I replied, "I was up late last night playing poker with Hardy and the Canton boys, and overslept myself; but what in the d—-l have you been doing with yourself? for I walked down to the depot to find you, for I knew you would not go out without me."
"Well, George, I did go up about six miles, but could not find you on the train, so I got off and walked back."
"The h—l you did!" says I.
"Yes, George, I went up, and if you had been with me, we would have made over $3,000, for the train was full of the best suckers I ever saw."
"I'm d——d sorry, but I wanted to entertain my old friend Hardy, and that's what I get for neglecting business."
Bill then said, "George, we got $1,700 out of the trip, anyway, and here is your half."
I laughed, and told Bill he had done well to make so much, and walk six miles before breakfast. He did not need to tell me of his winnings, for I could hardly believe him when he did; but the "bull- driver" racket at the mouth of Red River had taught him a good lesson, and I believe did him good; at least it did me to the amount of $850—before breakfast.
FOOT RACE.
One day, after Bill and I had worked the morning train on the Jackson Road with that degree of success which was warranted by our prudence and perseverance, we took an afternoon train into the city, and as I was glancing through the cars I spied both of the superintendents aboard, so of course I made up my mind that there would be no playing on that train. To make the matter doubly sure, one of them came to me and said, "George, do not play any on our trains."
"Certainly not, gentlemen, and you can rest assured of that" (while you are aboard), I said to myself.