Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1898-07-19
THE GAME OF CRAPS.
10 Originated Just After the Civil Was
when tks Darky Had Idle Tine.

AAt NaiNlto = uuthryo Aot ooNo tytaf =
potato for rheumatism. 4 wisp Of hair
from the tail OF a black dog for pains
In the back, voodoo charm TO protect
him against the Vaccinations OF his
enemies. and a rabbits foot FOR luck.
With this collection In his pocket he
goes confidently forth to WOO the tickle
goddess Chance. But not in cards or
in twirling wheels or in any OF the de-
vices known to the devotee OF Monte
Carlo does he put his trust. and not
even the great American game OF poker
has any fascination for him. But in
craps. played In his own remarkable
way. he delights.
Who invented II and when or where
II originated no one can say. but soon
after the close OF the war. when the ne
gro for the first time In his life could
taste the sweets OF idleness-and a de-
licious morsel Il was and is-thls allur-
ing device for causing coins 10 change
pockets started. and Il spread like
contagious fever. The Greeks named
all the numbers on the dice after gods.
goddesses and heroes. the lucky num-
Der being called Aphrodite. and the
negro likewise tls a name for every
possible comhln ion OF numbers. al
though his are not 10 classical as those
OF the cultured Creeks Three he
calls Free" four. Little joe" i've.
"phoebe:" six. Jimmy Hicks" nine,
LIZ" and ten. Rig Tom
The rules Of the game are few and
simple. The first player takes two
dice and shaking them violently In the
palm OF his hand calls out:
a n.ckel-put up
Another answers. Il fade you"
which. being translated. means. Il
cover your money"
The onlookers also take a hand In
the betting. the one who bets with the
player being said 10 "like him" Every
thing being In readiness. the player
drops the dice as n they burnt him.
crying
ANNlf NNNNl -fINA flas
II he makes seven or eleven. he wins.
II he throws the unlucky numbers.
two. three or twelve. be loses or craps
out" but n any OF the other combin-
atoms Of numbers are turned he makes
his point and has another throw.
Now the "fadef" who has covered the
players money reaches out and picks
up the dice with the announcement.
my dice" After making this state
ment he cody proceeds 10 carefully e1-
anime them TO see II they are loaded.
and. satisfied on this point. hands them
back 10 the player. This is allowable
Just after the FIRST throw. but after this
It Is an insult TO the player again TO
question their Eenuineness. and II Il
Is done a fight Is the result
The player having scored a point the
first time. the excitement becomes in
tense. The white teeth OF all are shin
ing. their eyes rolling until they seem
Ike oyals a. ivory set with a black
bead and their heads commence TO
wag from side 10 side. The player
holds his breath and not a word Is
spoken by those around him as he rat
ties the dice. Il Is the critical moment.
II he can make his point" before he
throws seven be wins. but II seven
comes first he is undone. The bet
tors surreptitIously run their hands
in their pockets and feel for a rabbits
foot.
Suddenly the player blows upon the
dice in his hand. gives a deep gutteral
grunt. and cries e1cltodly:
Come 10 see me. little Joe" The
"fader" keeps repeating:
"Cut him on seben. Cut his throat.
lucky seben. Jump under him. seben.
There Is an exclamation from the
"fader," a triumphant laugh from the
player. lie has made his point
There Is an exchange OF dirty nickels.
and grunt or two from the losers.
The player Is getting warmed up lie
takes on his coat. rolls up his sleeves.
and splits on bis hands. Lovingly he
fondles the dice: luck Is with him. The
spectators draw closer and watch with
Increased interest BY the rules Of the
game he will be allowed TO throw until
he craps out" and. elated by his sue
cess. he shakes the lice and calls.
"a dlme-come up with a dime"
with some grumblIng the "iader"
obeys. The player drops the dice. al
the same time swapping the fingers Of
his other hand. q sure way OF bringing
luck. and again the money Is bis. The
game now goes on quickly and he wins
again and again, until many OF the bet
tors are compelled to drop out. Soon
the hand Of the player trembles as he
reaches for the iyories. and he takes
, out his rabits foot aud rubs Il on them.
Dat niggah was born In de full OF
de moon. He's bound to hab luck"
some one prophesles. and the player
, smiles. As he drops the dice there are
I lmplorlng cries OF Come seben-eleb-
/ en-" Come twelve" TWO. free Il ls."
It is nine, and the thrower adds
| quickly.
} Liz is de gal fer me, saying that
always accompanies that throw. Once
/ more the dice roll upon the ground and
. Jimmy Hicks" Is the throw
r big Six, take my gal 10 Memphis,