BETTING IN CALIFOENIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 197, 18 September 1878, Page 4

BETTING IN CALIFOENIA.

Californiatiß bave an inherent, inordinate desire for betting. It amounts almost to a mania. ]f they are not disposed to bet on any game of chance, they are pure to exhibit their propensity in some way, no matter how preposterous. I'll t>et you 10 dols. tbat man's name is Sneider," said one Californian to another, aa a man who was an unter stranger to both passed by. "It'sago," said his companion. Inquiry was made, and the wager was lost by the man who proposed it. Up in one of the mountain towns a stage coach tipped over and, it is related, as the passengers went tumbling down a rocky embankment into a gulch, a fellow shouted, <l Hi bet drinks for all of us, that half of us get killed." Tho bet was taken, but the casualties were not fatal. A doctor reported that a well-known citizen, who was at the point of death, would not live twenty minutes longer. "HI bet 5 dols. that be will," said one of his friends. The wager was accepted, and the stakes were scarcely put up when the report came that the man was dead. "Do you give it up ?" asked the man who won. * No," was the reply ; "HI now bet 10 dols. that he isn't dead." The bet was taken, and about that time the doctor reappeared. "Is the man dead, doctor ?" the question was asked. " Yes, dead as Julius Crosar." " Then I've lost again," was the reply. "Now I'll bet 20 dols. that he won't go into a sffc. 6in, coffin. I want to get square if I can,"