The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-23
B1DDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY, NAY ss, 1856.

for not letting the slaves 80, and her hus
band said: ,--.i... 20, .fr ... -. ~
"lt can't bo helped now. Mary, let .
20 to our room" . oi 1"oI -r
so, Misus, don't 60 and leab me vii
dat man." shrieked Helen; 81 shall die, q
jump overheard. o, don't you leab you
true Helen, who abed your lifo when yo'
fell In de byoo.'" -.
81 shall not leave you, Helen. Do no
be alarmed. Il"
Brcs dc Lord for dat" interrupte'
Helen az knows we're safenow; kase yo'
aller does jes' what you say you will" d
81 think It's about time this nonsens
was stopped" said the gamester, rising from
the table-"You acknowledge, Danton, tha
these negroes are my property; consequent
ly they are mine, and I have q right to d
what please with them no bill Of sale.
necessary between two gentlemen. Ant
now, you niggcrs just come along with me
and don't make fuss, or III have yo'
aogged and put in irons" .-.- y
The scene now became eItremely!eIciting
John drew Helen to his side, and clcnche'
his teeth and fists, while their young mis-
tress stood close in front, as IL with her fee
BILE arm she would protect them from tn
clutches Of the gamester. 1was wild will
excitement, and begged my father either L
buy the slaves or shoot the gamester-l di'
not care which.
A New Englandcr, who had been yer!
quiet during the whole trip, elbowed hi
way to the table, and asked the gamester q
whit snm he valued his slaues.
"Two thousand dollars" said hc"do yor
want to buy"
81 have only o thousand dollars," tn
young man answered; 81 will give you tha
for them."
"No, sir, but I'll stake 'em against
thousand dollars, and play you q game o
poker for the pile"
ii don't understand the game" said th'
New Englander.
"What game do you play?"
~ have played few games at all-fours
but never gamblcd for cent in my life.'
swell, Ill play you game at all.foun
then If you like, and stake the nigger'
against your thousand dollars"
To the surprise Of every one present, th'
young man accepted the challenge, called
for new pack of cards, staked his thousand
dollars, and the game commenced = the
nmester having the first deal.
As the company drew moro closely round
the table, 1t seemed as though watchma-
ker's shop were IN our midst, 30 distinctly
we heard the tick of the witches.
The FIRST hand the New Highlander made
three to the gamester's one, at which a buzz
of pleasure ran round the group. The 80.
cond hand the gamester three to his oppo'
nents 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 Highlander dealt the cards with
a steady hand, however, and turned up the
jack of hearts, which placed him even with
his antagonist, bnt when he raised his cards
saw that he had not single trump in his
hand, and his adversary was hesitating
whether to stand or beg; ifthe former, the
game was his to certainty; If the latter,
there would be another chance for the slaves.
After drumming on the back Of his cards
for short time, he looked at the New Eng
lander to see If he could determine by his
manner what It was best to do, but the
Young Bunker Hill met his galo without
ainchin, and there they sat for long time
gazing into each Others eyes.
"Run the cards." said tho gamester, ai
last. could have hugged him for his mis-
take ....
Bunker Hill again dealt, and the queen ol
spades was turned. Every heart stood still
a. the cards were for the last time lifted.
"They are mine!" shouted the New
Englandcr "or, rather, they are yours
madam, }" aid he, in milder tone, to Mrs
Danton, as he threw down the ace ofspadcs
The beautiful and impetuous Southror
threw her arms around the winners neck
and three deafening cheers Tin which ever
the stakeholder joined) told the satisfaction
of the audience. INK.
Many years after, I met the New Eng
lander in Mississippi, and claimed his &C
quaintancc, on the scorc Of having been ont
Of the most enthusiastic partizans on tn
night Of his well remembered triumph.
lie had prospercl in business and become
rich. He was making his annual pilgrimag'
to tho family hearthstone-a stone which
has most potent charms for good, than tha
at which kneel Mohamedan devotecs in th'
city Of their prophet. He said he had nevel
touched a card since that memorable gamo
that the thousand dollars he then riskcd wa
the sum total Of his savings for many toll
some years; but that he staked Il, ant
played the game with perfect conviction
of success.
Danton had sought him out and kept ul
the acquaintance ever since and Mrs. Dan
ton could now travel the world over will
her husband without fear, for he had for
sworn gambling from that never to be for
gotten night. .H.a ..i
.B.you. the name which southern negroes give 10 ~