Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-01-09

dat man, Ishrisked Helen; u shall die or
jump overheard. o. don't leab your own
true Helen who, saved your life when
you fell into the bsyou.'% sn ~
: I shall not leave you. Helen. Do not
be alarmed. L. Is. agilr.rs 8 g.
'Bress de Lord for dat.f interrupted
Helen; i know We are safe now; kase
you alters does just what you says you
will l.
L think it is about time this nonsense
was stopped said, the gamester. rising
from the table you acknowledge. Dan
ton. that these negroes are my property );
consequently they are mine, I've a right
to do what please with them; no bill of
sale between gentlemen. And now, you
niggers. come along with me. and don't
make fuss. or I'll have you whipped
aud put in irons ~.
The scene now became extremely ex.
citing. John drew Helen to his side aud
clenched his fists, while their young mis-
tress stood close in front. as il, with her
feeble arms she could protect them from
the clutches ofthe gamester. was wild
with excitement. and begged my father
W SAI kAV oAaNCo VI SuOOb bu0
gamester-I did not care which. A
bloody fight seemed inevitable, when q
New Highlander, who had been very qui-
ct during the whole trip, elbowed his
way to the table and asked at what sum
he valued his slaves.
Two thousand dollars said he; do
you want to buy?'
L have only thousand dollars said
the young man; ! will give you that for
them
No, sir, but III stake 'em against a
thousand dollars. and play you a game
of poker for the pile
i don't understand the game said
the New Englsnder.
What game do you play 9
L have played few games at all fours,
but never gambled for a cent in all my
life.'
We'll. I'll play you game at all fours
then. if you like, and stake the uiggers
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
thousand dollars. and the game commen
ced-the gamesler having the first deal.
AS the company drew more closely
around the table. it seemed as though a
wstch-maker's shop were in our midst,
so distinctly we heard the tick OF the
watches.
The FIRST hand the New Highlander
made three to the gamester's one. at
which buzz of pleasure ran round the
group. The second the gamester made
three to his opponents nothing. the third
hand they each made two, which left the
New Highlander two to 60, while the
gamesler had but one TO make, and it !
was his turn to beg. This was a great
advantage. and every body seemed TO
give up the thousand dollars as lost.
The New Highlander dealt the cards,
however. with steady hand, 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 10 his hand. and his adver-
sary to stand or beg ii the former,
the game was his to a certainty; if the |
latter, there would be another chance for
the slaves. After drumming on the
backs Of his cards for a short time, he
looked at the face Of the New Highlander
to see If he could determine by his man.
ner what it was best TO do, but the young
Bunker Hill met his gaze without finch
ing. and there they sat for long time.
gazing into each others eyes.
Run the cards. said the gamester at
last. 1 could have hugged him for mis-
take.
Bunker Hill dealt again. and the queen
of spades was turned. Every heart stood
still as the cards were for the last time
lifted.
They are mine J. shouted the New
or rather they are yours,
Mad am said he in a milder tone, to Mrs. |
Dantou, as he threw down the ace OF
spades.
The beautiful, impetuous Southern
threw her arms around the winners neck.
and three deafening cheers Tin which
even the slave dealer joined) told the sat
of the audience.
Many years after. met the New Eng
lander in Mississippi, aud claimed his &C.
quaintance on the score of having been
one of the most enthusiastic partizans on
the night of the we'll remembered tri-
umph. He had prospered in business
and become rich. He was making his
annual visit to his hearth stone-a stone
which has more potent charms for good
than that at which kneel Mohammedun
devotees in the city of their prophet
lie said he had never touched q card
since that memorable game; that the
thousand that he then risked was the to.
TAI OF his savings for many toilsome wears
OUT mat he staked it, aud play ed the
game with the conviction Of success.
Danton had sought him out, and kept
me acquaintance ever since, and Mrs.
DAntOn could now travel the World nun.