The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-07-06
Selected Story.
!. RAFFLE FOR FREEDOM

We translate from q German sketch Of
american travel the subjoincd account Of
Ian incident alleged to have occurred on a
mississippi steamboat a short time before
the war.
Ia8cended the Mississippi, says the writer,
Eon "a steamer on board Of which we're
IJudge J. and General X, Of Pennsylvania,
with both of whom was slightly acquaint-
I'll.
"A hard set, these Natchcz men," said
becaptain, who met us on the cabin stairs.
I"Thcre some Of them down in the saloon
Ipaying high game. How men can be
Isach fools, ] could never see T.
"Let's 60 down and look on awhile"
suggested the judge.
In the saloon we found four men seated
Iat table, around which crowd Of spec.
Iator8 was gathered. The four were the
l"bcayy players"
The game was poker, and the money
changed hands rapidly. We had not been
Hooking on long, when one Of the players,
amiddIe,aged man, who learned was
cotton-planter, bet his last dollars against
the hand of one Of his antagonists. The
latter showed four kings, while he had
mIy four queens. He was Cleaned out"
and rose as though he were going toleave
the table.
Are You broke. colonel?" asked one
Qf the men.
dead" was the laconic reply,
Never mind I'll lend you
"No; | can make raise, I reckon.
Here, Pompl"
"Here, massa |" responded an old negro,
ns he emerged from one corner Of the
saloon.
Bring that glrl ard heryoungster here
that bought IN Natchez. Wait a few
minutes, gentlemen. I'll raised some
money"
The old negro went On his GRAND, and
soon returned with the girl and her
youngster, The "girl" proved to be a
stately mulatto woman about thirty-fve
years old. Her "youngster" was fine,
mtelligent-looking boy eleven or twelve
lyears old, whose complexion showed him
to be much more nearly allied to the white
race than to the black.
Here, gentlemen" said the planter, as
They entered, you see this girl end her boy
two as fine niggers as you can find any
where. Ipaid eight hundred dollars for
Them, yesterday, in Natchey. Who will
give me six hundred for them ?"
"Will you sell them separate 2" asked
some one.
"No, can't do it; promised not to. The
girI 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
srI is worth more money than ask for
both of them? Come, who'll give me six
hundred for both 2"
The planter waited a moment for q reply, |
and then said:
We'll, | must have some money. Come,
What say you to raale-tbirty chances at
twenty dollars cbance2 Out with your
cash, gentlemen. The first on the list has
The first throwT'
This proposition created i decided stir
anong all present the three players at
"s table led off by taking three chances
y'eh' Their example was followed by the
1Iec'ators, and twenty chances were taken
~ rapidly as the planter could write down
"s names and take the money. Then
gefe was slight pause. The planter
su eu'SeIt now took two chances, and he was
moved by his three felIow-pIayers, who
'Sn took one chance more Finally, /
"'ee more chances were taken by the
PsSsators, when the planter cried out
~, i@o chances still, gentlemen Who
y General K whispered something in
,sa a1Ss . ear, and then went to the table
~ o5 ,a'o two ten.dollar gold-pieces On it.
Name, sir, please II
NAV.
n. never mind The name. Put i down for
DG DGa--~hatl for the girl berself?"
a,g NY Certainly ;let's give her chance
N, ~ nghtl One for Ninette. And
,ni..I THAT'S for the boy, said Judge j.,
labe. = ~ twenty dollars on The
e''d bravoH cried the planter and