Tripp and I were playing the trains on the Missouri Pacific Railroad
at one time. We had been out on the road, and were on our way back
to St. Louis, and had got away with all the suckers on the train.
I was enjoying a smoke in the sleeper, when a nice looking gentleman
came in. I offered him a cigar, telling him I was in the tobacco
business at New Orleans. We talked cigars, tobacco, etc. I learned
he was a United States detective from Arkansas, on his way to
Washington City. While we were talking and smoking, in came Tripp
dressed up like a cow-boy. He told his story, and finally caught
the fellow for $1,000. The detective did not do any kicking until
we got to St. Louis, then he went to the chief of detectives, who
was at that time a Mr. Horrigan. He told the chief how we had
robbed him, and wanted us arrested. Mr. Horrigan was a sensible
man, and knew that the sucker expected to win our money, or he
would not have lost his. So he told him that his experience was
worth what he had lost, and that he had no time to hunt up gamblers.
The detective went on to Washington City a sadder but a wiser man.
I always enjoyed taking in detectives, for they think themselves
too smart to be caught. They are but human, and like other mortals
can be landed for suckers if the bait is good and nicely handled.
At another time on the same road we met a new conductor, or at
least we supposed he was a new one, as he did not know us, or we
him. When we started to play our game he broke back to the sleeper,
and I found out from the porter that he went to the superintendent
and told him here was a lot of gamblers in the smoker, and asked
him what he should do. The superintendent was something like Mr.
Horrigan, the Chief of Detectives of St. Louis, for he told the
conductor to look after his train and let the gamblers look after
the suckers, as he did not care if they lost all their money, for
they would not bet if they did not expect to win. I inquired the
name of the superintendent, for I thought he must be a brother of
Mr. Horrigan, but his name was different. We downed several fellows.
The conductor looked on, but did not say a word. I learned that
he was a freight conductor, and had never run a passenger train
before, so I excused him for wanting to interfere; and as I had
now a few good watches, I let him have one very cheap, and he
appreciated my kindness. Speaking of watches, I had orders from
a great many persons to win them certain kinds of watches. So when
I got one to suit the order I would take it to my customer in place
of the pawn shops. My old friend, Simon McCarthy, of Indianapolis,
had given me an order to win him a good watch. So one day, going
into the city, I downed a gentleman for some money and his watch.
When I got to Indianapolis I went to see Simon, and told him I had
a watch I thought would suit him. He looked at it, and when he
opened the back case he threw up both hands and said:
"Why, George, this is our Mayor's watch. Where did you get it?"
I told him I won it coming in on the train, and described the man.
He told me it was the Mayor, and advised me to return it to him.
I learned where he lived, went to his house, rang the bell, and
asked to see the Mayor. He came out to the door, and I handed him
his ticker. He asked me to come in, and told me to say nothing
about it, and if he could ever do me a favor he would do so. I
did a good thing for myself that night, for it was but a short time
after that until I was arrested and taken before his Honor. He
let me off with a big fine, and after my prosecutors were gone he
remitted the fine, and we then had a drink together. I wanted to
return what little money I had won from him, but he would not
receive it, saying it was well invested.