The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-08-26

cenched his teeth and fists, while their
young mistress stood close in front, as if
with her feeble arm, she would prote It
them from the clutches of the gaine>ter.
| was wild with excitement, and urged my
father either TO buy the slaves or shoot the
gamester-I did not care vii h A
bloody fight seemed inevitable; when "a
young New Highlander, who had been very
quiet during the whole trip, elbowcd his
way to the table, and asked the gamester
at what sum he valued his slaves.
Two thousand dollars p said he; do
you want To buy Y
Il have one thousand dollars the
young man answered, Il Will give you
that tor them.
NO, sir. bat I'll stake 'em against IA
thousand dollars, and play you game Of
poker for the pile -
Il don't understand the game" said the
New Highlander
''W hat game do you plaF p
We played few games at all fours,
then, if you like, and stake the niggers
against your thousand dollars.
To the surprise of everyone present, the
young man .cccpted the challenge, called
for a new pack of cards, staked his thou>
sand dollars, and the game commenced-
the gamester having the first deal.
As the company drew more closely
round the table, 1t seemed as though a
watchmaker's shop were in orr midst,
i 80 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 hand The gamester three 10 his OPP
pouent nothing; the third hand they each
made ito, which left the New Englander
two to go, while the gamester had 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 with
steady hand, however, and turned up the
Jack of hearts, which placed him even with
his antagonist, but when he raised his
cards saw that he had not single trump
in his hand, and his adversary to stand
or beg If the former, the game was his
to a certainty; If the latter, there would e
another chance for the slaves. Alter
drumming on the back of his cards for a
short time. he Looked at the New England
er to see if he could determine by his man
ner what it was best tc do, but the \ Dung
Bunker Hill met his gaze without finch
ing, aud there they set for long tins gaz>
lng into oh other eyes.
Run the cards, SAID the gamester, at
last. | could have Rugged him for BIZ,
mistake.
Bunker Hill again dealt, and the queen
of spades was turned. Every heart stood
sill as the cards were for the last time
lifted
They are mine!" shouted the New
Englander; ''or rather, they are yours,
madam" said he, in milder tone, to
Mrs Dantou, as he threw down the ace OF
spades.
The beautiful impetuous Southron
threw her arms around the winners neck,
| and three dcaiening cheers lin which even
be Shareholder joined told The satistac
tion Of the audience.
Many years after met the New Eng
lander in Mississippi, and claimed his ac
qnaintance on the score of having been one
Of he most enthusiastic partlzanS on the
night Of his well remembered triumph.
lie had prospered in business, and become
rich. He was making his annual pilgrim
age to the family hearthstone-a stone
which has more potent charms for good
than that at which kneel MahOmmedan
,levotees IN the city Of then prophet. He
said he had never touched a card since
hat memorable game; that the thousand
dollars that he then ri,ked was the SUN
total Of his savings tor many toilsome year,
nut that lie Staked it, and played the game,
with perft CT convictions Of success.
DantOn had sought him out, and kept
the acquaintance ever since, and Mrs. D-n
ION could now travel the world over with
her husband, without fear, for he had for
,wore gambling from that never be for
gotten night,