after he found out how they had lost their money, for he just
gave them a good old-fashioned turning over. He called them a lot
of babies, and put the costs of the court on them. I got the Judge
a box of fine cigars, and went down on the same train; but I was
in the sleeper, and they did not see me until I got to New Orleans.
I played poker in the sleeper all the way to the city, and did not
lose very much as the game was small, and we played on the square.
I met some of them at the opera the same night, and they had their
opera glasses pointed at me for some time. I guess they wondered
how I got there so soon.

MY FIRST LOVE.

"Love gives esteem, and then he gives desert;
He either finds equality, or makes it.
Like death, he knows no difference in degrees,
But frames and levels all."

There was a dance in the cabin of the steamer _Magnolia_ one night,
which was a fine affair, as there were a great many wealthy people
on board. I had not done any playing on the boat, so I put on my
good harness, and went back into the ladies' cabin to join in the
dance. I was introduced to a number of fine ladies, among whom
was a beautiful young widow. She joined me in a waltz, another
dance, and a promenade on the guards. I thought her the most
agreeable and sweetest woman I had ever met in my life. I was in
her society most of the time, until the dancing ceased, and then
I bade her "good night, good night; parting is such sweet sorrow,
that I shall say good night till it be morrow."

I met the fascinating widow the next day, and before I bade her
good-by I had received a pressing invitation to visit her at her
plantation; and, "boys," you can bet your life it was not long before
I availed myself of the opportunity. During my visit I received
every attention. The negroes could not have done more for their
master. There was a nice lake on the plantation. The servants
would drive the lady and I over to it, and we would enjoy ourselves
at fishing for a few hours. On our return she would play and sing
for me, and as I sat and looked at her I thought, What would I give
if I was a square man, and how happy I could be with such a woman
as my wife. I did not tell her my business, for fear she would
think less of me. I could not endure the deception, so after three
days of happiness I tore myself away, feeling as if I was "unfixed
for life." In a short time she visited relatives in New Orleans,
and sent me