The Washington times., 1894-08-06
CURB AND CORRIDOR.

A new gambling game has recently opened
up in Washington. 1t is Of the species rou-
lette, or French pools, in horse racing. The
game is played openly, and apparently with
out any fear of the police or other authorities.
1t is moreover played in a brokers' Office
in the neighborhood of r and Fifteenth
streets northwest. The Office is one of those
designated as bucket shops, where "cals"
are bought and ''puts" are sold on the turn
of card, so to speak. The traders can buy
or sell one or more shares OF any stock on
the list on any margin they please, which is
generally Is of per cent. at the last quoted
price. They then wait for the next quotation
which decides whether they have won or lost
in the gamble. 1t is while waiting for the
decisive quotation, that the other game is in
duiged in.
There is in the Office within easy reach OF
an ordinary sized man an electric fan, the
primary object OF which is to agitate the
atmosphere and thereby keep it cool, but the
aforesaid fan has made it extremely hot for
some of the spectators. The gambling
spirit is so highly developed in these traders
that the electric fan has been converted by
them into roulette wheel, and a race track,
complete with starting point, winning wire.
horses and all.
For those who play roulette numbers are
pasted on the different leaves of the fan. Then
several pools are made up OF various sizes, in
each of which only six players participate.
They contribute to the various pools sums
ranging from cents TO 50 each, thus making
each pool when complete from 80 cents to
Sl2. The starter then turns on the current
for an instant, and Immediately the fan is set
in motion; the current is turned of again and
the players wait with breathless interest and
impotence until the fan finally stops. The
number nearest approaching 10 the winning
post which is line, marked midway on the
wooden base or rest for the fan is the winner,
the holder TO which takes the pool. The
horse racing game is played in the same way.
but the paddles of the fan are marked with
the names of famous race horses. which are
played by lovers of racing, instead of the
numbers.
Gen. and Col. b, both Southern
ers, and both stopping at the Metropolitan
Hotel. accidentally met in a drug store at the
corner OF Ninth street and Pennsylvania ave
nue. on Friday night. Both were making for
the soda water fountain prior TO going home
TO the hotel. While they exchanged greet
ings, and before they had ordered
their beverages, another gentleman from
the North entered on the same quest,
namely, for IL cooling drink. lie
was apparently well known to Col B., while
he rs appareniy-did not know Gen. 5.
Col. y. undertook to introduce his friend Mr.
Frick. TO Gen. s.. who. not cntehing the name
very distinctly. said. ''Iajor French, I'm
glad to know you, whe-eupOn the newcomer
replied, as he Withdrew his hand: MY name
is not French. and am not a major, nor
captain. nor colonel, nor n general. In Il
a word. I'm not a SOuihcrner. do you under
stsndg'' Col. B. poured Oh on the troubled
water by pronounclng the name OF 1lr. Friek
moro distinctly. Ther the gene-al, who had
tcen diaing out with some friends said:
"Well. colonel. what arc YOU gong to take
4 nerve tome or brain toHic?'
Il think I II take 4 nerve tonic" said the
co!auel.
That's right, take a nerve tonic" Then
to the attendant. who had been waiting for
the order, tie general said: give US two
nerve tonics and one arain tonic" and soto
yoce' 10 the colonel the general said: '-4our
friend does moi need any nerve tonic and Il
little brain tonic may do MIN good
Then the general launched out into = story
about happening into 4 place the night before.
where lac net Il fellow who had been induig-
ing in TOO many BRAN tonics. without Il coun-
ter siaHcin. number OF nerve tories.
This fellow becamo too d-d iacetious."
said the general. He offered IN Insult TO
tic chisary OF the south. without knowing
ie was doing IT, and ! Was compelled 10 invite
hi:n out 10 the White Lot
''Jia he accept your inyitation?" queried
Mr Frick.
Didn't tell you he had not been drink
ing nerve tonics.' was the only response.
After the drinks the general got between
the other two, and the trio disappeared up
the Avenue.