The Van Buren press., 1877-06-26
Rafting for Freedom.

while suggested the Judge.
In the saloon we found four men seat.
ed at table, around which o 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 play
era, a middle. aged man, whom l learned
was cotton planter, bet his last dollar
against the hand of one Of his antago.
nists. The latter showed four kings,
while be had only four queens. He was
" cleaned out, and rose as though he was
going to leave the table.
"Are you broke, colonel ~ asked one
Of the men.
Dead" was the laconlc reply.
Never mind; Ill lend you
No, can make a raise, reckon
here, pomp7 7"
+" Here, mass" responded an old nc
gro. as he emerged from one corner Of
the saloon.
Bring that girl and her youngster
here. that bought in Natehez. Wait a
few minutes, gentlemen, I'll raise some
money"
The old negro went on his errand, and
soon returned with the girl and her young
ster. The "girl' proved to be a stately
mulatto woman, about thirty five years
old. Her "youngsler" was fac in,ell
gent 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
as they entered, "you see the girl and
her boy--two as fine niggers as you can
aud anywhere, Ipaid eight hundred dol.
lars for them, yesterday, in Natchez,
Who will give me six hundred dollars
for them -
VIII you sell them separate % asked
some one.
mo, cant do it, promised not to.
The girl swears shel take her life, if she
is separated from her boy, and the old
master said he was sure she'd keep her
word, But don't you all see that the girl
is worth more than ! ask for both of
them? Come, who'll give me six hun.
Ired for both? p
The planter waited moment for re
PITY, and then said
"Well, l must have some money.
Como; what say you to rafile-thirty
chances at twenty dollars 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. This was Immediately followed by
the spectators, and twenty chances were
taken as rapidly as the planter could write
down the names and take the money.
Then there was a slight pause. The plan
ter himself now took two chances, and
he was followed BY his three fellow.play-
ers, who each took one chance more.
Finally three more chances were taken by
the spectators, when the planter cried
out:
1.-TWO more chances, gentlemen; who
will have them I"
General K whispered something
in Judge----'s 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
LOT tne woman
Eh--what! for the girl herself"
"ies, certainly; let's give her a
chance"
IAN right! One for Ninettc. And
low -"
That's for the boy" said Judge =
quietly, as he laid twenty dollars on the
table.
Good, bravo bravo cried the
planter and several Of the bystanders
" One for Tommy, which makes the thir.
ty. Now, gentlemen, let's see whom luck
favors.
The dice were brought, and the throw.
lug began. Each chance entitled the
holder to three throws
Thirty. six was the highest thrown un.
Ill the holder of the eleventh chance
threw. He scored forty-two. Then a
less number was thrown until number
twenty-onc scored forty nine.
The excitement now became intense
Forty nine was hard to beat; the high.
est throw possible being nine sixes-slx.
ty four.
Again and again the dice ratified in the
box, until it came TO number twenty
nine.
"Cone, Finette--its your turn now p
A the poor woman came forward, her
hands crossed, and pressed convulsively
against her breast, it was truly painful! to
witness her agitation.
ION t the gentleman that took the
chance for me, please throw ?" she asked
IN low, trcmulous tone.
No; let your boy throw" replied the
general, perhaps he may have mere luck
than l."
Come, Tom." said the planter.
Tom came forward and picked up the
box. The woman pressed her Inns firm
ly together, and casped her hands as if
in praper. The boy tremblcd like an as.
pen leaf, but shook the dice and threw
three
For 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." urget
the planter.
It's no use, master, ] couldn't throw
forty-ninc, now"
True, true; but you have your owl
chance. Throw that"
" Certainly" said Judge T., " tina
one was your mothers. Now, throw 70