Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-12-13
w 0 N H | M S E L F

oii pooiu.
That's tough crew from Natchez, /"
remarked the clerk, who came upon deck
as we were about going below ''They
play hard and high"
Lets 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 of lockers on ;
and these proving to be the heavy play
ers, we joined the spectators. The game
was "twenty-deck poker" and money was
changing hands with startling rapidity.-
One of the players, middle-aged man.
whose face showed plainly the ravages OF
an excess that was sapping his life, and
who, | afterwards learned, was cotton
planter, had staked his last dollar and
''called' up his opponents hand. He held
four queens, against which was lain dowI
four kings, And he was ''broke." HI
started TO his feet as if to leave the table
Are you dead broke, Colonel?" asked
he Of the four kings.
Eyes 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. WhereI
Whackmon ?"
Here" answered dark-yisaged man
Bring the girl and boy here that
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 girl and boy.
Said girl" proved to be a bright mulattc
woman Of five and thirty, or thereabouts
and the "bOy" was her son.
The boy was not far from ten years o
age, with a face lighter in color than wa
his mothers his features were reall,
handsome
Look here, gentlemen spoke tn
planter, rising here's as ikelya pair 70
a girl and her brat as you can scare up
| paid eight hundred dollars for EN-
! Who'll give Six?'
He waited a few, moments without re
celvlng an answer, and then said
Il must have the money, so here goe
for rattle Twenty dollars throw, an,
thirty chances for the pair. Come, gen
tlemen them that buys first will throw
first"
Here was excitement as well as chanc
for profit. The players and the specta
tors surged up, and twenty chances wer
sold as quickly as the planter could tax
the money and write down the names
Then came a ulI. The planter took tw
whereupon his two companions took eac
one more Then three men in the crow
doubled up"
1.-Two more chances, gentlemen"
Clay whispered apart to the Judge. an
then made his way to the table an
threw down two gold eagles.
What name ~
Give it to the woman"
''All right. One chance for Ninette. -
Before the planter could call agair
Judge Underwood had placed twenty do
lars on the table, saying as he did 50 :
This Is for the boy"
"Good - cried the owner of the pror
erty. Heres a chance for Tommy
And that takes the lot. Where's tn
clerk ?''
"Here."
Have YOU got the blanks for this sol
of business ,"
Yes"
Then won't ye fill up bill of sale f
these two-Ninette and Tommv-an
leave place to put in the winner? +? No
then for the dice, gentlemen"
The dice We're brought on and th
shaking commenced. There were thrt
dice and each player was entitled to thrC
throws. OF the first ten throws thirt,
nine was the highest number cast. III
eleventh turned up forty-two. Then Il
scores fell again till the twenty-frst throw
when one Of the gamesters threw out fo
ty-nine.
The crowd was now all excitement
Again the dice ratified in the box as II
second gamester took his turn. But h
throw was a low one. The twenty-eight
throw belonged to the clerk of the boa
who had now returned with the bill
sale. He threw forty-nine-tying ii
gamester.
Come, Ninette, it's your turn" tt
: woman started, and quiyered and presse
her hand over heart. Only the groanr
: and putting of the engine broke the stil
5 ness of the place.
t "Will the gentleman who paid for II
chance throw for me ?" she said in a 10
> musical tone, earnest and imploring, al
Of the purest accent.
: Let the boy throw for you" returne
Mr.. Clay, who shrank from the ordea
2 His luck would be better than mine"
Tommy came forward and took the bo
His mothers hands were clasped and h,
lips moved in prayer. The boy tremblt
like an aspen. What world of veal
? woe hung upon the tickle chance.
! He shook the box and turned the di
/. upon the table. Three aces A momei
D he gazed on the three single spots, an
. dropping the box, he sank, pale al
. frightened.
4 "Shake once more, Tommy" said tt
: lanter.
: its no use, master, | can't get fort
: nine"
D But you've got your chances, my boy
!, Aye" cried the Judge. That W
: your Mothers chance. Now throw f
S the chance | gave you-throw for you
$ self-and may Heaven help you y
That was not an assemblage of reli
iously inclined persons, by any means, b
the fervent petition of the Judge m
with a response of "Amen :" from near
/, all present.
h Again the boy came forward and lift
n the box. His lips were tightly shut, al
the old quivering of the limbs was hushe
The only sound in that saloon, above L
: deep breathing of the spectators, was L
a clicking of the ivory cubes. Present
the first throw was made.
: 'Five-hve-six, are sixteen - a
: nounced the planter, setting down the fl
ures.
$ The dice were then gathered up al
q thrown again.
"Six-six and five. Good Tha
seventeen"
! The boy was as pale as death as
- took the box for the last throw, and
mother leaned against stanchon for su
port. At last he made his finale throw
Three skies Eighteen and tha
fifty-one! Tommy, my boy you're a trum
Now, Mr.. Clerk, fill up the bill of saI
and I'll sign it before these witnesses"
The scene that followed can better
r imagined than described. The last time
ever heard from Judge Underwood he W
n alive and well, though long retired frc
/. active life. Ninette was his housekeept
r and Tommy his most trusted servant
A little fellow some four or five yea
:, old, and who had never seen negro. W