The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-10-14

they are mine, and I've right to do as
please with 'em; no bill of sale is necesa-
ry between gentlemen. And now just
come along with me, and don't make a
fuss, or I'll have you fogged and put in
irons"
The scene now became extremely inte-
resting. John drew Helen to his side, and
clenched his teeth and fists, while their
young mistress stood close in font, as if
with her feeble arm she would protect
them from the clutches of the gamoster.
l was wild with excitement, and begged
my father to buy the slaves or shoot the
gamester-I did not care which. A
bloody fight seemed inevitable, when a
New Highlander, who had been very quiet
during the whole TRIP, elbowed his way
to the table. and asked the gamester at
what sum he valued the slaves.
1.-TWO thousand dallars," he said; 'do
you want to buy?"
81 have only q thousand dollars" tho
young man answered, an give that for
Them"
"No sir; but Til stake 'em against your
thousand dollars and play yon game of
poker for the pile"
81 don't understand the game" said the
New Englander,
"What game do you play?"
81 have played few games of all
fours."
"At all fours, then, if you ike, / will
stake the niggers against your thousand
dollars"
To the surprise of every one present, he
accepted the challenge, called for pack
of cards, staked his thousand dollars, and
the game commenced. The gambler had
the first deal.
As the company drew more closely
around the table, it seemed as though a
watchmakers shop was in our midst, so
distinctly we heard the ticking of our
watches.
The first time the New Englander made
three to the gamester's one, at which a
buzz of pleasure ran through the group.
The second hand the gamester made three
and his opponent nothing the third they
each made two, VIII, left the New Eng
lander two to go whiltl the gamester had
but one, and it was his time to beg. This
was great advantage, and everybody
seemed to giHe.up the thousand dollars as
lost.
The New Highlander dealt the cards
with steady hand, however, and turned
the jack of hearts, which placed him
en with his antagonist; but when he
raised his cards, saw he had but a single
trump in his hand, and his adversary was
hesitating whether to "stand' or beg"
Ii tho f2fmor the game w&s lis 10 Ger
ta:nty-if the latter, there would be al
other chance for the slaves. After drum
ming on the beck of his cards for short
TIM, he looked at the New Englander to
see if he could determine what was best
to do; but the young Bunker Hill met
his gaze without flinching, and there they
sat for long time gazing into each others
eyes.
'.Run the cards, said the gambler at
last. | could lase Rugged him for his
mistake.
Bunker Hill again dealt, and the queen
of Spades was turned. Every heart
sto ID still as the cards were for the last
tim, lifted.
"They are minew shouted the New
Enclander - "rather they are yours,
madam" said he in milder tone, to Mrs
Danton, as he threw down the ace of
spades.
The beauteous aud impetuous South
ern threw her arms around the winners
neck. and three deafening cheers, Tin
which even the Shareholder joined
told the satisfaction of the whole audience.
Many years after, again met the New
Highlander on the Mississippi, and claimed
his acquaintance, on the score OF having
been one of the most enthusiastic parti-
Fans, on the night Of his well remember
ed triumph. He had prospered in bust
ness and was on bis annual journey to the
family hearth-stone "a stone which has
more potent charms for good than that
at which kneel Mohammedan devotees in
the city of their prophet. He said he had
never touched card since that memora-
bic game; that the thousand dollars then
risked was the sum total of his savings for
many toilsome years, but he staked it and
played with a perfect conviction OF sue
cess.
Danton had sought him out, and kept
up the acquaintance ever since; and Mrs.
Danton could travel the world with her
husband without fear, for he had fore
sworn gaming from that never-to-be-for-
NIGHT