Arkansas True Democrat

From the Chicago Democrat, 26th July.

A Grand and Successful Buck against the Terpsichoreans—$28,000 Won at Faro.

A few nights since, while the honest and peaceable citizens of this great metropolis were dreaming upon their pillows, and those only waked whom vice or crime kept from slumber, a curious scene was transpiring in the inner apartment of one of the most fashionable and well known faro banks in this city. The persons present were not numerous. At one side of the table, and at the right of the dealer, sat a certain well known Kentucky gentleman, now a resident of this city, and very popular as an auctioneer. Opposite to him were two clerks from dry goods stores on Lake street. At the foot of the table were three young gentlemen connected with certain of our city banks, and four professional fancy men. The game commenced at four o'clock in the afternoon. It was now past three o'clock in the morning, and the contest was kept up with undiminished vigor.—Early in the evening fortune had declared for the gentleman on the right of the dealer: and although luck occasionally deserted him, it again and again returned, until his winnings were enormous. He had up to this time won $18,000. The perspiration stood in beaded drops upon the brows of the young men, and as they nervously laid down their counters on the squares, their hands shook with an emotion they could not conceal. Even the practiced coolness of the professional gamblers deserted them, and they gnawed their lips in undisguised anxiety. The Kentucky gentleman suddenly laid down checks to the amount of $6,000, and the dealer began to draw out the cards from the silver box in which they were. He left the table and walked to the sideboard. The cards are dealt, and the $6,000 are lost! This reduces the winnings of the Colonel to $12,000. A temporary cessation of the game takes place. A hasty supper is taken; the Colonel proposes to play no more; the others object; they are tenacious in the belief that luck has changed and that they will win their losses, which have been fearfully heavy, back again.—The Colonel consents and the game is resumed. It is now five o'clock. Day has begun to break: but the thick curtains of the apartment keep out the strengthening light.

The young men consult among themselves. The Colonel has won $2,000 again. He is now winner to the tune of $14,000. They have $10,000 between them. They put their funds together, place it in the hands of one of their number, and direct him to play until he loses it all, or until he wins back what they have already lost. The game goes on. The Colonel wins $1,000, then loses $3,000. Hope springs again in the breasts of the young men.—Their representative makes a bet of $5,000. The company gather around with desperate interest. The cards fall from the box—they lose! Their funds are reduced to $600—for they have lost some to the bar, besides that paid the Colonel. And now their agent bets more cautiously—first $1,000—then $500. He loses steadily. His last $500 is reached. He is pale as death—his pallor is reflected in the faces of his comrades. He places their last stake on the cloth. The Colonel doubles it upon the opposite color. The dealer hesitates—but only for a moment. The cards are dealt—the Colonel wins—the $500 is shoved over to him, and $500 more from the bank—and the play is over. The Colonel rises with $28,000 winnings in his pocket. The others leave the table, having lost nearly that sum—the bank itself coming out nearly even.

The next day the fortunate Colonel settled $28,000 upon his wife, and swore off from the gambling hells. Whether he will keep his word remains to be seen.

What the young gentlemen did, who in one night lost $28,000, remains to be seen. But can $28,000 be lost at a single sitting at such work as this, by such men as these, without serious consequences? The scene we have related actually did occur. There are plenty of men who will read these lines, who know how true it is. Is a community in a healthy condition, when such things occur?

There are nearly a dozen gambling rooms in this city, kept in first-rate style, and doing business like this every night. Their location is well known—they are to be easily found. The police have orders not to disturb them, and they flourish like a green bay tree.