The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-27

WHAT. THAT LODSTERs"
ty. After that comes n knowledge of hi
man nature. After that he must have a
knowledge OF the game sufficiently deep to
enllghton or bcfog an amateur. After that
comes al easily acquired acquaintance
with few owncrs, trainers, Jockeys and
bookmnkcrs. A speaking acquaintance
with the track officials makes 1t all tho
stronger.
q man who socks the r;lco track oo,a-
slonaily Us an avenue of escape from tho
cares Of his regular business, and, as an
inevitable result enters into the spirit of
the game, stands in awe of any one who
can address owners, trnincrs, Jockeys and
judges by their front names. After he
makes few bets and loses, his desire to
become acquainted becomes n consuming
passion. Ho may find the owners, train
ers and Jockeys rather distant, but some
body comes to his rescue. That somebody
Is tho tout The tout Inns smellcd him
from afar. There Is nothing cold and dis
tant about tho tout He is there to nut
strangers Mt their case, according to the
San Francisco Chronicle
Aro you playing the rocesr' he will
ask the novice In an offhand way.
Yes, but can't beat thcm," the other
will answer with perhaps Il lingo of bitter
ness in his tone.
You can't, oh? Seems to mo blind
man could beat these races. Didn't YOU
play Lallycooler in the last raco?''
''No; I bet $50 each way on Thingcm
bob"
What, that lobster? Well, money must
be cheap commodity with you. Why, he
was corpse
"A whatl''
a stiff-a dead one. Ho wasn't meant.
dye understand
ooh, you mean that his jockey didn't
try to make him VIM
We'll, no, not exactly that, but he was
run short on purpose. Wait until the next
time nc comes out and then But, pshawI
I'm wasting time. I've got good thing
in this race
Say, hold on. Would you mind tollins
mo what it is.''
You? Why should I tell you: Why
don't you go to the cheap tout that stored
you up against tho book TINT was plug
ging Thingembob? Two got to set IN
nights and spend a lot of money to get nv
Information"
But, SEQ ]. Q, I'm willing to-.
"Oh, you are? That's different. Now
how much will You bet on real good
thing? I don't say that 1t will win 10 n
moral certainty, but 1t figures 93]S per
cent better than anything else in the race,
and it's at price good enough to get you
even on the meeting How much arc you
willing to bet?"
"Well-er-about 400"
ga hundred! That wouldn't keep me in
cigars for week. II you've got tho dough,
why don't you unload on good thlngp
That's the way to beat them. II you go
picking around listening to cverybody's
tips, you'll land In tho poorhouse.'
. guess you 'ro right"
" You can go broke on that. Will you
bet 5000 on good thing?'
We'll. if it's real good thing, l don't
mind
Now you no playing cards Go and bet
on Gray Goose, ard for heavens sake
don't give it away to soul. There, Won
can get to in Skinnem' 8 book. Grab It
quick. 1t will bo backed off tho boards IN
minute. There, that's right Now stand
pat and look wise will SEQ you after tho
race"
If tho good thing fails to go through, tho
suddenly formed friendship may be shat
tered, or perhaps the tout has plausible
explanation to make that will inspire re-
ncwcd confidence in himself If 1t wins.
the tout finds occasion to BIO engaged in
conversation with the cashier of the book
In which the bet was made when the 2lcc
full stranger lines up to cash his ticket.
The meeting is 81 joyful one. The tender
foot is Drumming over with gratitude, and
he and his philosopher, guide and friend
slap each other on the back and adjourn to
n secluded nook in the cafe
Good thing, wasn't it.' SAYS the toni.
Il should say it was, says the stran-
ger, "the first good bet / ever won"
Stick 10 me, old man, and you will not
leave enough money on this hero race
track to pay the taxes. Now, let's see
You won $500
Eight hundred; that's right"
Count i; over and let us cut it up"
"Eh:"
Lets cut it up"
"EhG'
somewhere don't I:''
Good gracious! Yes of course. How
much should give yous"
Half That information cost me nearly
that in coin, not to speak OF my time"