Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-08-30
mester and sIaye-dealer excbanoed

sneers at Mrs. Danton's sentimental reasons
for not letting the slaves go, but her husband
said -
1t can't be helped now, Mary, let US go
to our room"
90, Mssus, don't go and leab me wild dat
man." shrieked Helen; Il shall die or jump
overheard o, don't leab your own true
Helen, who sabed your life when you fel in
de byoo,"*
/ shall not leave you Helen. Do not be
alarmed, ="
Bress de Lord for dat" interrupted Hell
en-; know we're safe now; kase you alters
does jus what says you will"
II think its about time this nonsense was
stopped, said the gamester rising from the
table" You acknowledge, Danton that
these negroes are my property; consequently
they are mine, and Pve a right to do what i
please with them; no bill of sale is necessary
between two gentleman. And now, you mig
gers, come along with me, and don't make
fuss, or I'll have you logged and put in
irons
The scene now became extremely exciting.
John drew Helen to his side, and cenched
his fists, while their young mistress stood close
in front, as if, with her feeble arm, she could
protect them from the clutches of the game
ster. was wild with excitement, and begg-
ed my father either to buy the slaves or shoot
the gamester-I did not care which A
bloody fight seemed inevitable, when a young
New Englander, who had been very quiet
during the whole trip elbowed his way to
the table, and asked at what sum he valued
his slaves.
1.-TWO thousand dollars" said he; do you
want to buyp
II have only Thousand dollars" the
young man answered; will give you that
for them"
"No, sir, but I'll stake 'em against thou
sand dollars, and play you game of poker
for the pile"
Il don't understand the game" said the
New Englander
What game do you play?" .
have played few games at all-fours,
but never gambled for cent in my fe"
"Well, I'll play you a game at all fours,
then, if yon like, and stake the niggers against
your thousand dollars"
To the surprise of every one present. the
young man accepted the challenge, called for
new pack of cards, staked his thousand
dollars, and the game commenced-t game
ster having the first deal
As the company drew more closely around
the table, it seemed as though watchmaker's
shop were in our midst so distinctly we heard
the tick of the watches.
The first hand the New Engander made
three to the gamester's one, at which buzz
Of pleasure ran round the group, The second
hand the gamester made three to his oppo-
nent's nothing; the third hand they each
made two which left the New Englander two
to go, while the gamester had but one to
make, and it was his turn to beg This was
a great advantage, and everybody seemed to
give up the thousand dollars as lost.
The New Englander dealt the cards with
a steady hand however, and turned up the
jack of hearts, which placed him even with
his antagonist, but when he raised his cards
| saw that he had not a single trump in his
hand, and his adversary to stand or beg ,
if the former, the game was his to a certainty
if the latter there would be another chance
for the slaves. After drumming on the back
of his cards for a short time he looked al
the New Englander to see if he could deter.
mine by his manner what Il was best to do,
but the Young Bunker Hill met his gaze with.
ont finching, and there they sat for long
time gazing into each others eyes.
Run the cards" said the CANISTER, at last
could have Rugged him for his mistake
Bunker Hill again dealt and the queen Of
spades was turned. Every heart stood still
as the cards were for the last time lifted
"They are mne" shouted the New Eng
lander; "or rather. they are yours, Madam,
said he in milder tone, to Mrs. Danton, a:
he threw down the ace of spades.
/ The beautiful mpetuous Southron threw
her arms around the winners neck, and thre,
deafening cheers Gin which even the slave
dealer joined) told the satisfaction of the au
dience,
Many years after ! met the New England
er in Mississippi and claimed his acquaint
ance, on the score of having been one of hi
most enthusiastic partizans on the night O
the well remembered triumph. He had pros
pered in business and become rich. He wa
making his annual visit to the hearth-stone-
stone which has more potent charms 70
good than that at which kneel Mohammedal
devotees in the city Of their prophet. III
said he had never touched a card since tina
memorable game: that the thousand dollar
that he had risked was the sum total of hi
savings for many toilsome years; but that h
staked it. and played the game with perfec
conviction of success
Danton had sought him out, and kept th'
acquaintance ever since, and Mrs. DantoI
could now travel the world over with he
husband without fear, for he had forsworl