I was playing poker with a gentleman on board the steamer _John
Simonds_, bound for Louisville, late one night, and had won a few
hundred dollars from him, when he got up without saying a word,
and went to the ladies' cabin. In a short time he came back with
a small velvet-covered box in his hand, and said to me, "Come, let
us finish our game." He opened the box, and I saw it was full of
ladies' diamond jewelry. I said: "What are you going to do with
those?" Said he, "I will put them up as money." "Oh, no, I have
no use for ladies' jewelry." "Well," says he, "if I lose I will
redeem them when we get to Louisville." I told him I was not going
above Vicksburg. "Well," says he, "if you win, leave them with
the clerk and I will pay him." I then loaned him $1,500 on the
jewelry, and we sat down to play. It was about 3 A. M. when we
commenced, and before they wanted the tables for breakfast I had
won the $1,500 back. We drank a champagne cocktail, and he went
to his room. The barber was at work on me, so that I was a little
late for breakfast, and the steward had to take me into the ladies'
cabin to get me a seat. There was a gentleman, a very beautiful
lady, and a sweet little child at the same table; the lady's eyes
were red, as if she had been crying. I looked at the gentleman,
and saw it was the same persons who had lost the diamonds. Somehow,
my breakfast did not suit me; and the more I looked at that young
wife and mother, the less I felt like eating. So at last I got up
and left the table. I went to my room, got the little velvet box,
wrapped it up, and carried it back. They were just leaving the
table when I returned. I called the chambermaid, and told her the
lady had left a package, and for her to take it to her room. After
it was gone I felt better, and I eat a square meal. The gentleman
came and thanked me, and wanted my address; but as I never had any
one to send me money lost at gambling, I told him not to mind the
address; for I knew if I did not give it, I would not expect
anything, and therefore would not be disappointed.