The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-20
JOCKEY SLOANE LOST.
Thought He Could Play Billiards, and
1t Cost Him Money.
New York Journal.

| New York Journal.
Tod Sloane, the jockey can ride horses
| but the question is: Can he play billiards?
| The redoubtable little rider was telling a
crowd OF good fellows the other day what an
| extraordinarily gifted player he was when
he tried TO be. Frank keeney the cham
pion blliardist of the Crescent Athletic
| Club, listened cynically. When the Jockey
had finished talking Keeney observed
Haven't any doubt that you know which
end of the cue to hit the ball with, but
further than that L wouldn't undertake to
say"
| Sloane is fiery. He pulled out a roll of
money--tens, twenties and fifties-and Of
fered to bet 800 that he could beat Keeney
at a fOurteen-inch balk-line game for two
hundred points If Keehey would give him
eighty points start.
That's like finding dough-" said Keeney.
as he put up the cash. The game was
scheduled to occur at Slosson's ON Friday
night Both sides were on hand with their
retainers and admirers.
Sloane had on a crushed strawberry tinted
London, and a salmon cOlored tie. He was
very confident in his manner, and his
language was fluent.
I'VE pity Keeney," said the fur-lined
young man who accompanied the jockey.
Then they. asked: 'Whatn you do with
your hundred Tod?'
There was very loud and scientific talk.
Mr. Sloane told how he had studied the
game where they knew how to teach it,
Then he ostentatiously chalked his cue,
flourished Ii with some grace and struck
out, missing everything but the green cloth
Tie game progressed. Sloane's crowd
grew more downcast every moment. Once
the Jockey made a run of sixteen. Then
they picked up hope, only to drop it again
like hot potato a moment later. When
Keeney scored his 200 Sloane had only
The little jockey mislaid his temper, and
almost lost it. After paying the S100
Sloane deied. Keeney to play him again
exclaimed Tod.
For the crowd?" every one inquired,
anxiOusly.
Not on your life" the jockey declared
Wine for the two OF us"
They played again, and once more Keeney
brushed the chalk off the table with
Sloane's hopes. The jockey sent for the
wine list and was looking down the column
labeled ''pints'' when some one corrected
drunk.
Then Sloane began to talk about the mer,
It's as billiard player of his friend John
De Nun Smith, of ST. Louis Smith. he
said, could play Keeney blindfolded. He
double-dared keeney to contest with him.
waving his arms in excited gesticulation as
ne talked OF Smiths merits. He showed
some money. and made a bet of 800 that
Keeney dissent play. After much Joint
debate the bet was taken up and later with
Sloane's friends, who had bet cigarettes
recklessly on the Jockeys game sat against
the wall looking very disconsolate, wonder
ing who would reimburse them for their
losses They gaZed ardently at the bottle
OF champagne. and edged up to ii when the
VINE was being poured out.
When he saw ne wasn't going to get any
OF 1t one Of the men started q rumor that
II was California champagne This was de-
MED by the Sloane party who swore that it
cost $3.50
The jockey put on his fur-lined overcoat
and left followed by his admirers. He.
said that he still thought he could play
billiards, and he meant to get up another
game 10 demonstrate that fact. Mr.. Keeney
said he would give him start of 100 points
next time, and play him for his fur-lned
diamonds
teur championship of West Twenty-second
street.