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The Gaming Table by Andrew Steinmetz

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Gambling in the United States

CHAPTER IX. page 30

THE CRIMES OF AMERICAN GAMBLERS.

Suicides, duels, and murders have frequently resulted from
gambling here as elsewhere. Many of the duels in dark rooms
originate in disputes at the gaming table. The combatants rush
from play to an upper or adjoining room, and settle their
difference with revolver-shots, often fatal to both.

One of these was a serio-comic affair which is perhaps worth
relating. Two players had a gambling dispute, and resolved to
settle it in a dark room with pistols. The door was locked and
one of them fired, but missed. On this the other exclaimed--
`Now, you rascal, I'll finish you at my leisure.' He then began
to search for his opponent. Three or four times he walked
stealthily round the room--but all in vain--he could not find his
man; he listened; he could not hear him breathe. What had become
of him? `Oh!' at length he exclaimed--`Now I've got you,
you ---- sneak--here goes!' `Hold! Hold!' cried a voice from the
chimney, `Don't fire! I'll pay you anything.--Do take away
that ---- pistol.' In effect his adversary held the muzzle of
his pistol close to the seat of honour as the fellow stood
stuffed up the chimney!

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