Canada Bill and I went over from Canton, Miss., to Vicksburg at
one time, to catch a boat for New Orleans. We met all the boys,
and had a good time while waiting for a boat. The Meader boys
(Jesse and Aud) had fitted up very fine faro rooms but a short time
before our visit, and they were very glad to see us. Jesse wanted
to buy all the wine in Vicksburg for me, for he knew I was a good
producer. After he had expended about $50 for wine, he invited me
to go down and see their rooms. He did not ask me to play. He
said, "Just come down, George, and see our new place." I went down
and took a survey of the house, and then I was introduced to the
faro-table, where "Aud" was doing the honors. They knew well I
could not see a bank in full blast without changing in. I told
"Aud" to give me $100 worth of checks and I would try my luck in
the new house. I got the checks, and they gave me a front seat so
that I could bet all over the lay-out if I so desired. On the
first deal I won out about $400. "Aud" shuffled up again with a
great deal of care, and I started in again. I played three deals,
and then looked up at Aud, saying, "This is too much of a see-saw,
and I guess I will quit, for I don't want to miss that boat." I
cashed in my checks, and I had won just $1,900. Some of the boys
laughed, but Jesse and Aud looked as sober as Mose Wilson used to
look when he was on the police bench saying "Thirty, fifty." The
Meader boys were game to the backbone, and although they could not
laugh with the other boys when I made my first play in their new
house, they did ask me to have some wine, and gave me a very pressing
invitation to come and see them again; for well they knew my luck
would change, and then they could laugh as heartily as any of the
boys. They were right, for if I had to-day the money I have lost
in Vicksburg alone, I could go into the furniture business and
carry as large a stock, on a cash basis, as any house in this
country. Bill and I caught the boat for New Orleans, and I was
$1,900 ahead. We made good money going down, but it was nearly
all deposited in the faro bank before we left the city.