Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-11-25
ri 81 fellamepms.
The Game Of Cards.
A MISSISSIPPI STORY.

MISSISSIPPI STORY.
"The darkics are mine," said the game
stcr, striking his fist upon the table, .'show
'em up, and let's see what they look like" "
The young planter who had lost, sent
one of the boat servants below for John
and Helen. The passengers waited for
the appearance of the servants in silence
for a long time, but they came not. The
servants had informed them of the change
of owners. They were attached to the
young planter and wife. and did not like
to leave them; besides 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, Dantop, hurry up the niggers,
they must move quicker than this when
| send for them, or they'll never know
what hurt them"
The young planters aristocratic face
flushed crimson at this brutal cxclama-
ton, 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 gambling and she been
weeping ever since the boat left Cincin.
nat, aud we were now far down the Miss
issippi. No wonder then that she was
pale and wan, aud that her eyes looked
as though they had been wiped away, but
she was exqulsitely lovely, nevertheless
Although many years. have passed since
that evening, | can see the sorrow strlck-
en- young wife now, as she gIided up to
the table and looked her husband i'll the
face.
He could not bear up under her gaze.
lie had lost all their money, and in tit
Of desperation had also staked and lost
the two slaves. Laying her little hand
on his arm she said;
!" Is it true Charles, that you have lost
J ohm and Helen 2"
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 been north
10 fetch me from school) was holding me
tight by the hand, and | knew by the
tightening OF his grasp that he was be.
coming much excited.
As Danton did not seem inclined to
answer his wi,e's question, the gamestcr
roughly said:
Yes, ma'am, john and Helen are
Iuine and want to see en- quick. J"
Danton sPrang to his feet, and stopped
across tas table, hisssi ia the teeth OF the
gtniestcr
"Nilliain don't presume to speak to
my wife agair ~
The look which the menace was accom-
panied was perfectly blasting, and made
the swarthy and pittcd face OF the g..mc-
stcr fairly turn white.
How inconsistent is man! That ac.
compIished aud hgh-born husband could
deliberately jeopardize the property and
eorrode the happiness Of his wife, hour
after hour, day after day, year after year
but he could not bear that the man whom
he had chosen for companion should
even so much as speak to her.
~ es, Mary, john and Helen are lost. y
he said at last, as he met the gamcster
from under hi. gaze, they are lost, and
it can't be he ped now, 50 don't let US
have scene about it,
81 shall not let them 60" said Mary,
firmly, land l shall have scene about
it,"
Il did not say a word about the money;
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 game
ster as John aud Helen approached.
John was powerful and fine looking
mulatto; his face indicating unusual ln-
telligence and kind-heartedness. Helen
was much whittier than her husband. and
remarkably handsome.
The games,er's evil eyes cleaned as he
surveyed her. and turning to a savage
look ing man near him, he said:
IN sell you John, in the morning.
Hammond, but Helen / shall keep-at
least few days"
I'm agreeable" said the slave trader.
for SO he was but I'd like the gal As
soon as possible"
A look of indignation ran round the
group at this brutal colloquy. My faith
ers grasp grew tighter still and encour-
aged thereby, whispered to him to buy
Helen and John. himself, but he shook
his head and motoned me to keep silent.
81 tell you | shall not let them CO."
replied Mrs. Danton, addressing the stran-
ger. "they were brought up in my moth
er's family beside, they have children at
home from whom it would be cruel to
separate them"
The gamester and slave dealer exchang-
ed plances at Mrs. Danton's reasons for
not letting the slaves go. and her husband
said I:
at cant be helped now, Mary, let US
20 to our room."
"Oh, Missus, don't go and leab US wild
dat man." shriekeo Helen shall die or
lump overheard. Oh don't leab your own
true Helen, who sabed your life when you
fell in de byoo."
:. | shall not leave you, Helen. Do not
be alarmed, l."
Bress dc Lord for dat" interrupted
Helen; 81 knows we're safe now kase
you alters does just what you say you