The Washington times., 1894-12-09
Ihave been TO the races.

have been TO the races.
have seen all sorts and conditions Of men
and wdnen mad with the hope of getting
something for nothing. have seen women
stake their last cent on the uncertainty that
lies in four thoroughbred hoofs, and have
come 10 realize, as never before, how the love
Of gambling may develop into master pas
sion. have seen men and women of every
age. Of high social position and Of no social
position at all, using the races as the merest
pretext for something on which to wager
money. I have seen women playing the races
IN a way most Washington people would
scarcely believe possible.
went to the races at the Alexander Island
race track Thursday afternoon. took the
1910 train across the Long Bridge, and it
was dark when I returned
The train, by the way, was packed. There
were plenty Of quiet, everyday people on
board bound for Alexandria and Washington's
suburbs on the Virginia shore, but that the
majority Of the passengers were on their way
10 the races was evident. They were a good
natured set, though their conversation was
races, races and nothing but races.
well, Billy Boys a good horse, anyway"
was the first thing 1 heard after taking my
seat. The speaker was stout, red-faced
man with sport written all over him.
Yes, he is" responded his companion
another man of the same piece, "and think
ing so cost me $50.
There was a ripple Of laughter at that, and
the man who had lost the money seemed
really TO enjoy the joke more than anyone
else.
The train had scarcely started before a man
came through the car, roaring out the COM
mand 10 buy race badges Of him and avoid
the crowd at the gates. He held a number Of
81 bills folded lengthwise down the middle in
cne hand and waved them with a dazzling
effect Of careless opulence. / aid not buy
badge, Tor, thanks either 10 Virginia chivalry
or keen eye to business, women are admitted
TO the grand stand free Of charge.
Il was only the shortest kind of a journey
TO the race track, and on the fats beyond
Jackson City the train came to a standstill.
There was 4 rush out the door and down the
steps. and went with the crowd, the lone
some feeling that a woman has when she
feels that she is in place where there ought
10 be great many more OF her sex to support
her, growing on me at every step. There was
only an interminable stretch Of whfte-washed
fence, with the sign Keep your badge in
sight displayed everywhere. / had an in
distinct impression Of several narrow toll
gates and innumerable gate keepers telling
me 10 pass on, before / found the grand
stand before me
II was mp a flight Of stairs and was unlike
any grand stand had ever seen. 1t was en-
closed on all sides to form great bare hall
with;a.series Of shallow steps for floor, and a
great Blk stove in the middle The front was
row Of large windows looking out on the
track, and al the further end were stairs lead
ing down into the betting ring.
The sporting editor of The TINES, in whose
wake had come over 20 the track. found me
q chair in the very middle Of the row Of win
d7ws, and left me to my own devices.
It was perfect day, almost balmy in its
mildness, with not a cloud In the sky.
opened the window and looked out on the
magnificent view Of Washington that lay be-
yond the sky-blue ribbon the river made.
The Monument seemed near enough to touch.
and indeed, think the view Of it from the