The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-27
HOW OLD GAMBLERS EARN THEIR LIVING Later Career of Some of the
 Has Beens" < KANSAS CITY REMNANTS Get as Much Fun Out of $2 Jack Pots as They Once Did Out of Big
 Stakes-PIay the
 Horses.

knsas City Cor. Chicago Inter Ocean.
 Five men were standing in the pad dock at the Elm Ridge race track one day last week. They were having an argument about the third race
 Docs he like the mud?" a little man with a gray mustache asked.
 "Of course he does, bonehead; wasn't his daddy a mudder?" the one with glasses replied Ever see one of those Meddler colts that didn't go to it when it was sloppy like it is now?"
 They may like the mud all right but I'm afraid a mile is far for 'im," the man whose nose had a carmine hue ob- served.
 NO hit ain't. Look at his last race Didn't he run three-quarters in 12, and was running over hosses at the finish |? Only got beat a length and two noses" This from the fourth man with thread bare raincoat. He referred the others to his home made dope book
 What do you think about him, B...?" he continued, addressing the man who had remained silent.
 Looks like 'romp' to me-" was the reply. He's got a track to his liking,
 
 and the jock told me they were--I think we ought to bet it straight"
 IS posing he loses. Then we're cleaned up and nothing to bet on that Hindoo in the fifth race" said the man with the mustache.
 Well, hurry. They're going to the post nowi' the raincoat man said.
 Which one is Merry Lark, Bill?" the red-nosed one inquired.
 "No. '. He's certainly Tit up fine. Looks good to me. I'll bet it straight" said Bill.
 Hold on now. Bill, you'll"
 But Bill was gone.
 "Supposing he bets it straight" the spectacled individual said. 'If he's to l it's $4 3 to 1. $6; to 1, $S; to 1-''
 Throw away that squirt gun; you're full of coke now interrupted the pos sessor of the raincoat. Maybe he won't win
 Bill returned. "we1l, fellows" he said, ''I bet two to show. He was to 1 to show. No use taking a chance. He might get nosed out and he can't be worse than third"
 That's the right idea," said Mustache. I was afraid you'd get on the front end. They're off.n'
 They talked in punches after that.
 Where's Merry Lark, Bill? I can't see that far" fl fl
 Out in front, just a-winging 1t, too. Don't let him stumble jock"
 why, it's a pipe. That kids setting in the rocking chair.'
 That's Nogood Iowa, and look at Ter minate, he's running like wild hoss.'
 "Go on, you Merry Lark" as they swung into the stretch.
 Look at that cook riding him; why don't he use his bat?"
 has fo off Bill as the horses rushed past the pad dock with Terminate first. Nogood Iowa second and Merry Lark third.
 "Go on, you skate! Whip him, you stiff, You won't fall off. Go on, you Merry Lark" they yelled
 Well, he did manage to show said Bill with disgusted look. The others were all smiles. They took hold of hands. slapped each other on the back, and had a regular jollification. One of the men who were watching them turned to his friend: "Is that an outing from the 'dippy' house?" he asked. No" said the other. That's merely what's left of Kansas City's old-time gamblers"
 Are you kidding me?" the first one asked.
 No, that's on the square The little man there with the gray mustache owned a big string of horses. He now has one. which he drives to an express wagon. A 50-cent piece for hauling a trunk looks like Christmas turkey to him now. 'rhe one with glasses wouldn't play faro unless they took the limit off. Now look at him. He's as tickled over his share of that bet as if some one had just made him a present of the Long building.
 "Yhe man with the cravenette that's seen better days used to fill them in the middle, stand on pair of fours. fill three- card fiushes and feel poor if his pile of chips wasn't larger than the dealers Now he's a porter in a North End lodging house.
 ''The red-nosed one was also great faro and poker player He's bum Of the worst type now. Does nothing but mooch drinks whenever he can. .''rhe one they call Bill has couple of skins he runs around the country fairs. He used to own the largest gambling house in town. Most of the real old sports have passed