Litchfield enquirer., 1857-06-11
An Exciting Game.
A MISSISSIPPI STORY,

The young planter who had lost, sert enc Of
the boat servants below for John and Helen.
The passengers awaited the appearance of the
servants in silence for long time but they
came not The servant had informed them of
the change of owners. They were attached to
the young planter and his wife, and did not
like to leave them but they had children Of
their own at home, and what was to become of
them
The winner began to wax impatient at the
delay, and exclaimed .....
"Come, Danton, hurry up the niggers
They'll move quicker than this when / send for
'em, or they'll never know what hurt 'em"
| The young planters aristocratic face flushed
crimson at this rude and brutal exclamation,
but he made no reply He was about to send
another servant for John and Helen, when his
purpose was stayed by the appearance OF Mrs
Danton. Her husband had been gaming, and
she had been weeping ever since the boat left
Cincinnati and we were now far down the
Mississippi No wonder then that she was
pale and wan, and that her eyes looked as if
they had been nearly wept away but she was
exquisitely lovely, nevertheless.
| Although many years have passed since
that evening, l can see the sorrow-stricken
|
and looked her husband in the face He could
his money, and in fit of desperation had also
staked and lost the last two slaves. Laying
her hand on his arm, she said
"Is it true, Charles, that you have lost John
and Helen ?"
Her husband made no reply he could not
even look up.
The passengers were now fast gathering
round, and the scene was growing painful. My
father, (who had come North to fetch me from
school, and was taking the longest way home)
was holding me by the hand, and l knew by
tie Tightening Of his grasp, that he was be-
coming much excited.
AS Danton did not seem inclined to answer
his wife's question, the gambler said roughly
Yes, ma'am, John and Helen are mine
and | want to see 'em quick"
Danton sprang to his feet and STOPPING across
the table, Kissed in the teeth Of the gamester-
"Villain don't you presume to speak to
my wife again"
The look with which the menace was &C
companied was perfectly blasting, and made
the swarthy and pittcd face of the gamester
fairly turn white.
How inconsistent is man That accom-
plished and high-born husband could delibe-
'ately jeopardize the property and corrode the
happiness of his wife, hour after hour, day af-
ter day, and year after year, but he could not
bear that the man whom he had chosen for
companion should so much as speak to her
Yes Mary, John and Helen are lost" he
said at last as he let the gamester from his
gaze, they are lost, and it can't be helped
now SO don't let us have a scene about it."
| 81 shall not let them 60" said Mary firmly
&C and l shall have a scene about it. l did not
say word about the money, but now that
you have played them away-O Charlie "
and she leaned her head upon her husbands
breast
"Ah, here they come " said the gamester
as John and Helen approached
John was a powerful and fine looking mu-
latto; his face indicating unusual intelligence
| and kndheartedness Helen was much winter
| than her husband, and remarkably handsome.
The gamesters evil eye cleaned as he surveyed
her, and turning to strengthening man near
him, said
EN- sell you John in the morning, Ham
mond, but Helen shall keep-at least few
days"
"Tm agreeable" said the slave-trader, for
such he was, "but I'd like the gal as soon as
possible"
A look of indignation ran around the group
at this brutal coloquy. My fathers grasp
grew tighter still and encouraged thereby, l
whispered to him to buy John and Helen him
self but he shock his head and motioned me
to keep silent.
81 tell you I shall not let them Co." re-
pcated Mrs Danton, addressing the stranger.
They were brought up in my mothers fam
lily ; besides they have children at home, from
whom it would be cruel to separate Them
The gamester and slavedealer exchanged
sneers at Mrs. Danton's sentimental reasons
for not letting the slaves go, but her husband
said
I" 1t can't be helped now, Mary, let us 60 to
orr ROOM"
40, Missus, don't go and leah me wild dat
man." shrieked Helen 81 shall die or jump
overheard o don't leab your own true Hell
Ell, who sahed your life when you fell in de
bayou"
II shall not leave you, Helen do not be
Dress de Lord for dat" interrupted Helen
II know we're safe now ; kase you alters does
jus whatever you say you will"
{" l think it is about time this nonsense was
stopped" said the gamester rising from the ia
BILE. " You acknowledge, Danton, that these
negroes are my property (; consequently they
are mine. and I've right to do what please
with them no bill Of sale is necessary among
Il two gentlemen. And now, you niggers, come
along with me, and don't make FUSS or Ill
have you both fogged and put in irons.o
Inc scene now became extremely exciting
John drew Helen to his side, aud clenched his
fists. while their young mistress stood close n
front, as il, with her feeble arm she could pro