On one occasion while traveling from New Orleans to Baton Rouge,
I espied a gentleman who was a Judge at the latter place. He was
a man of aristocratic bearing, and somewhat haughty in his manners.
I started up my wheel after supper, and soon had a fine game. It
was not long before I noticed a slick young man that I knew was
from Cincinnati, walking arm and arm with the Judge, and apparently
on terms of utmost intimacy with him. This slick young Cincinnatian
had introduced himself as a son of the late Nicholas Longworth,
who was well known up and down the river. He claimed that he was
traveling for his health.
I had made up my mind that he was playing a dead card, as I did
not think the Judge was of much force, though he always appeared
to have plenty of money. They soon were playing euchre, and began
talking about poker, and presently the Judge came to me and said,
"Devol, will you loan me $500? I will pay you when Baton Rouge is
reached. I am a sure winner," he continued, and looking at his
hand, I saw the old familiar four queens and an ace, with which I
had downed so many suckers. I must say I wanted to see him get it
in the neck, and I was not disappointed. I took chances, and loaned
him $500, and when I saw Longworth's would-be son putting it in
his pocket that was the last time I ever beheld that money. The
Judge never recognized me again. This is what an honest man gets
when in bad company.