The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-11-12
Chr Albanp Reoister.
The Boy who WON Himse,f.

Judge Underwood of Kentucky and
Henry Clay being on board.
That's tough crew, from Natehez,"
remarked the clerk who came upon the
deck as we were going below "They
play hard and high"
sLet's go down and look on for awhile, ;"
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 of lockers
on and, as these proved to be the heavy
players, VIC Joined the group of specta-
tors. The game was twenty-deck poker,
and the money was changing hands with
sparkling rapidity. One of the players,
middle aged man, whose face showed
but too plainly the ravases Of an excess
that was sapping his life, and, [ after
ward 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 though he would leave the
table.
care ye dead broke, Colonel ?'' asked
he of the four kings.
"Yes, to the last picayune."
"No," replied the planter with an
oath az can do better than that.
Where's Wackman p
Here answered dark-ylsaSed
man.
"Briug the girl and boy here that l
bought at Natchez Hold on the game
just one minute, gentlemen, and III make
a raise"
The man went away, and shortly re-
turned accompanied by the i'girl and
boy" Said 'sgirl" 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 brighter 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
EN- Who'll give six p
"Why not put 'em up separate" asked
one.
's 'Twon't do to sell 'em separate. The
gal has sworn that she will kill herselfi if
her boy is sold away from her; and her
cid master says she'll keep her word.
But don't you see the woman is worth
more'n ask for the pair Now, what
dye say-who'll take 'em at six hun
dred ?''
The owner then waited few seconds
without receiving answer, and then
said:
az must have the money SO here goes
for rattle. Twenty dollars throw, and
thirty chances for the pair. Come, gen.
tlemen, let US see the color of your coin
Them that buys first will throw first
Here was excitement as well as a
chance for profit. The three players at
the table took two chances each. Then
the spectators surged up, and twenty
chances were sold as fast as the planter
could take the money and write dow- the
names. Then came lull. The planter
himself took two chances whereupon his
three companions took each one more.
Then three men in the crowd s'doubled
up"
'FTwo more chances, gentlemen
Clay whispered apart to the Judge and
then made his way to the table, aud threw
down two gold eagles.
"What name z"
f'Give it to the woman
''Eh the gal herseif?''
''Yes. Give her a chance
''All right. One chance for Ninette ~
Before the the planter could call again,
Judge Underwood had placed twenty dol
lars upon the table, saying as he did SO
This is for the boy"
"Good" cried the owner of the prop
erty. "Iere's chance for Tommy
And that takes the lot. Where's the
clerk %
"Here."
Have you got blanks for this sort of
business p
eyes"
"Thc won't ye ELL up bill of sale of
these two-Ninette and Tommy-and
leave place to put in the name of the
winner! Now for the dice, gentlemen"
The dice were brought on and the
shaking commenced. There were three
dice, and each player was entitled to three
throws. Of the first ten throws, thirty
SIX was the highest number cast. The
eleventh throw turned up forty-two
Then the scores fell again till the twenty
first throw, when ore of the eameste1s
threw out forty nine
The crowd were now all excitement. |
Forty-nine was a hard point to beat. |
The lowest number that could be thrown
was nine; and the highest (nine sixes) |
was ffty>four; making what is called an |
average throw, about thirty QUO and one /
half OF hundred throws, the major
ity will fall below thirty-two.
Again the dice ratified in the box. as
the second gamester took bis turn but |
MS throw was low one. The twenty t
eighth throw belonged to the clerk Of the /
boat, who had now returned with the hill /
Of sale. He threw forty -nine-tying the
~ rGomc, Ninette! ]! It's your turn"
me na woman n started and quivered, and
pressed her hand over her heart. Onlv |
the, groaning and putting of the enc;ns
broke the stiffness of the place. '
Wiii the gentleman who paid for tie |
chance throw for ne ?'' she said in = low
musical musical. tone, earnest and imploring, and
Let your boy throw for vou retn~,o.,
Dir. Clay. who shrank fro,, i. 'us ncu