Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-08
THE PLUNGE ON SILVER HEELS-BY JACQUES FUTRELE

man, plunger or piker, had ever left tina
ring because he couldn't bet all the money
he wanted to. The Exeter Club book re-
fused no wager. certain millionaire
once wore out check book trying to bet
1t to a standstill, but the "book' was tax
ing money when the flag fell.
A man who handles money as straws
has peculiar fascination for any one
Frank Carter. the plunger. had for me.
l had never seen him before. In his
somewhat drawn, white face there was no
trace of the dare-deviltry which had
characterized his betting operations;
there was only restlessness. We chatted
for a few minutes. or rather did. His
eyes were far away beyond the outer rail
of the race track, unseeing, yet glittering
81 believe the international handicap
is on tomorrow" I finally remarked.
Eyes, he said.
'It ought to be a good race
Possibly the best of the season" He
had not looked at me since shook hands
with him.
ANY doubt about Silver Heels, the
favorite, starting?' asked:
mo. he'll start said the plunger.
The restless eyes closed to pin point
and suddenly snapped wide again.
What are you laying on him?" con-
tinued.
Nothing yet" he said. mot until
tomorrow" Then he turned full on me
anu Ills eyes ran over TlS, apparently
without seeing ut will not be a good
race to bet on
why, I understood it was all over
but the cashing in I exclaimed. II hear
that Silver Heels will b. favorite at big
odds on, and that there is practically no
chance of his losing"
Zone understands many things" said
the plunSer- He turned and began pac-
ing up and down. Suddenly he stopped
in front Of me. and the drawn look about
jc fono To NM inf
mo man should ever bet on a horse
race" he said enigmatically. The pacing
began again.
Thoughtfully fell to watching Bat
AS "Batty'' emptied the money-bag to
pay the first of these he grinned.
That's the last of thirty-f1ve thousand
you wise boys have took from us today"
he said. The man looked surprised.
pocketed his winnings. and ran for the
train. and the last one came up. Beau.
It's too bad" said "Batty' cheerfully
'Ain't sou left. Ye're too late"
The beatific smile of anticipation which
had overspread the winners face was
began to stammer, stutter. protest Bat
ty'' watched him a moment. grinning.
Then he turned to the plunger
Got fifteen bones in yer clothes. Boss?"
he asked.
Carter produced single bill, twenty.
and passed 1t over.
That's all 1 have in my pocket he
said. us 1t enough?"
child here" "Batty'' explained. as he Of
fered the bill for change. The lost smile
waveringly settled over the winners face
again. He gave a five-dollar bill for
change, turned and scuttled for the train.
Carter put the. five in his pocket.
AN I owe you couple O. hundred.
BILL said Patty" to me. IF they
amt nothin' doin' tonight drop by the
Metropole an We'll catch Welsh rabbit.
I'll give yer the two hundred then
eff your friend needs 1t before
Carter began.
"Oh. me gran'mother,' and "Batty'
laughed "Why, he owns a benzine-
buggy that two hundred wouldn't buy
rs it all right?" the plunger asked Of
Certainly" I replied Here was a
new experience-the greatest plunger on
earth owed me money-money I had won
on a horse race.
"If you're going in," said, ''you and
'Batty' might as we'll go up in the auto
with me-
Sure. in minute said ''Batty."
I'm afraid I won't have time" said
the plunger. "I'll take the train in. Meet
me at the Metropole at 0 tonight. Bat
ty.' and I'll give you the money for your
friend
He smiled faintly-a smile that was
looked after him a moment with a slight
trace Of worry in his eyes. then he shook
his head.
Maybe the guileless. foolish public
didn't put a crimp in the ring today"
he said. finally 1.-THE boss spills thirty
five thou like II was cent with hole in
it, an only yesterday he dropped one bet
O. forty-eight thou. Guess his luck has
puncture. All them plungers has it
that way sometimes. The boss amt a
- sou less'n four hundred thou to the bad
on the season-couple O. hundred thou
in the last two weeks. An he never bats
an eye. No. Think Of 1t. Beau! STAINS
up like mammals little boy an spills two
hundred thou in two weeks. JUS cogitate
about that for time. An me? Every
time 1 lose seven dollars 1 go out in a
quiet corner an throw thirty-two kinds
O. spasms. 1 used to think 1 had nerve,
till l met him. Oh. me gran mother
When the plunger came into the Metro
pole cafe that night he was haggard, the
restless eyes were brilliant. burning.
Never drinking man. he startled BAT
ty" by ordering and gulpng down two
portions of raw whisky. "Batty" was
soicitous.
''somethin' gone wrong. Boss?" he
asked.
"Oh. no; I don't fel very well, that's