Conclusion 184

Debate on Gambling 193

LOTTERIES.

Drawing of Lottery Tickets 267

Insuring Numbers, or Policy Dealing 288

Lottery Combinations, etc. 299

THE

Secret band of brothers.

CHAPTER I.

In perusing the following pages, the reader will learn the history of a class of men, who, for talent, cannot be excelled.  He may startle at the horrid features which naked truth will depict—­at deeds of darkness which, though presented to an enlightened people, may require a stretch of credulity to believe were ever perpetrated in the glorious nineteenth century.

It will, no doubt, elicit many a curious thought, especially with honest men, and the “whys and wherefores” will pass from mouth to mouth in every hamlet, village, and town, where the following recital may find a reader or hearer.  All will declare it mysterious.  It is a mystery to myself in some particulars, but in others it is not.  It is strange, passing strange, to think that such a black-hearted, treacherous band of men, as I am about to describe, could have existed so long in a civilized and Christian country.

With a trembling hand do I attempt to bring to light their ruling principles, to develop a system of organized and accomplished villany.  My reasons for assuming so daring a position may seem to require an explanation.  It may be asked why I did not make this revelation before, as far as I had knowledge, or what is the occasion of the present exposition?  To the preceding queries I will briefly reply.

First, There has been no period in my life, prior to 1846, when I could dare to lay before the world what I contemplate doing at the present time.  It will be long remembered by many, that in August, 1842, I renounced a profession, in which I had worse than squandered twelve years, the sweet morning of my life.  In doing so, I knew I must, of necessity, experience deep mortification, in a personal exposure, which would attend me through life.

Gambling, with all its concomitants, had taken full possession of my depraved nature.  Thus it was that I, like all wicked men, refused to “come to the light,” and I feared to oppose a craft so numerous as the one of which I was a professed member.  Well did I know that I was carrying out a wrong and wicked principle.  Conviction produced reflection.  After a careful deliberation of the whole subject, I declared with a solemn oath, that, by the assistance of Almighty God, I would renounce for ever a profession so ruinous in its every feature.