Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-01-29

cut by his opponent had hurt him. I knew the
trick, and saw what the gambler did not see
He was sure that of the aces was at the
bottom of the pack, and that his opponent had
the other three with rar of queens, while
saw that IN cutting, the fourth ace was Lett upon
the top of the pack instead of upon the bot
tom.
Here's a thousand" said the younger of the
players promptly
Here's that and thousand better" was the
response.
g L see that and go a thousand better"
Here's that thousand and two thousand bet
ter SAID the hunter
The blackleg looked at his pile very anx-
iously. he counted ii and found Just a thousand
dollars. 1t was all he had His antagonist had
already won twelve thousand dollars from him
/ He looked at his cards once more and a look of
assurance and confidence dwelt upon his face
He looked next upon the pack, and he felt GER
tain that the fourth ace was there
Look ye" said he, f" [ have but a thousand
dollars in money, but I've another piece of prop
erty I'll put up for the extra thousand I've got
one of the handsomest gals We ever saw-young
pretty, and sound-onIy nineteen or twenty
yeas old"
That's poor property for me stranger"
Poor property Why bless your soul man.
/ paid nineteen hundred dollars for her this very
morning p
"This mornngf" replied the hunter with
slight start.
/ Yes, just above here, in Natchez here's the
bill of sale One gI1, Ianthe, nineteen hun
t dred-.''
/ :" Let's see. The hunter took the bill, and for
I a single instant | could oetect strange spark
| in his eve, and quivering of the neither lip;
but ii was gone the moment.
"AIake me out a bill of sale of your gall, he
said, and put it up with my thousand dollars,
and I'll put up nine hundred more. That's
fair thing. | can afford to lose it."
! A blank procured and the bill filled out
and duly signed, and at the hunters request
witnessed. The young man then placed it with
the money, and pushed the whole towards the
centre of the table.
| "There's your twenty nine hundred, and now
what have you so, -
aYou dealt yourself" remarked the hunter,
as he spread his cards out upon the table and
showed four aces! :" think the gal is mine"
:. Broke-dead !" gasped the gambler.
:" All gone asked the other.
Every pic"
Then take your thousand dollars back"
" Give me back the gal"
:. No sir r tlundered the stout man. As be
spoke he drew the bill of sale towards him and
clutched it nervously, and then pushed a thou
sand dollars towards his antagonist. Now
show me the gal
The young man led the way towards the for
ward part of the next deck, and having unlocked
the door of a low, narrow state room, he called
for its inmate to come out. | had followed them
up and watched with more than ordinary in
terest to the final of this curons transaction
A large lamp hung directly opposite the door
of the dingy room, and when the girl came out
| saw her face plainly. [ was startled, for |
think | never saw a more beautiful female She
was a quadroon, and not over twenty years of
age--of medium size with dark waving hair,
and a face as beautiful as human face could be.
Well Ianthe," said the young gamester
| q you're gone, I've sold ye."
The girl started and looked up. There was
frightened expression upon her face, and as
she saw how many Were gazing at her, the
rich blood mounted to her face, which had be-
fore been pale as death.
"You're my gal now" spoke the hunter.
She started again and looked into the faoe of
the speaker. and on the next moment both her
hands pressed hard eIon her brow.
9 Yours y she family gasped
:" Yes, you're mine and there Amt a power
this side of heaven that can tear you from me-
Keep still, now, and don't ye speak a word
not single word Go back now, and | II keep
your key myself"
As he spoke be pushed the girl into the room
again, and re-locked the door. Then be turned
away, and 1 was sure 1 saw big tear in his
eye
Half an hour afterwards the young gambler
was at the table with party of new players,
and before l turned in, he had ten thousand
dollars.
On the following morning the young man was
after the hunter the first thing-and when he
found him be proposed TO buy the girl back, but
the present owner refused.
III give you two thousand for her."
:" No. sir
twenty-five hundred"
~No"
Three thousand
Mark'ee,7 thundered the hunter, with a look
of fire all the money that foated on this
river wouldn't buy that gal !"
The blackleg cursed and swore, but it availed
him nothing An hour afterwards the beat was
alongside the pier at St. Francisyille, and took
my luggage aud went on shore, for here | was
; to remain on business a few days. [ went up
to the hotel, and after seeing 10 my luggage, and
booking my name, l went into one OF the par
lors and sat down. there was no one else there,
and for awhile busted myself in examining the
pictures about the room. | was looking at one
. which hung in a small recess where the chimney
!, stood out, when / heard some else enter, /
: turned and saw the stout hunter and quadroon,
but they did not see me.
: Now, Ianthe," spoke the man in tremulo,-s
voice. 1--WE are alone. Fear no more for you are
| mine now
I,s4 rTa beaytjfuI crrl fell