The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-07-28
GALES, gksttBes, 9netOotes, 1T.
THE BOY WHO WON HIMSELF.

was going up the Mississippi in 1848,
Judge Underwood of Kentucky and Hem
ry Clay being on board.
''That's Il tough crew, from Natchez,"
remarked the clerk, who came upon the
deck as we were about going below
They play hard and high"
Lets 60 and look on for WHILE"
said the judges
We went 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 play
ers, we Joined the group of SPECTATORS
The game was twenty deck poker. and
money was changing hands with startling
rapidity. One of the players, a middle
aged man, whose face showed but too
plainly the ravages of an excess that was
swapping his life, and who, afterwards
learned, was a cotton planter, had staked
his last dollar, and SCALED his opponents
hand He held four queene, against
which were laid down four kings And
he was ''broken.' He started to his feet
as though he would leave the table.
''Are ye dead broke, Colonel % asked
he of the four kings.
"Yes-to the last picayune."
''Give me yer note, and I'll lend ye."
No." replied the planter with an oath;
"I can do better than that. Where's
Wackman 2"
''Here," answered dark Yisaged man.
''Bring the boy and girl here that l
bought at Natchez Hold on the game
just one minute, gentlemen, and Ill make
a raise
The man went away, and shortly re-
turned accompanied by the ''girl and
boys" Said girl proved to be a bright
Mulatto woman, of five and>thirty, or
thereabouts and the 'tboy" 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 hands
some.
''Look here, gentIemen;" spoke the
planter, rising, "here's as likely a 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 separate % asked
/ one.
"'Twon't do to put them up separate.
/ The gal has sworn that she will kill her>
self if the boy is sold away from her !; and
| her old master says she'll be sure to keep
| her word. But don't you see the woman
is worth more'n | ask tor the pair. Now
what do ye say? Who'll take EN- at six
hundred 3
The owner then waited a few seconds
without receiving an answer, and then
said:
81 must have the money, so here goes
for rattle. Twenty dollars throw, and
thirty chances for the pair. Come; gems
tlemen, let's see the color of your COIN
Them that buys first will throw first
Here was excitement as well as chance
for profit The three players at the table
took two chances each. Then the spec
tators surged up, and twenty chances
were sold as fast as the planter could take
the money and write do#n the names
Then came lull. The planter himself
took two chances, whereupon his three
cotnoanions took each one more. Then
three men in the crowd ''doubled up"
'STwo more chances, gentlemen"
Clay whispered apart to the judge, and
then made his way to the table, and threw
down two golden eagles.
ssWhat name?'
"Give it to the womah."
tEh!-the gal herselfF'
eyes Give her a chance
"All right. One chance for Ninette =
Before 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