New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
WHIST PLAYING on TRAINS.
COMMUTERS WHO KILL TINE ON THEIA
DAILY RIDES WITH CARDS-A SPECIAL
WHIST CAR.

DAILY RIDES WITH CARDS-A SPECIAL
WHIST CAR.
Regular travellers TO and from their homes in tho
suburban towns, and some of them far beyond the
actual boundaries Of the suburbs Of New-York City,
must observe the rush and push Of the commuters who
get on the railroad trains at the various stations, each
with set purpose of passing the interval of time in
what he considers the most profitable way. Some
VIII make rush for full seat In the regular coaches
and another person. especially an Italian woman with
babe and three four bundles In her lap drops In
the seat beside him. his brow Will roll itself into deep
corrugatons. These men will employ themselves
reading the morning newspaper, and perhaps q few
will sit and simply look vacant drop of into nap
Others will make dive for the smoking-car or the
baggagecar and ii may be at concluded that they
have intention Of reading conversng with their
neighbors, but are bent whist-playing, q custom
that has become general and is likely to become uni
versal
The great corporations who provide transportation
for the commuters to and from their various employ
ments In the Metropolis have to understand that
1t demanded Of them that they furnish facilities for
recreation during the fifteen, twenty fifty miles Of
travel each day, and this recreation is card playing.
But 1t is rare indeed, that game Is played for stake
great or small; and should this be done openly SO as
to come TO the knowledge Of the railroad, 1t would be
stopped at once by the officers Hence, card playing
on the railroad trains is, as rule an innocent pastime
The commuter who INDUCES In game of cards each
morning ard each afternoon has desire 10 question
the pre- emncnce Of wickedness Of any Of his fellow
creatures, and Is willing to atone for his own sinful
ness" by frank and free confession. In fact, the
practice Of card playing with these fellowtraveer is
innocent that individual player feels 1t necessary
to clothe himself at once with the full measure cf
guilt as ne would put on o ready-made garment.
An incidental observer Of these card playing CON-
muters might conclude that there are three different
grades, forced upon them by their financial circum-
stances. Yet this matter Of finances Is not what gov
ems, for the who can afford TO pay $50 800
a year for his annual Communication TO and from his
country home hardly be said to be q victim OF
poverty The smoklngcars, and there are two most
of tho trains, are fitted with small tables, and the
struggle to be first in the seats the train draws up
to the station suggests anything else than
and dignified men. Other groups will rush for the
baggage-car where will be found lapboards and camp
chairs provided and cared for by the 10
whom each quartet gives cumshawD of a dollar u
week for this courteous duty. And the baggage
regular players have the of these boards and chairs
But some demand seek more exclusive and lux
urious privileges by having car solely TO themselves.
For instance, there about thirty OF the commuters
the NewYOrk, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
from Stamford to New-Iork who pay for and enjoy
the luxury OF special car and for which each COM
muer pays the company $50 year in addition to the
leaves Stamford at 7:45 O'Clock each morning,
irving at the Grand Central Station at so O'clock
and returns at 5 02 O'Clock in the afternoon. II s
completely furnished with tables. seats cards, wash
stands, towels soap, etc. thus giving every requisite
desired. And no person other than the members OF
this whist club, except upon invitation Of of the
members Is permitted to ride In the car, no matter
Is for the time being, the personal property Of the
players.