The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-07-28


that takes the lot. Where's the clerk s''
"Here."
"Have yoh got blanks for this sort Of
business
Yea
''Then won't ye fill up bill of sale of
these two-Ninette and Tommy-and
leave place TO put in the name of the
winner? Row for the dice, gentlemen"
The dice were brought on, and the
shaking commenced. There were three
dice, and each player was entitled 10 three
throws. Of the first ten throws thirty six
was the highest number cast. The elev-
enth throw turned up forty-two. Then
the scores fell again till the twenty first
throw, when one Of the gamesters threw
cut forty-nine
The crowd was now all excitement
Forty nine wa5 a hard point to beat.
The lowest number that could be thrown
was nine; and the highest (nine sixes)
was fifty-four making what is called an
average throw, about thirtyone and one
half Of a hundred throws, the majori-
ty will fall below thirty-two
Again the dice ratified in the boz as
the second gamester took his turn but
The throw was low one. The twenty
eighth throw belonged to the clerk of the
boat, who had now returned with the bill
of sale. He threw forty-nine, tying the
gamester,
"Come, Ninettel It's your turn y
The woman started and quivered, and
pressed her hand over her heart. Only
the groaning and the putting Of the engine
broke the stiffness of The place.
"Will the gentleman who paid for the
chance throw for me % she said, in low,
musical tone. earnest and imploring, and
of purest accent.
'Let your boy throw for you" returned
Mr.. Clay, who shrank from the ordeal
'tHis luck should be better than mine''
Tommy came forward and took the box
His mothers hands were clasped, and her
lips moved in prayer. The boy trembled
like an aspen. What world of veal or
woe hung upon the tickle chance He
held in his hand the sealed Eook in which
was written the fate of his mother and
himself, and it was TO be opened upon the
hazard of a die
He shook the boz and turned the yo5
Upon the table. Three aces \ moment
he gazed upon the three single spots. and
then, dropping the box, he sank back,
pale and frightened.
''ebake again, Tommy" said the plan
ter.
'It's no use, master. I can't get for
ty-nine."
''But you've got your own chance, my
boy"
"Aye," cried the judge. ''That was
your mothers chance. Now throw For
yourself-throw for the chance gave
you: brace up, and take heart, and may
Heaven help you'll
That was not an assembly of religious
ly inclined persons by any means but the
Fervent petition of the judge met with a
warm and impulsive response of "Amen'
from nearly all present.
Again the boy came forward and lifted
the box. His lips were tightly shut, and
tha cold quvering Of the limbs was hushed.
The only sound in that saloon above the
deep breathing of the spectators, was the
clicking of the ivory cubes. Presently
the first throw was made.
"Five-fve- sig, are SIXTEEN" ammo tihc-
ed The planter, setting down the figures.
The dice were gathered up, and throwt
again.
s'Six-six-and Eve Good That's
seventeen
The boy was pale as death as he took
the boz for the last throw. and his mother
leaned against stanchion for support
At length, he threw and the book was
-opeHed
Three skies Eighteen !-and that's
fifty one Tommy, my boy, you're a
trump! Now, Mr.. Clerk, fill up the bill
of sale, and I'll sign it before these wit>
nesses."
The scene that followed can be Better
imagined than described. The last time
heard from Judge Underwood, he was
alive and well, though long retired from
active life. Ninette was his housekeeper,
and Tommy is his trusted and trustful
henchman