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RAG-TAG TURF PLUNGERS. Louisville, Ky., September 15. A number, of turfmen were recently holding one. of the symposiums of reminiscence which delight . racing folk when the conversation drifted to what was designated as "Rag-tag Plungers." Stories were told of meeting up with ordinary looking, poorly dressed men who, on acquaintance, had turned out to be among the biggest bettors on the racetrack. Finally a member of the party said: "The most, peculiar incident of, the kind that ever came under my observation was when I was out east several years ago.. . I was cashing in a book, but the book went off. I was scrambling around trying to pick a winner wnen I ran into an old friend who- said he was going to draw in for three- days in the field, . and that it would be worth 0 per day if I wanted to go over as blockman for him. jITha-in-oiKHiott-looked rettyrood-io;,In3tr5t,l then.- So I went along. My friend re-leaned tip about ,000 on the three days and then .skidooed for a trip to Europe. During all this time I had noticed, a cheaply dressed old guy hanging around the book. Nearly every race he would bet me live or ten. After the last race of the day we were on. I was getting ready to go across to the grandstand when the old fellow stopped me. Say, he remarked, how much money does it take to make a book? The old mans clothes were worth about three dollar, and I had him sized up as either an old fourflush, an old crank or an old fool. I had won a big bet and wanted to cmh my ticket, and desiring anyway to give the oflP fellow a civil answer, I said, "Oh, at least 5,000." He said he wanted to talk with me. I told him I had to meet my wife, but that I would sec him some other time. I was living at the Bay. Several days passed by. Then one morning when I had nothing to do, I decided that I would go down to the Manhattan Hotel and see Mr. McPherson he had told me his name and where he lived. I did not have any idea that I would find him at the Manhattan, but when I asked the clerk he took my breath away by saying, "Yes; Mr. McPherson has a s,ulte of rooms here." "What sort of -chap is he?" I asked. "Well, hes got a lot of money, but hes eccentric." I sent up my card "and was invited up to his rooms. He got right down to business-and said, "I have an idea of putting on a book; I watched you out there in the field, and besides I have made inquiries about you. I had intended to book at. Saratoga, but have to go west on business that will detain me a month or more.I will get back about the time of the fall meetings here and then I will put up whatever money you may need to book with." The following day Allan-a-Dale was in a race. After scouting around the paddock a while, 1 found out that Allan had been off, that not much had been done witli him on that account, "and that a horse called Blueblaze was next liest and would about cop. Running into Merherson, lie asked me what I liked. I told him Blueblaze. against which the books were laying 10 to 1. I had a couple hundred dollars that I intended to lict myself. He said he had a strong tip on Allan-a-Dale. I told him Allan was lame, that Blueblaze would win sure, and to go the limit on -it. He said, he had only 00 with him, but that he would go into the ring and bet that. Blueblaze won by a nose, scratched in somehow. I did not see anything more of the old man that day, in fact I did not think much about him, as I had won a conifortalUe bet myself. But the following morning lie telephoned me to come down to the hotel and take breakfast with him. I replied that I had an engagement, but designated a place where I would meet him at the track. "He showed up all right and I got another jolt when he asked, How would you like the money, check or currency? I did not have any use for; a check and told him currency would do, expecting that he would proffer me about 00. He pulled a wad out of his jeans as big as your leg. counted out ,500 and handed it to me; , He left on his trip that day and shortly afterward I was called west on urgent business that kept me in the west the remainder of the season. I never saw McPherson again, but if I wanted to qualify in the guild of professional touts, you can bet I would get on ills trail quick and hunt him up. As a coon would put it, he was the most deccltfulesf" looking man I ever met."
