New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-05
ENGLISH CROOKS
ON RACE TRAINS
Methods of Fake ToutS Differ
from Those of a Once Numer-
Gus Fraternity Hereabouts.

The 1880 race train for Kcmpton is
living alongside the platform Mt Water
loo. due 10 start in few minutes.
curious contrast to the hurrylng en-
thusiasts all round, two a!ert-looKing
gentry, with the cut OF racing men
about them, stroll along the lengthy
line of carriages, glancing casually
into each one in turn.
A Quick look Of inquiry from one to
the other-an equally quick nod OF as
sent from the latter and the PAIR en-
ter a carriage. In this carriage their
keen eyes have discerned a can
potential victim for the two CROOKS,
who intend TO "have him at the tale.
They choose seats as mar as possible
TO him, and begin to converse In
mysterious undertone.
did you get that wire from
Dick?" saws one 10 the other, mention
ing. be it noted. the name Of some
famous trainer or jockey. e., Hal
lick, Dawson. Saxby or Griggs. The
other knight of industry mods. as
though with satisfaction.
"And what does he say for the
$780," proceeds the first speaker.
"Dick" bends and whispers in his ear.
Nothing can be heard Of his remarks
except the last few words: "He says
not on any account to miss 1t. It's
stable job"
LURING THE MUG" ALONG.
The other produces an early racing
edition of an evening paper 1000
luck" he says. "Well pick up Dit'
for itll start at fairly long price.
All this time the mug" as the TWO
tracing heads" have desired, has oeen
listening. He edges up closer to them
and with clumsy eagerness attempts
10 engage them in conversation. They
are clever enough 70 feign dlsin-
clination TO talk to him, and this
makes him all the keener. Little by
little. however, they unbend, become
more friendly and conversational ana
then the "can" plucks up sufficient
courage to ask point blank the name
of the "stable job" for the $3.50 race.
Both of the precious pair were i'm
mediately Mortified. What! Give it
away and spoil the market? No fear.
Besides they are pledged TO # re
peatinc the name of the famous tram
or or jockey TO keep the horses name
secret. However, they have taken
a sort of fancy, so they say, TO the
can" They realize that he is
sportsnan, and they are always ready
10 do a real sportsman (the mug
smiles with modest pleasure) good
turn. They'll back it for him II he
likes. There!
THE WINNER IN CIPHER.
And in nine cases out of ten he
does like. Before the three are on the
course money has passed from him to
the benevolent ones, and these. with
p quick Meet us in the refreshment
bar after the race" disappear among
the crowd in the half-crown ring.
They do not come back, for they re-
alize their dupe is man OF small
means anG that they have secured prac-
+icaUv all that he mas on him. A ut
tlo later on. however, they encounter
another "mug." whom they set down
as being better supplied with money
and with him they adopt different tao
tics.
Perhaps they apparently inadvertent-
Il drop a telegram. purportlng TO come
from n racing celebrity, advising them
TO back some horse or other the name
in cipher, for obvious reasons, ana
the prospective mug PICKS IL up ana
~cturns IT. inwardly burning to learn
the ciphered name. Perhaps a third
confederate rushes up and hands over
large sum Of money-or Bank OF
Fnrraving notes-with the request
that they shall back - (the name
whispered with much mysteriousness)
on his behalf.
At any rate, the curiosity Of the
lurking mug" is aroused, and, as did
his predecessor, he eventually parts
with money. And, as he is a lucrative
proposition, he is youchsafed sweet
erer."
4 PROFITABLE GAME.
In other words, the confederates
back something fairly safe for HIM
and bring him some trifing winnings.
Perhaps, even they will, If the fairly
safe thing comes unstuck,' hand over
some of their own money, pretending
10 have backed the winner for him.
He is now almost bursting with anX-
iety to intrust much larger sum 10
them for investment.
Needless to say, they accept the
commission, but this time they fail to
return.
The "race tale" is very profitable
industry TO its expert devotees. For
example. two of the heads" not long
ago took no less than $1,000 off
Young and wealthy "can" in one az
ternoon. -,
But the tracing head"-alas for
bim,-is almost invariably born
gambler. He affords typical example
Of the saying, Easy come ana easy
20" However much money he may
have cunningly extracted, ne almost al
wavs backs his fancy with it, and it is
for this reason that men OF his kidney
will often net "hvers, tenners' or
even hundreds in an afternoon and re-
turn home in the evening with few
coppers in their pockets.-Tit-Bits.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION.
Two accident prevention methods re-