New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-04
ATTACKS TRAIN POKER.
When Boys Get to Postage Stamps
Mr.. ComstOck Takes a Hand.

There is fear and trembling in the ranks OF
the draw poker players who travel TO and from
the city on New-Jersey suburban trains. Men
who have not hesitated 10 raise the limit on
busted flush" viii play as close TO the table
as the famous Hackensack ''piker" does for the
next few weeks at least. If they do not they
may have the tables and the cards taken away
from them.
More poker players travel out over the New
Jersey meadows than the wives and sweethearts
Cf the commuters have any idea. But some Of
the younger ''boods." it seems have been play
ing il beyond their salaries. Their losses not
only ate up the candy and theatre money Of the
best and only, but there was not enough left to
pay board bills.
one Of the beardless youths the other morn
ing saw three sevens and felt quite sure he was
going 10 get a fourth. raised the pot and did
ger his fourth seven and raised il several times
more. 10 be called finally by friend with four
jacks It aoored him FOR minute.
4 haven't got any more money he said
Suppose you take postage stamps"
The other youth was willing. and several dol
lars worth az one and two cent stamps changed
hands Some Of the older passengers. merchants
and professional men with Offices and stamp
accounts Of their own. marveed at this. They
knew that Young men. in this day and de-
generation. did not invest their spare cash in
postage stamps. They also knew that youths
who would gamble beyond their salary limit
would likely as not touch" their employers
stamp boxes.
The long and the short Of 1t is that The affair
was reported to Anthony Comstock. of the New
York Society for the Prevention Of Vice. Mr..
Comstock lives in New-Jersey. He took the ex-
press last Friday morning on which the most
OF The gambling is done ard when the game
was at its height he swooped down on the
players.
He singled out the two youngsters who have
been giving poker such a ran and told them
quite plainly that if they did not stop gambling
he would turn loose some Jersey justice.
Whereat one Of the youths was greatly amused
and announced joyously that the law did not
c1ist that could butt into a gentlemen's game
He declared that he'd like 10 see Mr.. Comstock
try so put the law on HIM. In spite OF his bluff
he stopped playing. and as no arrests have been
lrade on this particular train any one who
knows Mr. Comstock must be convinced that he
sas NOT begun again. Mr. Comstock said yester-
GAY 10 Tribune reporter:
am nc; trying to put stop 10 card playing
oa LsckaWanna or other trains but am deter
mined 10 bring several young men 10 their
senses. / heard CT them say that he had
lost so much money that ne would have 10 write
upstate 10 his mother for enough TO carry him
20 his next pay day } know Of others who lose
=
] know OF one hoy who has several times paid
his rokpr losses IN postage stamps which am
certain he did not bay with his own money.
These youths have got 10 stop, and on Friday
told them so. a little lively in that
car for few minutes and OF the boys
very saucy. n / End him playing again I'm
coins To- invoke lie law and bring about his
arrest II matters don't improve I Will secure
evidence and take up the matter with Nj. Trues
dale the president 90 tho Delaware. Lackawanna
and Western Railroad. who I am sure viii see
tho uatter as Do.