The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1870-09-08
WON HIMSELF.

| WON HIMSELF.
I was going up the Mississippi In
Isls, Judge Underwood, of Kentucky
and Henry Clay being on board.
That's a tough crew from Natchez,
remarked the clerk, who came upon
deck as we were about going below.
They play hard and high
/ Let's 90 and look on for while,' said
the Judge.
We went down into the saloon, where
We found two parties at play. At one
of the tables sat four men, about whom
were gathered large number oflookers-
OH; and as these proved to be the heavy
players, we joined the spectators. The
game was twenty deck poker and
money was changing hands with start
ling rapidity. One of .hs play yers, Il
middle aged man, whose face showed
plainly the ravages Of an excess that
was sapping his life, and who, l after
wards learned, was cotton planter,
had staked his last dollar and called his
opponents hand. He held four queens,
against which were laid down four
kings. And he was broke
He started to his feet as if to leave the
table.
Are ye dead broke, Colonel? asked
he of the four kings.
Yes-to the last picayune.'
Give me your note, and I'll lend ye.'
NO. replied the planter, with an oath.
Il can do better than that. Where's
Wackman:'
Here answered dark visaged man.
Bring the girl and boy that bought
at Natchez. Hold"on the game just one
minute, gentlemen, and I'll make a
raise
The man went away and shortly re-
turned accompanied by the girl and
boy Said girl proved to be a bright
mulatto woman Of five and thirty, or
thereabouts; and the boy was her son.
The boy was not far from ten years of
age, with face lighter in color than
was his mothers; his features really
handsome.
Look here, gentlemen spoke the
planter, rising; here's as likely pair,
for girl and her brat, as you can scare
up. | paid eight hundred dollars for
'em. Who'll give six?'
why not put 'em up separator asked
one.
'Twon't do to sell 'em separate. The
gal has sworn to kill herself if her boy
is sold away from her, and her old mas
ter says she'll be sure to keep her word.
But don't ye see-,he woman IS worth
more'n l ask for the pair. Now, what
dye say? Who'll take 'em at six
hundred"
The owner waited a few moments
without receiving an answer, and then
said:
Il must have the money, so here goes
for rate. Twenty dollars throw,
and thirty chances for the pair. Come,
gentlemen, them that buys first will
throw first.
Here was excitement as well as n
chance for profit. The players took two
chances each. Then the spectators
surged up, and twenty chances were
sold as quick as the planter could take
the money and write down the names.
Then came lull. The planter took
two chances, whereupon his two COM
panions took each one more. Then
three men in the crowd doubled up
Two more chances, gentlemen.'
Clay whispered apart to the Judge,
and then made his way to the table,
and threw down two gold eagles.
What name?'
Give it to the woman
'Eh-the gal herself"
Yes. Give her a chance
'All right. One chance for Ninette.'
Before the planter could call again,
Judge Underwood had placed twenty
dollars on the table, saying, as he did
So
This is for the boy
'Good.' cried the owner of the proper
ty. Here's chance for Tommy. And
that takes the lot. Where's the clerk"
Here
Have you got blanks for this sort of
business p
Yes
Then won't ye fill up bill ofsale for
these two-Ninette and Tommy and
leave place to put in the winner Now
then for the dice, gentlemen
| The dice were brought on and the
shaking commenced. There were three