view raw text
SOME ODDITIES OF ENGLISH RACE TRACKS. "An American Race-Goer" cables the New York Herald as follows: "When I went to Newmarket last Friday I had the Rood fortune to be in the company of an American business man to whom American race tracks arc as familiar as are jokes to Mark Twain. In Kngland. however, he is new to the game, and the first thing that met his eye on reaching the grand stand were signs in large, black letters over caih entrance. No change given. "It threw a chill over las exuberant spirits and lie buttoned his coot. " Or course. said he. I didnt suppose I would gel any change, but why rub it into a man before hes even had a chance to draw cards 7* ■ Why wont they give any cliinge? he indignantly demanded of a constable. " Because they arent allowed to. sir. was Ike reply. " Then- you are. Can you best that? Even the government and tin- police uphold them. "No amount of explanation tliat. as no tickets were sold and admissions were through checking turnstiles, so that even twenty shillings must ! e paid, would satisfy him. " It doesnt listen right. he insisted. Theres a "con" game in it somewhere. "The fact that it had been snowing in the in .ruing didnt add any gaiety to the sedateness of New market. This race track is the most solemn affair of any that Ive been to in England. Anyone who indulges there in a spirit of enthusiasm or any sort of levity is laying himself open to the rlmrsi ol being in bad form. The meetings arc about as ni.-rry as a congress of undertakers. "Mv Americas friend thoughtlessly laughed nat loud 111 the paddock and everybody within bearine started away as though a contagious disease ha I broken out. Then, when the horses which wire expected to win failed to do so. a sombernesa of anlril settled down as thick as a London fog. The Ami ri can horses and American jockeys. howerCY. made .1 lair showing and much more is expected of then; later on. "The ticket back men at New market are the most interesting features of tie rather stupid and miiti-ter. sting place. From Tattersalls they signed with their arms like human semaphores the betting adds to the -cheaper enclosure. So expert are tiiev aflcr years of cxiierieiico that obey never mike a nii-tai..-and their messages are as intelligible to their confreres as though th.-v had been written in black an 1 white. It is marvelous to anyone not familiar with their sign language."
