Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-08-30
A MISSISSIPPI STORY.
THE CANE FOR LIFE.

"The darkies are mine," said the game
ster, striking his fist upon the table, "show
em up, and let us see what they look like"
The young planter who had lost, sent one
of the boat servants below for John and Hell
en-. The passengers awaited the appearance
of the servants in silence, for long time, but
they came not The servants had informed
them of the change Of owners. They were
attached to the young planter and wife, and
did not like to leave them, but they had chill
dren of their own at home, and what was to
become of them?
The winner began to wax inpatient at the
delay, and exclaimed
"Come, Danton, hurry up the niggers.-
They must move quicker than this when |
send for 'em or they'll never know what hurt
em.n
The young planters aristocratic face flush
ed crimson at this rude and brutal exclama-
ton, but he made no reply. He was about
to send another servant for John and Helen
when his purpose was stayed by the appear
ance of Mrs. Danton. Her husband had been
gaming, and she had been weeping ever since
the boat left CINCINNATI, and we were now
far down the Mississippi. No wonder that
she was pale and wan, and that her eyes look
ed as though they had been nearly wept away,
but she was exquisitey lovely nevertheless.
Although many years have passed since
that evening, | can see the sorrow-strcken
young wife now as she glided up to the table
and looked her husband in the face. He
could not bear up under her gaze. He had
lost all his money, and in fit of desperation
ha1 -. rnl nj fha 10 4xr.. 81
sis it true that You have lost John and
Helen?" q
Her husband made no reply; he could not
even look up.
The passengers were now fast gathering
round and the scene was growing painful
Ny father (who had came North to fetch
me from school, and was taking the longest
possible way home, was holding me by the
hand, and knew by the tightening of his
grasp, that he was becoming much excited
AS Danton did not seem inclined to an
swer his wife's question, the gamester roughly
said
Yes, ma'am, John and Helen are mine
and | want to see 'em quick"
Danton sprang to his feet, and stoopne
across the table, Kissed in the teeth of the
gamester:-
William don't You presume TO speak to
my wife again"
The look with which the menace was &C
companied was perfectly blasting, and made
the swarthy and pitted face of the gamestel
fairly turn white.
How inconsistent is man! That accom-
plished and high-born husband could delber
ately ieopardse the property and corrode tn,
happiness of his wife, hour after hour, day
after day, and year after year, but he coult
not bear that the man whom he had choseI
for companion should even so much al
speak to her.
Eyes Mary, John and Helen are lost,
he said at last, as he let the gamester iron
his gaze; they are lost, and it can't b.
helped now; so don't let us have scent
about it."
"I shall not let them CO." said Mary firm
| w. land shall have a scene about it.
did not say word about the money, but now
that you have played them away-Oh
Charlie!n and she leaned her head on her hus
bands breast.
"Ahl here they comel" said the gamester
as John and Helen approached
John was powerful anu me looking mu
lstto; his face indicating unusual intellgenc,
and kind heartedness. Helen was much viii
ter than her husband, and remarkably hand
some. The gamesters evil eyes CLEANED a
he surveyed her, and turning to a savage
looking man near him he said:-
"Pl sell you John in the morning, Ham
mond, but Helen | shall keep-at least fey
days.
"I'm agreeable" said the slave-trader 70
such he was, "but I'd like the gal as soon
possible"
A look of indignation ran around tn
group at this brutal colloquy. My father
grasp grew tighter still; and encourage
thereby, whispered to him to buy John an
Helen himself; but he shook his head an
motioned me to keep silent.
II tell you shall not let them go,D r,
peated Mrs. Danton, addressing the stranger
"They were brought up in my fathers fan
lily; besides. they have children at hom'
from whom Il would be cruel 10 separat
> them