Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-05-23
THE GAME AT CARDS.
A SCENE ny THE MISSISSIPPI.

s'er, striking his FIST upon the table; s'silow
| 'em up, and let US see what they look
like 2
The young planter, who had lost, sent
one Of the boat servants below for John and
Helen. The passengers awaited the APP
pearance Of the slaves in silence, for a long
! time; but they came not. The servant had
Informed them Of the change of owners
They were attached to tie young planter
and wife, and did not Ike to leave them;
beside, they had children of their own al
home; aud what was to become Of then,e
4 The winner began to wax impatient at
4 the delay, and exclaimed
''Gome, Danton; hurry up the tliggers.--
They must move quicker than this when
send for 'em or they'll never know what
burt 'em
/ The young planters arisfocratic face fur
ished crimson at this rude aud brutal ex-
clamation, but he made no reply. He was
about tp send another servant for John aud
Helen, when his purpose was stayed BY the
! appearance of Mrs. Danton. Her basband
bad been gaming, and she had been weep
ing ever since the boat left 9 ncinnat: aud
we were now far down the Mississippi. No
woEder, then, that she was pale and wan,
and that her eyes looked as though they
had been nearly wept away; but she was
made exquisitely lovely nevertheless.
/ Although many years have passed since
that evening, can see the sorrow-stIieken
young wife, as she glided up 10 the table
and looked her husband in the face. lie
could not bear up under her gaze. lie had
lost all their money, and in Gt Of desrer-
alton had also staked and lost the two
slaves. Laying her little hand on his arm
She said.
i SIS it true, Charles, that yen have lost
John and Helenf''
Her husband made no reply; BE could not
4 loot mp
The passengers were DOW fast gasIleriug
round, and the scene was growing painful.
My father, twho had come north to fetch
me from school, and was taking the longest
possible way home, was holding nie by the
hand, and knew by the lightning of his
grasp, that be was becoming much ex-
city.
As Danton did not seem inclined to an
! swer his wife's question, the ganiester rough
ily said,
"Ycs, ma am. Jchh ana Helen are nine
-and want to see 'cm quicS.
Danton sprang 10 his feet, aud stooping
across tile table, Kissed in the teeth ofthe
gamester.
4y7illain. don't you presume TO speak to
my wife again.''
| The look with which this menace was ac-
companied was perfectly blasting, and made
the swarthy and pitted face of the ganester
fairly turn white.
How inconsistent is mani That accom-
plished and high born husband could de-
liberately jecpardize the property and cor
/ rode The happiness Of bis wife, hour after
hour, day after day, and year after year.
but he could not bear that the man whom
he had chosen for companion should even
| so much as to speak to her.
"Yes, Mary; John aud Helen are lost"
he said at last, as he let the gamester from
under his gaze; they are lost, and it can't
be helped now, SO don't let Us have scene
about it.
81 shall not let them co." sad Mary
firmly, s'andI shall have scene about it.
did not say word about the money. but
now thatyou have played them away
Oh, Cbarlie.' and she leaned her head on
her husbands breast
"Ah' here they come" said the games
ter, as John and Helen approached.
John was a powerful and fne looking
mulatto; his face Indicating unusual intelli-
gence and kind-heartedness Helen was
| much whiter than her husband, and renar-
kably handsome. The gamester's evil eyes
cleaned as be surveyed her, and turning
TO savage looking man near him, said.
"I'll sell you John IN the morning, Ham,
mond- but Helen | shall kcep--at least for
few days"
elm agreeable said the slave trader,
for such he was, but I'd like the gal as soon
as possible"
A look ofindignation ran round the group
at this brutal colloquy. My fathers grasp
grew tighter still; and encouraged thereby
! whispered to him to buy John and Helen
himself; but he shook his bead and motion-
ed me to keep silent.
81 tell you shall not let them Co." re-
peated Mrs. Danton, addressing the stran-
ger: "They were brought up in my moth
er's family; besides, they have children at