The sun., 1908-12-20
BEYTIHGHlREALP POOLROOH
WESTERN PROMOTER PLAYS
RACES IN A JERSEY TOWN.


Elephant Run by Butch Thompson.
spo you want to make Q bet on the
rsces7' asked slick looking fellow after
A genial conversation with o Western
promoter at one Of New York's swell
hotels the other day.
.Why, yesls was the reply. Il haven't
made q bet on . horse for q long time
and wouldn't mind taking flyer! Where
are they racing nowf'
eat Oakland and Los Angeles said
The capper for q string OF poolrooms
which are thriving just now In town
over in Jersey withio half an hours ride
Of the White Light district. "You
wouldn't care for the hand books that
they quote no odds and do not pay until
the next day, but can take you to enc
OF the biggest poolroons in the East. II
YOU want TO 60. and you can bet all you
want, In addition TO getting track quota
tons and also your coin. II you win,
after each race. Want to gof" IS
-Sure dol" was the ready response.
They took the Hudson tunnel to Hoboken
and at 4:7o O'Clock they boarded a car
in train specially chartered for New York
patrons who had been rounded up in a
similar way by expert cappeB. But be-
fore they entered the car sentinel at
the door had to receive the high sign.
There were perhaps fifty persons bound
for the scene OF action when the train
pulled out Of the station.
why do We 60 so late in the day7'
asked the Western promoter as he took a
seat and lighted a perfecto. .-
because OF the difference in time be-
tween New York and Oakland explained
his guide. "You zee. the races at Oak
land do not begin until about 2 O'Clock,
which Is O'Clock here.
-Oh. that's it. is itF= said the Western
man. well. 1t makes no difference
to me so long rs get real action
The train now rolled into the sporty
Jersey town, and as the speculators
climbed out upon the platform they were
closely inspected by half dozen sharp
eyed men, who were on the alert for
detectives and reformers, Then the
crowd was split up into nine hunohes,
and in few minutes one Of these bunohes
which included the Western promoter
and his newly found friend hurried
around corner to a building on the
ground floor Of which was saloon.
Are these guys all righti" queried
some more sentinels a. they looked over
the bunch with eagle eyes.
'All to tho good!' whispered several
cappers. open up!'
4 big door in the back OF the saloon
was drawn aside In q jiffy and the New
Workers. hurried up q short fight Of stairs
in the dark. Another door, through
which q watcher first peered. was opened
and then the real piace Of business was
revealed. A huge blackboard was hung
along one side Of the wall. Half Of IL
was devoted to Oakland and the other
to Los Angeles A list Of the horses In
each race was ohalked up with the names
Of the jockeys and the odds as they fluctu-
ated over the telegraph wires. A couple
Of operators were busy with their tick
ing instruments. while o leather lunged
individual called out repeatedly.
Gents, mako your betsl They are
going to the posti'
The Western promater didn't know
much about the horses that were racing
+What'n pisy?' he asked his friend
as the horses were on the way to the
Iost for the 1rst race at Oakland.
Ray Bennett Is well iked!' replied
the capper. sShe's2 to IL
-I'll bet fifty on her!' remarked the
Western man Is he stepped up to bog
note through pigeonhole. saying:
Fifty on Ray Bennett TO wini'
A hand grabbed the yeliowbaok and
the same hand pushed out ticket NUM-
bered e4s. upon which had been hastily
written:s
Business was rushing then, for the
crowd around the pigeonhole kept the
hand working overtime hauling in the
coin and passing out the pool tickets.
But suddenly all betting ceaged as big
man with a inegaphone yelled:
They're of at 0al<landl'
The telegraph instrument heked
aGaga at the quarter by two lengthsl
Ray Bennett is second, head before
Paladini. third, with Bankara a neck
backl'
The crowd bpzsed With sacitsmsnt esns for for
in play again In earnest:
Ray Bennett at the half by Q lengthi
Gaga second. neck before Paladini.
third!'
More buxzing Of voices followed by the
ticking Of the telegraph instrument
Then the megaphone again:
In the stretch Ray Bennett by two
lengths. going easy Paladini second'
1T looks like oinch for Ray Bennett
exclaimed the Western man as he fumbled
in his pocket for the pool ticket. but
jnst at that moment came this announce
ment
aCeleres winsyby four lengths! Pala-
dini second! Ray Bennett thirdi Tine'
l:i6 8-5!'
Celeres, an IL to shot. had practically
no hackers in the room. Neither did
Paladini, is to I chance. while Ray Ben
nett and Bravoure, the favorite. who was
never heard Of. burned up q good sized
bundle: The Western man. determined
to get his money back. played all Of the
other races. winning $40 on j. q; Gore IN
The second race, losing $26 on p%orante %
70 the third. also s25 on Sewell in the NTH.
plunge on old Roseben in the last event
and wagered $500 at to2. Roseben won.
too, and the Westerner was ready to
leave.
Don't be in hurry said his friend.
Just step into this room and look
around"
They passed through an iron door In
the wall and entered q room In which there
were all kinds Of gambling ganee-rou-
lette. :aro, craps, Rondike and the strap
game This was o treat for the west.
rner. who took chance all around and
finally broke even. IL was then nearly
! o'clock and the trip back to New YORK
began,