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One afternoon this week a company of about fifteen boys were happened upon near lludnut'a mill on north Water street. They were seated on the floor of a box car arranged in groups and were having a very lively game of “cent ante.” The ages of the lads ranged from ten to sixteen and all were intent upon the changing fortunes of the players. Two of the number, however, were observed ever and anon to go to the doors of the car and cast searching glances to the north and south. Theywere the lookouts of the gang.It, would be impossible to imagine a grimier, rougher, more profane lot of little rascals than t hese were. They were chewing tobacco with unanimity and vigor, and their language fairly reeked with obscenity. It was tin* language of Chimmie Kadden, besmeared with the filth of the brothel. There is no getting around the fact that the scene was shocking, even to one with a pretty intimate acquaintance with this wicked world of ours, but it was also animated, boyish and amusing. The slang of the game was all there, perhaps considerably elaborated and ornamented. Some o' the nicknames heard were char-acteristic. lt;)nc of t he boys with a mulatto color was called “Vinegar.” Another little fellow with a boisterous way about him was dubbed “Wind.” A scrulT-pated lad, who minded his own business and played for the money there was in it, passed as “Jonah.” There were “Reds,” “Cullies,” “BifTs,” “Bricks” and “Snakes.”Most of the groups had a stake holder who took charge of the pennies prior to the “show-down.” This unusual featureof a ..... . poker was made necessary,the boys stated, by the disposition of the gang to “snatch the pot.” The game went merrily on for an hour or more without molestation and the pennies rattled on the floor of tlu» car like corn. At last there was a sudden cry from the lookouts:” Buck ••The car was empty in a jitTy.Patrolman Tom Welch was coming down the railroad track.
Newspaper Details
Terre Haute Saturday Evening Mail
Terre Haute, Indiana, US
Sat, Dec 12, 1896
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Tim C.
USA 21 Jan 2018
Other Publications Near Terre Haute, Indiana
Western Register and Terre Haute Advertiser
Terre Haute Wabash Courier
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Terre Haute Tribune
Terre Haute Star
