Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-31

%eed and robbery its least innocuous; a
collection of small wooden shanties, occu-
pied by saloons and gambling rooms. The
buildings at the race track consist of a
two-story club house and grand stand,
some small detached structures and, of by
the river. a row of stables for the horses.
The track" last Saturday might have
served to a considerable extent for a skat-
ing rink. Over one-half Its width was COW
cred with a coating of Ice and frozen slush,
the latter mixture of snow and mud pro-
duced by the storm of last Wednesday and
CONCEALED by the subsequent freezing
weather. Next to the inner rail surround
ing the track was a narrow space from
which the Ice had been cleared, and which
was merely frozen mud. the ruts and clods
showing signs only in places Of thawing
out. A number OF horses were being
coursed over this space that their hoofJ
might beat the surface into semblance Of
condition for use. while harrows and roll
lers were being used for the same purpose.
One of the horses. which paused a mo-
hind leg as II In pain and bent his hoof In
q most expressive manner. A bloody fet-
lock showed where the noble animal had
rammed his foot through the CLASSY ice
that cuts like knife.
Seven Car Loads of Men.
Seven car loads of men went over from
Washington on the first train. and other
train loads came at intervals. The men
trooped through the gates and entered the
which are located the betting stands. It
IL long and wide room. with glazed win
dows on the western side and q bar across
one end. Two immense stoves heat the
place. but artificial heat IL almost unneces-
sary when the room becomes filed with q
dense. Jostling throng of men, crowding
and pushing to get at the betting stands.
Along one side OF the room are twelve or
fifteen little stands or booths. which are
occupied by the bookmakers the men who
"a he n ha
track. In one end IL a larger booth. where
bets can be made upon races run In other
cities.
The Professional sports.
Imagine for a moment that you arc with
The Star reporter In this place. Let's
mingle with the crowd. listen - the talk
and endeavor TO enter into the spirit OF the
occasion. The crowd itself is an interest
ing study. a collection OF heterogeneous
elements. welded for tho time into a homo
geneOus mass by the white heat Of the pas
sion OF gambling. All classes OF men are
here, but they are animated by one COM
mon deslre-tc wrest money from the
bookmakers. At this early stage Of the
game they stand around in small groups.
discussing the merits and chances OF the
respective horses which are to run. IL you
look closely you VIII soon observe that the
crowd seems &c be divided into two gen..
eral classes of men--the professional fol-
lowers or the race track and the laymen-
the latter fellow-townsmen OF yours.
among whom you occasionally recognize a
face with a start OF surprise These pro-
fessor"'g are sT0rty-looking chaps. usually
well fed and well groomed but with the I'M
mistakable stamp of the paddock upon face
and clothes and in accent They make a
business Of following the races. year In
and year out. stalking their experience OF
horses records against chance with the
oookmakers. Theirs 10 business requir-
Ing application. watchfulness and a certain
amount Of nerve. They do not need your
sympathy. and would not want II. When
hey lose they accept the situation without