National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-05
THE SEASON ATSARAToGA,
EHE FUN FASHION AND GOSSIP
on TIE SPRINGS.

AND uEAUN HAVE HORSE on TnE
BRAIN-sozNEs AT THE RACE COURSE
MUSIC AND DANoING-PRsTTY DOMEs.
TIC PICTURES ON TIE HOTEL PIAE.
EAs-PERsONAL GOSSIP.
Especial CorrSipondehoo Natiohsi Republioan.I
AMHRfIAN HoTHL,
Saratoga August q igTL !
We are having delightful tlmos 81 the famous
resort this summer. Not only IL the plAee
more crowded thaa ever before, but the Vlsltorr
belong 70 much more select class than usual,
wear better clothes, drink loss whisky, and
moro spring water; ere generally better behaved
and better humorod. Not an ill-natured man,
woman, or child have encountered within the
past week, but everybody seems willing 70 put
up with everything and everybody, have q good
time and make themselves agreeable 70 their
nsighbors. Even tho babies seem 10 preserve
state Of mind that is highly delightful 10 those
about them, as we'll O. 10 their nurses, for
have vet 10 see the youngster that passes any
more tins in exercising its lungs than IL 1t and
reasonable.
HoRsRMEN AND HORSES.
A few days ago and everybody had boat on
the brain. Since the departure Of the college
crowd, however, we have been spared the ever
lasting harangues which the rowists INDUCED
In about their fayorite sport, and now we have
got out Of the water, anchored the boats or laid
them up high and dry, and devoted ourselves
TO the races As q consequence, everybody
here is iniulging in horse talk. The amount
of general information possessed by people of
both sexes about horses which the races has
developed Is astonishing.
The bellies talk horse, the beaux talk horse,
pItsr and mater families ventilate their horse
opinions freely and even the boys indulge in
the luxury OF pools. Indeed, with the enthu-
siasm characteristic Of Young America, the
boys have organized q racing association of
their own and daily indulge IN hurdle races
with all the auxiliaries Of the track, including
timers, judges, starters, etc. The favorite here
just now is q boy of African descent, who wins
all tine hurdle races and jumps over the hur-
dies (chairs placed lengthwise on the grass)
with an agility as astonishing as it is commend
able. Even the boOtbiacks have their pools,
the limit being ten shilings on each horse.
The race course is only one mile from the town,
and on race days the road thither presents q
scene animated in the extreme. Fou--horse
omnibuses, that carry twenty-four people,
small ones that carry half that number, hacks,
carriages, farm-wagons and vehicles of every
description Gil Broadway Of 8 morning, the
drivers Of which make the WeIkin ring with
their strong voices, as they sing out, 'This
way to the races. Going right out; only
twenty-five cents"
OF course, although every one here has plenty
of leisure, yet with the native Americans i'm
patience, nobody likes to wait for a bus TO fill
up, so that the drivers frequently hire ''dum-
mics" to sit in their wagons 10 draw custom
ers. As soon as the vehicle is nearly full they
make an excuse to get out and their places are
quickly flied by customers who are glad to
get into the bus that has about received its
load. This may look like q sharp dodge on
the part Of the drivers, but then everybody here
is supposed to be sharp, and such enterprise is
rather admired than deprecated. When the
vehicle is full, away the horses dash to the
track, on the keen jump, heller SHELTER, pass
ing the slow private teams, for the owners Of
the public vehicles are anxious TO get back for
another load. The races constitute the bus
owners SUNSHINE" and they improve the OPP
pOrtunity to make hay"
AT THE TRACK
an animated scene presents itself. The grand
stand is a thousand feet long, and on pleasant
days is crowded by five or six thousand people,
composing the wealth, fashion and intelligence
Of the land. The ladies are elegantly attired,
aud the beauE wear their best suits, including
their daintiest kids. They laugh, chat, make
bets, admire the horses as they canter BY on a |
Practicing tour Of the course, and the general |
chatter and hum Of voices is At times enough |
to make one deaf In front OF the stand |
stretches out the course, every Inch Of which |
can be seen from its board seats. .
The surrounding scenery Is picturesque in
the extreme, and the crisp Saratoga air gives |
ones spirits delightful elasticity, and makes |
him bright, happy and in just the mood 10 en-. |
10Y the excitement Of the day. Down on the |
greensWard, At the extreme end Of the grand |
stand, are q swarm Of men beneath a canvas |
awning betting on the horses, and rolling up |
the pools IN an astonishing manner. One hun |
dred, 1--WE hundred, and sven one thousand |
dollar bills hy around IN q reckless manner |
that Gauss the poor impecuniouS lockers on to |
have & very Insignificant opinion OF themselves.
Just beyond, beneath another awning, eft the |
sellers Of the French pools. Three strings Of |
customers are walking Up 70 buy tickets on |
their respective fa7orites, and &c the ticket |
sellers take IN the money the monotonous
tones Of their voices, as they sing out the
names Of the horses selected by the purchasers.
arc just percePtible BY tbs curious bellies on
the grand stand beyond. The men in charge
OF the tallying machines turn q little crank,
and number is recorded for every ticket sold.
In this ingenious manner the buyer can see at
q glance just how many tickets have been Dur
chased on each horse entered in the race, and
he makes his selection according TO hts judg-
ment. The race decided, these scores are ali |.
gone over again, 70. pooh are sold after each
race for that TO follow.
At the second tap Of tie bell by the Judges
the pool selling is discontinued, the Jockeys
mount their horses, and the excitement is
about 10 begin. A man On the grand stand
shouts, "All keep your seats aad all can saeI,
How useless such advice q soon becomes Der
ceptible, for when the fyersdart By the excite
ment renders every one perfectly oblivious to
the comfort Of his or her neIghbor, for all
jump up to catch a look at tie winner, although
the policemen shout "Down DOWN." until they
are hoarse. As the winner dashes BY the
judges stand a tremendous shout goes up I
from the Thousands of thloats on the grand {
stand, the ladies' eyes sparkle with excitement
as they wave their handkertliefs, and the gen :
sASA4ASAA HmAAA bA4GlL uAbb Hlr parcel
of school boys let out for aweek's recreation. 4
The shouts and cheers are repeated when the t
jockeys trot their horses baek to the Judges Z
stand, lift up their right had for recognition,
are dismissed, and the dsciEou Of she Judges
duly recorded on the part ofthe judges where
all can see it. Then the belle and beaux take q
their seats, to chat again unu the next race !.
begins. the lucky betters shaIe each others 4
hAnus' WINE the losers looBgrurl and growl d
at the jockeys or the horses, nd advance any 81
OF lis on the result Thus the time =
passes tne crowd surge thiiWay and that; q
they grumble, growl, swear, lsok pleased. and !,
IN otner ana diverse ways gFe vent to their Il
feelings, until the last race fr the dav "a de- Il
clued- linen there Is Simultaneous dart for y
the carriages and omnibuses. The SCENES or, ',
the road perceptible in coming out are enacted =
In going in, until finally the ice course IL de- "
serted, and those who receEti made f. lively m
are enjoying the blessings off good dinner. e
maze douoly acceptable by te excitement of :.
the morning. y