Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-01-09
A MISSIsSIPPI STORY.
The Game for Life.

The darkies are mine said the game
StsH striking his tist upon the table.
show 'em up, and let US sec what they
look like
The young planter who had lost, sent
ono 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 wife, and did not wart
to leave them: but they had children Of
come Of them
The winner began to wax impatient at
4lse delay, and exclaimed:
Come. DAnton, hurry up the niggers.
They must move quicker than this when
send for 'em, or they'll never know
wilt hurt 'em.'
The young planters ariStocratic face
Aushed crimson at this rude and brutal
exclamation. but he made no reply. He
was about to sead another servant for
John and Helen when his purpose was
stayed by the appearance Of Mrs. Dan!on.
Her husband had been gaming. and she
had been weeping ever since the boat had
left Cincinnati, aud we were now far down
the Mississippi. No wonder. then. that
she WAS pale and wan, and that her eyes
looked as thoush they had been nearly
Wept away: but she was exquisiIely love-
]y, nevertheless.
Although mAny year& have passed
since that evening. eau ace the sorrow
stricken young wife now as she glided up
to the table and looked he!- husband III
the face. He could not bear up under
her gaze. He had lost oil his money. and
in d: of desperation had also staked and
lost the last two slaves.
Is il true that you have lost John and
Helen? g
Her husband made no reply; he could
not even look up.
The passengers were now fast gather
ing round. and the scene was growing
painful. Ny father who had come North
to fetch me from school. and was taking
the longest possible way home) was hold
ing me by the hand and knew by the
tightening Of his grasp. that he was be-
coming much excited.
AZ Danton did not seem inclined to an
sWer his wife's question, the gamester
Foughly said
Yes. ma'am, John and Helen are
nine. and want to see 'em quick
Dantoa sprung to his feet. and STOPPING
across the table, hissed in the teeth of the,
Rsmester:
Villain. don't you presume to speak
TO my wife again"
The look with which the menace was
accompanied was perfectly blasting. and
made the swarthy and pitted gamester
fairly turn white.
How inconsistent is man! That ac-
eomplished aud highborn husband could !
deliberately jeopsrdise the property and |
eorrode the happiness Of his wife. hour
after hour, day after day, year after year,
but ne could not bear that the man whom |
even so much as speak to her.
Yes. Mary. John and Helen are lost,
he said at last, as hu let the gamester
eGrOp his gaze; they are lost. and it can't
ebe helped now. so don't let US have q
scene about it,
I shall not let them CO. said Mary.
.drmly. and I shall have q scene about
1t. l did not say word about the mon
'ey' but now that you have played them
,aWay-oh. Charlie = and she leaned her
head on her husbands breast.
'Ah here they come = said the rame- |
.sser. as John and Helen approached.
John was powerful aud 6ue LOOKING
mulatto; his face indicating unusual intel.
.ligeuce and kind ,hsartedness. Helen was
much whittier than her husband, and res
.marksbly handsome. The gamester's
evil eye cleaned as he surveyed her. and
Iurning to a savage looking mau near him.
he said
I'm sell you John in The morning.
Hammond, but Helen shall keep-St
least a few days
I'm agreeable said the slave trader.
for such he was. bat Id like the gal as
soon as possible
A look of Indignation ran around the
group at this brutal colloquy. My fs
theirs grasp grew tighter still. aud encou-
ragged thereby, whispered to him to buy
John and Heleu himself: but he shook his
head and motionsd me TO keep silent.
l tell you that shall not let them 90,
repeated Mrs. Dauton. addressing the |
stranger. They were brought up in nv
fathers family: besides. they have chill
dren at home from whom it would be
cruel to separate them
The gamester and slave dealer e1-
changed sneers at Mrs. panton's senti-
mental reasons for not letting the slaves
go, but her husband said:
1t can't be helped now, Mary. let US
so to our room.'
%. 1issus, dont SO aud leab me vid