers and their insidious accomplices will disap
pear like hoar-frost before the morniug sun. So long as the
legislatures refuse to make stringent laws for shielding ver
dant card-players, so long will they be the legitimate prey of
sharpers.
CHAPTER XXXV.
THREE-CARD MONTE THROWERS
Are the worst Pariahs who prey upon society under the cloak of
gambling. During the last five and twenty years they have in
fested our steamers and railways, and every place of public
gathering, for the purpose of practicing their arts upon the un
suspecting and the unwary. These pests outnumber the short-
card sharpers on our western waters four to one. The latter
claim with the former no affinity, and say they have destroyed
all short-card playing on the rivers by their three-card opera
tions. Socially, they look down upon them much as a first-class
burglar might look down on some petty thief, at the same time
claiming that their own vocation is legitimate, and based upon
the true principles of science. For the life of me I cannot see
where this nice discrimination comes in. To attain pre-eminence
as a three-card thrower, seems to me as difficult as to become a
first-class short-card sharp, and about equally meritorious. In
order to attain pre-eminence in either of these roles, one must
possess a self-possession nothing can shake, nerves of iron, dex-
436 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
terity of hand, quickness of perception, and cool judgment;
should he lack a single one of these qualities, he would be a
bungler, and entirely unfit for his calling. Viewing both these
professions in a moral light, they stand on about the same foot
ing, and we must conclude that both are legitimate in the eyes
of the law, since none of our legislatures have made any efforts
towards their suppression or punishment.
At what period we were first blessed with this ingenious little
game with three cards, I am utterly unable to say ; but that we
are indebted for the boon to Mexico, on whose soil it first orig
inated, is unquestionable. At the time we invaded that country,
it burst the narrow limits formerly confining it, and went on
"conquering and to conquer," until it is now probably known to
the entire English-speaking population of the globe. It made
its appearance in the city of New Orleans as early as 1837, and
at once became popular with the sharpers as an ingenious de
vice for ridding the verdant of their superfluous cash. In the
above-named year we find that one Phillips was in that city
convicted and sentenced two years in the penitentiary for re
lieving a man of $700 at the three-card game. The offense was
pressed under the head of larceny, and from the time of that
conviction, three-card throwers did not show up in Louisiana, or
in fact in any other State in the Union, until about the breaking
out of the Mexican war.
Amongst all the followers of Taylor's and Scott's armies, not a
single three-card thrower could be found ; but numbers of the
Mexican tribe, following that ingenious calling, gradually found
their way among the troops, where they plied their vocation
among the wagon trains or in the public streets, whenever they
could do so without danger of interference from the Mexican
authorities. By the Mexican gamblers they were styled ladrones
(thieves), and many years previous to our invasion of the coun
try were all known to its inhabitants. They followed up feasts,
were to be found in the market-places of large cities, and in
fact at all sorts of public gatherings wherever a crowd assem
bled.
They were not permitted openly to ply their vocation, but
carried on their business much as the three-card sharpers of
England operate at the present time. Whenever they were
dragged before an Alcalde, and the fact of their having robbed
THREE-CARD MOXTE THROWERS. 437
any person at their little game was proven against them, they
were compelled to refund the plunder and pay a fine of two
ounces ($32) or stand committed to work for two months in the
chain-gang.
While in Saltillo, during the summer of 1847, I recollect see
ing one of these fellows. He was called Pancho, and if he ever
had any other name, no one seemed to be aware of the fact,
and I am sure I never ascertained it. He was scarcely twenty
years old, hut, young as he was, I doubt if he ever had a superior
in tossing about the three cards. His dexterity at the business
was truly wonderful. Having collected in this manner, from the
American citizens and soldiers about the camp of Buena Vista
and in the City of Saltillo, something like $5,000, he made a
match game with a dragoon of the regulars. They each put up
$3,000, the whole to be played for until won. The conditions of
the game were that Pancho should throw with American cards
and the dragoon do the guessing. The latter "rung in"
stamped cards upon his adversary, which was a little too high-
strung for Paucho, who, losing his money, imagined doubtless
that he had "muy malo suerte."
In the early days of California the country was overrun with
these three-card throwers and their confederates. Among them
were Americans, Englishmen, and Mexicans, and, with the ex
ception of a single German, all the three-card throwers I have
ever met were composed of these nationalities. Wherever a
fellow could be discovered capable of throwing three cards, the
sharpers immediately brought him to the front. These light-
fingered gentry could be found plying their calling in every city
and mining camp of any importance in the State. In the streets
of San Francisco and Sacramento, numbers of them might be
seen any day seated on the sidewalk, throwing their cards, as
well as in every vile den with which those cities then abounded.
It was truly wonderful where all the fools on whom they preyed
came from, for in those days they found plenty. When the State
licensed gambling it made three-card throwing, strop-playing,
thimble-rigging, and kindred games a felony, and from that time
forth was comparatively free of these pests.
The numbers of three-card throwers in England is something
marvelous, especially in and nround London. Not a single train
leaves that city which does not carry with it a gang of three-
438 WANDERINGS OF A VAGABOND.
card throwers. They prowl around the different railway stations,
carefully inspecting each passenger, and, as if by instinct, can tell
instantly -the pigeon from the hawk. Liberally feeing the of
ficials, they are furnished with duplicate keys to the carriage
doors, and by that means can, if desirable, change their carriage
at every station. Immediately upon the starting of the train
they open their little game, and by the time it arrives at an
other station they leave the carriage then occupied for another,
unless they have succeeded in finding customers for whose ben
efit it will pay them to remain. They roatn from carriage to
carriage hi search of prey until the train reaches its destination.
At race-meetings, and along the roads leading to the courses,
they can be seen huddled together in knots, where perhaps the
operator has spread his coat upon the green sward, and is tossing
about his cards in hopes some passer-by may be attracted by it,
to give.him a bet ; while at the same time half a dozen cappers
are giving him every possible assistance, by voice and action,
while in the distance are posted sentinels, to give the alarm in
case the intruding feet of a policeman approaches, whose duty it
is to arrest them when found plying their vocation.
To conduct any banking game of chance is, according to the
laws of England, a felony, with the single exception of those at
Newmarket during race-meetings at that place, which are per
mitted and are exempt from punishment by special act of Parlia
ment. All public games played like three-card inonte, strap-
games, etc., are misdemeanors, and are punishable by one or two
months in the House of Correction. These, however, are in
fringed upon, especially around race-meetings, daily; and magis
trates are very slow to enforce them, as public opinion regards
the penalties as being much too severe for the offense. But the
police break up these games wherever found, and should the
conductor of such a game be hauled up before a magistrate by
one of his victims, for the purpose of regaining the money lost to
him, it is generally refunded, on condition that the complaint be
withdrawn. Should the complainant, however, press his charge
against one of these sharps, he will get three months in the
House of Correction, but on an average not one case of the kind
occurs annually.
A person who is convicted of playing scratched or loaded dice,
or of secreting cards upon his person while playing for money,
THREE-CARD MOXTE THROWERS. 439
or in any manner cheating his adversary at play where money is
at stake, is sentenced to a felon's cell for a term of years. The
offenses just enumerated are not a whit more grave than that of
the three-card thrower ; but as all the lawyers in England could
not convict him of cheating, except his cappers gave voluntary
e
