New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-27

ments to step in and buy Then finding that ne
was TO out in the prosy expanse OF the
Bowery he turned and went up hottest II was a
sunshiny afternoon, the chill had been taken out
OF the air. and In the genial warmth the hetero-
geneous settlement was largely in state Of side
walk adjournment.
SCENE IN MOTT-ST.
Cinnamon with phenomenay long pigtails were
leaning against door posts and smoking their pipes
which always appear absurdy given over 10
stem. Others were peering curous.y from smoke
begrimeI windows at the preparations for funera
across the street. Near by a street pianist Wa
s;olidy grinding away, and within half block
dozen fellows grouped about two others who
deep In the mysteries of craps" Leaving
the hearse WITH it's Haunting plumes and driver as
rigid as his own wh.pstock. and the Cinnamon and
the piano. bat not the sound OF It's playing the
intruder wandered on. and soon across a group
OF boys. All OF them just the verge OF their
teens and they busting about the Sidewalk
and out in the street displaying activity and
diligence that would have been amazing had there
been any external evidence that they were COM
PEELED to do IT, As the dler approached and then
paused a becoming distance off to what they
were about there fell sudden silence upon the
group and adjustment OF properties for a foot
race well. Seeing that his quarry were about to
fly to cover. the observer approached and asked
one OF them what they had been playing. With an
upward Rance or preternaturdl WISDOM ana pne-
nomenal insight for the nature and calling OF men
he said:
I'VE ca. 1t slappins."
"Why, 1t looks like the Cd game OF pitch penny.
Where did you get the Nance"
Dunno" he said briefly. 1--WE uses coppers.
though Just the same
"Wil you play it for me?"
Cert" And in an instant two OF them at
1t again, having, one OF them expressed IT, found
a solid pard" who unanimously voted zone OF
EN-" when he made known that he was willing to
stake the loser to sUndry nickels Most boys in
New-York have played marbles "for keeps or
tossed coppers for gain. but outside OF the ranks OF
the street arab 1t is likely that very few know Of
the joys and sorrows of "slapplns" This game is
one peculiar to the newsboys and oootbacks OF the
great downtown quarter There is the Italian and
NORA the negro and craps anybody and every
body for matching pennies or for higher sums. all
nations Almost for the dice box. but street arabs
peculiarly for "s.appns" Now "slappns Is simply
another variant Of game-.ore like bocce from
ouoits and the discus or like mora from the Cd
finger play Of the Egyptians. The gamn likes ex-
element and "s.appins' is an Illustration OF his
genius for enarging the element OF chance and add
ing Zest his sport.
IL IL tame business standing about and pitching
pennies against wal. Yet the player quick
action as the phrase goes. for his money It is ike
"a dash out Of the box at dice So. just a good
many men over a bar decline to pay at dice except
the best out or three throws. your gamln likes
to proong the sport he can get from cent. To
meet this "slappns' undoubtedly evolved. One
Of the players poises a penny between his thumb
and finger and slaps dashes ii smartly against
the riser OF doorstep the rounded side OF a
street barrel or n box any other object which will.
furnish a medium for a good rebound. or course
the penny flies out at erratic tangent sometimes
going eight ten feet. Then II 1t chances to light
in a smooth spot. the slapper has the privilege Of
placing hs fingers on the ground. and while holding
them there TO flip n penny with his thumb into
some more advantageous spot for mis- purpose.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME
Then the other player takes a penny In like
fashion and carefully measuring the direction and
distance OF his antagonists coin, dashes his penny
against the same object used by the other. Now it
is Just here peculiar skill IL shown. for II the
carrom against the object he correctly made. 1t is
Almost certain that his penny will land pretty close
TO that first slapped out. As soon az 1t settles
down he places the fingers OF one hand on the
ground and fiips the penny toward the other IL II
comes 80 close that he can span the intervening
space with the thumb and middle finger OF one hand.
why he's penny ahead II he fails. however then
the other picks his penny up and slaps to win In
like fashion They may begin on the sidewalk. but
II once they get In the street on the rough
paving the onookers witness an exhibition OF most
decided skill. granting that the players are not Ike
the scornfully alluded TO. The sold curbing
gives the sapper masterful opportunity to display
his skill at carrom. and that feat accomplished,
then he must Nip 1t over the shoulders OF the
paving stones. There ne shows himself ii positive
magician.
II would be interesting ~ the exact origin OF the
game could be traced. but 1t has undoubtedly come
from pitch penny" The history OF a games Is
closely interviewer. one suggesting another.