Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12
BOOKMAKER'S ESCAPE
FROM BANKRUPTCY

the two being old acauaintances. The Wis
itor said to Cridge that he cou'd not get to
the track that day and asked the book
maker to place a commission for him on n
horse he had been following up
Reaching in his vest pocket the depart
ment-Store man handed four e-hundred-
dollar Hills to Cridge with the remark:
Pace $50 each way for me, straight and
place, on Amalgam at the best price you
can get | think there will be 10 and A.
AS Cridge took the money he endeavored
to persuade his friend to throw Amalgam
overheard and not try to even up losses on
what he termed mo account horse. But
the other would net change his decision to
try the horse once more
So the two parted. and when Cridge got
to the track he handed the 500 to his cash
this to Amalgan IN the fourth race. When
We get to that race remind me about 1t and
well take it to the book 1t is for Mr..
D."
When the fourth race came along Anal
gam opened at 20 to 1. and in jiffy went
soaring to 20. 40 and 80 to I. Then Cridge's
cashier said to his employer: How about
D-.'s 500? Do you still intend to take 1T
Tor the book? Or will you place it outside?''
While they were ia king a layer opposite
chalked up 800 to 1. Amalgam." and
Cridge answered: Sure. we'll keep the $500
I'm our book The horse has not got a
and something besides. Wait a bit and
Wen give D. the closing Odds
No money seemed to be in circulation for
Amalgam, and from 100 to 1 his price went
on up to $50 to l. And the horses went
to the post half a dozen venturesome layers
had up 200 to on their sheets against An
drew CassaU's horse. with no takers. Few
layers in the ring had written his name
The BoAkmaker's Waterloo.
= As Cridge closed his books on the race
and went over his sheets his eyes grew
very big when he came to Amalgams name.
Here his cashier had taken him at his word
and placed D-'s 500 each way at 200 to /
straight and 80 to place. So the transac-
ton read $4,000 to 500 straight, $4,000 to
$500 place! ..s .. -....;
Noting his easier grinning at him,
Cridge, who was the essence of good nature,
began to laugh himself as he said: You
look as II i might have to pay that bet.
Perhaps. l had better lay 1t or" But as
they were talking the refrain Of They're
or rang through the grounds. And there
was scurrying out to see the race.
The race was a mile and a quarter, and
from the start the red, white and blue tri-
color Of A. J. Cassatt on Amalgam showed
the way. The Sheepshead Bay track was
lightning fast that day, and as Amalgam
reeled or the first mile in 1.42 he had his
field we'll strung out at this stage of the
race.
: In the homestretch Amalgam lasted long
enough to win by couple of lengths amid
the shouts Of the bookmakers, few Of whom
there was no shouting from Cridge or his
Crew." but payment Of the $4,000 on
Amalgam meant bankruptcy to the one and
loss Of employment to. the others.
The Cridge book took some desperate
chances on, ths last two races that day, but
fortune was capriciOus. and no break"
came to stand of the Amalgam lay" Con-
sequently 1t was dreary homeward trip
AL Cridge's creditor D. was living out
of town, SO the bookmaker could not see
him that night. The bookmaker did not
sleep wink all night, and the next morn
ing at o'clock he was down at D-s
Going up to his friends private office he
had another tiresome wait Of two hours
until Dr. came in about 10 am. Then
ensued a heart to-heart seance that neither
ever forgot. The hacker of Amalgam
greeted Cridge warmly with the remark:
well, L made good winning this time, old
man. Did you get the top price?'
But Crdge at once went to business. say
ing: IT have come to throw myself on your
mercy d.. took your bet in my book
at 200 and 80. If you force me to pay =.
means utter ruin for me at this stage of
my bank roll" - Ca. 3.
a@n Magnanimity of Backer. -...g
AS Cridge finished out his tale of woe,
D. began to smile as he took the hand
of the greatly distressed layer, with Don't
worry old man, you will not find me hard
creditor. Had been at the track myself
I should probably have grabbed opening
odds of 20 and 8, and had you placed mine
at that price without waiting for a rise
I would not have complained"
49," continued D., suppose We call
the price 20 and 8. That will let you out
of your agony. You pay me 5000 and we
will call 1t square. That will be $4,000 to
500 and $1,000 to 500. Only take my ad-
vice and don't ever get, caught this way
with any one else"
AS Bookmaker Cridge sat down and
wrote D his check for $1,000 the two
men mutually congratulated each other.
and the bOokmaker drew long breath of
relief at his friends considerable treat
ment. 1t was Amalgam's last winning, as
the horse broke down shortly afterward.