My friend thought he must help me, so he invited us to join him in another drink.
Old Jack said: "Wall, I don't care if I do."
After getting another dram into old Jack I asked him if he would show us the tickets. He said:
"Yes, but you mustn't spile 'em, fur I want to keep 'em perty till
I git out war pap lives."
He then pulled out a leather pouch, opened it, took out a handkerchief, unfolded it very carefully, and produced the three cards. My friend shrugged his shoulders and laughed. I asked old Jack to show us how he played the game, when he said:
"I can't show yer so good without a table."
I told him there was a nice table in the barber shop, and invited him to go back. He consented, so we were soon in the shop seated around the table, and Jack began to throw the cards. My friend was very attentive, for he was sure I would win the old fellow's money, and he did not want to miss any of the fun.
I told Jack I would bet him the drinks I could turn up the ticket with the boy on it.
He said: "Wall, look here. I've got the name of bein' the spunkyest fellar up at Greenups'. I never 'lowed any man to back me down fur a dram, or two drams, either."
He mixed them up; I turned the wrong card and lost. Then Jack laughed so loud and long that it attracted the attention of everybody that was awake on the boat, and quite a number of gentlemen came in to see the fun.