The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-23
The Game at Cards.

1
The Game at Cards.
"Thc darkies are mine," aid the game
ster, striking his fist upon the table; "shov
'em up, and let US see what they look like.
The young planter, who had lost, sen
one of the boat servants below for John ant
Helen. The passengers awaited the appear
ance of the servant in silence, for lonl
time; but they came not.
The servant had informed them Of th'
change of owners, and they dreaded to se'
their new owner. They were attached t
the young planter and wife, and did no
like to leave them besides they had children
of their own at home; and what was to be
come of them? .......
The winner began to wax inpatient a
the delay, and exclaimed:
"Comc, Danton; hurry up the niggers
They must move quicker than this, when
send for 'em, or they'll never know wha
! hurt 'em.'' .....
Tho young planters aristocmtic fac'
flushed crimson at this rude and brutal ex
clamation, but he made no reply. He wal
about to send another servant for John ant
Helen, when his purpose was stayed by tht
appearance of Mrs. Danton.
Her husband had been gaming, and sht
had been weeping ever since the boat left Gin
cinnati and we were now far down the
Mississippi. No wonder, then, that she
was pale and wan, and that her eyes looked
as though they had been nearly wept away
but she was czquisitely lovely, nevertheless
Although many years have passed sinct
that evening, can see the sorrow stricken
young wife now, as she glided up to tht
table and looked her husband in the face
He could not bear up under her gaze. HI
had lost all their money, and in ft Of des
peration had also staked and lost the two
slaves. Laying her little hand on his arm
she sand:
"Is it true, Charles, that you have los,
John and Helcn?"
Her husband made no reply; he could
not even look up.
The passengers were now fast gathering
around, and the scene was growing painful
My father (who had come North to fetch me
from school, and was taking the longest pos
sible way homc,) was holding me by the
hand, and l knew by the tightening of hi
grasp, that he was becoming much excited
As Danton did not seem inclined to an
swer his wife'sq question, the gamester rough
ly said:
eyes mn 'am, John and Helen are minc
and want to SEQ 'em quick
Danton sprang to his feet, and STOPPING
across tho table, Kissed in the teeth of tht
gamester:
"Villain don't you presume to speak te
my wife again.
The look with which this menace was &C
complished was perfectly blasting, and made
the swarthy and pitted face of the gamcstel
fairly turn white.
How inconsistent is man? That accom-
plishcd and high born husband could delib
erately jeapordise the property and corrod'
the happiness of his wife, hour after hour
day after day, and year after year, but HI
could not bear that the man whom he hat
chosen for companion, should even *
much as speak to her.
"Yes, Mary; John and Helen are lost
he said at last, as he let the gamestcr from
under his gaze ;-'they are lost, andit can
be helped now 30 don't let us have q sccn'
about It,"
IL shall not let them go" said Mary firm
lly, sand | shall have scene about 1t.
did not say word about the money; bu
now that you have played them away
Oh, Charlie!' and she leaned her hoat
on her husbands breast.
'"Ah! here they come !" said the game
stcr, as John aud Helen approached. ..r
John was powerful and fine lookin,
mulatto; and his face indicating unusua
intelligence and kind hcartcdness. Heller
was much whittier than her husband, and re
markably handsome.
The gamcster's evil eyes cleaned as b
surveyed her, and turning to savagc look
ing man near him, he said:
"I'll sell John to you in the morning
Hammond, but Helen I shall kcep-at leas
for few days"
!. I'm agreeable" said the slave trader
for such he was; "but I'd like the gal
soon as possible" a. ar lrsl ..
A look of indignation ran round the grou
at this brutal colloquy. Ny fathers gras
grew tighter still and encouraged thereby
whispered to him to buy John and Hele
himself; but he shook his head, and me
toned mo to keep silent.
~ tell you I shall not let thom so,' II
pcatcd Mn. Danton, addressing the stni
ger "ihcy were brought up in my mother
family besides they have children 1t hom'
!, from whom It would be cruel to sepan'
them" -ui 50. lfa .l.-sl l.eo.s
. The gsnsster and slave dealer ezchang'
4 ,,sor, A. Mr.. Dsutou's sentimental reasor