Gaffing began, and the
billiard-marker before described was pitched upon to 'do' the
stranger. The macer 'pitched the baby card,' and of course lost,
as well as the unfortunate victim. He had borrowed L10 of the
landlord, who was to come in for the 'regulars;' but when all was
over, the billiard-marker refused to make any division of the
spoil, or even to return the L10 which had been lost to him in
'bearing up' the cull. The landlord pressed his demand upon the
macer, who, in fact, was privately reimbursed by the marker; but
he was coolly told that he ought not to allow such improper
practices in his house, and that the sum was not recoverable, the
transaction being illegal.
How these spurious coins are procured is a question; but I am
assured that they are still in use and often made to do service
at public-houses and other places.
TOMMY DODD.
This is a mode of gambling very much in vogue at the present
time. It is often played at public-houses among parties to
decide who is to pay the reckoning. Each party turns down a
half-penny, and, on uncovering it, the matter is decided as in
'heads or tails.' Of course this expeditious method is also used
in gambling for money.
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