urse, he was
anxious to see how it was done. Taking out some cards, the Judge
was greatly amused, and at last George offered to bet me $50 that
he could turn the card. I took him up, and he lost. Then the
Judge, not at all discouraged by George's ill luck, said he could
turn it up for $50; but I told him I did not want to bet with him,
since he had never seen the game before. At last I consented to
go him once. He turned the card and lost, and then I thought that
George would die with laughter. This only riled the Judge, who
was now bent on getting even; so he put up his gold watch and chain,
and lost them. He was satisfied then, and the next day sent around
a friend and redeemed them.

George remarked, "The Judge stands very high in this vicinity, so
never say anything about this transaction;" and as I never did, I
do not suppose George did. George had no idea that the Judge would
bet. Both the parties are still living, and will, when they see
this in cold type, heartily enjoy the story.

NO PLAY ON THIS BOAT.

Captain Dan Musselman, who was running the _Belle of Memphis_ from
Memphis to Cairo, said to me one day as I got aboard his craft at
Memphis, "George, I don't want you to play that monte on this boat."
"All right," I replied, as smiling as a maid of sixteen. As we
were near Hickman, Ky., I downed a fellow in the barber shop for
the trifling sum of $900. Up stairs the fellow rushed in hot haste
to the Captain to try and get his money back. I remained talking
with Captain Bill Thorwegon, of St. Louis. In came the Captain
and said, "George, did you win this man's money?"

"Yes, sir, I did;" as frankly as a school boy saying his catechism.

"Did I not tell you not to play that game on this boat?"

"Yes, sir; but, Captain, the man dared me to bet, and I wouldn't
take a dare from any man."

"Well, you'll have to go ashore at Hickman."

The boat was then about three miles below, and I had a faint
recollection that there was a man living at Hickman that I had beat
only a short time before, so I said to the Captain, "You can't land
her too quick to suit me. Put her into the bank as soon as you
can." Captain Thorwegon tried to dissuade me, but I was obstinate,
and insisted on being landed at once. Dunlap, my partner, was
ripping mad at my obstinacy, as it was dark, raining, and in the
woods. Out went the gang plank, however, and we on it, armed with
some matches, cigars, and a bottle of whisk