Ever since the days when Joseph's brothers gambled for his coat of
many colors when they put him in the pit, the desire to venture in
games of chance has been rampant in the human breast, and even "men
of the cloth" have proved no exception to the rule. I recall an
instance when I was going down the river on the _Natchez_. As I
got aboard the boat I said to myself, "Everything looks blue; I've
got no partner, and I don't think there is a dollar in sight." I
scanned over the faces of the passengers, and soon found one of
the old boys who formerly used to play a little, but who had now
foresworn cards and become a prominent railroad magnate in New
Orleans. Bob and myself were soon talking over old times and
sipping juleps, until at last we got a stack of chips and a deck
of cards, and began to play for a small limit.
Presently a tall, portly, fine looking gentleman came up to the
table, and appeared to be so interested that I invited him to take
a hand, as we were playing for a small limit just to pass away
time. He readily consented, and the game went on smoothly enough,
when I ran him out three queens and helped myself to three kings,
and 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.