St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-03-03
POOL-PLAYlNG BOYS
How They Are Taught to Become GAM
blerS and EyentuailY Thieves.

How They Are Taught to Become GAM
blers and Eventually Thieves.
The young idea of this city is learn
ing to shoot very rapidly at present.
That is, the male portion is spending
much time and considerable cash in
initiating itself into the mysteries OF
fifteen ball pool and the art of gam
bling. Instead of amusing themselves
after school or business hours in a
manner of which their parents would
approve, the boys of the city HE
themselves to the nearest pool-room
or, making up party, proceed to
some secluded spot to enjoy the ex-
element of the seductive game OF
'penny ante'' or a ''little game of
draw" with ten cent limit. This is
particularly true in the upper wards
of Brooklyn.
One seldom passes knot OF boys
on the street but such phrases as
did yer git on to der sucker l
caught last night?'' or Il scooped dc
pot with pair of trays are heard.
1t is only recently that cigar store
keepers have realized how profitable
pool table is. Formerly, to play a
game of pool or billiards it was neces-
sary to resort to liquor saloon, but
now cigar stores with pool-rooms at
tached are the rule, and the number is
steadily increasing.
According to law, boys under eight
cen years of age are not allowed to
frequent pool-rooms. In Brooklyn,
however, this law is practically dead,
for although placard in the store an
nounces that ''boys under eighteen
years of age will not be allowed in
this pool-room," the proprietor would
soon be compelled to shut up shop
should he enforce the rule. The boys
who patronize these places are not
more than fifteen years of age, and
are usually employed as Office boys or
in some other minor capacity in this
city.
Instead of buying their lunch they
save the money to gamble with. Five
cents for each player in every game is
what it costs to play pool. The player
scoring the lowest number of points
pays for the game. The proprietor of
the place gives each player a check
on each game. A ''check" passes in
the store for two and q half cents. 1t
is necessary to hold two checks to get
a package of cigarettes, cigar or
bottle of soda water or ginger ale, so
that to realize on the cheeks it is
essential that more than one game be
played.
This system of 'check'' giving is
more demoralizing than the game
itself The boys DESTROYS of emulat-
ing the young bloods' who figure
as heroes in the cheap literature of
The day. add 10 the excitement Of the
game by using the ''checks'' as cap
tal and wagering them on the result.
This small stake soon becomes tame
and the precocious boys add to their
glory" by betting money.
The amount of these wagers steadily
Increases and the result is soon ap-
parent. The boy who was in the
habit of appearing neatly attired be-
gins to look shabby. When he first
went to work he promised himself that
ne would always have good clothing
md that he would lay aside a small
each week to enable him to
carry out his intention. He didn't |
oresee that he would become in
atuated with pool But he did be-
,ome infatuated, and the money with |
which he was to purchase clothing has
zone to swell the profits of the pro-
,rietor of the table he played ON.
But even by spending all his money
It pool he is not satisfied. He must |
AVE more. But how shall he get it?
some boys who work for small wages
nd spend as much as he does never
eem to be ''broke." How do they
manage itP Surely their parents don't
upply them with so much.
Many of these young prodigals make
practice of selling postage stamps to
ROGERS and cigar dealers at consid-
rable discount from their face value.
he Government allows no profit to be
,ade on postage stamps. How then
All the boys afford to sell them SO
heap? But one inference can be
rawn.
The boy who frequents pool-rooms
nd CANDLES will almost surely, sooner
r later, yield to temptation. Y
ress.
HIS SUNDAY SUIT.