Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-12-08
is mother's-his features really hand

| look here gentlemen" spoke the plan
ter, arising here's as likely pair for q
girl and brat as you can scare up | paid
eight hundred dollars for 'em. Who'll
give six y .- rfrv -T
. Why not put them up separate?" ask
ed one.
'Twon't do to sell 'em separate. The
I gal has sworn to kill herself if her boy is
sold away from her. and her old master
says she'll be sure to keep her world. But,
don't you see-tbe woman's worth more
than ask for the pair. Now, what d We
say? Who'll take 'em at six hundred ~
The owner waited few moments with
out receiving an answer, and then said
$. must have the money, so here goes
for rattle. Twenty dollars throw, and
thirty throws for the pair. Come gentle
men, them that buys first Will throw first. -
Here was excitement, as well asa 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
companions took each two more. Then
three men in the crowd doubled up"
1.-Two more chances, gentlemen"
Clay whispered apart to the Judge, and
then made his way to the table and threw
down two gold pieces.
What name y
Give it to the woman"
"Eh, the gal hersclf!'
"Yes, give her chance"
''All right. One chance for Ninette"
Before the planter could call again,
Judge Underwood placed twenty dollars
on the table, saying rs he did so:
. This is for the boy
.'Good ~ cried the owner of the pro-
perty. Here's chance for Tommy,
and that takes the lot. Where's the
clerk ?"
Here"
Have you got blanks for this sort of
business -
YES"
Then, won't you fill up a bill of sale
for those two, Ninettc and Tommy, and
leave place to put in the winner: Now,
tfen. fer the dice, gentlemen"
The dice were brought on and the shak-
ing commenced. There were three dice,
and each player was entitled to three
throws. OF the first ten throws. thirty
nine was the highest number cast. The
eleventh turned up forty-two. Then the
scores fell again till the twenty-frst throw,
when one of the gamcsters threw out for
ty-ninc.
The crowd was now all excitement.
Forty-ninr was Il 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 aver
age throw about thirty-one and one-haif.
OF Il hundred throws the majority viii
fall below thirty-two.
Again the dice ratified in the box as
the second gamester took his turn. But
his throw WAS q low one The twenty
eighth belonged to the clerk of the boat,
who had now returned with the bill of
sale. He threw forty-nine-tieing the
ramester.
Come, Ninettc. its your turn" The /
woman started, and quiyered, and pressed |
her hand over her heart Only the groan-
ing and putting of the engine broke the
stiffness of the place.
"Will the gentleman who paid for the
;hance throw for me :" She said in a low .
musical tone, earnest and implorlng, and
of the purest accent. !
Let your boy throw for you" return
ID Mr.. Clay. who shrank from the ordeal,
!. his luck should be better than NINE
Tommy came forward and took the box.
His mothers hands were clasped and her
Ups moved in prayer The boy trembled
ike an aspen. What world of veal or
voc hung upon the tickle chance. He
leld in his hand the sealed book in which
was written the fate of his mother and
himself; and it was to be opened on the
hazard of a die.
He shook the box, ard turned the dice
lpon the table. Three aces! A moment |
le gazed on the three single spots, and |
hen dropping the box, he sank back pale |
md frightened.
"Shake again, Tommy" said the plan
er.
It's no use, master, L can't get forty |,
line."
" But you have got your own chance,
ny boy
Ave" cried the Judge, "that was
your mothers chance. Now throw for
he chance | gave you-throw for your
up, and take heart-and may
Heaven help yon.'
That was not an assembly of religious
y inclined persons, by any means, but
he fervent petition of the Judge met with
warm and impulsive response of "Amen ~
rom nearly all present.
Again the boy came forward and lifted
he box. His lips were tightly shut and
he old quivering of the limbs was hush
ID. The only sound in that saloon, above
he deep breathing of the spectators, was
he clicking of the ivory cubes. Present
Y the first throw was made.
=" Five-fve-six, are sixteen ~ an
bounced the planter, setting down the fig
Tres. II
The dice were gathered up and thrown
lgain.
Six-six-and a five. Good That
s seventeen"
The boy was as pale as death as he
ook up the box for the last throw, and his
mother leaned against stanchion for sup
,ort.
.sThree skies, he has won," they ali
Exclaimed, as the dice rolled on the table
With the six spots up. The boy and his
mother were free.