Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-22
GAMBLERS, sUPERsTITIONs.
Racing Men Who Will not Bet at Cer-
 tain Times.


 tain Times.
 From the New York Mail and Express
 Sporting men, says the New York Mail superstitious persons Those who bet on horses are all more or less influenced by cer- tain events which they look upon as omens of good or ill luck. All these signs they eagerly look for and are influenced by them in the way they place their money on the steeds whose chances they favor.
 "No, I'm not betting today" was the reply of one of those turfmen, in answer to an inquiry from another of his ilk whether he had bought any pools on the races.
 "Bustedf' was another laconic inquiry.
 "No, but I laced one of my shoes up wrong this morning. It is bad sign. I'll let lem alone to-day"
 stAre you superstitious?"
 'I frankly confess that am," he replied, as he lit a cigar, land I don't know of sporting man or gambler that is not super stitious, and, furthermore, do not believe there is human being living who is not. Of course, some are more so than others; but you take gamblers and horsemen class, and you will find that each one has his own peculiar quilp. Now, this morning I laced
 
 it would have been lucky day for me, but I did not. I unlaced it and 1'll bet two to one if bought pool on horse he would break his neck before he came under the string.
 "You want to know what I consider lucky omen, eh. That's just as the idea strikes me. I used to count white horses. Supposing was standing at the corner of Broadway and Wall street. I'd take out my watch, when had one, and time myself and count the number of white horses that turn ed into Wall street from Broadway in five minutes. I would sometimes go on the odd numbers and sometimes on the even. If I made up my mind on even horses and an even number went by during the five minutes, then would be lucky, and vice versa.'
 'tIve heard of gamblers visiting fortune tellers for tips. Did you ever visit thems'
 ''Manv 8 time, sir. Here s an instance. I'm red hot Republican, and at the time of the presidential campaign was backing Blaine for all I was worth, when I went one day to see fortune teller. Says she: You have been making foolish bets; go and bet the other way all that you have-all the money you can beg or borrow I told her l was betting on Blaine, and she said, Wait. , Then she went into another room and came out in about minute. Cleveland will be elected as sure as you sit there in that chair, but he will never serve his term out.' That was paralyzer. but took stock in it, for she never fooled me in her life. I hedged and bet on Grover all on her account, and made $2, GOO clear. Here's another instance from the same woman. had been playing in hard luck, till had only $12left. I went to her and told her how I was fixed, and that wanted tip on the races. She told me to read the names of the horses. I did so, and when I got through the list she said: 'Til- ford is the one am sure of, bet on Tilford.' went down to the track, and when the horses went to the post there were only four tickets sold on Tilford This was @ bonanza, you know, if he won. I bought one $5 tick ct. The track was a regular duck pond; up to the horses knees. Tilford came in last. Oh, forgot, he was entered in two races that day. The next race he was in I heard that his owner wanted to scratch him, but the judges would not have it. That wasn't very encouraging, but I stuck to him and put nay last flyer on him. His jockey famed him every jump, and brought him 8 winner by two lengths. I got five hundred odd dollars for my ticket So much for the fortune teller's tips Some fortune tellers are snide, but take those educated or having it born naturally in them, and they get there as a general rule"
 ''Does your superstition affect you in play ing cards"
 'Yes, indeed. If am going to play cards for money, I always hunt up a beggar and give him some money. I have walked some times over two miles to find a beggar. I know gambler who goes daily to an Italian who has three little canaries that tell for tunes by pulling an envelope out of 8 pack. He always follows the advice of the bird, and I have actually seen him shed tears over some of the slips he got, not from grief, but from vexation, if it went against his grain.
 sI have had gamblers tell me that they had acquired the habit of trying their luck in different ways, but I claim it's not habit; laugh at superstition that will have regular case of the dumps if they the new moon over their right shoulder for the first time. They think if they see it over the left shoulder and make wish, they will get their wish,''