The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-07

the gum-tree bookmakers, but if Chief
Crowley enforces the law prohibiting bet
ting on the races outside of'the race course
he will not only have to close out the
downtown poolrooms, but also see to it
that his officers pay visit to the gum-tree
row and wind up some of the games which
are daily conducted there, based on the
races which are going on inside the in
closure.
The only difference between the dollar
men inside and the tree-climbers outside
is that the former are men and the latter
are of the adolescent age. In fact, they
are mainly boys, and any one who has OBJ
served session or two of the gum-tree
bookmakers will come to the conclusion
that goodly representation OF young
California is as well posted on the minute
of racing matters as the oldest habitue of
the turf. In fact what they don't know is
hardly worth knowing.
A CALL representative attended one of
these sessions yesterday. Beginning at
Fulton street and running north down
First avenue there are about dozen gum
trees which preserve their foliage. Beyond
these are score or more of other trees
of the same species, the limbs of which
have been Topped off and have only bare
branches to expose to the fog and the wind.
1t is in the leafy trees where the young
spectators hold forth, and although they
only wager nickels, dimes and quarters
when the opulent gamblers inside are
putting up dollars, even up to the hun
dreds, they take as keen an interest in the
game as if their lives and fortunes de-
pended upon it.
One large tree with many branches,
wherein seats may be found for score or
more, is the favorite aerial resort. Its oc-
cupants each day are principally BOYS
friy To IF
are messenger-boys who have taken a day
off and others are newsboys who have been
financially successful for several days and
have "money to burn" in the fire of specu-
ton.
A frowsy-headed, sharp-eyed youth who
is hailed Familiarity as "Nutty Quinn" is
the manager of the pool-box, the said box
consisting of his capacious side pocket.
"Nutty" proves anything but "nutty" in
the slangy acceptance of the word In
reality he is as keen and sharp ayoungster
of Is as could possibly be found anywhere.
He is we'll posted as regards every detail of
each days racing, and he has an able
assistant in a lynx-eyed partner who is
called "Peacod" among the boys. Whether
"Peacod" ever had any other name or not
is a mystery.
Just before the races begin Nutty Quinn"
takes his place at the foot of the tree and
sells the pool on the first race. Those who
buy receive a ticket represented by piece
of dirty paper with mystic figures and the
name of a horse thereon. Having pur-
chased a ticket. the possessor can climb up
the pegs driven into the limb of the tree
into the branches. There he is received
by "Peacod,' an ex-messenger-boy, and he
can hedge or increase his wager as he
pleases upon handing over the monetary
wherewithal. Thereafter, as each race is
called, the occupants of the tree, through
'Peacod,' make their bets and get their
tickets. There is evidently little conf
dence lost between "Nutty" and "Pea-
cod, !" for the former insists on cash before
climbing up and delivering the tickets.
1t is then that the following expressions
may be heard: .Six to one on Dancing
Girl"
''Ah, look at Josephine!"
'Say, amt Little Pete all right?'
Go on, that amt Red Dick
"Hey, give me that nickel change, Pea
cod, or I'll smash yer"
There they go; jest git onto Charley
Boots"
NAV; I don't raise yer"
Amt Royal Flush dandy?'
shut yer zap and quit shaking that
Iimh -