nd gave Bob the office to remain in, as I wanted him to cross-
lift, which he did. The game was a two-dollar limit, and at last
we got him in for about fifty dollars before the draw. After the
draw things livened up; he bet two dollars, Bob went two better,
and I chipped in two better than both of them. We got him in for
about $100, when he borrowed $20, and we still kept on raising him
until we were confident he could raise no more money. Hands were
shown, and the portly man wilted like a leaf before a November
blast, but never even murmured a kick, and I soon knew the reason
why, for Captain Leathers came up to me and whispered: "Why,
George, do you know who that was you were playing with?" "I do
not." "He's a preacher; I have heard him in the pulpit many a
time, and I know that he stands very high all along the coast. I
don't know what to make of his gambling here to-night." I never
mentioned his name, and I knew the Captain would not; and as for
Bob, he'd never say a word, for he was afraid I'd give the snap
away; and as for me, I had my reasons for keeping quiet, since Bob
was always generous with his passes, and John Kilkenny would have
the laugh on him; for all are now strict church goers.

A SHREWD TRICK.

Some men are born rascals, some men have rascality thrust upon
them, others achieve it. This is a story of a chap that I think
must have had a birthmark of knavery somewhere concealed about his
body. It was during the war, and I was going up on the steamer
_Fashion_, Captain Pratt. I was dealing red and black, and had a
big game, as there were a number of cotton buyers on board. One
of them was a fine appearing gentleman from New York, who was soon
$3,800 loser; then he began to play reckless, and was still followed
by his bad luck. I noticed his nervousness, and came to the
conclusion that he was not playing with his own money.

Finally looking up, he said, "How much will you turn for?"

Noticing his excited condition, I said, "Put down as much as you
think proper, and if you go too high I'll tell you." With that he
pulled out a long pocket-book, and drawing forth a roll of hundred-
dollar bills threw them on the red. I picked up the money and
counted it, and found there were thirty-three one-hundred-dollar
bills.

"That's beyond my limit," I said; "but as I know you are a great
deal heavier loser than that, I'll give you a chance to get even,
so crack her down."

I made a turn, he