The morning call., 1894-02-02

stylish women, women with shabby make
up and an awful gleam of anxious avarice
in their eyes. The benches were crowded
with women, who went apparently crazy
as each event came to decision.
The women plungers at the track are
becoming an institution. The weather
WAS sDrinR-like and despite a compar-
atively poor programme and a rather
heavy track they crowded the compart-
menis reserved for the sex. 1t is so easy
to put your money on by the advice of
friend. Then there is all the excitement
of the delayed start the shoot to the front,
the flash of your colors close behind, the
roar of the crowd below, the gradual
creeping up of your choice. the straining
over as the string enters the homestretch,
the agony Of the few last strides and final
iy the triumph and almost depressing
relief of glorious finish.
"Ip5 better than cham," explained a
woman plunger yesterday. Il don't much
care II l lose. but It's life, while it lasts %
That is the way some view it, especially
the young and pretty ones, with male
friends TO foot their losses IL is the excite
ment. the yerve the thrill. the intensity of The
lightning rush of picturesque racers that con.
stitule The passion to these women. They are
"hgh- fiiers." many of them, living at .oD
pressure, with the gamut of emotions daily,
almost hourly, played upon. Racing concen-
traies every sensation into one maddening, in
tOXicatnC drangbt.
There are business women without these fin
de steele, estht tic cravings. They come 10 bet
Ito make money. Every racing day sees them
at the track. scanning the cards and button
holing the touis. They know the ''form" OF
tile various horses, aud subscribe TO tipsters at
$40 week. They call the jockeys by their
Christian names, and talk OF the entries by the
name OF the owners. They know TO a point
what the odds are. and see that their tickets are
properly marked.
Women OF this class formed the greater part
vuerA oh tv
dressed danes In seaiskins and jewelry, accom-
panied by young, alert-looking girls. l here
were plainly atlired matrons, coquettish
widows aud women who had evidently seen
better days and who were passing through the
bOTderland OF shabby gentility. They carried
purses In their hands and were all character
lied by nervous restlessness and the cold eye
of the Speculation.
"What 90 you know o-day 2" they would ask
any sporting authority who was so luckless as
to come within range.
The sport would look bored, but good-natUr-
edly whisper few words. Then the cold eye
would brighten and poolboy would lie soon
afterward summoned aud given minute instruc-
tlons together with sum OF money
None Of the women are allowed to descend to
the pooboxes, but they get there just the
same corps OF Knowing lads In uniform can.
vass the ladies' and touts for all they are worth
Some boys have regular customers and 1t is
common for them TO make $50 day at their
| job. They expect nothing if a patroness loses
her bet but invariably receive "present" if
her horse gets place. Some of The boys with
regular clientele work It TO advantage. They
give each lady different horse. thus lnsuring
at least one. II not three, presents every race.
Many OF The women, too. rely implicitly on the
| boys tips.
Ii is common sight out at the track 10 see
long discussions on the odds going on between
| these precocious boys and the specializing
women. Angry words and melting smiles are
used without stint, and the slippery MercurIes
reiutn abuse with quiet insolence that is all
| The more penetrating because It Is unanswer-
able. They know their customers and treat
| them accordingly.
There is anorher class of woman plunger TO
be seen out at flle track. She is The poor iodg-
tng.house keeper or storekeener who has lost
money and is desperately striving TO make a
sake, such are the natural prey OF the
''bookies." They frantically grasp at the hem
OF The most exiravaganI odds. They gladly
take the outside chances. They are piaytpc
| Tor meek or nOihng." IL is almost a life or
| death matter for them.
Such plunger was observed the other day. 1t
was at The close of one OF The events. She was
elderly, careworn. but still respectable In a
toilet which showed some desire 10 keep M
with last years mode. little old fashioned
she Carried reiicuie. while a large.sized
CAMP win common crooked handle lay OIL
| The bench beside her.
| Sne was standing with her eyes closed while
10 her mature bosom she clufched a pool ticket.
Jim Corbett," "Jim Corbett" the name OF
tne 100 10 .'iong shot" on her tckei) she was
murmuring over and over again In a prayerful
Tone as The string swept past her tightly closed
EYES, tne winner leaving her choice nowhere.
but Inc knowing ones sank back in their
seats win little graified sighs or held up sig
naiing nngers to agents IN the crowd below Ia
| put tnem ''on' for the next race. Presently
n, along came tho poolboys with pile of silver
collars and stack Of rickeis. which they dis
trlonled among the successful bettors.
There are sports who make 1t a practice 10
go up I'D the grand siand between races and
give their lacy friends all interest in their ven-
lures or a tip for a private speculation Tbey
| know that tie drive homo and the llttIe dinner
In the evening Will be all the more enjoyable II