Document text
STATE
NAME OF WORKER
ADDRESS
DATE
SUBJECT
FORM C
TEXT OF INTERVIEW (UNEDITED)
New York
Frank Byrd
Living folklore gambling conversations
pullman porters.
"HOUSEMAN'S MONOLOGUE"
FOLKLORE
NEW YORK
You can't win if you don't bet, so down it and get
from round it. There're seven big numbers in the field.
Think you're lucky? Fifteen to one on eleven; four to one
you don't. You get even money on Big Six or Eight. The
house bets you win or lose. You make it, we pay it.
Thirty to one you can't name your crap and throw it.
So take some and leave some and, remember, the best throw on
the dice is when you throw them away. Git down gentlemen.
In other words, low it and you von't owe it. This is your one
chance to make fast money faster. You can't do it on tips and
when your old lady asks you for than new shoes or that fur coat,
what you gonna say? You can't say no 'cause if you don't some
other "square" will.
"All right, the gentleman shoots five dollars and a
nickel".
-2
CONVERSATION SNATCHES
"That dingo's blowing his top."
"Hell, he's already blowed it."
"Why don't you spades with no money get up from the table?"
"Where we gonna sit?"
"Sit on th' floor. What dUh hell do I care?"
"Shut up, ol' simple -ass darky."
"I was a fool for bettin, that hand."
"Didn't take that hall' to make you no fool."
"Come on, you chamber maids, let's gamble."
"Ten spot! I'm gone to the cleaners."
"Come on you rail -birds. Don't bother the players."
"Dear Brother, are you going any fulther?"