Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-08-07
A nArrLE FOR FREEDOM.

K--, of Pennsylvania, with whom /
was slightly acquainted.
"A hard set, the 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
seer
Lets go down and look on awhile"
suggested the judge.
In the saloon we found four men seated
at table around whicha crowd of spec
tatOrs 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, middle aged man, who l learn
ed was cotton planter, bet his last dol
lar against the hand of one of his an
tagOnist. The latter showed four kings,
while he had only four queens. He was
CLEANED out" and rose as though he
was going to leave the table.
'sAre you broke, cOlOnelw asked one of
"Deadr' was the lacOnic reply.
'.NeYer mind; I'll lend you"
mo; l can make raise, / reckon.
Here, Pompw
"Here, NASSAU responded an old ne
gro, as he emerged from one corner of
saloon. ~
Bring that girl and her y0ungster
here that / bought in Natchez. 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
yOungster. The girl proved to be a
stately mulatto woman, about thirty-five
years old. Her "yOungster" was a fine,
lntelligent-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 this girl and
her bOy-twO as fine niggers as you can
find anywhere. 1 paid $500 for them
yesterday in Matches. Who will give me
$500 for them?" $50.
will you sell them separator" asked
some one.
mo, 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
But don't you all see that the girl is
them? Come, whO'lf-giv me $500 for
bOthP"
The planter waited a moment for a
reply, and then said:-
swell, must have some money. Come
what say you to raffie-thirty chances
at 500 a chance? Out with your cash
first throww
This proposition created decided stiI
among all present. The three players
at the, table led off by taking three
chances each. Their examples was fol
lowed by the spectators. and the thirt,
chances were taken as fast as the planter
could write down the names and take thu
money. Then there was slight pause
The planter himself now took twt
chances. and he was followed by his
three fellOw-players, who each took ont
chance more. Finally, three mOr'
chances were taken by the spectators
when the planter cried out:
1.-Two chances still. gentlemen! Wht
will have them?"
Gen. K whispered something il
Judge rs ear, and then went to til,
table and laid two ten-d0llar gOld-piece'
on it.
"Name, sir, please"
"Neyer mind the name. Put it dOwI
"Eh-whatl for the girl herself?"
"Yes, certainly; let's give her
chance"
"All right One for Ninette. And nov
'SThat's for the boy" said Judge j
quietly, as he laid $50 on the table.
40 b~o -. n. II -
and several of the by-standers. "0n
for Tommy, which makes the thirty
Now, gentlemen, let's see whom luc
fayOrs." 80
The dice were brought, and thrOwin
began. Each chance entitled the hOlde
to three throws.
Thirty-six was the highest throw
Hntilsthe holder of the eleventh chanc
threw, He scored fOrty-twO. Then
less number was thrown, until numbe
twenty-One scored fOrty-nine.
The excitement now became intens,
Forty-nine was hard to beat; the highes
throw possible being nine sixes-ffty
four.
Again and again the dice ratified i
the box, until it came to number twent,
nine.
Come. Ninette-- Its your turn nowp'
As the poor woman came forward, ne
hands crossed and pressed convulslvel
against her breast, it was truly paint
to witness her agitation.
wont the gentleman that took tn
chance for me please thrown" she aske
in low, tremulous tone.
NO; let your boy throw" replied tn
general; perhaps he would have moi
luck than /"
Come, T0m," said the planter.
Tom came forward and picked up tn
box. The woman pressed her lips t,
gether. The boy trembled like an a!
pen-leaf, but shook the dice, and thre,
three!
For q moment he stared at the dice a
though he could not believe his eye
then he put down the box and steppe
back pale and detected.
"Come, Tommy, throw again." urge
the planter. ~
Its no use, master; l couldn't thrO
fOrty-nine now"
True, true! But you have your Ow
chance. Throw that"
Certainly" said Judge J., "that OF
was your mothers. Now throw for you
self on the chance gave you. Have