The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-07-19
A Rattle for Freedom

assembled the Mississippi on Il steam,
er on board of which We're Judge J. and
Gen. X. of Pennsylvania with both of
whom | 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 a high game How
men can be such fools, ] could never see y
Lets 90 down and look on awhile,
suggested the Judge.
In the saloon We found four men seat
ed ut Il table, around which a crowd of
spectators were 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, who, learned, was cotton
planter bet his last dollar against the
hand of his antagonist The latter had
four kings while he had only four queens
He was " cleaned out, - and arose us
though he was going to leave the table,
care you broke, colonel ?" asked one
of the men.
Dead" was the laconic reply.
.'Never mind; III lend you"
"No; | can make Il raise Here, Joe )"
"Here, massa Z! " 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, gentlemen; III raise some
money shortly"
The old negro went on his errand, and
soon returned with the girl and her
youngster. The girl proved to be state
~ mulatto woman about thirty five Years
old. Her youngster was fine, inteli-
gent looking boy ten or twelve years old,
whose complexion showed him to be
much more nearly allied to the white
race than the black.
''Iiere, gentlemen said the planter
as they entered, ''you see this girl and
her boy-twO as fine niggers as you can
yesterday in Natchez. Who will give NE
5000 for them ;"
''Will You sell them separated" 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 mas
ter said he was sure she would keep her
word But don't you all see that the girl
is worth more money than | ask for both
of theme Come, who'll give me 5000 fo1
both ?"
The planter waited moment for a re-
ply, and then said.
"Well, must have some money. What
do you say to a ratfle-thirty chances at
$50 a chance. Out with your cash, gen.
tlemen.
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 shares were
taken as rapidly as the planter could
write down the names and take the mon
ey. Then there was slight pause. The
planter himself now took two chances,
and he was followed by his three fellow
players who took one chance more apiece
Finally, three chances more were taken.
when the planter cried out:
''Two chances still, gentlemen Who
will have them +"
Gen. X. whispered something in Judge
Us. 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
for the woman
"Eh-what! for the girl herself?"
eyes, certainly; let's give her chance"
"All right One for Ninette. Now
"That's for the boy" said Judge j.
quietly, as he laid twenty dollars on the
table