The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-09


were Judge j and Gen. K, of
Pennsylvania, with both of whom l was
slightly acquainted.
A hard set, these Natchez men, said
the Captain, who met US on the cabin
stairs. There's some of them down in
the saloon playing high game. How
men can be such fools, could never
see."
"Let'S 90 down and look on awhile"
suggested the Judge.
In the saloon we found four men seat
I'd at table, around which a crowd of
spectators was gathered. The four were
the heavy players"
The game was poker and the money
changed hands rapidly. We had not
been looking on long when one of the
players, a middle-aged man, whom |
learned was cotton planter, bet his last
dollar against the hand of one of his
antagonists. The latter showed four
kings, while he had only four queens.
lie was "cleaned out" and rose as
though he were going to leave the table.
" Are you broke, Colonel?" asked one
of the men.
"Deadm was the lacOnic reply.
Never mind; I'll lend you"
No; | can make raise, reckon.
Here, Pomp!"
Here, massa" responded an old ne
gro, as he emerged from one corner Of
the saloon.
Bring that girl and her youngster
here, that bought in Natchez. Wait a
few minutes, gentleman-rll raise some
money"
The old negro went on his errand and
soon returned with the girl and her
youngster. The girl" proved to be a
stately mulatto woman about thirty-tive
years old. Her youngster" was fine,
intelligent-looking boy eleven or twelve
years old, whose complexion showed him
to be much more nearly allied to the
white race than to the black.
Here, gentlemen" said the planter,
rs they entered, you see this girl and
her boy-two as fine niggers as you can
ind anywhere. paid $500 for them
yesterday in NatChez. Who will give
5000 for them"
"Will you sell them separate?" asked
some one.
"No, can't do it; promised not to.
The girl swears she'll take her life if
she's separated from her boy, and her old
master said that he was sure she'd keep
her word. But don't you all see that the
girl is worth more money than | ask for
both of them? Come, who'll give me six
hundred for both?"
The planter waited a moment for a re-
ply, and then said:
"Well, | must have some money
Come, what say you to ratfie-thirty
chances at twenty dollars a chance? Out
with your cash, gentlemen. The first On
the list has the first throw"
This proposition created decided stir
among all present. The three players at
the table led off by taking three chances
each. Their example was followed by
the spectators, and twenty chances were
taken as rapidly as the planter could
write down the names and take the
money. The planter himself now took
two chances, and he was followed by his
three fellow players, who each took one
chance more. Finally three more
chances were taken by the spectators,
when the planter cried out:
1.-TWO chances still, gentlemen! Who
will have them?"
Gen. k whispered something in
Judge is ear and then went to the
table and laid two ten-dollar gold pieces
on it,
Name, sir, please"
Never mind the name. Put it down
Tor the woman"
Eh-whatl for the girl herself?"
1" Yes, certainly; let's give her a
chance"
"All right! One for Ninette. And
now"
That's forthe boy" said Judge j,
quietly, as he laid twenty dollars on the
table.
Good bravo! bravo~ cried the
planter and several of the bystanders.
lone for Tommy, which makes the
thirty. Now, gentleman, let's see whom
luck favors."
The dice were brought and the throw
ing began Each chance entitled the
holder to two three throws.
Thirty.six was the highest thrown
until the holder of the eleventh chance
threw. He scored forty-two. Then a
less number was thrown, until number
twentyone scored forty nine. -.
The excitement now became intense.
Forty nine was hard to beat; the highest
throw possible being nine sixes-tifty-
four.
Again and again the dice ratified in
the box, until it came to number twenty
nine.
Come, Ninette-it's your turn now"
AS the poor woman came forward, her
hands crossed and pressed convulsively
against her breast, it was truly painful
to witness her agitation.
"Won't the gentleman that took the
chance for me please throw?" she asked
in low, tremulous tone.
"No; let your boy throw" replied the
General; "perhaps he would have more
luck than l."
Come, Tom," said the planter.
Tom came forward and picked up the
box. The woman pressed her lips firmly
together and clasped her hands as if in
prayer The boy trembled like an aspen
leaf, but shook the dice, and threw-threc!
For a moment he stared at the dice as
though he could not believe his eyes,
then he put down the box and stepped
back, pale and detected.
"Come, Tommy, throw again." urged