Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-13
WON HIMSELF.

was going up the Mississippi in ls4S,
Judge Underwood, of Kentucky, and
Henry Clay being on board.
That's a rough crew from Natchez, +"
remarked the clerk who came upon deck
as we were about going below They
play hard and high.
Lets go and look ON for awhile, !"
said the Judge.
We went down in the saloon, where
we found two parties at play. At one of
the tables sat four men, about whom were
gathered large number of lookers-on;
and as there 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 the players, a
middle-aged man, whose face showed
plainly the ravages of an excess that
was sapping his life, and who | after
ward learned, was cotton planter, had
staked bis 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 We dead broke, Colonel?" asked
he of the four kings.
Z" Yes, to the last picayune.
Give me your note, and I'll lend ye. "
"No," replied the planter, with an
oath. 81 can do better than that.
Where's Wackman?"
Here" answered dark.visaged man.
Bring the girl and boy here that |
bought at Natchez. Hold on the game
just one minute, gentlemen, and I'll
make a raise.
The man shortly returned accompa-
MED by the girl and boy. Said girl
proved to be 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 his
mothers bis 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
EN-. Who'll give siXY
why not put EN- up separator
asked one. m
'Twon't do to sell EN- separate. The
gal has sworn to kill herself if her boy is
Sold away from her, and her old master
saws she'll be sure to keep her word.
But. don't We see2-the woman is worth
more'n ! ask for the pair. Now what
dye say2 Who'll take EN- at six hun
dredG'
The owner waited few moments
without receiving an answer, and then
said:
"I must have the money; SO here goes
for a rattle. Twenty dollars a throw,
and thirty chances for the pair. Come,
gentlemen; them that buys first throws
first.
Here was excitement as well as a
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, wberenpon his two companions
took each one more. The 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 eagles.
What namef
Give it to the woman.
"Ehl The gal herselfg'
Yes. Give her 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"
"Goo1r' cried the owner Of the prop
erty. Here's a chance for Tommy.
And that takes the lot Where's the
clerk7'
Here"
Have you got blanks for this sort of
businessf
"Ies."
Then won't ye fill up a bill Of sale