Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-05-29

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Charlie" and she leaned her head on her
husbands breast.
"Ah. here they comer' said the gamester
as John and Helen appeared.
John was a powerful and fine looking null
latto; his face indicating unusual intelligence
and kind nd-heartedness. Helen was much
whittier than her husband and rem ,rkably
handsome. The gamester's evil eye CLEANED
as he surveyed her, and turning to savage
Hooking man near him, he said:
"Ill sell you John in the morning, Ham
mond; but Helen | shall keep-at least for
two or three days"
"Pm very agreeable" said the slave trader,
for such he was; "but I'D like the gal as
soon as possible
A look of Indignation ran through 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 head and
motioned me to keep silent.
81 tell you shal'not let them go,'' re-
peated Mrs. Danton, addressing the stranger.
"They were brought up in my mothers
family; besides they have children at home,
from which it would be cruel to separate
Them
The gamester and the slave dealer ex-
changed sneers at Mrs. Dantpn's senti-
mental reasons for not letting the slaves go,
AID then her husband said:
at can't be helped now, Mary, let US go
to our room''
90, Mis-as. don't 60 and leab me wild dat
man. shrieked Helen; 81 shall die or jump
overheard. o, don't leab your own true
Helen, who saved your life when you fell
into the byoo."
81 shall not leave you, Helen. Do you
not be alarmed. -
"Bress de lord for dat,' interrupted Helen;
81 knows we're safe now, kase you alters
does jes' what you say you will"
al think it is about time this nonsense
was stopped said the gamester rising from
his seat.
"You acknowledge, Danton, that these
niggers are my property; consequently they
are mine, and I've a right TO do what |
please with them; no bill of sale is neces-
niegers, just come along with me and don't
make fuss, or III have you aogged and put
in irons"
The scene was now extremely exciting.
John drew Helen to his side, and clenched
his teeth and fists, while their young mis-
tress stood close in front, as if with her
feeble arm she would protect them from the
clutches of the gamester. A bloody fight
seemed inevitable, when young New Eng
lander who had been very quiet during the
whole trip, elbowed his way to the table,
and asked the gambler at what sum he valued
his slaves.
"Two thousand dollars" said he, "do you
want to buy!"
81 have only one thousand dollars" au-
swered the young man, 81 will give you thet
for them"
"No, sir, but I'll stake 'em against a
thousand dollars, and play you game Of
poker for the pile"
81 dent understand the game" said the
New Englander.
'What game do you playl"
81 have played a few games at all fours,
but never gnmbled for cent in my life.''
"Well, I'll play rOu game at all fours
then, if you like, and stake the niggefs
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 Il ousand
dollars, and the game commence d-the |
gamester having the first deal.
As the company drew more closely round |
the table, it seemed as though watch
makers shop was in our midst, SO distinctly
we heard the tick of the watches.
The first hand the New Englander made
three TO the gamester's one. at which a buzz
of pleasure ran through the crowd. The |
second hand the gamester made three to his
opponents nothing; the third hand they each
made two, which left the New Eng lander
two to go, while the gamester had but one
to make. and it was his turn to beg. This
was great advantage, and every one SEEM
ed to give up the thousand dollars for lost.
The New Englander dealt the cards with
steady hand, however, and turned up the
jack OF hearts, which placed him even with
his antagonist, but when he raised his cards
l saw that he had not a single trump in his
hand, and his adversary was hesitating
whether to stand or beg; if the former, the
game was his to certainty; if the latter.
there would be another chance tor the slaves.
After drumming on the back of his cards for
short time, he looked at the New England
er to see If he could determine by his man.
ner what it was bestato do; but the young
Bunker Hill met his gaze without flinching,
and there they sat Ior long time, gazing
into each others eyes.
"Run the cards." said the gamester at
last. ] could have Rugged him FOR his mis-
take.
Bunker Hill again dealt, and the queen
of spades was turned. Every heart stood
stood still as the cards were for the last time
lifted.
"They are mine!" said the New England
er; cor rather they are yours, madam said
he, in milder tone, to Mrs. Danton, as he
threw down the ace of spades.
The beautiful and impetuous Southron
threw her arms around the winners neck,
and three deafening cheers (in which even
The STAKEHOLDER joined) told the satisfaction
of the group.
Many years after met the New England
er in Mississippi, and claimed his acquaint-
ance, on the score of having been one of the
most enthusiastic partizans on the night of
his well-remembered triumph.
He had prospered in business and become
to the family hearthstone--a stone which
has more potent charms for good than that
at which kneel Mahomedan deyotees in the
city of their prophet. He said he had never
touched card since that memorable game;
that the thousand dollars he had then risked
was the sum total of his savings for many
toilsome years, but thai he staked 1t and
, played the game with the perfect conviction
? of success.
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