Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-02-25

Inc biackleg looked at his pile" very
anxiously. He counted it and found iust
a thousand dollars. Tt was all he had
His antagonist had already won twelve
thousand dollars from him He looked
at his cards once more, and a look of as
surance dwelt upon his face. He looked
next upon the pack. and he kaew that
the fourth ace was there.
Look We" he said, Il have but ono
thousand dollars in money. hut I've got
another piece Of property I'll put IN FOL
the extra thousand. I've got ono Of the
handsomest gals We ever saw-vsuno.
pretty and sound-only nineteen or TWEEN.
ty years old"
That's very poor property for me
stranger"
"Poor property Why. bless your
soul, man. | paid nineteen hundred dol
lars for her this morning -
This morning!' repeated the hunter.
with a start.
Yes. just above here. in Natchez; here
is the bill! of sale. One girl, Ianthe, nine
teen hundred"
+" Lets sea."
The hunter took the bill, and for a
single instant | could detect a strange
spark in his eye. and a quivering of the
neither lip; but it was gone in a mo-
ment.
Make me out a bill of sale of your
gall he said. and put it up with your
thousand dollars, and I'll put up niue
hundred more. That's a fair thing. |
can afford TO lose it,"
A blank was prepared. and the bill
filled out and duly signed, and. at the
hunters request. witnessed. The young
man then placed it with his money. and
the whole in the centre of the table.
There's your twenty-nine hundred,
now what have you got"
You dealt Yourself" remarked the
hunter. as lie spread his cards out upon
the table, and showed four ACES. :" / think
the gal is mine.'
"Broke-dead /"
"All gone?
"Every pic.n
"Then take the thousand dollars back
again"
"Give me back the gal.n
"No, sir :" Numbered the stout man.
AS he spoke he drew the bill of sale to-
wards him and clutched it %ncrvously,
and then pushed a thousand dollars to-
wards his antagonist. "Now show me
the gal" he said.
The young man led the way towards
the forward part Of the next deck, and
having unlocked the door Of a low, mar,
row s%tateroom. he called for its inmate
to come ont. | had followed them up,
and watched with more than ordinary
interest 10 see the fina'e Of this curious
transaction. A large lamp hung directly
opposite the door of the dingy room, and
when the girl came out | saw her face
plainly. | was startled, for [ think
never saw a more beautiful female. She
was a quadroon. and not over twenty
years of age-of medium size. with dark.
waving hair, and a face as fair as human
face could be.
We'll, Ianthe," said the young game
ster. you're zone. I've sold ye."
The girl started and looked up. There
was a frightened expression upon her
face, and as she saw how many men were
gazing upon her, the rich blood mounted
to her face, which had before been as pale
as death.
: You're my gal now" spoke the hun
ter.
She started again. and looked into
the face of the speaker. aud on the
next moment both her hands were pressed
Upon her brow.
. Yours N she faint1v r.snad
Yes, your mine; and there aren't i
power this siaas &C heaven that can tear
YOU from me. Keep still, now. and don't
We speak q word-not a single word
Go back now. 90 back, and I'll keep
your key myself"
AS he spoke he pushed the girl into
the room again. aud relocked the door.
Then he turned away. and | was sure l
saw a big tear in his eye.
Half an hour afterwards, the Young
gambler was again at the table with
a party of new players, and before
| turned in, he had won ten. thousand
dollars.
On the following morning the young
man was after the hunter the first thing;
and when he had found him he proposed
to buy the girl back, but the present
owner refused.
IN give you two thousand dollars
for her."
mo, sir"
Twenty. five hundred
"No.H
Three thousand
Mark e" Numbered the hunter, with
a look of fire, all the money that eve,
aoated upon this river wouldn't buy that
gal
The blackleg cursed and swore. but il
availod him nothing. An hour after
wards the boat was alongside the pier
at St. Francisyille, and | took my lug.
gage and went o. shore, for here I was
to remain on business a few days. Invent
up to one of the hotels. and after seeing
to my luggage, and booking my nanc, ]