The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-08-01
The Boy Who Won Himself.

1 was going up the Mississippi i
1S4S, Judge Underwood, of Kentcky
and Henry Clay being on board
"Thats tough crew from Natchez,
remarked the clerk, who came upol
deck as we were about going below
They play hard and high.
Lets go and look ON for while,
said the judge.
We went down into the saloon where
we found two parties at play. At on
Of the tables sat four men, about whom
were gathered large number of look
ers- on; and as these proved to be tn,
heavy players, we Joined the group O
spectators. The game was "twenty-decl
poker" and money was changing hands
with startling rapidity. One of th'
players, middle-agcd man, whose facs
showed too plainly the ravages of ar
excess that was sapping his life, ant
who, afterwards learned, was cottor
planter, had staked his last dollar, ant
"called' his opponents hand. He held
four queens, against which were laid
down four kings. And he was "broken.
He started to his feet as though he
would leave the table.
care ye dead broke, ColonelY" 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
1 can do better than that. Where's
Wackman p
"Here," answered dark-visaged man
"Bring the girl and boy that l bought
at Natchez Hold on the game one min
ute, gentlemen, and I'll make raise"
The man went away and shortly re-
turned accompanied by the "girl and
boy" Said "girr'' proved to be bright
mulatto woman of fve-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
was his mother ibis features really hand.
some.
"Look here, gentlemen" spoke the
planter. rising, "heres as likely a pair
for girl and her brat, as you can scare
up. paid eight hundred dollars for
'em. Who will give six"
"Why rot put 'em up separate p ask
ed one. -s
"'Twon't do to sell 'em separate. The
gal has sworn that she will kill herself If
her 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 wo-
man is worth more'n / ask for the pair.
Now, what dye say? Who'll take 'em
at six hundred p
The owner waited a few seconds with
out Receiving an answer, and then said:
81 must have the money, so here goes
for rattle. Twenty dollars throw,
md thirty chances, for the pair. Come,
let's see the color of your
coin. Them that buys first will throw
first"
Here was excitement, as we'll 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 down
,he names. Then came lull. The
planter himself took two chances, where
lpon his three companions each took
one more. Then three men in the crowd
doubled up"
"Two more chances, gentlemen"
Clay whispered apart to the Judge,and
,hen made his way to the table, and threw
lown two gold eagles.
''What name?"
"Give it to the woman"
"Eh the gal herself?"
ayes. Give her chance"
GAIL right. One chance for Ninette."
Before the planter could call again,
Judge Underwood had placed twenty
lollars upon the table, saying, as he did
20,
"This is for the boy"
"Good p cried the owner of the prop
,rty. Here's chance for Tommy ,and
hat takes the lot. Where's the clerk ?"
"Here"
"Have you got blanks for this sort of
business ?"
ayes"
"Then won't you fill up bill Of sale
If these two-Ninette and Tommy-and
cave place to put in the name of the
Now for the dice, gentlemen"
The dice. were brought on, and the
haking commenced. There were three
lice, and each player was entitled to
hree throws. Of the first ten throws
hirty-six was the highest number cast.
The eleventh throw turned up forty-two.
Then the scores fell again till the TWEEN
y-frst throw, when one Of the gamesters
hrew out forty-nine.
The crowd were now all excitement.
'orty-nine was. hard point to beat
'he lowest number that could be thrown
ras nine, and the highest number (nine
ixes) was fifty four; making what is
allied an everage throw of thirty one
nd half. OF hundred throws, the
majority will fall below thirty two.
Again the dice ratified in the box as
he twenty second gamester took his
urn; but the throw was low one
The twenty eighth throw belonged to
he clerk of the boat, who had now re-
urned with the bill of sale. He threw
orty aine-tying the twenty first game
ter
"Come Ninette! It's your turn"
The woman started and quivered, and
PRESSED her hand over her heart. Only
ne groaning and putting of the engine
,roke 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 imploring,and
If purest accent.
"Let your boy throw for you,' return
ID Mr.. Clay, who shrank from the or
leal. "His luck should be. better than
nine"