st bet; he hesitated, and finally bet but fifty
dollars. I gave them one of those old "go-your-money" laughs, and
said, "Boys, I have you both," and I put up $500. Our friend saw
it and raised back $500. My partner looked at his hand, and after
a while said, "I will call." I then bet $1,000 cold. They both
called, and we showed down. The three queens just beat the three
jacks, and I said, "I was trying to win that pot on a bluff." Our
friend remarked it was not safe to bluff when such hands were out
against you. I said, "That is so, but I thought you were both
bluffing." We had something to drink, and started in again. I
ran up two hands, giving our friend three aces, and taking four
tens myself. I did not give my partner anything, as I wanted him
to do the tipping. The betting began, and it was pretty lively.
When we came to the draw, our friend took two cards and I took one,
remarking at the same time, "If I can fill this flush, good evening
to you fellows." The betting was lively, and finally came to a
call. We showed down, and I took in $4,700. Our friend was no
kicker, but was as game a man as I ever met. He got up, laughed,
and said, "Gentlemen, let's take a drink, and I will go to bed."
He bade us good-night and went to his room. I learned during our
play that he was a large cattle buyer from Texas. We got a nice
slice of his cattle money; but I must say that he could hold his
own with anyone in a square game of poker; but with two old sharks,
and a deck of marked cards, there is no man that can win much money,
as his bluffs don't go.

EVEN THE JUDGES DO IT.

The love of gambling is confined to no class of people. Preachers
and lawyers, doctors and men of business, are as susceptible to
the smiles of the fickle goddess of fortune as well as the roughest
men.

George Hardy and myself were once going from Jackson, Mississippi,
to Vicksburg, and, for want of something better to do, fell to
talking over old times and tricks with cards. Near by sat a
gentleman who appeared interested in our conversation, and I asked
George who it was, as I had often seen him at Vicksburg. "Why,
that's Judge so-and-so," and he introduced me. Pretty soon George
remarked, "Devol, you ought to show the Judge the baby ticket,"
and as I had just played the trick for a joke, I said, "Yes, Judge,
I have one of the best games for the drinks in the world; they play
it out West altogether now instead of dice." Of co